Wednesday 6 April 2011

New Challenges on Gingersnaps

The main theme this month at Gingersnaps is the Orient, which gives us scope for lots of ideas, images and colours. The Chestnut Theme challenge GC97 starts today with the theme *Geishas*. This is my interpretation of the theme:
This is a mixed media piece using collage and stamping. The geometric forms are from Hein design, the bush from LaBlanche. The flower is from Prima.
This was not the only card I tried with this theme, here are my first attempts, with which I was not really satisfied:

Here again I have made a mixed media piece with collage, stamping, and a feeble try at origami for the flowers. The image was from my stash. The tiger stamp was a bargain from EBAY, manufacturer unknown!



Here I have used an Image from *Geisha Gallery* and flowers from my stash.










And yesterday I found time to complete my GC94 - Office supplies Challenge. I had an empty chocolate box (thanks, they were DELICIOUS!!) which I covered with mod podge and strips of antique magazines, parts of print outs with writing on them, stamped script etc - a good way to use up left overs that sometimes get binned. I gave it a coat of diluted white gesso when it was finished, and then filled it with diverse ancient pens, ink cartridges, paper clips, a tape measure, scissors, a pencil, a pencil sharpener and a mini stapler which never worked. And of course, a mini telephone, which is off the hook, so as not to disturb the workers - *Please hold the line!* I fixed them all with the hot glue gun. No blisters this time, B has lent me her one, which is bigger, and much more difficult to burn yourself with, as it also has a great stander which is really stable - woohoo! Anyway, the result was another shadow box for my arty kitchen wall. When the wall is full I will expand into the hall!


And I got a parcel ready for posting, and made a pretty label for the front of it. I wonder how it will look when the post has finished with it? But life and art are journeys, and the transport here is a part of that journey....


So, that's all for now. Thanks for looking, thanks for all the lovely comments, which are very much appreciated, have a great day and take care!

29 comments:

  1. Wonderful Valerie!
    The chocolate box is inspired and I love all your Geishas.
    Great label too - hope the posties take care of it. :)
    Hugs xx

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  2. Wow, Valerie, I knew your oriental work was going to be fabulous. My favourites are the first and the third one, the colours in the first one are so vibrant and I just love the geisha image in the third. I have never actually done any mixed media work but I am so tempted to give this challenge a go. You've inspired me! Suze x

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  3. Thanks a lot ladies! Suze, just try it. The nice thing is that every piece turns out differently, and unique!

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  4. Wow they are amazing Val I cannot choose between them all Fabulous.
    Chris xx

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  5. Inspired Orient pieces beautiful selection here and that envelope WOW. The office/work theme had me stumped but you have made a fab pen tray here love everything you are sharing with us! XOXO Zoe

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  6. Love your cards, especially the first geisha one, such beautiful colours. And the other things are good, too - love that pencil box!

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  7. The first one is my fave ... it's the colours .. can't resist! I'd love to see your arty kitchen wall ... photo perhaps? There is a fountain pen in your altered box I am oooogling. Great looking parcel! :o) hugs from Mexico, Donna

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  8. they are all just wonderful!! :-)

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  9. Gorgeous cards, Valerie! Love the chocolate box, brilliant! Your mailing label is devine, I wonder where your label will travel too :)

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  10. It's on its way to Mexico via Texas! The lady at the post was horrified that I had *defaced* the whole front with silly pictures!

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  11. Gorgeous Geishas ...all of them and your pencil box is superb.

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  12. Love the orient inspiration with these ,and the chocolate box simply divine!

    Hugs June

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  13. Love your creativity and productivity!!!!
    Oriental artwork, they are all beautiful.
    Office Supplies is so quirky and I am sure the chocolates were delicious.
    Finally the label, how special would it be to receive a parcel from you in the mail. Lovely touch.
    Wishes
    Lynne M

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  14. Great work again, love it all! Hugs, Barb

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  15. These are all beautiful my friend!

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  16. All of your pieces look just so amazing! They are so wonderful in their design and composition. Thanks for joining us at Gingersnap Creations for the challenge.

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  17. I can't even choose a favourite piece today, all of your projects are beautiful!

    Hugs, Carole xxx

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  18. Hi Valerie, what a great theme at Gingersnaps. Your oriental cards really are lovely, the first one has such beautiful colours, and the flowers on the third one look just right. I can imagine your postal label brightening up the day of some poor harrassed postal worker. CoB

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  19. I love all your oriental cards - so lovely. The label is wonderful and the sentiment about art & journeys really struck a cord ... :)

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  20. Terrific Geisha's Valerie and love your pencil box as well. Annette x

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  21. Your Geisha cards are beautiful, I love the first one the colours are lovely.
    xxx Hazel.

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  22. Beautiful! I'm still keeping an eagle eye on those sweet birds. Aren't the babies the cutest? My new Grand baby is doing very well :)

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  23. So very lovely. The color on the geisha for Gingersnaps was amazing. Such beautiful wor. take care, gerri

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  24. Your mixed media work is fabulous!

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  25. Valerie Your Geisha's are beautiful!
    Don't you just love your understanding post office..
    How it will arrive?! - I was just asking that question about my beloved ribbon spool! Lol Hugs Tee

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  26. Lovely pieces! Each one has its own elegance!

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  27. I love all of your arsty endeavors ... so very lovely & adventurous ... I would love to see a picture of that art-filled wall ... thanks for joining our challenges at Gingersnap Creations.

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  28. Wunderschöne Werke, sie sind sehr inspirierend und gefallen mir richtig gut.

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