Victorian Toy Theatre pt.2

So you have all your supplies now, what's next? Well, I just spent some time thumbing through the few Dover books I had ( if you don't have any, the local library probably has some and it's free. You can also sign up for the Dover Sampler online. Also a freebie.).

Unfortunately, I don't have any of the architectural books, so I just chose images I felt would work and did some altering/covering. I did some of this in a photo program on the computer; you can use photocopies if you don't have access to a computer/ scanner. I printed out my front wall and back wall images on cover stock, rather than regular bond paper; it's heavier and it tends to attach to the foam core a bit better and doesn't bubble up as much. I used matte medium instead of white glue for this for the same reason. It spreads more evenly.

The size of your theatre: well, you can be like me and just wing it or you can be organized and already have you front, back and foam core floor all nicely cut to size, so you don't end up with a pile of foam core in foam core purgatory ( I have the photos to prove it!).

Just for the record, the front and back of my theatre are approximately 7 x 9.5 inches. The floor is approximately 8 x 12 inches. This is just the way it turned out. Just remember, measure twice, cut once or you will end up with many pieces of mis-cut foamcore (which I guess you can always use for other projects.).






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

But I digress...

This morning, I locked my keys in my car. Click. My keys and my celphone sit on the backseat with my groceries, taunting me. Now, before you think, "how the heck did she manage that?", I would like to point out that I am obviously not the only one on planet Earth to accomplish this rare feat.
Believe me, when my neighbour, who I approached to use a phone to call my husband about this asked me why it happened, I had to really refrain from telling him the truth. That I actually wanted to spend 40 minutes (each way) riding the subway, to visit my husband at his work to get the spare key and read the local free rag of a newspaper on the way home at my leisure.
Click.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Victorian Toy Theatre pt. 1

Over the holidays, I picked up a copy of "Artist's Cafe: Best of Somerset Studio Art & Design" (Volume 3). Inside there was an article on an artist who wrote about making a Victorian Toy Theatre ("Model Behavior" by Michelle Ward). Upon further reading I thought to myself' "Ahhh... I need to make one of these." As the instructions were rather vague, but the photographs lovely, I did what I always do when trying to figure out how to put stuff together. Google it. I found some really great information and even some fun patterns. But, like the author/artist of the article, I wanted to make this theatre my own. So, what's one to do, but to dive in.
As I am writing this, it's still under construction, so I'll be writing this as the work progresses. I guess the best place to start would be to give you the tools and materials I used:

-Craft knife, always use a fresh blade.
- Tacky Glue
- Matte Medium
- Foam Core (2-3 sheets, because if you're like me a miscut is always possible.)
- Dover books for images or any images that inspire you.
-Access to a computer/photo program or photocopier
-Cork back metal ruler
-Straight pins (to hold structure)
-Pencil
-Self-healing cutting mat

Anyway, this is the start. You might discover as you work better ways or tools or materials that work for you.
Below are some of the images I picked for the front side of my theatre.
See you in a few days.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Art of Victorian Collage

I love collage and being a self proclaimed sucker for Victorian costume drama, I couldn't help but having to post this. I thank the friend who emailed me about it. I only wish that the Met was a bit closer. Anyone have a Time Machine or Portal I could borrow?




http://www.metmuseum.org/Special/se_event.asp?OccurrenceId=%7B07E0F589-3CF2-4929-9F71-469BC40A403E%7D


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Die Cold. Die hot.

I'm in New Hampshire and I can't remember it being so cold. Ever (it's -15c or 4.5 f ). Anyway, my brother-in-law, Ted, who is from Texas, brings up the theory that would you die quicker being dropped in the middle of a forest in New Hampshire, naked on an extremely cold day (like we were having that day), then you would if you were dropped in the middle of the Texas desert, naked, on it's hottest day. This, being the reason why people prefer to live in warmer climes then colder ones. Well, I don't disagree that hypothermia wouldn't get you within a few hours in option 1, but at least it would be quick. As for option 2, I admittedly hate hot weather, so being dropped in the middle of a desert would be a slow, painful demise, no water and horrendous heat exposure , not to mention the possibility of spontaneous combustion (which could be fairly quick, come to think of it.).
My final word on all this, however, is that it all adds up to which you prefer, if you like a more seasonal climate, you'll choose option one; if you like hotter weather, you would go for option two.
Happy New Year, Ted.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I want to spend my Christmas with..

...a Dalek. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuBJ5H9m3Sc&sns=em

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
(Big Thanks to my friend, Carla, for passing this along to me.)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

5 Things We Can All Learn From The Doctor.

With David Tennant's tenure as the tenth Doctor ending very soon, I am putting forward 5 lessons I have learned from his reign.These are not in any partcular order:
1. Water is patient. It always wins.
2. When cornered by a Sontaran, always go for the vent in the back of the neck. A tennis ball will do the trick very well.
3. A Dalek is not a robot.
4. If someone (or something) says you need to to be upgraded, run! Just run!
5. When in doubt, invoke the Shadow Proclamation.

A 19th-Century Mathematician Finally Proves Himself : NPR

A 19th-Century Mathematician Finally Proves Himself : NPR

Interesting article/radio segment about Lord Babbage's Difference Engine. If it came to pass, instead of being scrapped by the British Government, Victorian England could have had itself an Information Age. Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron, recognized the genius of Babbage's work and helped put his ideas down in writing.
Worth taking 5 minutes out to listen to. Great photos as well.

I know. I lied.

I know I promised to write something every 2 weeks, but here's a great link to make up for my lethargicness ( Is that actually a word?). Enjoy!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Great-Artist-Warm-Up-Exercise/

Steampunk self-portrait and apologie

Here is my portrait of my Steampunk alias
Ms. Euphrasia Griffin, adventuress.

Why not get your own Steampunk persona?
Go to:
http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/steampunk-resources/steampunk-name-generator

Many thanks to Countess Nettie Lushington for sharing.

Now for the apologie. I know I've been lax writing this blog as life sometimes gets in the way (as we all know.). For my gentle readers who have been checking in, I will post you something of wit and value once a week. Failing that, my penance will be to wear a hair shirt until I get something written for you. Thank you.

Julie, Julia and Julian.

Now here's a concept. I cook my way through Julia Child's cookbook and attempt to feed what I cook to my son, who is an especially picky eater and won't eat anything that is not shaped like a pizza, a hotdog or a grilled cheese sandwich. Then I write a blog about it.

( Ok. I admit, he likes salad, pasta and snowpeas, too. Grudgingly.)

Textin' & Drivin'

I always thought it was a myth that the number one cause of car accidents was drivers texting, until I actually witnessed it the other day. We pulled up beside this car at a light, and lo and behold, the guy in the car next to us is texting away with a real goofy look on his mug. He then proceeded to make a real bone headed driving move when the light changed.

Look, if the 'office joke' is so good that you need to put your 2 cents in, at least pull over, so you don't kill someone.

Fed up with the Toronto Garbage Strike?

When in the "dumps", make art!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPTjzdXYNug

Memorial.

Everything that can be said, has been said, so I will say no more.