Today's Gothic Arches Sunday theme is "Gypsy". There's a story behind today's piece. I have a 90% finished "Gypsy" box that I have been making for a while now. I have made others, and someday I'll probably post them and create some gallery pages for them, but for now, it's the "Gypsy" box that counts. It looks somewhat like the arch I created today because it's the same cranberry card stock covered in the same sheer fabric and embellished with the same types of sequins and beads. The story is not about the box, it's about how the arch got to look so much like the box.
The first thing I did was decide to use the crystal ball stamp by Inkadinkado, and stamp it on a transparency sheet in Staz-on black ink. I colored it a little with alcohol inks and pens, and then found the image of the lady to put behind it (image from Art-e-zine stock) and manipulated her in Photoshop to stretch and bend her into the crystal ball shape before adhering her with Diamond Glaze. I added some sparkle to the fabric with crystal glitter glue and then hand-stitched the beads and sequins until I finally thought there were enough.
All the time I was stitching, a couple of hours, actually, I was sitting and looking at the Gypsy box for inspiration. I wasn't really thinking, just picking up beads, looking at the box, picking up sequins, looking at the box, and before I knew it, a couple of hours had passed by, and I hadn't really looked at the arch! There were so many sequins on one side that I had to add more around the crystal ball just to balance it out. Then, I needed the ones at the top, and the bottom needed at lot to balance that right side, so without even thinking, I ended up with at least a couple hundred beads on this little arch.
Even though it's not finished, I'm going to have to photograph and post a pic of the box. The two of them really go together, except that the box is embellished all-round with big glass beads and coins hanging from a piece of gold braid that lines the lid.
At any rate, I knew that I was addicted to the arches. I just had no idea how carried away this addiction could get! *Giggles*
Its gorgeous, great colours and embellishments!!
Posted by: Hermine | January 14, 2008 at 02:27 AM
Wow... this looks really great!
Posted by: Willy | January 14, 2008 at 02:46 AM
this is fabulous wow love what you've done
Posted by: Mandy | January 14, 2008 at 06:47 AM
wow...loved the sequin touches! Gorgeous!
Posted by: Sondra Caserio | January 14, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Beautiful work! Especially loved all the sequins! Can't wait to see the finished book!
Posted by: sondic@hotmail.com | January 14, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Great work! Love all the beads and embellishments!
Posted by: gab braun | January 14, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Beautiful arch!
Posted by: Caryl | January 14, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Barbara, this is absolutely gorgeous - it sings "Gipsy" to me - you should email Cher and sell it to her - she'd love it! Fabulous work. :D
Posted by: Rosemary | January 14, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Beautiful arch!
Posted by: Caryl | January 14, 2008 at 09:55 AM
WOW !!! I've no word, it's really FABULOUS !!!!!!!
Posted by: Tova | January 14, 2008 at 10:02 AM
WOW!!!! This is incredible. Gorgeous, gorgeous!!
Debby
Posted by: Debby | January 14, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I just LOVE your gypsy in her crystal ball Barbara, she's lovely!!! Wonderful embellishments too!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | January 14, 2008 at 10:49 AM
oh wow wow wow ..
You used the same image as I did but Oh you have made it wonderful . I love the colours and details .. and to put it in the crystal ball shape was so clever .. Love it!
Posted by: Zuzu | January 14, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Marvelous work, gorgeous
Posted by: Barbara | January 14, 2008 at 11:57 AM
What a stunning piece of art!
Posted by: Jacqueline | January 14, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Very nice (how's that for understatement!) - I could get inspired to branch out into paper....
Posted by: Paula Hewitt | January 14, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Gasp!(tongue hanging out!!) This is quite simply sublime!!! A real masterpiece!! Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog Barbara, and allow me to return the compliment ten-fold!
Posted by: Anne | January 14, 2008 at 02:56 PM
"you done good girl" - this is absolutely beautiful!!!!
Posted by: Jeri Aaron | January 14, 2008 at 06:12 PM
I love the details and composition of your arch! gorgeous work!
Posted by: Nancy Maxwell James | January 14, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Great work. the enbellishments are beautifull.
Posted by: mapie | January 15, 2008 at 05:02 AM
Wow, your arch looks fantastic. Love it.
Posted by: Silvia | January 15, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Beautiful arch! Great details.
Posted by: Sija | January 15, 2008 at 08:32 AM
This arch really left me breathless, Barbara, what a labour of love and what a gorgeous arch. You really lost yourself in the embellishing and it was so worthwhile!!
Posted by: Frieda Oxenham | January 15, 2008 at 09:33 AM
your arch is fantastic! every bead detail is amazing! love your creative idea on this!
Posted by: Nancy Maxwell James | January 20, 2008 at 05:53 AM