Monday 15 January 2018

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day? - hanging by Julie Ann

It's great to be on the Calico Craft Parts blog with a brand new project for 2018! I don't know about you, but at this point in January the winter seems endless and I find myself longing for spring . I wanted to create something with the beautiful MDF triptychs from Calico, so I combined styles and sizes and allowed my imagination to spring forward to sunny days and blossoming hedgerows and a little spring-time whimsy!



The triptych kits come in different shapes and sizes, with or without tiny holes. I decided to drill my own holes and to create 3 individual hanging arches, which I've displayed in my Grandma's favourite vase.



I combined a domed and an arched kit, using the arch from the smaller kit as a centre panel, covering it with a sumptuous gold paper. For the other pieces, I cracked open a jar of heavy black gesso and painted them front and back.



Those arches suggested an Elizabethan theme to me, so I printed out this painting of a rather elegant gentleman's doublet and attached it to cardboard. A tiny scrap of lace, fixed with some heavy gel medium added the finishing touch to the doublet.



And, for the head, a miniature based on a sketch I did recently of my son.



The frame is gold embossing paste through a stencil. I created the card mask in the centre by drawing around the arched panel.



Spring is the time when poets are inspired to take up their quills. This January I have taken a word to reflect on in my art and the word I have chosen is 'seeing'. My poet has decided to let his heart lead the way and to write about what he sees!



Out of his window he sees hares hopping around among the rose bushes, but - after looking in his heart - every one of them has the face of his love!



There are so many breaths of fresh spring air available from Calico! I combined them with painting and tiny flowered sequins to drive the January blues away! As the hares are in profile, their second ears are chopped off corners of the Maidenhair fern.



Scraps of paper add warmth and colour to the mini windows, and the Calico word element from Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 completes the project.



I used copper wire for suspending the arches. I hope you will be inspired to create a triptych hanging of your own. You might like to combine your own art work or vintage photos with the beautiful Calico flora and fauna. I have included a full list of all the Calico Craft Parts I used in the project. Until we meet here again in a fortnight's time, keep dreaming of spring and have a creative time!

Calico Craft Parts Used
Domed Top Triptych
Arch Top Triptych 
Wooden Word Elements, Summer and Seaside
Sheet of Mini MDF Feathers, Style 2
Sheet of Mini MDF windows
MDF Heart Mini Plaques
Maidenhair Fern Wood Shape
Wild Rose and Maidenhair fern shape
Wild Grass Wood Shape, Style 4
Sitting Hare Wood Shape


17 comments:

  1. Julie, dear, they are amazing all 3 - so many glorious details, love your son, there as an Elizabethan elegant man, and his dreams and visions in the two other arches- love it, the gold embossed frame, the tiny frame, and all other beauty you created. Dorthe, xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Dorthe. I really enjoyed making them and I truly appreciate your lovely words. xx

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  2. The only word I can think of that really fits is 'Splendid' ! Chrisx

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    1. Oh, that is so kind of you, Chris, thanks so much for your support. xx

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  3. So much to see and so fascinating Julie Ann. I anticipated that this could be Isaac. Love all the symbols of wonderful things to come. You have showcased the triptych beautifully. Going back for anothervlook. Xx

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment Hazel. These parts are so much fun to work with. xx

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  4. What a wonderful Tudor feel these lovely arches have! Your painted faces are just amazing Julie Ann and the addition of the little windows to each one is just wonderful. I really love this wonderful springtime creation x

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    1. Thank you so much, Jennie, for your kind words. I really loved working with these arches. xx

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  5. Incredible! Julie Ann - this is extremely special...and I suspect you already realize that. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and inspiration - I feel a "Spring" in my step! xox

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    1. Oh, it makes me happy to think that you feel a 'spring in your step', Heather. Thank you for your lovely comment. xx

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  6. Beyond Fabulous dear Julie Ann!!!xx

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  7. Oh this is so wonderful, Julie Ann! I love the Spring hares and the gold embossed paste but most of all I love how you have used your sketch of Isaac; he must be so thrilled!

    Lucy x

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  8. Thank you, Jackie and Happy Creating in 2018! xx

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  9. Absolutely charming and magical, Julie Ann!
    I love your gentleman's face so much! I can almost hear him declaim the wonderful Sonnet 18 (which we had to learn by heart back in school...I still know some of the lines and still love the rhythm of it). Absolutely enjoyed your project and post!
    Hugs,
    Claudia xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Claudia. I actually used to love learning poetry by heart at school! It's great now to have those poems in my head to remember whenever I want to. xx

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