Hello folks! I sure hope you all are getting some of the BEAUTIFUL weather we are having here in the Puget Sound! We've got sun. We've got summer breezes. We've got 70 + degree F weather! Who could ask for more!
There is nothing more beautiful than Seattle in the Sun. "The Bluest Skies You've Ever Seen Are in Seattle"!
Needless to say, I'm working only a few minutes at a time nowadays! But I am making progress, day by day, and am finally beginning to visualize the next phase of my project and working out the bugs. Today though, I give you bits and pieces...! I am in the process of trying to create an interesting and Steampunk - eee facade for the Manor.
I've had these two pics set aside for some time. Since the underpinnings of what I am working on are a bit mundane, I thought I would give you glimpses of things to come in order to whet your appetite and so that you won't think that I've dropped off the face of the earth!
First, a wonderful 3D Graphics painting from the Internet created by Jim Fiscus. This digital image spoke to me the moment I saw it, and I knew that it was going to inform part of what I did on the facade. It is an exciting and interesting image, and provides a number of ideas I will rework and include in my facade.
Here is another photo I love. This is actually of a window, also found on the Internet, This beautifully imposing set of doors captures the ornate sense of drama that I wanted for the Entrance Door for the Manor.
I do have several other photos I am using for reference, but these two are the two that are the forming the major inspiration for what I am doing with the Entrance.
Now for the bits and pieces! These are some of the major ingredients that will go into the facade...but there are many more! :0)
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| An old plastic jewelry box |
First, my daughters jewelry box. She recently tried to give it to Charity,and I rescued it and put it in my stash. I know. Selfish. But as you know, this has become a staple item for me!
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| An 8x10 Frame |
A Picture Frame from Goodwill...
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| A casting of a cabinet pull |
A Cabinet Pull from Hobby Lobby...
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| Isn't this gorgeous tile? Metallic and all shades of brown and gold. |
Enameled ceramic tile from Home Depot...
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| You will not recognize this Glass Tile when I am done! |
Glass tile from Lowe's Home Center...
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| Fell in Love...Steampunk...Yes? |
And a Jewelry finding of a Leopard's head from Hobby Lobby...
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| The Mundane Part! |
I've spent the last several weeks working my way through this. You know how you get an idea...and your mind "finds" the "right" thing over time...well, I have become a "finder". But now I am getting very excited about the possibilities!
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| Concept drawing of a Steampunk Boiler |
As a parting shot, let me also share with you another project that is "in work". This is a Steampunk Boiler that I dreamed up. This is also in the finding stage...I am sure the final product will be quite different, as concept drawings are nothing MORE than concepts, but I am a interested to see if I can carry this one off!
Hope there is enough here to capture your imagination...Mine is going wild!
Until next time.
Doug S
Hi Doug! Well, all I can say is that I'm sooo glad that you become a finder :D!! Because the 3D graphics painting of Jim Fiscus and all other things you've showed here in your blogpost, these all are awesome! I'm used to say: with these pictures you've pressed on my inspiration/creativity-button ;)! Oh my, what gorgeous things you've found here and there, I especially love the jewelry box of your daughter.......the possibilities to create some gorgeous thing with this box are endless!! So, you've surely captured my imagination, now I would love to see what you're going to create out of all these things!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your lovely weather and your weekend.
Kind regards, Ilona
Good morning Ilona! I just rolled out of bed, and am a bit groggy...apologize in advance if my reply is wonky!
DeleteI loved the Jim Fiscus 3D image too, and it is "so right" for the effect I want to create...I'm excited by what is happening using it as inspiration! And yes, that jewelry box is "iconic" when it comes to source material for casting! Portions of that box are showing up regularly in the miniature project, aren't they!?
I'm having fun trying to turn all this stuff into something... we'll see what we see, won't we? :0]
Have a great week (or two, at the pace I am moving!)
