CC3C - Challenge 7 - Industrial Distress Dolly

Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge

I am participating in the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge on the Studio L3 blog by Linda Ledbetter.  Challenge 7 focuses on the painted industrial technique found on page 46 of Compendium of Curiosities 3 by Tim Holtz. Challenge 7 is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium, with more prizes courtesy of Mario Rossi and Tim Holtz!

I received one of these prize packages for challenge 2, and it was awesome!!! There were all types of items, some dies, distress ink, embellishments, etc. It was quite an excellent prize package! Thanks!

I have been learning a lot participating in all of the challenges so far.

I love the painted industrial technique but it takes a little practice to get it figured out! I took some time to practice when I took the Tim Holtz Creative Chemistry 102 course! It was messy and fun!

Fancy mini-blending tool art doll!

So I decided to make an Industrial Distress Dolly. She also doubles as a fancy mini-blending tool! I will use her for my fancy metallic blending needs. I created the dolly first, then by accident I noticed her base was the same size as a ranger mini-blending foam so I incorporated it into the dolly. So she turned out to be a dolly-tool-widget.

Tattered Floral Dress

Her skirt and dress are pieces of the tattered floral die. Her heads...not sure why I gave her 4 heads, I guess so I could see her face from any angle...anyway her heads are from a Maureen Carlson clay mold. I baked the clay right on the wooden ball which is her head. After they were cool, I took them off and glued them on with glossy accents.

Industrial silver and fingernail jewels

I used all kinds of silver paint. I also used some tiny fingernail jewels I had left-over from some tiny snowmen on tiny bottles I made last winter. I used the fingernail jewels for the snowman eyes, and smile.

I love the painted industrial technique!!!

Thanks!

Thanks to all who have posted comments on my blog and who have been so encouraging as I work on my CC3C projects. You are all such a creative inspiration to me and your projects lift me up!



Link to my son's band "We are the Strike" behind the scenes video.

July 2014 Tag - Playing along with the Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014

I've been playing along with the Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014.

I'm loving the July 2014 tag's water theme! Here is my tag. I kept it pretty much the same as the tutorial as I just wanted to try out all the techniques! Plus I love the July 2014 tag!

I didn't have any of the dies, so I used stamps instead. I stamped the seahorse, then I crackled the seahorse like the tutorial and also used distress stain in the cracks like the tutorial. It still worked. The other stamps were stamped on water color paper then colored with a water pen and distress ink.

I'd never tried the sand technique before. It was pretty fun. I had utee, and I just mixed in some embossing powder and various glitters until it looked like sand. It worked great! 

I'd also never embossed plastic before, and it worked great also.

 

It's always fun to see the tag come together after you've created all the little pieces. I used a fun stencil for the background and had some fun splattering everything with the Tim Holtz marker spritzer tool!

The tag was fun! Makes me want to take a boat ride somewhere or pet a dolphin!

I ordered the seahorse die's used in the Tim Holtz tutorial but they were back-ordered! Drats! The bubble embossing folder looks very fun too. I would like to get it as well to go with some baby bath photos! 

The amigurumi "Three little pigs"!!!

What does the crochet fox say!

I took a fun course from Annie's Patterns called "Learn to crochet amigurumi" by Michele Wilcox. I wanted to take the course because the fox project enticed me as it was so cute.

I made the fox first and mine looks exactly like the fox in the photo. It's adorable. 

Three Little Pigs

Anyway, there was also a pig pattern so I decided to make the "3 little pigs" for my grand-daughter's birthday next month. She can't read yet, so my secret is safe. Here they are!!!

No Big Bad Wolf?!

Tessie will love them...but there is no "Big Bad Wolf"! Maybe that's why these pigs looks so happy. So I decided there HAS to be a "Big Bad Wolf"! I will make the wolf using the fox pattern, except it will need to have Big Sharp Teeth, so I will make 2 fox snouts, and turn them into a wolf mouth, then I will modify the star pattern to make some sharp teeth. We'll see how it goes. It might turn into the "Big Bad Deformed Monster" instead. My daughter wants to also make some collapsible houses out of felt.

The Annie's Crochet Course

The Annie's course was easy as it also comes with online video instruction as well as the pattern pdf file that you can print. I didn't need the video instruction as I'm experienced at crochet, but I think the project would be ok for a beginner as long as they use the video. I've been making crochet projects since I was about 10 years old and there isn't anything too tricky in the patterns. The pigs aren't the usual tiny amigurumi size, but are about 10 inches tall which is the perfect size for Tessie's birthday. I used purchased safety eyes that can't come out, and the nose is simple embroidery.

Tessie Peeks

Tessie is always very interested in what is going on in my crochet bag. She peeks in and grabs whichever part is in there, and says "Piggy" looking a little confused, but then she takes whatever piece, the head, or an unfinished foot, and takes it on a walk around the house by it's "Leash" which is the long piece of yarn I leave on the end. I think she's just as happy taking the unfinished piece on a walk as she will be with her birthday present! She's got a good imagination!

