Sunday, May 23, 2010

MMM: Marie Antionette

"Her Boudoir"
Altered Mirror


Marie Antionette is this week's prompt for Mixed Media Monday. I really (really) struggled with this one and did not know until today exactly how I was going to tackle the challenge. Visions of elegant cakes, blue feathers and over-the-top furnishings swam through my head. I wanted something glamorous and glittery and when I stumbled upon this black-and-white graphic of a bed worthy of a queen, I knew I had found what I was looking for. I decided to try and capture an intimate peek of Her Boudoir.

This was created on what was once an old family mirror. I finally managed to "steal" it from my Mom (after years of begging) a while back and shortly thereafter, broke the beautifully antiqued mirror that was it's centerpiece. Tail between my legs, I pulled the frame out of it's hiding place this morning and created this 5 x 7 piece in an attempt to win my Mother's forgiveness. . . Dramatic sigh . . .

I began by adhering some handmade background paper to a piece of balsa wood. I then added more bold color with acrylic and stamps and bubble wrap. All images are from The Graphics Fairy and were cut with Cutter Bee scissors and a craft knife. It was given a wash of Diamond Glaze (for a lacquer-like finish) before adding glass glitter to the bottom of the picture and a single Swarovski stone (surprise, surprise) to the top of the bed. Further embellishments were some gold thread, blue feathers (from one of Kendra's barrettes) and a Swarovski button. The last detail came in the form of a tea-dyed tag with a scripted M.

Thank you for looking! I'm eager to see what everyone did with this beautiful challenge. Oh, and Mom, this one's for you. Literally.

Kristin xo

23 comments:

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Mothers unite to fight plight of mice men out fo site to fight like Kenny out of South Park AS dark night can psych them out into other vessels too to renew AShoe Bless poo AS dwarfs are grown! Love Andew.

Lori Saul said...

I always look forward to your beautiful mixed media works and this is no exception- wonderfully designed and crafted! Very "Marie" -like!

Amy said...

That is one amazing frame! WOW...I love the feather and gold glitter's..so pretty your piece is!!
Thanks for visiting me at my blog as well..been a busy weekend.

Cindy Adkins said...

Ooolala--this is priceless!!! The whole piece is beautiful! And I love the "M" dangling from it--AMAZING!
HUGS

Rosie said...

Ah, bless you, Kristin!! That broken mirror has been put to superb use - and I love the peek into "her" boudoir! Bravo!

johanna said...

very marie-style! great take on the theme!

Sandy said...

OMG I´ve missed my words.
Wonderful Marie art. Looks beautiful.

My Creative House said...

Kristin wow this is gorgeous, Marie's boudoir what a great idea and the frame is fantastic, love it.
Anni

Daisy Buchanan said...

You have outdone yourself this week, my friend! This is totally gorgeous.

Yvonne said...

WOW, WOW, beautiful creation!

Annette Q said...

Oh that frame is wonderful! I'm not surprised your really wanted to have it! And I think you more than made up for breaking the mirror with your gorgeous artwork in its place. I really love the colours in the background, love, love,love! :-)

Unknown said...

oh la la !!! this is fantastic Kristin!!! I love it and that frame is so fitting for this piece...wonderful work!!!

joanna said...

Kristin, you always surprise me with your art! so pretty! I also want to say, seeing Kendra's pic always makes me smile when I visit :))
xoxoxo

Nicola said...

Really love the colours in the back ground of this one, I think you've done a wonderful job with this weeks theme and your mum will love it too I'm sure! :0)

Rosie said...

Wow, it's fantastic

Rosie

Trudy said...

totally gorgeous. Kristen, thank you for visiting my little Emily's blog and encouraging her.

indybev said...

What a lovely resurrection of a gorgeous frame. Beautiful work!

ALTERED ARTIFACTS said...

What an elegant frame for such an elegant piece! Beautiful!
Inka

Michelle said...

This is so absolutely stunning! You are such a talent!

Anonymous said...

"20 different kinds of awesome" doesn't even express how much i love this...lol
i have been collecting some marie antoinette pieces & would love to try something in the near future.
thanks for the sweet note....yeah, i've gone pretty "awol," haven't i? been hanging out with the girls & deviantscrap & loving it.
going to check out the site you mentioned.
again, this is beyond breath-taking. you managed to out-do yourself, my friend....xoxo

Bumbershoot Designs and Supplies said...

Extraordinary! The bed is amazing, like the ones I saw at Versailles many years ago. And the frame a perfect setting for it. ~Sharon

Katie said...

Absolutely lovely! I love how you tackled the challenge! The result is beautiful :)

Diane said...

It's a lovely piece, Kristin - and what a fabulous mirror - glad you finally got your hands on it, grin! Diane