Wednesday 15 March 2017

2017 #4: Tiny Hinged House {by Julie Ann Lee}

2017 #4: Doors, Windows and Architecture

Julie-Ann's penchant for miniature art is always such a delight to behold, and tonight's post features another of her tiny house treasures. Nothing could be more appropriate as we explore this fantastic structural theme.

Hi everyone, Julie Ann from Magpieheaven here.

I'm delighted to be here on the PA blog tonight. When I saw that the topic for this fortnight was Doors, Windows and Architecture, I jumped at the chance to explore an obsession of mine: doors and windows into the past. I love creating little houses and since discovering that I can not only cut out my own shapes from MDF; but also connect them with dolls' house hinges, I've been eager to show you an experiment in combining my own artwork with Ink and the Dog stamps on tea-bags and miniature hinged houses. The end product is a kind of hinged-house shrine to my ancestors that I can fit into the palm of my hand.




The texture of dried-out tea-bags takes Archival ink and water-colour so beautifully and they have that vintage look. I've often thought they would be perfect teamed with Ink and the Dog stamps. Since I've been researching my family history, I wanted to create a miniature that looked old and mysterious - a house of secrets!




This is the moment when I can allow my imagination to take me inside those magical doors of possibility! I have stamped out my images in Coffee Archival; gathered some sheets of designer Paper, smoothed and gesso'd my house shapes and I'm ready!


I was so excited by the effect of this little group from Ink and the Dog, Buttons, Plate 4 ...



...on this stained tea-bag. I never tire of the sheer joy at seeing the effect of images stamped on different surfaces. At least one of those ladies was going to find her way into my miniature house.



Even at this early stage, when I am attaching paper with Matte Medium and filing off the edges, I feel the occupants of the little house beginning to make themselves known. This is Annie, the lace-maker who dreams of some day creating the lace for her own wedding gown.



Once the paper and tea-bags are smoothed into place and the edges neatly sanded, I can begin to add detail, playing with different embellishments. I discarded this little window frame in favour of something smaller, but experimenting with different additions until you are satisfied with the effect is so much fun.



Ink and the Dog Schooldays, Plate 1 ...



...on tea-bags, over Chatsworth paper with a hand-drawn face looked like it might just work!



For an aged look to the roof, I created some Crackle Glaze strips, using Blue Oyster Fresco over Little Black Dress and embossing with a Verdi-Gris embossing powder and the decorative border stamp from School Days 1. Sponging with Coffee Archival and melting gold UTEE along the joins provided the finishing touch.


These words from Ink and the Dog, Letters, Plate 5 ...



...have always intrigued me and now they seemed perfect for the door that opens onto Annie's house.


Were there things Annie left unsaid to Judah, the taylor, who became her husband? Are her hopes and dreams there in the fading writing on the walls?

Thank You so much for stepping inside Annie's house. I was so pleased with the effect of stamped tea-bags over patterned papers. You might like to cut out your own miniature houses from sheets of MDF, if you have access to a band saw, but there are lots of wood and MDF house shapes out there that you could decorate,using PaperArtsy stamps. If you've been exploring your family history, why not create a little house using stamps and real ancestor photographs and re-create the architecture of your past?

I'm so looking forward to visiting your blogs to see what you come up with for this topic.
Julie Ann.
Magpieheaven:
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Twitter:- Julie Ann Lee @woletz1
Pinterest: Julie Ann Lee @Pinterest

The story you weave of Anne, and her dreams really brings this little house to life. It is so easy to imagine a row of neighbours, each with their own hopes and dreams to share with the creator. Thanks Julie Ann for sharing your delightful insight and talent. ~ Leandra


We always hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog. Our bloggers deeply appreciate your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired! Why not join our challenge by blogging your interpretation of the current topic and link it here?

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27 comments:

Craftyfield said...

What a treat Julie Ann! We've got doors, windows, a whole house for that matter... and some gorgeous Vintagey stamps! in miniature! Brilliant.

Hazel Agnew said...

An amazing masterclass and insight into your fastastic imagination, all portrayed in the most stunning detail Julie Ann. Stamped teabags onto paperstash really appeals to me. The images fit perfectly into your delicate little story. PaperArtsy are so lucky to have you in their family. Xx 😁

geezercrafter said...

