Thursday, October 14, 2010

QUEEN ANN'S LACE LACE FACE BOX

QUEEN ANN'S LACE

FACE BOX

Queen Ann's Lace Face Box

Sometimes I have a longing to be feminine. When I think of femininity, I see flowing gowns, rings, flowers, song and lace. Lace always comes to mind. There was a time when I felt feminine, but being an artist and working in my studio for so many years has pretty much diminished that thought. How can I keep my nails looking lovely when they are immersed in clay and paints continually? Then there is the garden. How can I keep my toenails painted and groomed when they are constantly trudging through dirt and weeds? But, once in awhile I can still dream.

Perhaps that is just what I was doing when I created this first in what may be a new series. I am not sure what I will call them yet but Lace Face keeps coming to mind, although that is a bit offbeat don't you think?

Face Box

The process of a new creation is rather mysterious. I started this piece, thinking she would be a book cover but somehow, my lace face wanted to become the cover for a box. Maybe the next one will become the book cover.

I wanted the lace to appear behind the face so I used organza digital sheets and printed one of my original acrylic faces on it. I then placed a vintage lace doily under the image and sewed the top with gold metallic thread.

Face being sewn

I was a bit disappointed when I finished sewing and placing the piece on the box because the doily background does not show up the way I had planned. It still looks textured though.

Another close-up of face being sewn. Here you can see doily behind organza

Inside of box

I added more lace and finished it with encaustic wax. I completely redid the inside of the box to match. All in all, I like the end result but will have to experiment a bit more before I'm completely satisfied.

I named her Queen Ann's Lace, from my book "She Who Whispers."

Queen Ann's Lace

She is inspired by angels. They whisper to her of another day. A day when she had roses and tea for a long days reverie..crystal and lace, heirloom flacons and a porcelin smile….

Her pale beauty shows an ambience of that of a romantic visionary..Of one who is celebrating purity on the highest level..in a way only she chooses to remember…

I have just listed "Queen Ann's Lace" on my Etsy shop. "She Who Whispers" may also be purchased there.

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29 comments:

  1. So lovely. With me, I think a lot of the lack of feeling feminine has to do with age. I totally 'hate' taking the time to polish my nails when there was a time in the past when I used to do it daily...matching up my outfits. No more curlers and blow dryers. A pony tail now will suffice...and ya know what, it doesn't really bother me, but sometimes, I like to wear something a little more feminine.
    Mary

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  2. OOooooo, Cheryl!!!! Your lacey creation is gorgeous!!! How I wish I could reach through the monitor and touch this beautiful piece! Hugs, Terri xoxoxo

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  3. Gorgeous post..i love when you share your special magic and your journeys! Beautiful creation!! You are wonderful!!

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  4. Cheryl....she is beautiful, just like her designer!! Even with all the clay and paint under our nails we are still just as feminine..we just have to put our hands in our laps if anyone is looking...LOL!!

    Hugs,
    Regi

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  5. What a fantastic box and such a wonderful description of how you made it as well. Truly a special piece to keep special things inside. I always find the art of creation to be always "feminine", even in men it's the feminine side that moves them to create. Beautiful art Cheryl and a work of love!

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  6. She's lovely Cheryl. (Speaking only for myself, I don't believe that beautiful nails or a pedicure define whether or not someone is "feminine".)

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  7. Cheryl, this is GORGEOUS!!! Just ♥'d it in your shop - if I can ever build up my PP a/c and if it is still there, it will be mine.

    Manicure? Pedicure? Gosh, it has been years.

    Hugs

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  8. She is so beautiful, I love how you've created an entirely new piece of art with your painting and lace combination and of course I LOVE your words that you put with her....lovely!

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  9. This is such a lovely piece ... just stunning ... inside and out! I've been browsing your site ... and wow ... your work is wonderful. I feel like my eyes are feasting! :)

    Thank you for sharing your art with us!

    Have a great weekend!

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  10. CHERYL..I LOVE IT! THE LACE AND HER FACE....JUST BEAUTIFUL...

    I too have had the 'how can i keep my nails long and pretty when I play guitar and paint and stamp and get messy all the time' dilemma...and have just recently come into my own happy place regarding all of that!

    I am an artist who would rather 'create' beauty ' than be solely concerned with being adorned by it! So, I keep my nails short now, purposely keeping them trimmed and painted in pretty colours.
    (Although lately I haven't painted them..don't know why?!)
    So I'm both pretty and functional!

    This creation of yours is wondrously feminine! Well done! Anything with lace and crochet has me drooling and completely heart invested!

    Ciao bella!

    CREATIVE CARMELINA

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  11. I love your combination of lace and paint! She is an enchanting creation!

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  12. What a pretty and yes feminine creation. I know how you feel! I had one of those days today - I was working from home so no need to dress up but I felt the need to put on a flowing skirt, drip jewellery all over myself and add some sparkle to my eyes! One of the nicest things about being a woman!

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  13. Dear Cheryl,
    Another lovely concoction!! How I would love to spend a few days shadowing you in your studio ... I adore lace ... I find the texture utterly romantic as well as restful. This piece is quiet ... and would hide well one's most treasured keepsakes. Beautiful!

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  14. Cheryl your box is so beautifully done, love the doilies below the organza, love boxes, can never get enough of them, they are good to collect things in.
    Anni

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  15. Oh Cheryl, so true! I'm envious of all these well manicured ladies, mine consists of paint, ink, soil, dye... I am loving this beauty, so delicate and charming. Organza digital sheets? wow, we are lucky to get silk and cotton ones here, how wonderful. Queen Anne's Lace is one of my favourite flowering plants, and I think your box also reflects the delicate nature of the flowers too!

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  16. I found you through the Halloween Party Links...
    Just wanted to say that your Queen Anne's Lace Box is lovely.

    Beautiful blog & creations.

    Please fly by for my giveaways too...
    Hauntingly Yours, Lyndy

    My Haunted Halloween Party Link:
    http://bit.ly/dho880
    TODAYSGOLD
    http://todaysgold.blogspot.com/

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  17. She is beautiful, Cheryl! Love what you created with her. Thanks for sharing your magical process with us! Have a wonderful week! :)

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  18. I think you achieved your objective with this one Cheryl. She is soft and sweet and very feminine. Almost Victorian. Love the story too.

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  19. I wonder how you make this absolutly amazing creation. I'm speechless for exciting.
    Wish you a nice day,
    hugs Anja

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  20. Wow, this is a beautiful fabric collage on your beautiful box Cheryl. Looks like you have a free motion foot, something I would like to get too.
    I know what you mean about keeping ourselves groomed when we are artists it's impossible to have nice nails, although I must admit I havn't even tried lately LOL

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  21. Hi Cheryl!
    This is absolutely stunning! I love it to bits!
    Thank you so much for all the lovely comments you are leaving on my blog. I do appreciate each and every one of them!
    Have a wonderful day with your clay and walk in the dirt and enjoy yourself in your garden because those are the things that matters! You are still a lady underneath all the dirt and clay. :)
    *Hugs*
    Ansota

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  22. I really think this is my new favorite, simply dreamy!!

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  23. I'm not sure how I missed this box, but I really like what you did on the inside AND the outside. I know how sometimes things are better in our head than after they are finished, but I still like this one. Sorry I missed it before, but think it's stunning none-the-less.

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  24. Oh my goodness, another beautiful box--I don't know how I missed this one!

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  25. Hi Cheryl
    I just stumbled on this gorgeous box which you have altered so beautifully. You are just so creative - this is amazing!
    Hope all is going well for you,
    Hugs and love,
    Suzy

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