Themeless in Honolulu

 

A few weeks ago, I was invited to join a very distinguished and elite group of artists in a small altered book round robin.  Tickled, I simply could not pass up the opportunity to be able to share art with these talented ladies!

 

I didn't have much time to prepare a book for the round, so I did something I've never done before.  Like some of the other participants, I decided NOT to have a theme for my book.  Why not give these artists absolute freedom to create their art in my book?  The more I thought about this idea, the more I liked it.

 

Of course, not having a theme made it difficult for me to figure out how to start my book...I have to say that my inspiration came from a few different sources.  Earlier this month, a dear friend from Palm Springs showed me an altered lace book that was just so delicious!  Second, I will soon be working on a book for my Hawaii AB RR whose theme is "Diamonds & Rust."  I had already decided that I would do a spread inspired by "Leather & Lace" for that book.  Both are song titles, but I really liked the juxtaposition between the refined versus the crude.

 

Now, I don't usually work with fabric.  It's just not me.  But I gradually brought out the scraps of fabric, ribbon and trim that I have stashed away and began to pull the textures and colors that I was drawn to.  It soon became apparent that I was channeling a very vintage, victorian piece (also not me).  I assembled the different pieces, added a little touch of gold, a little bit of hardware and topped it off with some bling and this is what I came up with!