A Bird in the Handkerchief

Last winter I received a pair of vintage cotton handkerchiefs. They were a starched, pristine white, trimmed with a dainty scalloped edge. But, what to do with such perfect canvases? I knew the answer when I stumbled upon photos of a brooch found by Jane of Posy blog - Jane's coworker's pin featured a stout little robin conjured from wool stitches. I couldn't keep myself from fashioning a feathered fellow of my own. Though I'm not much of an embroiderer I've always admired its intricacy and beauty, revering the patience and precision of those that master it. Of course my round little robin, looking quite dapper in chestnut, coral and cream, needed some foliage to lark about in. I freehanded a simple little arrangement of spiraling tendrils and teal blue cornflowers, creating an enframing "meadow" for Robin and echoing the pattern in the opposite corner. I'm quite pleased with how the natural yet vibrant color palette looks on crisp white, perhaps one of these languid summer days I'll find the resolve to sit down and embroider the second handkerchief to match.

Red Tape

During the final term of this past school year, I decided to apply to the design program at my current university as a change of major. Unfortunately I was not accepted, however I thought I'd document the experience here since it is nonetheless a part of my creative journey - not to mention it involves some paper goods. As for me, I'll continue to be the history and art history student you all know me as, meanwhile fearing for the practicality of these degrees post graduation. In any event, I'm resolved not to give up on a career that incorporates creativity and design. I've been researching options for acquiring some formal arts training after I've finished up my B.A. degrees. Any advice is certainly welcome!
And now, to the application materials. I must say, I truly hate applying to anything so in an effort to make the task more appealing, I thought I'd spend a little time on creative presentation. To hold everything I made a solid red manila-sized envelope complete with a string-and-button closure and self-designed address labels. The sleeve that houses a red portfolio CD is double sided so the interior's tiny polka dots show through the circular vellum window. Finally, patterns and color palette are repeated on the personal statement page and cover sheet (not pictured).

Of Pearls, Pears and Peacocks

Exams have ended and summer is officially here! I've been packing mostly and tying up loose ends, but not before pausing for a little photographic interlude. Snapshots taken on my first afternoon of summer, capturing the lush green and sultry elegance of the season...
I've been wanting to experiment with a faux "Through the Viewfinder" look for some time, and while looking for a tutorial I found the Noise and Dust Through the Viewfinder group on Flickr, established as a sort of texture database for use in layering over digital photos. The ones layered over my photos above are an altered mixture of the lovely work found here, here and here. I adjusted the colors a bit to achieve a deep brownish black, sepia tone, and also increased the saturation on my digital photos, to heighten the color visible through the haze of the overlaid viewfinder. Try some of these yourself, the look would be perfect for vintagey scrapbook pages.

A Summer Contest

{Contest Rules and How to Enter}
I am so pleased to announce the second ever giveaway contest at A Field Journal and the first of this summer's sweepstakes. Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post to enter to win one of two identical sets of Natural Historie notecards pictured above. In your comment, please include a method by which to contact you if you are the winner. Contest is open to continental US residents only. Contest begins June 6, 2008 and ends June 27, 2008. At this time I will randomly select two winners. Each will receive one set of Barcelona Notecards.

{About the Prize}
Barcelona Notecards Pack light and head off with the jet set. Say “wish you were here” with a fresh plein air sketch pulled straight from the sidewalk artist’s easel. Each set includes six note cards (inside blank), 4” by 5.5” folded and six matching white envelopes, beautifully tied up with sage ribbon. My original artwork depicting Barcelona's La Rambla; printed on white acid-free cardstock.