Doug
Hello Doug,
ReplyDeleteI had typed out my comment and I don't know what button I pressed on my keyboard, but the whole lot disappeared......anyway, we'll give it another go! lol
I am so glad you are having lovely weather. We are cold and wet in County Armagh at the moment. Not so pleasant for a Sunday!
I love the Jim Fiscus picture, it is dark and mysterious, yet elegant and dramatic. Just the elements for your project indeed! The image of the window is stunning, I can just see that being given the Doug treatment and being centre stage as your front door of the manor.
I am so glad you rescued the jewellery box, it is indeed gorgeous with such a host of beautiful shapes and designs.
I hope I'm not having a 'moment' here, but have you given a name to your manor yet? I have a head like a sieve, so I might have forgotten....
Again, Doug, another lovely post. It's always a pleasure to read them.
All the best and take care,
Vivian
Hi Vivian! I think that is called the Delete button? (just teasing! Been there done that!)
DeleteI am excited about taking these inspirational pictures and trying to do something with them. With the time I am getting to spend though, it may be many moons before there are any results!
I had sort of named the Manor, but I have since decided I want to rename it. I never really liked the original name. :0) I had "named" the Manor 'Lightstone Manor", but it just hasn't ever felt right. So I have been waiting for the Manor to tell me it's new name for a while...We'll see! For the moment, I think the Manor is pretty much nameless...:0)
I'll work on that...funny you mentioned it, because I was just thinking the other day about what to call this monster!!
Take care!
Doug
Hello Doug,
ReplyDeleteI get so excited when I see you have a new post up! The finding you showed us are all wonderful, but I must say the jewelry box is really incredible. I am glad you saved it. Look at it this way, you say it may have been selfish, but I can guarantee the box will be better protected displayed in your project then if it were used.
The pictures of the door and window are terrific and I think that direction is perfect for your manor. I can't wait to see them come to life. The boiler is terrific and will be a wonderful addition to your project.
Before I go, there is a small shopping complex I walk to often on my lunch which has a fountain which always makes me think of you. If you want to have a look, search for "place Montreal trust fountain". I found great pictures on google.
Big hug my friend,
Giac
Hi Giac! Glad you approve of the general direction. I am excited about it anyway. I hope it will communicate once it is all put together. I do love the process of imagineering new elements for the Manor. Steampunk is fun to work with too, because my imagination can roam and those "unusual" concepts still fit the genre. I've totally enjoyed that aspect of this project because it gives me such freedom to push the limits.
DeleteI love the fountain! Definitely has that Steampunk flavor! That is a large fountain too, and I love how it fills that large space so perfectly. Thanks for thinking of me and sharing it. It captures my imagination...and that is what good art does!
Thanks my friend!
Doug
Hi Doug! Well, talk about "late to the party!?" I don't have a clue how I missed this post but now that I have found you again..... :D
ReplyDeleteI am STOKED by your Fab Finds and I think that I am beginning to see your vision as it unfolds. Your rescue of the jewelry box for instance is an OPPORTUNITY for an Incredible transformation that I can hardly wait to see!!!!! The drawer pull and the picture frame as well are destined for greatness. I will stop gushing here because I am one post behind still, but I have to say that this manor is Really picking up STEAM I LOVE your junk! :D
elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth! I just found this comment after replying to your later comment! As I think you said, I love the comments whenever they come! In fact, I was rather surprised to see these comments show up, since I have so neglected this blog (and the project associated with it!) in the last couple of months. I guess between fixing up the real life dwelling and the absolutely GORGEOUS summer we have had this year, time has been moving very quickly.
DeleteGlad to know you love my junk! :0) I have much, much more waiting in the wings...in fact, today, we are SELLING a bunch of junk. Our community is having a Community Garage Sale, so we decided we should take advantage!
I sure hope I can pull off my vision...one thing I will dare say, it is a "unique" one. And I am having the time of my life working on the project! It is so much fun to see all these wild ideas come to life.
Thanks again Elizabeth!
Doug