An exquisite piece of magic and intrigue Julie Ann. Your idea of incorporating pictures of ancestors would make this so special. Certainly a creation to 'hand down' from generation to generation.

Artmadnana said...

Oh my oh my! Julie-Ann you have done it again! Another exquisite project from you. Only you would think to hinge those houses together and create a shrine! Thankyou for reminding me about those stamps too.im wanting to use the five women in a journal spread now! The addition of one of your own created faces was a brilliant addition. Sigh. I love your work.

CastleKelly Crafts said...

What a joy, a fantastic project, clever hinged opening and a fabulous tale to top it all off. X

silvergran said...

Creative magic! Wow, so much contained in this treasure!
Thank you for sharing your process, my head is spinning with ideas .

Words and Pictures said...

What a treat - such great stamps creating layers of detail and story within the walls of this tiny hinged house. I love the gilded roof, and all the amazing ornamentation - both 2D and 3D. Fantastic!
Alison x

craftimamma said...

I never tire of reading the stories you weave around your exquisite miniature pieces of art Julie. Absolutely stunning piece and you've used some wonderful I&D stamps I need to add to my wish list.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Mac Mable said...

Loving your house of secrets. Such a cute project x

Helen said...

oh wow, what a fabulous miniature house, and your stories of course are a joy to read. Stunning as always, Julie Ann!

Ruth said...

Love how the vintage style of the Chatsworth papers work so well with the stamp plates and house shape, gorgeous verdigris and gold detail just finish this miniature beauty, gorgeous house of secrets Julie! xx

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is a masterpiece Julie Ann, i love everything about it from the hand cut mdf pieces to the verdigris roof. I love the tea bag stamping and the way you have drawn one of your own faces to match that of the stamped image is amazing. The tiny white dots are a perfect highlight too,

Lucy x

Julie Lee said...

Thank You to everyone for your kind comments. I really appreciate your feedback and I'm delighted if you've gained inspiration from this little project. I'm so looking forward to visiting everyone's blogs to see how you've interpreted this topic, which lends itself so perfectly to PaperArtsy stamps and Frescos.xx

Miriam said...

Truly stunning Julie... Gorgeous!

Dana Tatar said...

Beautiful piece! I love all the detail and meaning you were able to add to this project despite the small size. Thanks for the inspiration!

Dorthe said...

Julie, I so love your house, oh all the details of windows and doors , the amazing roof you created with the golden touch - the tones, of days gone by and the stamps are also wonderful ,I just ordered two of them,lol- Also the front door is gorgeous, you create such magic dear friend. Xxx

Unknown said...

Your little house really touched my heart Julie. i so admire gals that "ponder" things in their heart and don't chatter all the time. They are rare and "golden" like your gold shimmers. So... when I see the sentiment on your door, it's so easy for me to envision thousands of tiny thoughts and words flying out when you open it!!! Things that wanted to be said but weren't - released to freedom. WONDERFUL WONDERFUL CREATIVITY. Xj.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

JoFY said...

such a clever detailed project, beautiful & charming x

Kirsten said...

This is completely stunning & a tiny, perfectly formed, work of art.

Rosetta Savage-Jenkins said...

So amazing. Fell right into the story. Beautiful work of art and storytelling!

Lauren Hatwell said...

Ooooohhh! How lovely. this is fabulous Julie Ann. Lx

Etsuko said...

Very pretty your tiny house, you are always evolving tiny house. The embossing roofs, printing on the tea bags, tiny windows, beautiful vintage coloring and especially idea of the hinge....These my favorite things!! I looking forward this next story. xxx

Cocofolies said...

Wooow Julie!!!!!
I love your charming house and story to bits. Fabulous combination of colours, stamps, drawings by yourself (when PA will take you as a designer???!!..) details to look at everywhere, the result is simply a pure delight. Thak you for this great post and house artwork Julie! Xx

Jackie PN said...

Julie Ann, this is spectacular! I love that you hinged those house together- so clever! And i love ALL of the stamps you used- Fab make my friend-you never cease to amaze me! xx
hugs,Jackie

SewPaperPaint said...

I absolutely adore this Julie Ann!!! WOW! I truly felt a part of your story as I read your description. What a marvelous creation. You are such an inspiration to me. Hugs, Autumn

Chris said...

I love the story you wove into the little house of Annie Julie Ann, everything is totally glorious! x