Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition

Graphic 45 hatches its new designers for 2014

Open your windows and put out the patio chairs for a new season has arrived. It’s the season when Graphic 45 selects its new design team for 2014.

Just like the Graphic 45 Staples Collection Metal Butterfly, I am irresistibly drawn to this event. The projects below serve as my audition to this prestigious annual event.

 Project 1: Giant Egg Hatches Graphic 45 Logo

I made this gigantic egg (you can see it at at the top of the post) to add a little playfulness into the audition. You poor judges can only look at so many scrapbook pages, before getting a little blurry eyed.

The egg stands 11 inches tall and features the Graphic 45 Sweet Sentiments collection. The 45 is the numerical portion of the actual Graphic 45 logo, which I enlarged, traced and then hand cut from several pieces of foam core. I then stacked them together in order to give the 45 substantial depth.

 

Project 2: Rowboat with Hidden Calendar Book

This rowboat–created from the Graphic 45 By the Sea collection–includes oars, fishing pole with fish on the line, fish in the bucket making their escape, coiled rope and a drawer with a hidden 2014 calendar. It may not be sea-worthy, but it is definitely See-Worthy.

These little fishies are springing to freedom.

Here is the drawer removed from the boat. As you can see, it is also a book. It closes with a magnetic latch. Inside are 12 fanfold slots.

Each slot contains one month of 2014.

Project 3: Artist Trading Block (ATB) Human Cannon Ball

 

Boom! This daredevil Altered Trading Box (ATB) features my carefully hoarded vintage Graphic 45 Le Cirque collection. I made this project early in 2014 and you can see the tutorial here.

Project 4: Sweet Vintage Spring Matchbox

Mimicking the cutsey little animals common in the 1950s-1970s, this tiny box is a sweet treat for the eyes. I made it using the Graphic 45 Small Matchbook Box, Graphic 45 Sweet Sentiments collection and my own collection of vintage ephemera. Of course, something this sweet requires plenty of glitter as well.

 

 

Project 5: Jane Austen ATB

This Artist Trading Block does not involve Graphic 45 products, but I wanted to include it because it is so unique. Currently it is under consideration for publication by a major art magazine. It is based on the Jane Austen book, Emma, and quotes a line from the 1996 movie of the same name starring Gywneth Paltrow. You can see more about this ATB in my earlier posting.

 

Project 6: Retro TV Photo Display with Graphic 45

Many people in the U.S. endured a long, snowy and bitterly cold winter this year. This was especially true in Minnesota (and it’s not over yet). Since my family was not going on any tropical vacations, I created our own haven by featuring a beach escape housed in with one of my favorite design styles–mid-century retro.

I based the concept on this fabulous mid-century radio I have in my studio.

I then switched the concept to a retro TV in order to incorporate a beachside scene. I used the Graphic 45 8 x8 Altered Art Matchbook Box, the Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue collection and my own handcrafted antenna, dial, knobs and inside surprise.

 

The inside screen is an 8″ x 8″ scrapbook layout. However, if you get tired of watching the same old thing, never fear! Just turn the channel. By that I mean, use the side handle to flip the page to a second scene.

A different kind of YouTube

If you are old enough to admit to having actually used a retro TV, you will likely recall how often they broke. Usually this meant a “tube” (cathode ray tube) needed to be replaced, and mom or dad would call the repairman (and yes, it was always a man in those days). The repairman would come, open up the television to reveal a mysterious jumble of tubes and other hardware.

You can see the mystery of these mechanics by opening up my retro TV (removing the display board) and discovering this Mixed Media Board featuring vintage television tubes. Unfortunately, it appears the repairman also left his glasses behind.

Project 7: Altered Art Circus Box

Last but not least, I leave you with the Altered Art Circus Box with Hidden Book I completed several years ago using the Graphic 45 Le Cirque collection. (Have I mentioned how much I adore this collection?)

I hope you enjoyed the audition, it brought me many hours of creative time happiness. Thank you for providing great products year after year. -Betsy