Thursday, September 17, 2009

Asian Poste

Everyone needs a friend like Emily Pruitt, who I know from the Christian Paper Artists group (she doesn't have a blog, or I'd post her link). She recently did some deep cleaning, but instead of merely throwing things out, she emailed me and offered to mail me the booty if I was interested. Are you KIDDING? When she mentioned the words, "Asian stuff", I immediately said "YES!"


The flat rate box arrived today filled with everything from corporate holiday greeting cards (sumo wrestlers sent wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year) to a newspaper filled with great layouts like the top photo I posted. There was even an Artchix collage sheet of vintage geishas. Emily also thoughtfully included a bag of trinkety *bling* for Rebecca (not pictured). This afternoon Rebecca and I walked up to the Corder One Stop for a pack of Juicy Fruit Gum, my little shooper decked out in two twinkling bracelets and carrying her 23 cents in a roomy change purse with key chain attachment.


Some of my favorite things in Emily's box were the pop up cards like this one. Perfect, needs-no -further-altering-art, for a pop up page in an altered book.



There was also a catalog of mail order food gifts with gorgeous photos and page layouts. Wish I had some of the food wrappers pictured!





I am not normally into "cutes", but Chinese and Japanese cutes have a wonderful flat graphic quality that speaks to my designer soul.





China elephants and cartoon kids sending holiday greetings. I love how different the images are from American Christmas cards.






One of several menus displaying exotic dishes.






And the kind of art that once inspired the likes of Gaugin and Manet. I have been collecting Asian bits and pieces forever and not accumulating much, in the hopes of one day doing an Asian themed book. I think that day has come. And I've heard that I have more Asian stuff yet to come, from another source, so there will be more Asian eye candy in a future post.
Thank you, again, Emily!








Tuesday, September 15, 2009

My New Toy

I have NEVER been so excited about a new rubber stamp as today when I picked up my
"Ruby Floy" stamp from the printer!
Now I can remind my buyers where to come back for the good stuff
when they use it up a need more!

Monday, September 14, 2009

And the Winner Is....

Yes, Wendy, it's you!
If you are one of those who says, "I never win anything", you can't say it any more! Ha!
Thanks to all who posted and humored me by responding to my prompt question.
I learned a few things-- rust dying, must try it!
I'll be doing more giveaways in the future.
I have too much stuff and can't keep it ALL.
If you do happen to buy something from my etsy shop, I will add extra things.
Just because I like to do that sort of thing for friends, or future friends.
I don't know many strangers.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Prompt Journal Giveaway!

Prompt /'pram(p)t/ vt [ME prompten, fr. ML promptare, fr. L promptus prompt]
1: to move to action : INCITE 2: to assist (one acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned : CUE 3 : to serve as the inciting cause of : urge - prompt-er n

To celebrate the opening of my etsy shop (and already making a sale!!! thank you Cindy! And I hope you find my "book", "useful"!)
I am having a giveaway.
One lucky winner will receive one of my prompt journals
created from
20 library book pocket cards, bound together with sturdy chipboard covers,
and using a lovely patina-ed antique silver wire.
This handy little prompter measures approx. 3" x 5".
Of course, every page has a book title which suggests something to write about or
illustrate. It could also be used for a spontaneous game of charades!


Most of the pages are marked with handwriting and or date stamps for a great altered art base.
The pages are slightly larger than an ATC so creating a little piece of art
doesn't take a huge time commitment.


To be eligible to win one of these unique journals,
please post a link to my blog and/ or etsy shop
on your blog and leave a comment here.
Prompt question:
If you had a box of sugar cubes, a jar of rusted nails
and a sock, what would you make?
I'll announce the winner next Monday.
Tell your friends!


Note: Winner is NOT chosen based on how the above prompt question is answered. ;) Winner will be chosen by randon drawing.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Open For Business

I've always had a dream to own a shop.


First an antique store.


And I did, for a little while, sell antique-y and cool stuff on ebay.





Lately though, I've wanted to sell my creations.


And stuff I collect for inspiration.


And the stuff I have too much of--


which my husband says can ALL go.
He's not a mean man.


He's just "had it up to here" living with


a Pack Rat.
(That would be Me.)


So, to save my stuff from the threat of being unceremoniously


stuffed into Black Trashbags and hauled away,


I have opened an etsy shop.





Ruby Floy is now open for business.
Enter here.


My worst fear is selling out of stuff too quickly.

I hope I am not too optimistic.

Come in and browse!
Your purchase will surely
save something from the landfill.



Monday, August 31, 2009

Hardware Hullabaloo is....

Done!
Just glued the pieces down this morning. To see my rough layout, scroll down to August 19th below. I added a few details to the finished piece (felted heart, charms, Bingo piece, wings,etc.)

On to the next project!












Friday, August 28, 2009

Found In A Book

Please excuse the blurry photos.
I hope you get the idea of my post in spite of my cantankerous camera.
This is one of the things I love about second hand books.
The bonus treasures found within.
The pressed rose and a maple leaf in an antique German Bible.
Not in an old book, but a friend thoughtfully placed these newspaper print hearts
when she gave me a Rachel Ashwell book as a gift.
A lovely, translucent day lily.
Found this just last week in a Victorian book of days,
at the thrift store.



Someone's personal notes left in a moldering book on world history.



In the same moldering history book I placed a butterfly to flatten.
If I remember to retrieve it for my project, great.
The book served my purpose.
But if I forget the butterfly,
well,
I will be pleasantly surprised with its discovery in the future;
or
someone else will be delighted by the hidden treasure.