January 14, 2008

My First Round Robin

Last week, I was invited to do my first round robin. I didn't even know there was such a thing and I was honored to be included. I admit though, I am so nervous. The other crafters involved are amazing at what they do. I look through my magazines and books with collage art and am just blown away with what I see. I think to myself, "I wish I could do something like that".

I am not as concerned about my own altered book as I am doing someone else's, and doing a job they will love. This is my first time altering a book, but I have really enjoyed doing it and letting my creative side run wild.


This is the cover of my book. Every piece is something new. I love an aged corner and leave no paper inkless. I love brown and pink together, so I decided to let that be my background. I have included vintage sheet music and a french flashcard that says "sing", vintage lace, some rubber stamping and embossing and collage images of vintage valentines. I titled my book with the french phase "The passion of two". And yes, I have an entire store of ribbon tied on. It just goes with my personality and the way I love to indulge in things. It is my book, so crazy with the fibers I went. (update 1-17-08 my oldest told me that I needed to give my book a hair cut, so I did. I do like it better, it is about 1/2 the length)

In all honesty, I am not satisfied with the end product, but I am not going to work on it anymore until I get it back. I am very anal at times, too analytical like my dad! (chirp).


I love images of birds and bird eggs, so I decided to add a few of them as well.


This is the inside cover (on left) and the first page in my book.


This one is titled "Queen of Hearts" and the other phrase is "blinded by love". I think this pretty much speaks for itself. If not, it can mean whatever you like.


This is a first for me. I see images like this in my magazines and just love them. I used my usual vintage sheet music, and some vintage ledger paper to make my fairy. Her head, body, and wings are all hand stamped. Next I colored it in with watercolor crayons and "painted" it. Her skirt is made from a scrap of toile fabric, another fav, and some vintage lace and trim. Of course a fairy needs a wand, and I have one left to use on the piece I am making for Erika (please see post below). I am really pleased with how this came out.


This is the last page in the book. I had to include my personal info, so I used this awesome stamp on the left, found through my friend Val at http://wanderlustnpixiedust.typepad.com/. This was stamped onto an old ledger page, very carefully.


I just found this Southern Railroad page recently, and included it on my collage. The bird photos were cut out of a french book that I found and one is perched on top of a big egg. I wonder if it will hatch? Why couldn't it be golden, like the bird?


I love this toile paper, and added another golden bird in flight. I attached some flowers, a heart, and some vintage seam binding that I found last week at one of my favorite shops. My five year old enjoys going with me and always finds a treat for herself.


Originally, this was the cover. I ever so carefully ripped up all of these pieces of pages from an old french book and even aged the sides with ink. My fingers looked like I had dipped them in chocolate and the whole process took forever. I ran them through my zyron machine, but was not pleased with the edges. I ended up putting some modge podge and darker ink on and hated it. Everything happens for a reason though. I have had this picture for some time, a sailor holding flowers on a map of Paris. I found it on the web and printed it up on my computer. IT IS NOT AN IMAGE THAT I CREATED, and if you are the person that created it, please let me know so I can give you the credit you deserve. I added some crystal effects to the flowers to make them pop, and added some other flowers with a pink brad.



This is the back of my book. Very simple with a bit of old and a bit of new, nothing borrowed and a bit of blue.

I have one more page that I want to do, but won't complete it until I get it back.

So, now is where you can help me. Please leave me some feedback about my work. Things to add, how to make it better, or if you would even like receiving something like it. I now have to create in everyone else's book and I am nervous as can be. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Now, off to work a bit on Erika's banner.


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it looks great! I would not change a thing!

Kathy said...

I am no expert...but I think it is wonderful. I couln't think of one more thing to add. It is a feast for the eyes... Don't be nervous, have fun with it. I owe you an e~mail. Been a bit busy!

Abbie said...

Hi Rhonda! I think that is fabulous!! Such inspiration for everyone who will work on it! Don't worry about the other books.. yiou'll be amazed at how inspiring the other books will be!
Just have fun and enjoy the process!
:) Abbie

Sherry said...

I like this just as you've done it...I don't think any artist ever feels the work is "complete"...we create what we feel inside, what inspires us (I think the blinded by love is great!).

CatieAn said...

hi rhonda
what a beautiful book!! Great job.
I am visiting every blogger who visited my blog and signed up for the give away. You are signed up for both and the drawing will be in a few hours hooray.
i love your blog and plan to come back and visit in depth soon
catie

Sweet Remembrance said...

Looks fabulous...
I'm in a round robin too, maybe the same one?
With Maria..hmmm!
Priscilla

Anonymous said...

Stunning!
Thank you for having a big heart!
HELLO DENISE! OH MY GOODNESS HAVE WE GOT THE FAIRIES!! HOW COOL TO GET SO MANY NEAT THINGS FROM SO MANY TALENTED PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD! EVEN ENGLAND AND THE U.K!! YESTERDAY WE OPENED THE MAIL-BOX, AND ON THE PORCH THEIR WERE BOXES OF GOODIES FOR ERIKA. HER EYES LIT UP AND SHE WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT EACH AND EVERYONE, SHE SAID IT WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS! IT IS SO COOL. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE HER A COLLAGE WITH ALL HER FAIRIES. HOW CAN I THANK EVERYONE WITH ONE THANK-YOU WERE ERIKA CAN EITHER E-MAIL OR SEND A CARD?

MUCH THANKS, DANIELLE AND ERIKA

Carolyn said...

Like Sherry said , any artist feels it`s not complete . But i think it is Rhonda . Too much i think , will detract from it , so keep it simple if you can , or go away and think for a while , then have another look .

wanderlustandpixiedust said...

Rhonda, I've been a bad blogger friend lately (and a bad round robin firend) I've just been so busy trying to juggle a lot. We all are I guess!

I feel so bad because I as so behind on my book. I will try to catch up to y'all this weekend. The mail man jsut knocked on my door with a package and I thought. Oh-oh. I don't remember buying anything". It was my swap book from Priscilla! Sooooo beautiful!
Then I went to my computer and found your comment on my blog and here I am. Your book is wonderful, simply wonderful! Remember, this is my first time too so I am also scared of my creative abilities! You have nothing to worry about. Beautiful job. This is turning out to be so much fun!