Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The International Collage Box Project...

Some of my most pleasurable swaps are the international ephemera swaps hosted by LaWendula. The Collage Box Project is one that was especially fun. A collage box travels around the world to seventeen people. When you get the box, you take out twelve pieces of ephemera and add at least twelve more. Then you create a collage and post it.


When I got the box, I started humming a song I once heard on a children's record called "Peace Is The World Smiling" so that is what I titled my collage. To be honest, I have not done a lot of collage. At all. I focused on using layers for the background, gesso first, then several kinds of tissue paper, then stamping white acrylic through some sequin waste. A whole lot of gel medium in between. (Love that stuff!) I used a Caran D'Ache crayon to go around the globe and some of the circles made by the sequin waste then worked the black in with my finger.  I also made a border of black musical Tim Holtz tape (it's about a song, right?)


On the left, we have smiling women from different countries and different eras.


On the right, we have examples of different languages, included snippets of unique computer "faces" from a German ad.

I was pretty pleased with how the background turned out. I wasn't so pleased with the pictures. They seem to "sit" on the canvas like scrapbook pictures...rather than be integrated into the whole picture.

I enjoyed the process so much. I learned something and I love mucking around with paper and goopy products. I added about twenty snippets of ephemera to the box, signed the little guest book and sent the box on to New York.

I was smiling as it went on its way. 

18 comments:

  1. Suz, It was such a pleasure to have a "visit" from you. I have so enjoyed catching up on past posts. I simply love that your husband allows you to have a pink family room. Doesn't that speak to years and years of love. I have same feelings bubble to the surface reading your post about your daughter and vintage thrifting. My daughter has a wonderful closet full of Gunny Sax and vintage coats because she too can fit them! Sigh, to be young and slim again! This collage idea is absolutely wonderful, and I can see how much of yourself you put into it. Simply beautiful! It reminds me of your blog background which is my very favorite of all! I have been so scarce in visiting friends, but please know you are so often in my thoughts. Wishing you well, Elizabeth

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  2. What a beautiful box you created! I love the international flair. I'm happy to see you creating again!
    xo
    jeanne

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  3. Love this! And, I think your collage is fabulous....love those gold (foil?) scalloped circles...

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  4. Nice job Suz! So great to see you playing again. Such a great thing. Love your collage. Thanks so much for swinging by, love hearing from you. Hugs, Riki

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  5. Hi dear Suz,
    this worldwide project got the exatly wonderful right collage piece from you, and your clever hands. I love the women jumping into the project from all over, and the :Peace in the middle, showing the love and caring the blogging community from countryes all over the world, shows each other. So beautiful, Suz.
    How is your world ,dear ?
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  6. This is so beautiful! And so well thought tru!You've done a really good job, dear!

    Btw: It have been 30 people who have joined the "collage box project" and because the second one got lost, I will start another one in fall.
    Maybe some of your friends would like to hop on?
    xo

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  7. Love the global look and feel of your collage and am intrigued by the photobooth? strip of pics on the left...you combined some really super elements and I can see you had fun with your background too!
    I see many more collages in your future dear one :)

    Glad you're staying cool in SD :)
    oxo

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  8. Hi Suz: I am catching up after having company for a week. What a wonderful idea to do a collage box that visits across the country and finds creative muse wherever it lands. How fun to use your papers and ephemera you love. Happy Summer Sunshine Smiles to you...

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  9. Hello Suz, I have had a nice visit here today. I love what you have done. Your collage background is fabulous, and the different people and languages is really wonderful too. This kind of swap sounds really fun. So glad you had fun creating this.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  10. Hi Suz....love the whole international swap box concept....might have to jump in and do one of those. You did a beautiful job on your collage. They terrify me....so I have been forcing myself to try more. Thanks for inspiring us all!
    Hugs~Hope

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  11. That sounds like a really cool swap.

    Your collage is fabulous, Suz! Remember, if you aren't satisfied, practice makes perfect. (and it's good excuse to keep playing, I think!)
    ;)

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  12. This is soooo lovely my friend..you always amaze me! Hope all is well...sending you oodles of love. xoxoxoxoxo

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  13. It is awesome, Suz -- sooooo creative! And a great theme!

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  14. Thanks so much for visiting La Dolce Vita... and I was so touched by your comment, thanks for sharing that... I hesitated to post it, but I knew that there were many out there that would resonate with it... love the blog and I see we have a lot of blog pals in common, so I will have to come back and visit often! ciao bella!!

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  15. What a fabulous idea girl!!

    Sandy xox

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  16. Hi Suz, yes I go by "Cat" and my sister is named Susan... so funny how cathys and susans get together as friends or family... : )

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