It was fun to make these adorable little piggies! Watch your backs piggies as I'll start working on the "Big Bad Wolf" soon!

Ok, so it took some time, but here is the Big Bad Wolf all finished!!

I modified the "fox" pattern that is part of the class, and gave him a hat, and the big bad wolf is now the "star" of the story!

My grand-daughter loves them and they all go on many rides together in the toy stroller. My daughter made a collapsible felt house for them so the wolf can "blow the house down"!

CC3C - Challenge 6 - Burlap Panel - Theatrical Great-Grandparents

I am participating in the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge on the Studio L3 blog by Linda Ledbetter.  The Challenge 6 technique features the Tim Holtz Burlap panel technique found on page 37 of Compendium of Curiosities 3 by Tim Holtz. Challenge 6 is sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique, and also by Mario Rossi and Tim Holtz!

I had never created anything on a Tim Holtz Burlap panel before. It took me a while to find one, but I found one at Hobby Lobby. The Tim Holtz Burlap panel is better than the other brands because it has some masonite behind the burlap so it's more sturdy and will hold up to lots of glue, paint, and embellishments without stretching all out of place and becoming saggy. Nobody wants a saggy project. Eeeeeew!

Sometimes I'm at a loss as to what to do with a flat thing. I've been researching my great-grand parents so I decided to gather up some clippings and feature them in this project. I actually had fun doing the canvas and am glad this challenge forced me to do a "flat thing" and I plan to do more.

John Henry McEwan (1854 – 1922) and Nellie Rosamond Fleming McEwan (1868 – 1955) are my great grandparents.

My great-grandparents met doing community theater back in the day when tv had not been invented and there were no motion pictures yet. One of the plays they were in together was called "The Octoroon". I found an old program graphic for that play and included it on the canvas. I also found an old photo of a Salt Lake City acting company from the same time period, so I included that on the left. They probably knew the players. Actually my great-grandfather looks almost exactly like the rightmost steampunk top-hat man in Tim's stamp so I included that stamp. J.H. McEwan was also the manager of the Provo Opera House for a time so I found a graphic that said "Opera House". He was also involved in the mining industry so I included some steampunk elements as well. He often wore a top hat, dark coat, and his mustache was well known in town. This photo of him was equivalent to today's theater headshot and was displayed in the theater. I couldn't find any younger photos of Nellie, so I dressed her up with some "jewelry". They were both well known for their acting ability. They passed away before I was born so I've never met them. My mom has his top that he wore in many theatrical productions.

They had 11 children, and somehow managed to find time to also do community theater!

My research....don't fall asleep...don't worry...there will not be a quiz.


The History

John Henry McEwan was born in Provo, Utah only a few years after Provo was granted a territorial charter in 1851 giving boundaries to the city. Utah was still a territory. His parents had Scottish accents. During the time of his birth, there was only one log schoolhouse and during this time the residents were just venturing out of “Fort Provo” to build their city.

John Henry McEwan watched Provo City grow during his lifetime from an early pioneer settlement to a thriving hub of industry and culture, with a railway station. He played a role in industry, working as a bookkeeper in the mining and coal industries, and in his free time was active in community theater performing for more than 20 years. At one time he was the manager of the Provo Opera House. He also was a member of the Provo City Council securing water rights for the city.

The Theater

The cast of the very first theatrical performance in Provo included his parents John and Amanda McEwan during the winter of 1853-1954. The performance was held in a log cabin. This was the year John Henry McEwan was born. His parents joined a local dramatic company that became the beginnings of the thriving community theater ventures in the area today.

J. H. McEwan, as he was known, as well as other members of his family performed in most of the early theatrical productions in Provo. J. H. McEwan performed in many productions with “Nellie Rosamond Fleming” and they eventually got married.

J. H. McEwan is recorded as having performed lead roles in Provo theatrical productions from 1877 – 1896 and was a theater favorite in the community. He was well known in town for his many roles and was a recognizable character in his top hat and mustache.

Mining mogul and philanthropist “Uncle Jesse” built the Provo Opera House in 1885. Jesse Knight was married to J. H. McEwan’s sister Amanda McEwan Knight. 

The Provo Opera House became the home of fine "Home Dramatic Company" productions until 1897 when community theater was gradually replaced by professional touring companies and entertainment with their larger budget productions. J. H. McEwan served as the manager of the Opera House for many years. The Provo Opera House had a seating capacity of 900 and cost over $30,000 to build.

The grand opening for the Provo Opera House was July 22, 1885 and it continued to operate as a theater until 1920. After 1920, the theater seating was removed and it became a dance hall, and was rented out for other events, and was eventually sold to the city where it was converted into a National Guard Armory. The Provo Opera House was torn down in the 1950s. 

J. H. McEwan served as bookkeeper for the Knight Company and also as bookkeeper for a mining company and at one time he ran the Independent Coal Company. For a period he was upon the stage with the mother of Maud Adams, probably the most famous actress that Utah has produced (at the time), and at another period he was manager of the Provo Opera House. He was also a member of the city council of Provo, serving several terms and was instrumental in securing the water rights to Provo city when threatened by private ownership.

