Sunday 11 March 2012

Vintage Robin's Nest Box

I have joined in a Round Robin swap on UK Stampers  this has nothing to do with that though other than the Robin bit.

I want to thank all those who have left me lovely comments and have encouraged me to have a go at stamping again.

My eyesight has been so bad that I gave up - but the good news is that I will be having an operation on one eye at the end of the month so within two - four weeks after that, I should have perfect eyesight in one eye and only need glasses for reading - how cool will that be!  I was also told that I will be amazed at the colours 'in the world' and will need to wear dark glasses for a while to get used to it!

That got me thinking - what on earth has my art work looked like these past few years.  It looks darkish to me and I am always trying to make it bright by adjusting the photos - so goodness knows how it looks to everyone else.

Bare that in mind when you look at these photos.

This box has a dark aged vintage look to me - but if to you it's bright - get out the shades!
I painted this first with a coat of gesso all over.
I coloured it with a lime green, rose pink colour washes.

I painted the egg Robin blue (I know Cath the robins don't have speckles on their eggs but mine did) wink wink. 
Cath's just posted that it's an American robin, and not our more rounded little European Robin - I thought it looked a  bit slim - but thought it was my eyesight!  Well I am sure the American robin will lay blue speckled eggs. He he
Using one of my new stamps, I stamped both of the longer sides and them embossed with black embossing powder to give it some texture.
The shorter ends I repeated the process but with a Japanese nest stamp.  
When the sun shines on the nests, you can see a glint of the gold rub and buff

 I stamped the top with one of my new stamps, and painted it to look like (in my eyes) and old faded collector's card.
When it's in bright light it picks up the patches of destressed rub and buff gold.
I sealed the top with a matt acrylic 'flat' varnish.

With spring on the way, the birds are at their happiest making their nests and laying eggs.

Well - I DID IT!  My vintage Victorian robin's nest box

And I don't know what it looks like to you - but I bet I get a shock in a few weeks time - and won't that be brilliant! 

(And if all goes well I will be able to have an operation on the other eye - now that WILL be like winning the jackpot!)

16 comments:

Cath Wilson said...

It's beautiful, Lottie and I love the egg, he, he. I love that stamp, too, although I cut the 'robin' bit off mine cos it's an American robin and I love British robins. The stamping looks wonderful and the colours are great. Sorry to hear your eyes have been so bad but I'm really pleased they're going to sort it out for you. Hope it makes a big difference to you but for now, don't worry about what others see - it's what you see that matters and it looks amazingly good x

Ginger said...

I love the colouring on the lid, it does look like its been sitting on a shelf for ages, you have distressed it so well.
The whole project is lovely. x

Angelnorth said...

Fantastic project, the colouring on the lid looks fabulous and the hints of worn Rub n Buff make it look like an old tin that's been around for generations! Fingers crossed for the operation, hope it makes your life easier in many ways.

sam21ski said...

I have to agree with Cath, it's what you see that matters Lottie.

What I see is a lovely old antique box with a bird on the top, I wouldn't know if it was a robin or not - lol.

Wonderful news about your eye op, hope all goes well and you are seeing bright and beautiful things very soon.

Sam xxx

Sandies' Patch said...

This is brilliantly done!
No, it's not too bright!
I think you could do some 'forging' in your spare time LOL! I'ts that good, no one would guess it's just been made!

Good luck with the eye op (s) too.
Are you haveing Laser treatment?

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Sandie xx

Paula Whittaker said...

Looks pretty good to me...nice work.Good Luck with the eye op...hope all goes well x

Christine said...

What a lovely box, Lottie! I am amazed at the beautiful things you are making, despite your dodgy eyesight. I wish you the best of luck with your operation.

salamanda said...

Beautiful box and the colours are just lovely - no need to "adjust sets" or put on glasses. Hope eye op soon

Stiggy said...

Hi Lottie!

I wish you all the best with your operation, I hope it goes well and is as painless as it can be.

Can't wait to hear all about your new life with sight,

all my best as always,

Stiggy

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

What brilliant news Lottie!!
I hope it all goes well.

You have captured the aged painting really well. Love that lime green. And that shade of blue is perfect for that era too.

Maybe you should take a look at my latest to test how your eyes are now and then at the same post in a month or two time...I kind of went colour/pattern overload lol

Rosie said...

Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog - and when I came to visit yours I found all this altered loveliness! I used to do stuff like this before art journalling took over!! My MIL recently had the eye operation and I assure you that its something of a miracle ....

Christine B. said...

Hi Lottie sorry to hear your eyes have been so bad. Good luck with the operation will be thinking of you.Your Robin and box look wonderful and colourful. Hugs x ChrisB

Sally said...

This is so gorgeous, you always make such beautiful creations and you would never know your eyes are not at their best I promise :)

Judy said...

Good luck with the op Lottie!
Heavens - if you're doing such good work with poor eyesight you'll be producing stunning stuff when you've got shiny new eyes!

Netty said...

Beautiful altered box and loving that great egg. Annette x

shamraiz said...

Lucky you, dear. It looks fabulous.
Good luck with the eye op (s) too.
Are you haveing Laser treatment?
I hope you have a wonderful week. regards,
SAM:>)
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