♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Comic Book Geekery ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

I had a lot of things going through my head as I made this piece. As always I make up a story to go with the imagery I am working with. Usually I am creating with playing cards, they get a bit boring after a while as I always go back to the Jack having an affair with the Queen behind the Kings back. 

So the images used from the cover of Ace Magazines, Inc The Beyond, No. 10 April 1952 gave me a bit of inspiration. As I am only working with the cover I had to guess what the story was about and so the general plot, I believe, is something like this.

The Damsel in Distress is being chased by fiery devlish creatures.

 

Her Fiance, who is a bit of a wimp can only watch in horror as they come to get her.

 The old man pictured bottom left is reaching out to help her and rescue her from the clutches of the little devils. ( I hope you can see that from the images).

The feathers used to embellish the piece also represent the characters. Single, turquoise feather = woman, two grey/blue feathers = Fiance, red and black feathers = devil and the ivory feathers represent the old man who is rescuing her. 

The button has the logo of Ace Magazines and I have hand embroidered it.

It’s all pretty obvious isn’t it however I wanted to try and explain the process behind my work and how important colour and quantity of the feathers is important.

Now I am off to make more...

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Queen of Hearts ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

The Queen of Hearts Fascinator has been developed into a bit of a fancier version. The wired hearts can be adjusted into place and the extra heart shaped feathers add movement and height. 

This piece is now available to buy here.

This piece has come from the popular comb which can be found in my shop.  

The cards in this piece are slightly different with the heart pips having a black outline. 

The base of the flower is mounted on a rosette of ribbons and a felt heart finishes it. 

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ New listing, it's been a while♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Here we have a peacock clip. Had a load of black feathers I wanted to use. Love the colours if the peacock feathers, the dye has such a wonderful reaction.

I actually started this before Christmas. Trying to get bits finished and listed so I can get on with some head turning hats... Watch this space!

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Queen of Hearts Teacup ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Just having a sort through my phone. Only 2346 photos to either file away, share or delete. I find it difficult to know where to put them all so think the next few posts are going to be a back log of photos that never made it on here. Also managed to finish a couple of headpieces today. They will soon be on Etsy as my New Year’s resolution is to create pieces and get them online quicker. It’s going ok so far...

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ New Year, new creations♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Finally discovered an app to post to my blog! Might actually stay up to date a bit more.

So much has been happening so will post more when I have more than 5 mins. This is really a test to see if this app is any good.

Here's a few pics of bits from the last couple of months...

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintagenie Christmas Fair ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

What a great day. I picked up Binkypops early this morning and we set off to have stalls at Vintagenie’s Christmas Vintage and Handmade Fair at the Penta Hotel in Reading. I usually dread these days due to the amount of boxes and bags I have to take, finding a parking space and generally being on my feet all day. I shouldn’t whinge about it because I appreciate all the positive comments and attention my work gets at these events. After all, the reason I do it is to show it all off. However today was very different due to the exceptional organisation from Lou and Anna of Vintagenie. Space sorted, directions sorted, parking sorted it really was the easiest it has ever been. Here are a few pictures from the day. I had to post one of Stephanie's stall as it just goes to show how very different we are. I wish I could turn up with one bag and be done :)

 The chaotic presentation skills of Soobird here. I had more than I thought and was really happy with how it looked. Now to find an ornate free standing mirror just to finish it all off.

You can probably see what I mean... sadly I forgot to get some close up shots of her jewellery, check out her shop to see.

Here we have Shaz of Oddsox with her wonderful sock creations. I couldn’t help purchasing a snowman badge... along with a ton of other bits from the fair.

The Penta Hotel was a great venue, lovely large and warm room. We all had plenty of space which made a nice change from the norm. Often we get crammed into tiny spaces which makes it quite difficult. At the front there was a performance area where a few local (highly talented) musicians took to the stage to perform for us. Hat’s off to the Burlesque performer. She must have been freezing!

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♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Christmas Top Hat ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

 

I forgot to get these pictures up of the latest Christmas addition to

the Soobird collection. Inspired by the Christmas cake my nan used to

make I thought it would make the perfect head piece for this season.

Taking it along on Sunday to Reading, I am sure it will get lots of

attention. It’s currently in my Etsy shop...

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♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Burlesque Sellers on Etsy ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

I recently joined a team, on Etsy, a team for all handmakers of costumes, accessories and props suited to the Burlesque world. Since joining I have loved seeing who joins the team, browsing through the shops and ♥ing the items.

Recently our Captain, RedsRibbons came up with the idea of a Team Challenge. GREAT IDEA! We were given a month from the announcement of who was crowned Miss Exotic World 2011 (MEW).

Miss Indigo Blue took the prize and so the contest began. I say began, I only finished sourcing the bits and pieces for it about an hour ago. It shall begin, hopefully in the next 24 hours. I always leave it until the last minute, just hope I can create something as flamboyant and spectacular as Miss Indigo Blue!

www.christophernelsonphotography.com

Here’s the first completed entry by Gothfox Designs, love the colours, very Lichenstein.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Getting back into it ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Groom's Royal Flush Buttonhole in Spades and Hearts.

This design is part of a series. The Best Men have '4 of a Kind' 9s and 8s, the fathers 7s and 6s with the ushers having the remaining cards, the 5s, 4, 3s,and 2s using a full deck of cards.

Where has my energy been! I have been neglecting my creativity recently and since being back at school it feels like I have been non-stop for the past 4 weeks. Well, today that is going to change. I have almost completed an order of buttonholes that will wing it's way to Florida for a wedding in November, confirmed my space with Lina for a Contemporary Craft Fair at The Global Cafe (RISC), Reading on November 27th and managed to get Binkypops to sign up to it to. I can't wait, should be a good day out. I am also planning to enter an embroidery competition with a prize of a chance to spend a day with Diane Bates, who I think is wonderful! Oh and what else, start a range of card designs that can be framed for my stall, update www.soobird.com with a Buttonhole gallery, update Etsy with a few new things and collect some fisheye pictures from Boots that I hope have worked. I borrowed a camera from a friend, destroyed the first film and had to use whatever I could find whilst in Paris. If they do work I will be so pleased and will get them up on here. Er what else, oh and make a cannelloni.

This is all in one day... I will let you know how I get on

Fathers of the Bride & Groom

Best Man

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♦ ♣ Know Your Navy ♠ ♥

My first fascinator away from the poker theme. When I ordered the blue feathers I didn't realise how beautiful the colour would be, the picture darkens them slightly. They are a slightly lighter royal/grey blue. Now all I have to do is find a model and get it in my Etsy shop.