We're All Mad Here-Peek-A-Boo Project

I am a man of few words and as an artist I rarely include any text in any of my mixed media creations, but, when  I was asked if I would ever consider making an Alice in Wonderland book I came across some wonderful quotes the title of this post being one of them.

"When you can't look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark."

"It's no use going back to yesterday, I was a different person then."

"Have I gone mad? I am afraid so, you're entirely bonkers. But I will tell you a secret, all the best people are!"

They are the inspiration for this piece.

Supplies:  Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts-Alice in Wonderland Chipboard Silhouettes [D171A], Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts-Tiny Alice Props [C2A], a wooden frame from a 3-D model project, Alice in Wonderland Echo Park Scrapbook papers, sandpaper block, Tim Holtz Distress Sprays-Crushed Olive, Fired Brick, Walnut Stain, Wild Honey, and Antique Linen, Tim Holtz Distress Stain-Vintage Photo, Acrylic Paint-Copper, Blue-Red (Maroon), Pearlized Black, Interference Blue(Fine) and Violet(fine), Bookboard, Damp Cloth, Bonefolder, Versa Mark, Wendy Vecchi Embossing Powder-Red Geranium, Ranger Embossing Powder-Gold and Black Sparkle, Heating Tool, Paintbrush, Weldbond, plastic bags filled with kitty litter, clamps,  microbeads, black gesso, rust patinas, and green moss dimensional paints, ArtDeco Single Step Crackle Finish, ArtDeco Antiquing Cream, baby wipes, collection of various embellishments, thin tip Sharpie, red chain, and screw eyes

1.  Take apart the Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts Alice in Wonderland Chipboard Silhouettes and Tiny Props.

2.  Stain the wooden frame using Tim Holtz Distress Sprays Crushed Olive, Fired Brick, Walnut Stain, and Wild Honey.

3.  Add further distressing by dry brushing on Acrylic Paint-Copper, Blue-Red (Maroon), and Pearlized Black.

4.  Decide on how you will place Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts Alice in Wonderland Chipboard Silhouettes and Tiny Props into the six sections of the frame. Take pictures to remember your placement.

 

5.  Choose Alice in Wonderland Echo Park Scrapbook papers you want to use for the wallpaper in your frames-I chose two complementing patters.

 

6.  Fussy cut and glue into place using Weldbond.

7.  Gently sand the edges using a sandpaper block

8.  Cut a piece of Bookboard to add to the back to give your frame a more substantial feel. Glue into place using Weldbond.

9.   Carefully and gently press the wallpaper onto the Bookboard using s damp cloth and Bonefolder.

10.                I rubbed too hard and removed some color from the Echo Park Alice in Wonderland paper so I added Tim Holtz Distress Spray of Old Linen to tone it all down.

11.                Clamp down the edges and let it dry completely.

12.                To give the back a more finished look, choose some Echo Park Alice in Wonderland Scrapbook papers and glue to the back using Weldbond.

13.                Gently sand the edges using a sandpaper block.

14.                Stain the edges of the frame and backboard with Tim Holtz Distress Stains-Walnut Stain.

15.                Add a vintage worn appeal by painting the edges of the frame with copper acrylic paint, and Tim Holtz Distress Spay-Old Linen.

16.                Use Versa Mark and Embossing Powders to age the Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts Alice in Wonderland Chipboard Silhouettes and Tiny Props. I used Wendy Vecchi Embossing Powder-Red Geranium, and Ranger Embossing Powder-Gold and Black Sparkle.

17.                Set embossing powder using a heating tool.

18.                Dry brush with Acrylic Paint-Copper, Blue-Red (Maroon), Pearlized Black, Interference Blue(Fine) and Violet(fine) to give an aged look.

19.                Careful glue the Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts Alice in Wonderland Chipboard Silhouettes and Tiny Props into the six sections of the frame.

20.                Press into place using plastic bags filled with kitty litter or sand.

21. Add embellishments using Thick Gel Medium. 

 

22.                Add microbeads of black and gold to fill in empty spaces.

23.                Add vintage age to areas using black gesso, rust patinas, and green moss dimensional paints.

24.                Dry thoroughly before adding DecoArt One Step Crackle Finish to the background area carefully not to cover any of the Gypsy Souls Laser Cuts Alice in Wonderland Chipboard Silhouettes and Tiny Props.

