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!)