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/

Vintage Ephemera Makes Great Cards!

Birthday Boy Greeting Card
I couldn't resist this adorable baby boy blowing out the candle of his first birthday cake. He came from a watch ad, in a 1940's magazine, that I recently purchased on Etsy. I had him color copied and reduced in size, at the local printer, then incorporated him into this cute card that I am selling on Etsy. I have an extensive collection of turn-of-the-century vintage ephemera that I've been using in my work, but just recently began buying mid-century ads for their retro appeal. Keep following to see what other finds I turn into greetings!
www.fishintheatticstudio.etsy.com

FALLING LEAVES AND MANY THANKS

This is a card I designed for the Stampsmith blog. The image is of a park in Paris, where the autumn leaves have already fallen. It is a photo stamp, which is made from an original photo, this one a vintage scene. The image is made into a rubber stamp, which can be inked and impressed on paper. The skeletal leaves are also stamps that were embossed in copper.

IS IT HALLOWEEN LOVE?

I got inspired by this Stampsmith image when I was searching for a Halloween card idea. What if the picture of this amorous couple wasn't all that it seemed? What if he were really someone dark and sinister? Is it love or just another pain in the neck? I guess we'll never know for sure!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Visit and view my post on The Stampsmith blog:

www.thestampsmith.blogspot.com