25.                I edged some of the pieces using a fine point Sharpie to offset the glossy finish of the Crackle Finish.

25.                I then applied a thin layer of Antiquing Cream allowing it to dry before I buffed it off using a wet wipe. This darkens some of the cracks.

26.                Finally I added red chain using screw eyes and jump rings.

 

27.                If you wanted to take it a step further you can do a quick internet search and find many of the quotes I have included here and adhere them to the back of the frame.

Here are a few more wonderful quotes from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"If you don't care where you are going any road can take you there."

"Every adventure requires a first step."

"Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality."

"I'm not crazy, my reality is just different than yours."

...and finally.

"This is my dream, I will decide where it goes from here!"

Upon Further Reflection

I am sure you have heard it said "There is no such thing as stupid questions" and I know as a middle school educator the rhetoric I am supposed to spin but as a mixed media artists whose canvas is in book form I have had a few that I think may titter tatter into that category.  "Do they open?" goes to the top of that said list. Yes they open they are book. A close second is a duel question, "Can you write in them?" "Do they have lines?" I want to say "I can write in them...but I'm not sure about you." and "No they don't have lines but if you get a ruler that is easily fixed." But my educator training goes into action and I respond more politely. Thirdly they might ask something like "Do you have a (fill in the blank) book?" I rarely do thematic books or books with titles. I recently have added a Limited Edition Classic Combos line that are "-esque" in nature, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, and Star Wars I have sold thus far.

So whenever I hear someone at our shows exclaim, "So, they are journals?"  I must interject and proclaim, "No, they are not just journals.  We call them treasure books and they are functional art" Then they might say "Well I'm not a writer so I would not know what to do with them." Or a more thoughtful inquiry might be "How do you use them?" Sometimes I try to explain art is meant to be appreciated and adored but normally because I've been asked these questions multiple times at various shows I show them our look-book and offer suggestions as how one might go about encountering their treasure book. These are ideas that I included:

Favorite Family Recipes

We all have fond memories of foods we enjoyed through the years, or a dish that takes us back in time to Aunt Blanche's Place. Why not keep them collected in a treasure book to pass on to others. I photocopied some of my momma's recipes in her own handwriting and they remind me of my childhood.

Your Family History

We all need a place to belong. A treasure book is a great place to save where you have come from. We all have deep pasts with many colorful characters that are worth remembering. With the use of ancestory.com or other sites you are able to see just how deep your roots grow.

A Beautiful One-of-a-Kind Journal

No  two treasure books are the same. Each is a unique collection of carefully chosen papers of the highest quality. Some have images added from a variety of sites and carefully adhered to enhance the overall appeal of your treasure book. You cannot buy these at the Wal-Mart and they are made right here in the USA. If you are having a writer's block and a difficult time getting started there are many helpful suggestions by doing a quick online search for journal starters.

A Holiday Remembrance Collection

Start a tradition by saving all your favorite holiday traditions in one location. Do you have a recipe for Aunt Ruth's Peanut Butter Graham Cracker Easter Eggs?  A treasure book is a place to keep it. or how about a reason your family does what they do. It is never too late to start a few of your own traditions too.

A Birding Journal

A species checklist is a great way to remember what birds you see, but hours after observations a simple checklist will not remind you of their behaviors, field conditions, or the other factors that can make each sighting memorable. A birding journal on the other hand, on, is a way to record each bird sighting in more detail. Those details can help you perfect your identification skills. Train your eyes, ears and other senses to make more intimate observations.

Garden Diary

There is something wonderful about writing a garden diary. It's a great way to keep a record of everything you have planted, when you planted it, and where you planted it.  Make note if your crop was hugely successful or a big flop. It's a wonderful to look back over the years and see what you were up to...and what the weather was doing.

A Baby Book

Start a baby book while they are still young. Too many magical moments do not get recorded in the hustle and bustle of changing the diapers and feeding your bundle of joy. A treasure book is the perfect size to keep on hand to write down each new wonderful surprise. Plus what are you going to do with all those sleepless nights? Best to have something creative to keep you company while the others are sleeping.

