Day 13 of Traci Bunkers 30 Days Of Get Your Art On, and I'm experimenting with the many frames I cut as practice runs for the thicker mats that will make it into my next book for FTB. In the meantime, I was 2/3 of the way through today's spread when I realized that King Richard the First really deserved his own frame (look at the muscles on those arms!). Tomorrow you'll see how it looks on the page, but for now, here's a quick peek before it is glued forevermore.
I used my hand-carved stamps to decorate the frame as a special tribute to my friends Belinda Schneider and Hermine Koster. Belinda and Hermine began Wednesday Stamper many years ago. But all good things must come to and end, and WS closed its doors at the end of June.
WS was the original, or at least one of the very first and certainly one of the longest running, blog challenge sites on the web. I started blogging in 2007, shortly before Belinda's SantaClaus Fest, and this is when and where I met some of my longest-standing and dearest friends on the web. In addition to web friends, through Belinda's posts from Luxemburg, half a world away, I was introduced to a friend right here in Phoenix.
Belinda's Icicle Doll Fest was the first and best swap I've ever participated in. A couple of years later, Belinda's swap and our icicle dolls were published in Sew Somerset.
The good things which have come to me personally through my association with Belinda, Hermine, and everyone who participated at Wednesday Stamper are too numerous to mention. One of the absolute best things, hands down, was meeting my best blogging buddy, Rosie Rowe. So to commemorate the end of an era, I'm about to post my offering as a final tribute to WS, the place on the web that started it all. It may be over, but it will never be forgotten.
So many great classes but so little time. Thank you for sharing these pages.
Posted by: M | July 14, 2011 at 12:16 AM
your frame is super Barbara, always fun seeing your endless creativity
Belinda and Hermine and Linda certainly have been a wonderful inspiration over the years and worked so hard to keep WS fresh and going....come to find out there is a lot more to running a challenge blog than meets the eye! I will miss WS VERY much!
All the best to you and yours...hope you're having a lovely summer
oxo
Posted by: ~*~Patty | July 14, 2011 at 04:58 AM
Its a gorgeous page and thank you so much for you sweet words Barbara. Hugs Hermine
Posted by: Hermine | July 14, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Fabulous page and frame, you are very talented and creativ as ever!! I'll miss WS also. It was the greatest and the most interesting challenge blog here in germany all over the years.
Hugs Anja
Posted by: Anja | July 15, 2011 at 05:54 AM
I really enjoyed reading your post about your expereince with Wed Stamper. I am not familiar with it, but it's obvious it had a positive impact on you. And that's a beautiful thing!
Posted by: maggie | July 15, 2011 at 07:03 AM
I know exactly how you feel! It's the end of an era... and we nearly missed it too. I am thoroughly enjoying your Traci Bunkers art-along this month. I have never read so many posts!!
I must admit that since my fall I haven't been very creative - most of my stuff is upstairs and I can't really face that at the moment - maybe next week, eh?! Meanwhile I shall live artfully and vicariously though your posts! xoxo
Posted by: Rosie | July 16, 2011 at 03:28 AM