Sources:

Mom (photo)
“History of Drama in Provo 1953-1897”, by Burnett B.Ferguson.

Utah since statehood, historical and biographical (Volume 3),pages 332-333

Inside of the Provo Opera House. What a shame it was torn down!!!

 Outside of the Provo Opera House. It used to be located about 50 North 100 West where the large parking garage is. I think it was fitting that my son just performed in the Provo Rooftop Concert Series concert with "We are the Strike" in the very location where his great-great grandparents used to perform!

I'm certainly not a performer, although my children are! Their great-great grandparents would be so proud!

Provo Rooftop Concert - "We are the Strike" behind the scenes 

Provo Rooftop Concert Series 

Provo Rooftop Concert Series short video 

My son's photo in the newspaper performing in the rooftop concert series in the very location of the old "Provo Opera House" 

CC3C - Challenge 5 - Distress Watercolor Circus

I am participating in the Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge on the Studio L3 blog by Linda Ledbetter.  Challenge 5 focuses on the distress watercolor technique found on page 39 of Compendium of Curiosities 3 by Tim Holtz. Challenge 5 is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium, and also by Mario Rossi and Tim Holtz!

I have been learning a lot participating in all of the 5 challenges so far. I had fun completing my Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2014 June tag where I used a circus theme, so I decided to continue the circus theme for this challenge using the distress watercolor technique on each side of the project. It's kind of a circus train-cart-trailer-monument!

The project base is a wooden cube with a round paper mache box lid as the elephant platform. I used the Tim Holtz circle stencil watercolor monoprint technique to make the curtains. I watercolored the steampunk circus ringmaster from my Oxford Impressions Circus stamp set. I also watercolored the words "Life is a Circus". The elephant is a plastic toy that I painted with Modern Masters Copper reactive paint, then while the final coat is still wet, I used the blue patina solution. I made a propeller for the elephant hat out of a pin, beads and a metal propeller embellishment. It spins!

Recognize the Tim Holtz ribbon flags strip die around the elephant platform?Also I made some polymer clay gears for the top of the elephant platform that the elephant is standing on. I'm thinking I'll add some fancy elephant saddle or elephant jewels later. I can never leave the projects alone.

Here's more watercolor on the side.The clown boy, and the dog with juggling balls are water-colored. The poster is distress inked. See the elephant riding 2 bicycles.

Here's another curtain on the other side. I saw this effect in the latest July "Craft Stampers" magazine. The trapeze girl, circus banner, and "Send in the Clowns" are from the Oxford impressions circus stamp set. I have 2 of the circus stamp sets! The monkey is a free graphic from the internet.

Sorry elephant for the unflattering view of this side of the big top cube. The scary lion is an "Industrial Chic" jewelry finding by Susan L. Kazmer! I love the "Industrial Chic" charms! I usually find them at Michaels. The moonface headlights are polymer clay from a mold of various "suns" by Maureen Carlson.The words "Big Top" are watercolored. I have an old polymer clay book Fimo Folk by Maureen Carson where I made a entire witch out of polymer clay. I haven't finished it yet. I started it probably while most of you were in junior high.

I used Tim Holtz gears on the blocks to look like wheels. I was going to use the tim holtz wheels, but it made the circus too tall with the elephant...and the hat...and the propeller!

So I had fun with the watercolors. Perhaps I got a little carried away on this one, just perhaps, but then I just starting playing with stuff and before you know it, I was ready to make a whole circus village. Maybe I'll continue making a few more during some future challenges.

I have had the circus on the mind lately as I've recently found that I am related to the P.T. Barnum "Fat Lady" who was with the circus for 22 years during the 1880-1890's. Crazy huh? She not only was the "Fat Lady" but also learned to be a snake charmer who handled rattlesnakes in her act. (You gotta have a back-up plan in case you lose some weight...gotta learn a trade...like snake-charming.)

So some years back we found an old letter in a box that used to belong to my grandma where my great-great-grandfather mentioned his sister was the largest woman in America at that time which was weird. I researched this a little and couldn't find any info on my great-great-grandfather's large sister. All of my relatives I know on that side are pretty skinny so I though maybe it was one of those untrue family legends. After some research I realized my great-great-grantfather's mother had passed away during the birth of her 11th child, and he remarried and had several more children and she was one of those children. Apparently she took off as a teenager and joined a circus before hitting the big time in the P.T. Barnum circus. Once I found out her name, I found her stage names, then I found some photos and more about her history.

So here's my great-great-great aunt "Lottie Grant" (stage name). Her real name is Elizabeth Charlotte Stice. You go girl! Charm those snakes!
Turns out she married 3 or 4 times, but her husbands kept dying tragically in circus related accidents, and she had 4 children. She died at age 45 from a heart condition, but she certainly lived her life to the fullest and enjoyed the limelight.

Here is a little history and bio on her.

It's just crazy!

You never know what you are going to find when you do family history!!!