A Milestone Memory Book

Do know someone who is turning the BIG Two-Oh or the even BIGGER Five-OH-NO, or someone who is graduating from high school or college? Is there a special anniversary coming up and you are looking for that one-of-a-kind type gift? Why not make a treasure book for them and you will be top of their list and remember fondly forever. I do custom Wedding Books if you know anyone taking the big plunge. Treasure books also make great Bridesmaids and Groomsmen gifts. One stop shopping, get that crossed off your to do list so you have more time to plan the menu and musical selections.

A Wine Journal

A bottle of red, a bottle of white... we all know what we like when it comes to the wine we drink. Sweet or dry, the list goes on and on. A treasure book is perfect for keeping track of the ones you have enjoyed the most. Steam off the labels: keep track of the places you purchased it and maybe a way to reorder when this bottle has seen better days.

Words of Wisdom, Songs of the Soul

A Montage of Poetry and Images of Favorite Quotes

Place all those quotes that have become your life mantras, that have carried you through the darkness, or have given you hope to hang on. We all know that life sometimes sends us for a spin and a treasure book  can hold those lifelines for you when encouragement is hard to come by.

A Friendship Remembrance Book
Borrowing from the song, "For Good" from the musical Wicked, "I've heard it said that that people come into or lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. Well I don't know if I believe that's true. But I know I am who I am today because I knew you..." Take the time and make a treasure book for one or two of your BFF's telling them how much you appreciate and treasure them.

A Travel Journal

Channel you inner romantic side and catalogue your travels in a treasure book collection. be on the lookout for unique and unusual places the locals go so your journal will be even more enticing. Why not add a train ticket or your European day trip to visit the place your parents met in Prague.

Non-Traditional Scrapbooking

Many of you have the skills and the desires, a treasure book is just that blank canvas that can take you there. Be the first of your friends to take scrapbooking to this whole new level. They are show stoppers.

 

 

Photo Albums

A treasure book will be the envy of all who see it. They look great on the coffee table and is a delightful discovery for those willing to look  beyond the cover.

An Artist Art Journal

Even creative people need a boost from time to time to keep the artistic juices flowing. Choose a treasure book that will inspire you to create even more fantastic works of art, a masterpiece held within a masterpiece.

Bucket List

Everyone has one, but will you be the one to write it down and keep track of it? What are the things you want to accomplish? What dreams are still unfulfilled? Why not take a journey of the soul? What favorite places are still left to see?

Fashion Sketch Book
Channel your inner Project Runway fashionista and come up with some of your own unique outfits ready for the next fashion week at Bryant Park. Make it work!!

Beer Book

Keeping a  journal of your beer tasting can be fun. You can track changes in your tastes or powers of perceptions, changes in different beers, and share your thoughts with other beer enthusiasts. You can challenge yourself to try as many different types of beers as possible. You will also be able to remember a particular beer and why you liked it.  You can keep track of your visits to beer festivals, brewery tours and even create your own beer cellar. Why not develop and track your own beer and food pairings.

Foodies Fantasy/Restaurant Roundup

Every time you dine out, note the name of the restaurant, the date and the time that you went, and the people you went with. Describe what you ate and whether you liked it or not. Most places have business cards or carry out menus you could attach to your journal. Add the receipts for authenticity and keep a few pages in the front or at the back to list restaurants that you have been wanting to try.



Guest Book, Traditional Address Book

If you entertain frequently, have a summer home, or even a guest room, consider reviving the tradition of a guest book. Let friends and family members write message to you so you can remember their visits. Create the ultimate address book. Along with the standard addresses and phone numbers information, include references like birthdays, favorite colors, and gift ideas. Add a photograph of each person or draw a caricature of them yourself.

Prayer Journal or Spiritual Journey

Many of us believe in a higher power that guides us and brings us into our own best self. If you take the time to be grateful and remember your blessings you will be amazed at how truly blessed you are. Be still and know that someone is watching over you. This too shall pass. All shall be well.

The Possibilities are endless what will your treasure books become?