Heart Shaped Box as of September 4, 2010

Heart Shaped Box as of September 4, 2010
Originally uploaded by randubnick

Today I took a break to work on this project, a heart-shaped box that I am covering with decoupage and collage designs created from printed metallic ribbon. This afternoon, I concentrated on the inside wall of the box. I hope to use only one pattern for this area: pink background with a paisley design in red, blue, and green (echoing the colors on the top and bottom of the box.) I only have one ribbon printed with this pattern, so I am leaving gaps as I work in case I need to add additional patterns. I started at the base with as much pale pink as possible to contrast with the adjacent red area. Then I established a border around the top using several blue and pink motifs repeated within the ribbon's paisley pattern. I had a lot of fun and worked on this longer than I had planned.

Big Bowl of Apples

Big Bowl of Apples
Originally uploaded by randubnick

Yesterday I participated in the local custom of running to the grocery store in anticipation of a storm. This time, the storm was Hurricane Earl, not just the usual thunderstorm or snow storm. I had made a little list of things that didn't need to be refrigerated or heated, just in case the power went out: tuna fish, granola bars, peanut butter, etc. On my way into the grocery store, I saw a table with big bags of apples. Hmmm, gala apples, my favorite! And they were so beautiful! Well, I thought, apples can be stored and eaten at room temperature, in case we lose power. And besides, Rosh Hoshanah is coming up this week, and I will need apples for the holiday. But the truth is, I also bought these apples because I liked the way they looked! Well, the storm is still expected to pass by sometime tonight, though Earl has been downgraded by several categories, and isn't expected to make a direct hit. So we probably won't be reduced to eating granola bars and pb&j. So now that I am more relaxed about Hurrican Earl, I am beginning to wonder what to do with all these apples. I decided that the first thing to do was to photograph them, in hopes of getting an image that I can use for Rosh Hoshana greetings (Jewish New Year) to friends and family. So I put the apples in a big glass bowl and took some pictures. This is one of the best photos. I used iPhoto to lighten the shadows, clean up a few stray marks, and crop to get this composition.

Necklace with Carved Jade, Copper, and Leather

Necklace with Carved Jade, Copper, and Leather
Originally uploaded by randubnick

I started this necklace yesterday, and finished it up this morning. I have been thinking about how to use these carved jade beads from China, and yesterday I tried out another idea. I combined them with Ethiopian copper beads, and strung them on dyed purple leather, using the knots and the exposed leather as part of the design. Then I photographed it this morning so that I could post it here.

Lucky Shot of "The Pru" (Posterized)

Lucky Shot of "The Pru" (Posterized)
Originally uploaded by randubnick

Yesterday, stuck in traffic as I drove into Boston, I was worried about timing. I had arranged to meet a friend who will soon be moving far away. We each had places to go and people to see, but had set a time and place to meet for coffee in between. Despite the traffic tie-ups and last minute scheduling changes all around, somehow it worked! So as I started the drive back home, I was already feeling quite lucky. Just before I got onto Storrow Drive to head out of Boston, I stopped at a red light and found myself with an unobstructed view of "The Pru" (The Prudential Center, a Boston icon.) I only had about a minute before the light changed from red to green, but I pulled out my camera and took two quick pictures. Tonight I took the best of the two photos, and used Painter to posterize it, and then cropped it to get this image: a lucky shot on a very lucky day.

Necklace with Jade, Wood, and Printed Reed

Necklace with Jade, Wood, and Printed Reed
Originally uploaded by randubnick

I have been thinking about how to use some of my new jade beads from China. Yesterday I took a break to work out a design I have been thinking about. I combined jade with wooden beads; I also used some unusual beads that are made from reed, with designs printed on them. I strung the beads on brown cotton cord, using knots between the beads as part of the design. I made the necklace long enough so that I could finish it with knots and beads instead of a metal clasp.

Summer Sky at Sunset

Summer Sky at Sunset
Originally uploaded by randubnick

I took this photograph last night during another evening walk at Obear Park, here in Beverly, MA. I have gone there so often this summer and have taken so many photos of the sunset that yesterday I had decided to leave my camera in my purse. But when I saw the view, I couldn't resist. Some of the sunsets have been quite spectacular and dramatic, but this one was gentle, with a lovely apricot sky.

Sketches for Painted Pattern for Heart Shaped Box

Sketches for Painted Pattern for Heart Shaped Box
Originally uploaded by randubnick

These are sketches that I made for a painted pattern that I want to use for the heart-shaped box, a collage and decoupage project that I have been working on for a LONG time. Although I still have a long way to go to finish the last two decoupage surfaces, I have already been thinking about how to finish the last surface, which is the inner wall of the box lid. A few months ago, I realized that I should probably paint the that surface to avoid the wear and tear of two decoupaged surfaces moving against each other when the box is opened and closed. Well, I may change my mind about all of this, but for now, my idea is to use gold and silver acrylic paint. It was too hot today to try decoupage, and I was short on time anyway, so instead I decided to try to come up with a pattern for the inside of the lid. I used a stencil tool that came with a little drawing set, and measured to see how much room I will have and how the stencil will work. The photo shows six ideas that I came up with, done with felt-tip pen, sharpie pen, and marker. These patterns are constrained by how the stencil tool can fit inside the lid. Right now, I prefer the pattern that is shown second row from the bottom. The stencil tool was so awkward to use that I think it might actually be easier to paint it the pattern by hand. In any case, it was good to get ideas. And I am still thinking about it. To be continued. . . .