Monday, March 21, 2011

Homely Musings and Simon Says "A Word..."

Lo! Monday morning visits our doorstep once again...
The new theme over at Simon Says Stamp & Show is "A Word." I'm starting off the week with a new Design Piece and the well-worn but, oh so true, There's no place like home...
It is hard to close your eyes to the recent events in Japan and I started realising how precious the safety and sanctuary of my home really is. I cannot imagine how it is to lose everything you own in just a few minutes. Maybe all we can give at present are our thoughts and prayers, but they too are wanted and needed. The word home stayed with me all week and inspired my new piece.

Thoughts of little paper houses and wood felt right...something about the natural materials and earthy tones. I wanted to create my own individual houses but also wanted them to have some dimension. Somehow, my random curiosity resulted in me teaching myself some origami and I set about making 5 different homes!

Each one uses a different type of book page that has been aged with Distress Ink, stamped (Tim Holtz range) and sealed with matt medium to add strength. They are so dinky and fun to make, with each one having it's own personalty...yes, really...they talk to me.
I then started to play around with adorning each house with a little something for interest and contrast. Just a couple of buttons or an eyelet make all the difference (they will let you know if they want to wear it).
  

Here I have used just one flower punched from a metal scrap. I also started playing with laying ribbons and braid behind the homes to see how the colours and textures were looking...
The words have been typed onto Sticky-back Canvas, aged with a touch of ink and stuck onto paper scraps.


Here is "home" - the smallest but sweetest little house on the block! I don't often do heart brads but I let myself go. It was a gold brad but I dipped it into some alcohol ink for an instant makeover! You can also see the flower in the background. Just the one biggie. I used the tattered-floral die with various materials and a vintage pearl button.
The wood is a slat taken from one of my vintage apple crates (alias my telephone table...!) I decided to just go for it and wing it with some stamping straight onto the wood. I went for Sepia/Coffee Archival inks and they worked perfectly. It adds just that bit of extra contrast and pattern without detracting from the natural beauty of the wood. I also salvaged the old nails from the crate and decided to add them as a quirky touch. Yummy - just loving the brown hues there...

Once I had chosen all the positioning and background ribbon/lace, it was time to fix it all securely with the darn sticky, but best-ever Wondertape - so nothing will be going walkies.This was all a bit different to my usual thing but I loved the challenge and journey!

So that's me for today... I am so ready to crash out for the night.

I really hope you will join in our challenge and show us your word. Everyone must know at least one word - so what are you waiting for...??? You might just be in our next Top Three and Simon Says Stamp are giving away another $50 shopping spree! So, plenty of reasons to join in with the fun. Head over to the blog to see more and truly wonderful DT pieces. You'll love them. Hope to see you there...

With love and homely, happy thoughts,

Sarah


17 comments:

Nancy Wethington said...

Sarah, I adore this project! It's really beautiful and the way you have those houses placed is fabulous.

Cardarian said...

Since I have been to Cuba I have been thinking how blessed we are having what we have, but last weeks Japan earthquake only made me realise that even more! Your project is very special and very beautiful! What a lovely work of art!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Anonymous said...

wonderful creation and thought behind this project

Jo said...

these are so lovely, love the shapes, the colours and the textures.

jo
xx

Silver MLM said...

What a gorgeous work of art!
Silver MLM

jacirascrap said...

Que linda criação!!! Uma obra de arte!

Lori said...

Love this Sarah, the house theme is wonderful, and each one is special!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

What a fabulous piece, love the home theme and your houses are so creative. Just stunning. Tracy x

Juls said...

Hi Sarah,

I have been having a good look at all I have missed while I was away, you have created so many gorgeous projects!!! I am loving this one...the paper houses are so cute, and I love the real vintage look!

Hugs Juls

Marjie Kemper said...

What a fantastic piece. It's so creative and evokes a lot of emotion. Great job.

Candy C said...

Sarah...LOVE your paper house piece. It's so perfectly done and the narrative behind it is just an inspiring!

Lesley Edmonds said...

Sarah what an amazing piece. I just love the littlepaper houses and with the wood it works so well. A treat for the eye.

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Whew, this one just blew me away, Sarah! Love what you did with all the natural materials, especially stamping on the wood slat - incredibly creative! Your houses are darling and so wonderfully inspired by the tragic events in Japan. And I will tell you from personal experience how right you are to value your safe and secure home. My family and I lost our home to Hurricane Andrew almost 20 years ago. Now every night when I go to bed, I thank God for a clean,dry, safe place to sleep - something almost everyone in the civilized world takes for granted!

Hope you are having a great week!

Hugs,
Linda

Minxy said...

This is just soooo cute, love all the houses :D

Victoria said...

the houses are stunnign thank you for your visit happy woyww x

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Hi Sarah,

This piece is very beautiful and I love the detailing that you did on each house, beautiful work!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Toni said...

What a beautiful project Sarah.... just love it. What a wonderful repurposing creation. And I agree "home" is "priceless"