My Fair Lady File Folders

My desk is usually cluttered with all sorts of papers. In between working my regular secretarial home-based real estate job, I squeeze in a little bit of time each day to work on my art between normal business hours.

Some days the shuffling of paperwork can be just plain monotonous, so I thought to myself: wouldn't it be wonderful to create a few file folders to help me do my job more efficiently AND make beautiful art. File cabinets contain some really boring topics, and rarely see the light of day when we slip a piece of paper into the inside. These pieces of art look great just setting on my desktop. I feel they are just too special to hide away. I am hoping to complete a set of file folders that read, "To Do," "Mail," "File," "Urgent," and "To Be Paid."

These sweet gorgeous lady images were designed by Moonlight Journey. They are a digital pack set of over 25 images called "My Fair Lady." Each women's image measures from 3 to 5 inches. There are 12 women, 6 vintage ads, postcards, labels and more. I used a free motion stitch surrounding the form of each woman that was attached to tulle. Then attached the fabric to book text. The letters for each tab are from magazine article titles. What a wonderful way to "dress up" your workspace!

I really like how these file folders sprung from just a plain manila folder!

Art Doll Swap

What a fun exchange everyone had last month. It was my turn to pick a theme, and I chose "Little Girl Paper Dolls" as shown in a past SOMERSET LIFE magazine. We had an outline. It had to be a little girl, mounted on a wooden block, and was to have a back drop. I believe we all did some of our best work on this project. I chose an image from Paper Whimsy and named each child with a Victorian name. Vicky used a photo of her daughter Natalie. Terri's girl had beautiful iridescent wings. Deb's work had a curtain like theater background, and Kim's image captured the essence of time. They are all just the sweetest things! Next month's assignment will have a leaf shape and an autumn theme. I wonder what our art group will create with only that thought. Hmmmm.

"Annabell" by Nancy Van Hoose

"Natalie" by Vikki Light

"Butterly Kisses" by Terri Gauthier

"Curtain Call" by Debra Abel

"Essence of Time" by Kimberly Baslock

French Victorian Maidens

One of my favorite sources for inspiration seems to be books and copyright free images designed by Sandra Evertson. In "Fanciful Paper Projects," she gives you copies of the actual papers she used to assemble each doll. All you have to do is photocopy the pages in color and follow the directions. When I saw the chapter with these French-inspired Victorian dolls, it seemed like the perfect solution for my October art journal swap. Then all I had to do is add my own embellishments, and voila! I was happier than I had envisioned them. If you would like to see some of the amazing October swap contributions in my art group, go to "Group Art Journals" in my "Eye Candy and Inspiration" link section.

My Postcard Dolls

As a little girl, I always loved to play with paper dolls. I can remember waiting for my Mom's BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS magazine to arrive so I could take out the paper doll page. I would sit on the floor for hours....cutting out the dolls and carefully folding over the white tabs on the clothing. Years later, the love affair with pretty little girl dolls did not end, but just kind of faded over time. Lately, I have been using paper dolls in my artwork and I am infatuated all over again. Once you start playing with paper dolls again, it seems like they will become a newfound passion. In an article in SOMERSET LIFE, Nancy Gene Armstrong made some adorable little three dimensional "Well-Wishers" as she referred to them. She used full body images from cabinet cards attached to wooden blocks. I have always loved the Paper Whimsy images, and have thus incorporated one of Gale's girls into my Victorian Doll creations above. They can even travel to keep you company at the office or as a perfect place card idea for settting a festive holiday table, women's luncheon, bridal shower, or even a birthday party!

Whimsical Paper Dolls

After receiving a recent post featuring Jackie Peters from Oklahoma City, OK we became so inspired from her images that we spend a few hours yesterday making these whimsical paper dolls. My very talented friends Terri Gauthier and Deb Abel, and myself used Character Construction paper doll parts with tags, greeting cards, with lots of trim, ribbon, silk flowers, and other elements to create these charming little dolls. We had so much fun, and I think our little dolls captured that spirit!


Artwork by Nancy Van Hoose