Tag Archives: ATBs

A ballerina music box goes steampunk 

A ballerina music box goes steampunk 
A ballerina music box goes steampunk 

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My latest creation was inspired by my daughter who will be performing in a steampunk circus show for the month of August.

Instead of being a dancer like this tiny figure, my daughter will be riding a giraffe unicycle (giraffes are the extra tall unicycles) amid amazing steampunk props and scenery. However I loved the idea of transforming the typically delicate music box into a steampunk wonder. Read the rest of this entry

This is me

This is me

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Canvas Corp has the spotlight on my Artist Trading Block today.  “Wishes” is an altered art sculpture about my past and present. It is me. The little girl in the photo is me around four years old. I was wearing a big hat, facing a big world, and had big wishes and big opportunities in front of me. Read the rest of this entry

Oh so hip artist trading block–part two

Oh so hip artist trading block–part two

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Please visit the wonderful gang over at the Robin’s Nest to see the tutorial for  Part Two of the Mid-Century Artist Trading Block, celebrating the marvelous mid-century.

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Oh so hip artist trading block–Part one

Oh so hip artist trading block–Part one

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I’m back with another artist trading block–this one celebrating the marvelous mid-century. Read all about how to make it over at he Robin’s Nest.

 

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Check out this Artist Trading Block in honor of spring

Check out this Artist Trading Block in honor of spring

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Some of you who live in temperaturesane parts of the world are already enjoying spring. It’s usually a different story here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where winter almost always lasts well into April.

To remind myself that spring will eventually come, I made this Golden Spring Artist Trading Block (ATB). Please check out the tutorial over at the Robin’s Nest. Read the rest of this entry

Full tutorial for Cinderella’s Time Gone By Artist Trading Block

Full tutorial for Cinderella’s Time Gone By Artist Trading Block

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Last summer I posted a tutorial for an usual Artist Trading Block over at the Robin’s Nest. It was so well received that I thought it deserved a full replay here.

My Cinderella’s Time Gone By Artist Trading Block (ATB) features remnants of Cinderella’s ballroom dance at the castle and plays with the concept of Time: the importance Time played during Cinderella’s special night, the fact that this Time took place in the past and how Time distorts, warps and fractures memories. Read the rest of this entry

An artist trading block–be careful when toying with Number 13

An artist trading block–be careful when toying with Number 13

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As you are probably aware by now, Paper Calliope has been hosting the 13 Days of October. For 13 days in October I am featuring different autumn and Halloween focused craft projects. I playfully chose the number 13 to toy with spooky superstitions. Read the rest of this entry

This ATB shows that fairy tales really do come true

This ATB shows that fairy tales really do come true

 

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I am thrilled to show you my newest Artist Trading Block (ATB). It is especially exciting because it is also my first project as a member of the Robin’s Nest International Design Team. Please stop by their blog and check out my Cinderella’s Time Gone By ATB and tutorial.

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Artist Trading Block: “Rain” #2 in Jane Austen ATB Series

Artist Trading Block: “Rain” #2 in Jane Austen ATB Series
Artist Trading Block: “Rain” #2 in Jane Austen ATB Series

Several months ago I began my foray into the world of Artist Trading Blocks (ATB) with a sculptural block celebrating Jane Austen’s Emma.

A delightful quote from the 1996 Jane Austen movie Emma, starring Gywneth Paltrow, inspired me to create that first ATB. Yet, a second line in the movie, when a drenched Mr. Knightley proclaimed his love to Emma, also caught my attention.

“I rode through the rain. I’d ride through worse than that if I could just hear your voice 
telling me that I might, at least, have some chance with you.” 

As the months went by, my desire to make another Jane Austen ATB based on this line only increased. Finally, as our long winter finally slid into spring, and our own rains began, I decided to go ahead and make this ATB.

The trouble is, I knew what I wanted it to look like and I knew it would not be easy. Then I came across The Robin’s Nest Sea Glass Tear Drops and I knew I had found my perfect raindrops.

I might write a tutorial for this ATB in the days ahead–but this project took so long to create and I am so pleased with the results, that I am reverting back to my five-year-old self and cannot wait any longer to show it to you.

Introducing: “Rain” #2 in the Jane Austen ATB Series:

Artist Trading Block Rain by Paper Calliope

This is how the Rain ATB appear when it is closed. Mr. Knightley’s horse sits atop the box.

Read the rest of this entry

Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition

Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition

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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

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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. Read the rest of this entry