Friday, August 31, 2012

RRR September Challenge - Anything Goes



This month at Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent, the theme is a favourite of many people: Anything Goes. All that is required in order for an entry to qualify is to have something recycled on the project and to let us know via your post what that something is. Then just link up to our blog and we'll visit. Love that part.

This time around, I was a little stumped for an idea until I started pawing through some small wooden pieces in a bin in the basement. I found two wooden checker pieces and that's all it took. "Wheels!" says I. Then the question arose "Wheels for what?" Well, I had the top half of the metal gift card container and a huge desire to use the quote "Never let 'em tame you". That's how this project started.

I decided to make the metal case into a vintage-type circus wagon that could cage some wild and unruly animal. For the background that would show through the cage bars, I turned to a thrift store find: a children's book with puzzles on each page. I glued the section I wanted onto a piece of heavy cardstock (after I dropped it and had to test my puzzle making skills). That piece was adhered to the metal case. A frame was created out of black cardstock and bars made from wooden skewers were glued to the back.



Pirouette by CS Designs was my choice for the star of this show. She is such a free spirit, ready to dance or fly as it suits her. I coloured her with Prismacolor pencils and fussy cut her out. Small flat back pearls were added for her eyes. Then, because of the cage idea, I added wings to Pirouette by colouring a butterfly recycled from a card I had been given using alcohol markers and Stickles. I wanted to show that she cannot be contained in a mere cage but can fly away at will.

I found a "Don't Feed the Animals" sign on the internet and made a banner using baker's twine, small handcut flags, and alpha stickers. The message was computer generated and cut out with a die. The checker pieces were painted with silver acrylic and gears and nailhead stickers were attached to the centers before gluing them to Pirouette's wagon. Finally, a clock key was glued to the left side.





I always find it amazing when I look at a finished project and think that it all sprang out of one small inspiration point. Creativity is such a blast! I hope you'll join us this month at Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent. After all, anything goes :) Be sure to visit the challenge blog to see the amazing projects that the rest of the DT came up with. Leave a little extra love for our guest DT member, Wendy Pettifer. We're so happy to have her on board.

Thanks for stopping by.
Life is good; so is art.
Bonnie

15 comments:

Ellis said...

I love your wagon, the coloring is great and the sign is so much fun! Good use of the recycled wings! =) The puzzles makes a perfect background!
Hugs, Elenor

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOWWWW!!!! It's my new favorite...lol!!! I am in love with this! I love your telling of how the idea even came about...2 checkers! The circus cage is perfect and the sentiment spot on! I love your wheels, banner, and key! What an exceptional DT piece!!!!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Didn't realize I wasn't already following you...sorry.

Beverly G said...

What a fun project and that saying is wonderful. You have fit so many great details in this one small package.

ParkNSlide said...

I love how your creative mind works. This piece is so whimsical and fun with so many interesting elements. Pirouette is so special and just because you said don't feed her, I want to go to the candy shop and get her a whole bagful of treats!

Lisa Minckler said...

Bonnie.....WOO HOO!!! This is amazing! So tiny, but SOOOO big with attitude all in one. Just love your creativity and what you've repurposed here. Excellent work. :)

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

very nice and cool !!

SandeeNC said...

OMG, this is over the top adorable, and I LOVE using the puzzle, that's wow candy for my brain! lol waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

Lori said...

Your piroutte is wonderful and that circus car you've created is fabulous! So cool with the puzzle background...

Laine Kammeraad said...

Wow - absolutely amazing and fabulous creation!! I am so glad to have found your blog and I just had to become a follower. You are a very talented artist!!!

With smiles and hugs

Laine

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely love this - what a creative and imaginative piece, full of fun and joy! Thanks for the inspiration!
Alison x

Paula said...

I love your circus in a tin. Brilliant!!!
Paula :o)

Handgathered said...

Very cool project on a tin. Clever.

Jeanne-Sylvie said...

What a lovely creation!!I love all the cute details you imagined!

CG said...

Wow, this is an amazing project. So fun and funky too! Your use of recycled items is so creative, love it! Best, CG