It's FASHION WEEK in NEW YORK! Where's Tim Gunn?

Inspired by New York Fashion Week in the big apple, I've created four new cards to commemorate the event! Using stamps from the Stampsmith's NY collection, I've combined landmark spots in the city with vintage images of mid-century fashion. These adorable "ladies" come from my collection of vintage ephemera, including illustrations from sewing patterns and advertisements. They are "collaged" with patterned papers and hand stamped designs, to create what I think to be cute and kitchy cards!


All of the cards shown are available in my shop on Etsy:
http://www.fishintheatticstudio.etsy.com/

Vintage Ladies Unite!

I've gone crazy, collecting vintage 1950's era ads of beautiful women, handsome men and darling children! The style of illustration of that time is so captivating to me, the technique so distinct. I browse Etsy and eBay, searching for these lovely treasures. For my Mother's Day gift, I chose to buy ad pages from vintage magazines of the 40's and 50's in lieu of flowers or candy. That's how crazy I am about them!


Here is a card I designed using one of my Stampsmith stamps of a cute trio of bathing beauties. I've combined it with a gorgeous image of a very handsome couple of the era, having drinks on the beach. I chose to use colors as vivid as those found in the vintage image, and I think the effect is wonderful!

Again, I have combined a Stampsmith stamp, this one is "Wanda", with another vintage 50's era image of a very attractive lady from my collection. I thought the resemblance was remarkable! The theme I chose for this card was the romance of Paris! This woman looks like she could have been found sauntering about on the Paris boulevards back in the day!

My tags are in a giveway!

Starting Saturday, May 1st, my "Little Girl" gift tags became the giveaway in a contest hosted by the Old Fashioned Living website. The site features home, family, food, gardening and more. The typical reader loves anything Victorian, antique, tea related, green living, recipes and keepsake crafts.

Old Fashioned Living offers it's readers a monthly giveaway contest, sponsored by a handmade crafter, and in return, promotes their shop or website. The chief editor contacted me after finding my work on Etsy and asked me to participate. So, go to the link below and enter as many times as you like. Maybe you'll be the lucky winner!

http://oldfashionedliving.com/Contest.html

Just Another Day of Beauty!

This is another card created for the Stampsmith blog. It started with the stamp of the adorable 50's era ladies (Those Were the Days) under the driers. As I looked at these two, I tried to imagine what was being discussed. Even though the gal on the left (clearly the younger of the two) is smiling, I thought it might be under duress. Then I remembered another stamp, also from the 50's, of a perky gal with her morning cup of coffee (Coffee Gal), and I put the two together.

Now, we all know why she has that smile on her face, despite the barrage of gossip being hurled at her. She found her own way to endure a morning at the beauty parlor!

Please visit my shop on Etsy for more cards:
http://www.fishintheatticstudio.etsty.com/

The stamps highlighted above are available from the Stampsmith:

http://www.stampsmith.net/

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Audrey

I created this card as a design team member for the Stampsmith blog. They have a wonderful collection of images of the gorgeous and stunning Audrey Hepburn. So, once again I was drawn to using her beautiful face in one of my creations.

This stamp captures an illustration of her character, Holly Golightly, from the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's". I paired the "Tiffany & Co" stamp with a vintage lace stamp to create an elegant, yet playful look.

This card is available for purchase in my shop on Etsy:
http://www.fishintheatticstudio.etsy.com/

Some girls have just got "it"!

There's something about movie stars that we just can't resist, especially the ones that have that "it" factor! Two such stars, in my opinion, would be Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. They were both so beautiful and glamorous in such different ways. Marilyn naturally exuded pure sex appeal that drove men wild, and Audrey had a quiet, elegant beauty that made people love her!

As a design team member for the Stampsmith, I've created the following cards which depict stamped images of these two great motion picture screen legends.

Marilyn is shown wearing a soft, floaty tulle skirt, which evokes the innocent side of her personality. It was easy to depict her as an angel, complete with wings!

Audrey is shown dressed as a beautiful bejeweled princess. I thought any little girl would dream of being just like her one day!
These cards are available for sale on Etsy:

http://www.fishintheatticstudio.etsy.com/

Check out the Stampsmith blog:

http://www.thestampsmith.blogspot.com/

Stamping with ROCK & ROLL LEGENDS

As you all know, I have been a contributor to the Stampsmith blog since October. They recently put out a call for new design team members, since the 6 month stint had ended for the team. I am honored to say that Estelle and Kim have asked me to stay on and continue contributing to the blog. It is a true compliment, and I am grateful and flattered!

Rock & Roll Legends!
Jim Morrison

Janis Joplin

Jimi Hendrix

John Lennon

My first contribution is a set of cards using the Stampsmith's hand carved set called Rock & Roll. It features some of the great legends like Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon. These were some of the people I listened to in Junior High School, back in the 70's. I incorporated the bold colors, psychedelic patterns and flower-power motifs of that period.

These cards are available for sale on my Etsy shop:

www.fishintheatticstudio.esty.com

THE CIRCLE OF ART

Recently, I've been fascinated with illustrated ads from 1950's era magazines, the stylized technique, the colors and the images of life at that time. Most are of glamorous women displaying cosmetics, silverware or jewelry. I purchased a number of them from my fellow Etsy sellers, and have compiled a very lovely collection. I incorporate the images into my artwork, which I then sell on Etsy.

Today, I shot a couple of quick convos to the sellers, letting them know that I had used their ads on some cards. One of them, NotGrandmasVintage, sent me a lovely note and asked if she could feature my card on her blog. She made an interesting point, that we're all connected in the circle of art, so to speak. The seller sells something, that gets incorporated into a piece of art, which when sold, gets enjoyed by yet another!

Here are the cards made from the ads.

Please check out Kim's blog and read what she wrote!

NotGrandmasVintage
http://kimmy1013.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-little-things.html

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

From our family to yours, we wish you the best holiday season ever, and a prosperous New Year!

Santa's The Star

Using my collection of vintage turn-of-the-century Santa postcards, I had copies reduced and made these charming Santa gift tags. They are little mini collages and incorporate hand stamped images with sentiments of the season. They're perfect for packages, wine bottles or even ornaments for the tree!

These tags are available at http://www.fishintheatticstudio.etsy.com/