Day 2. Book 2. July 2.

I'm committed to Traci Bunkers 30 Days of Get Your Art On, and I spent the day working, having fun, and shooting crappy photos, as I worked through book two for FTB.  

Here's the book.  It's one of a gazillion that I've acquired *ten for a dollar* at local library discard sales.  This one obviously wasn't purchased for the condition of it's (boring) cover.  I wanted the images inside.  But at 9" X 11-5/8", the book is the right size and shape for a journal, so I decided to work with it.

And here's the story.  Since FTB is really all about turning vintage photo albums into art journals, everyone else in the class has acquired them. Gorgeous ones. Victorian celluloids, antique leather, silver and brass closures, velvet spines and backs, filled with cabinet card frames and sometimes the photos as well.  I looked for weeks. Really.  And found nothing suitable.  But I didn't go to Etsy or Ebay, I wanted to find mine locally, if possible.  Why?  Mostly because of mold.  There are serious allergies in this household, and I wanted to be certain there wasn't any.  

So I emailed Mary Ann and asked her what she would think if I made a knock-off.  A faux.  Not really a phony, more of a book pimped as a vintage album.  She thought it was a fine idea.  

Originally I was just going to jigsaw cut the cabinet card frames from mat board, using a Cricut expressions with a deep cut blade, .svg files, and SCAL 2 software.  I thought of using the red book you can see by clicking HERE and then scrolling down the page, since I have an entire set of them (also library discards), but today I realized it wouldn't do.  I needed to start from scratch.  Research time.

First stop:  Pinterest!  I pinned my way through the web, finding tons of examples of albums and innards all over the place.  Now I have a head full of stuff to pull from as I get ready to sit down and do this thing!  

Once my head is full of inspiration, my head communicates directly to my hands, and without thinking at all, I found myself asking my daughter for, of all things, used velvet?  She said, "Uh, yes!  A purple dress I wore when I was ten is in the Goodwill bin.  Do you want it?"  "That depends," I said.  "Is it nice and used looking?  Any bare spots? Flaws?"  Fortunately there were a few, which not only made it perfect for the project, but eased my guilt at cutting it up (although the chunk I removed could be replaced with a lace panel and the dress would be gorgeous again...).

So that was today.  If you're on Pinterest, you can take a look at my antique albums board, use your imagination, and maybe you'll know what it is I'll come up with before I do.  

But that's for tomorrow.  Now, it's cocktail time!  Instead of choosing one from the official list (yes, MAM has provided us with an official list of FTB cocktails), I've come up with one of my own concoctions to share with the group.  I'll let you know up front that I'm not a rum lover.  Mai Tais are wonderful, the rest is (ugh) rum.  But never say never.  Here's my variation of a side car -- stretching the original recipe so far that I'd probably have to call it a "beside the limo".  If you make it, let me know what you think.  I'm enjoying mine right now!

Beside the Limo (Drink two or three and the name automatically changes to under the limo...)

Put into a shaker with ice:

2 measures golden rum

1 measure triple sec

1/2 measure simple syrup

3/4 measure fresh lemon juice

Strain into cocktail glasses (chilled, with sugared rims is best...)

Add a generous splash of soda and stir

Enjoy!

Don't add the soda to the shaker unless you like liquid explosions.  And if you'd prefer something equally wonderful and refreshing but non-alcoholic, click HERE, and scroll down through the post to Amy's mint lemonade with lime!

Comments

[Lena]

Hi, found your blog through Marit's Summercamp. I'm camping too (in the Netherlands).
I'm soooo impressed by your work... I'm in ooooh and aaaah about it, STUNNING!!!

[Marjorie]

Hi, I found your link from Traci Bunkers.com -- I'm also doing the 30 day art challenge. Absolutely love where you are going with this -- beautiful colors, great texture. Excited to watch it unfold. I've never done this before, but another idea to add to my to do list . . .

[Helen]

I love what you're doing with your faux vintage photo album, and can't wait to see the progression. Cheers from another 30 Day Challenger!
Helen
http://hhcampbell.blogspot.com/

[Traci Bunkers]

That is so funny that you also posted a drink recipe! Glad you are having a great tie getting your art on!

[Sandra]

Art and a Drink what more could you ask for on such a lovely summer night. Can't wait to see how it turns out, Happy 4th of July!

Sandra
http://alchemy-artmemories.blogspot.com/

[Joanne Thime Huffman]

I love that you're making your own album.