Positively Me

November ATC Topic: Positively Me

Not my favourite subject matter, but lets face it, it is just one step further towards the natural subjectiveness we bring to all our art, isn't it? Essentially the idea was that every now and then we need to evaluate ourselves, and be proud of who we are and what we have come through, and even become (also a good place to identify where we may need changes or improvements.... hmmm!). We were talking about how we always take pictures of other people, and usually scrapbook them, or at least look at them/show them off - you get the picture. But how often are we happy with a picture of ourselves? I am sure many of us can relate to this picture:

So we were told that we MUST have 18 different words to describe ourselves, and if possible, include a photo of ourselves..... I had to take a photo; there aren't many. And I am bravely about to share with you! But then, I had to alter myself a little. Are you surprised?

In fact, I Warholed myself. Click here if you'd like to do yourself! One of his paintings just sold for $21 Million, so these are worth at least five bucks. Each!! ;)

Some of the words are similies - 18 was a lot, especially if you're not your favourite subject matter..... and some may seem negative, but I don't consider them to be. They are frank, and true, for good or bad! It doesn't mean I am proud of all of them, but I know who I am, and I'm cool with that. Which is a good way to be, really! And yes, I am being a ham - my face does not usually hold this pose!

As you can see, the camera and the printer didn't show the vibrancy of the originals very well, so I have added them here. It was a bit of fun!

My Baby Girl: recently turned 8, Mademoiselle chose all the elements for her own cards.

I interviewed her about why she chose each each one. Here are her delightful answers!

'I called my cards 'Amazing Me!', because I am amazing and my Mummy loves me and she thinks I am amazing.' (Mummy starts to cry about here!!)

'I chose this picture of myself, because I like myself, and I thought it would be nice, and it's me!'

'I put a photo of my eye  on because I like my eyes; they change colour from blue to green and from green to blue, just like Daddy's, and they are pretty.'

'I put a flower with my fingerprint in the middle because my fingerprint is unique to me, and  I like pretty flowers.'

'I lost one 'eye', so I had to draw it on one card...'

The words Zoe chose are: Excited, Giggly, Fun, Fast, Flexible, Scary, Friendly, Pretty, Jumpy, Crazy, Impatient, Lovely, Surprising, Energetic, Cautious, Curious and Creative.

I am SOOOOOO proud of her! I would never have been able to do something so AMAZING about myself at her age - I struggle a bit now! Long may this positive self image last!

My Greatest Projects!

Just a little peek at the biggest projects in my life.... never ending yet rewarding, exhausting, unbelievable, constantly remarkable..... love these mischievous darlings. And as far as trying to get everyone looking 'normal/happy/well presented' etc as one does on family portrait occasions, I was pretty happy. They do look kinda sweet... I should def look at them more to remind myself how adorable they (can be... er) are!

This is the 'I don't want to touch my sister and I AM smiling', photo....

Master 9

Miss 8

Master 4 - who at the last minute decided to wave.... not noticed until prints came back.....!

Master 20 months.... Yes, he is too cute!

So cute they decided to do a different shot to catch the curls!

The Family.... Actually thought we had to get this because it is the best shot of Dad I have seen for  a while! The rest of us.... and if it looks like I am falling down, it is because I am! I was instructed to put and elbow on Dad's leg, but also had to secure two wriggly children!! Oh well, it is almost an action shot of what life is really like - juggling and trying to look good!! Dad has just pointed out his mutant big toe - he was trying to balance himself too!

Medieval Revelry!

Theme for the month: Medieval.

And there was much rejoicing!

Seriously, there was much rejoicing! When the topic was drawn out of the hat, there was a look of delight on most faces, and a few squeals of delight! But where to start? Such a broad theme.....

There was no choice really. You tell me Medieval, and I immediately think of two things:

1) Black Adder

2) Monty Python and the Holy Grail

And as much as I love Edmund, that is not my favourite series (Prince George wins!), therefore I was left to do an ATC based around a movie that I have loved since.... well, the first time I saw it, which was many, many moons ago!

I found this cute quiz online too: Which Monty Python And The Holy Grail Character Are You?

It turns out, I am 'Sir Galahad the Pure: you may seem a bit naive and innocent on the outside, but trust me, you do have very different things on your mind from time to time!'

As much as I obviously don't buy into quizzes on the internet, ('Who will YOU marry? Surprisingly accurate!' And so on!) I thought this was a cute bit of fun.... and incidentally, a little true! But also of many people I imagine. I liked it best because Michael Palin is by far and away my favourite Python. (In fact, I am off to see him soon talking about his new book about his travels in Brazil - Michael Palin AND Brazil? Night in heaven!)

Moving on.....!

There are so many scenes that I love from this movie, I could talk to you about it all day. I have the complete script, and as much memorabilia as I can get my hands on..... don't judge! Lol..... hmmm. I even decoupaged 

a table once- it was lime formica; not cool at the time, but I'd love it now! I spent ages covering it with Monty Python calendar pictures. It was awesome, if I say so myself. Unfortunately it got irreparably water damaged in a move and had to go to table heaven... 

Once more, I take a round about course to reach my point: it was SOOOOO difficult to choose! 

Of course I had to do something, so I settled on the Migrating Swallow scene.

 

I went to my usual haunts for supplies, and found a fantastic ribbon, the pattern on it was Medieval enough.... how to marry it together? Fabric, Medieval... - Bayeux Tapestry! If you don't know what it is about, then you don't know your history! William the Conqueror? King Harold? Battle of Hastings? 1066? Any of these ring a bell?

Scene from the Bayeux Tapestry

The real tapestry is nearly 70m long... bit big for an ATC ;)

Then I found this awesome app where you can create your own scene 'Bayeux style'... Such fun! 

So, print, stitch, ink, emboss; and there we have it.

Before printing onto cotton.

I also loved the idea of manuscripts, books, history, learning.... so I added a small seal; last used on our wedding invitations, so wax is a bit fragile! 

Keeping with the manuscript theme, an Illuminated book plate label!

And my sweet little Chick made her first cards too! Titled 'Kings, Queens and Knights', she hand cut all of these (pretty good when one is not only a lefty but also has not yet mastered scissor accuracy - especially when one has a production line and has to cut 18 individual replicas! I think she did a great job. She decided on all the elements herself and I only helped by teaching her how to use mediums and processes she hadn't used before - using templates, for example.

The Background is the crown of gold, complete with jewels. She decided to downsize her original design for the shield from a 'Lion Rampant' (difficult to replicate when one wants to hand draw them all!) to an Escutcheon Or with Chevron Inverted in Sanguine. Impressed? I love heraldry :)  (Gold shield, red upside down chevron....)