Continuing the theme from yesterday, here is Set No. 2. This time, I chose to use a mid range blue, highlighted by a brassy golden color. ATCs or Artist Trading Cards have a unique history worldwide. They arose as a form of exchange at the instigation of Swiss artist, M. Vänçi Stirnemann. This was in 1997, making the art of ATCs very nearly 20 years old today. The artist called it a "Collaborative Cultural Performance." I call it fun! For more on the unique and fascinating history of Artist Trading Cards, you may follow the link HERE. For many, it is an enjoyable hobby, as nobody sells anything and all is freely traded, tiny artwork for tiny artwork. I've traded ATCs myself on and off over the years, and found it a fascinating way to see the work of my fellow artisans. Fun! :) Below is a unique set of 6 slightly varying ATC backgrounds. They aren't intended to be traded as they are, but rather built upon using various media. Have fun, but please remember the ATC heritage of trading without selling. These are free. Let's keep them that way. Thank you. Happy Creative trading!
I take my inspiration from antique hand marbled paper for my new ATC sets. Below is the first set, done all in bronze, ochre, taupe and coffee brown. Others will soon appear here, but in different color ways and slightly different in design.
ATCs or Artist Trading Cards have a unique history worldwide. They arose as a form of exchange at the instigation of Swiss artist, M. Vänçi Stirnemann. This was in 1997. The artist called it a "Collaborative Cultural Performance." For more on the unique and fascinating history of Artist Trading Cards, you may follow the link HERE. For many, it is an enjoyable hobby, as nobody sells anything and all is freely traded, tiny artwork for tiny artwork. I've traded ATCs myself on and off over the years, and found it a fascinating way to see the work of my fellow artisans. Fun! :) Below is a unique set of 6 slightly varying ATC backgrounds. they aren't intended to be traded as they are, but rather built upon using various media. Have fun, but please remember the ATC heritage of trading without selling. These are free. Let's keep them that way. Thank you. Happy Creative trading!
And in two colors, too. The first one shown below is in shell pink with soft green and taupe accents. The second of the two is in blue with blue violet and light aqua accents.
This has taken a great deal of work to complete. In fact, I needed to set it aside more than once, as the details were making my head swim. Please respect my copyrights by following the red letter Guidelines listed at the foot of this post. Thank you.
The original image of the room was a genuine mess when I first found it. For one thing, it has much lower resolution than I generally prefer to use. Despite that problem, the way in which it would fit the doll in terms of inches really made this a worthwhile project.
The next thing that it required was a major overhaul. The original color (ochre goldish greenish) was neither pretty nor feminine. I experimented with several different options, finally settling on the two you see here.
Then there were problems with the view from the windows. That was very poor quality, indeed, and offered the wrong kind of view. This is meant to be Victoria's real room when at home at her grandmother's house in an upscale (although not aristocratic) neighborhood in London. I saw that she needed her very own room early on, of course, but I had never been able to find anything close to what might fit the story. Therefore, I removed the original view and replaced it with the one you see here. The house is on a square near a park, and has its own fine view overlooking a nice walled back garden.
The room's decor and furnishings are all in keeping with the era. If some of it appears to have a touch of an Arts and Crafts or Art Nouveau Movement look to it, that's to be expected. In the latter half of the 1890's there had already been more than one revolution in home decor and overall architectural design. Grandmother Lacey's parlor may be more traditional in stye, but her lovely young granddaughter has more modern taste. Notice the decorative wallpaper meant to mimic draped fabric, and how this matches the ceiling. The wallpaper border underneath the wood trim at the tops of the walls has a hint of a Victorian William Morris style to it, hasn't it?
:)
Below, each color choice will be offered with its Display version first, followed then by the 4 separate downloads comprising each one. For the Pink one, I have posed the doll wearing her Garnet colored Dressing Gown. for the Blue one, I have posed her wearing her Violet Dressing Gown. Instructions for first time Paper Doll Room assemblers may be found by following the following link HERE.
Any one of these would make a fun coloring project. I especially like the first of the three, the one of a stable scene. The dog has chased a cat up onto a window ledge. The cat is pretty feisty. The horses are wondering what all the fuss is about. I think it's fun. Next up is a lady riding sidesaddle over a fence. She sits so confidently. I have to wonder about her posture in the picture and that jump she's taking atop her very pretty, bright eyed horse. I'm accustomed to seeing riders that are at least a little bit bent at the waist. Maybe it's about her corset? :) Lastly, there is a plainer picture that is an illustration from an old magazine. This one gives a brief look into the various ways that some horses are trained to move. The gait being shown is called a "canter." I will include a short video (8 minutes long) that offers three strides for a horse. The first, of course, is a simple walk. The second is a trot, and the third is a real canter. A canter is a gentle, flowing style of running gait, kind of halfway between a trot and a full blown gallop. Sometimes, it is called a "lope" or "loping gait." It looks really comfortable if done well enough. I see it as beautiful. It takes a strong canter in order for most horses to be able to take most jumps safely. A second video is about the importance of balance in maintaining your seat during a canter. Have fun "horsing around" with today's coloring fun!
PPSColorMe™ Horse Trio
Download #1 HERE
Display version
(lower quality than the download)
Download #2 HERE
Display version
(lower quality than the download)
Download #3 HERE
Display version
(lower quality than the download)
Video about the Canter
(I like the way he says, "Apply your calves.")
Balance is very important when riding into a canter.
The International observance, known in the U.S. as Veterans Day, began in 1918 with a different name. Back then, it was known as Armistice Day. According to Wikipedia, "Armistice Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the 'eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month' of 1918. The date was declared a national holiday in many allied nations, and coincides with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, public holidays." (To read more about Armistice Day, please follow the link HERE) In the U.S. the same holiday was given a new name in 1954, that being our Veterans Day (see more HERE), but this is still an International day of observance, regardless of our nation's name change for the same date and time. A number of my family members fought for the Allies in WWII. Some barely made it out alive. I like to honor all of our service members, both men and women, along with all medics, nurses, and doctors etc. who've either supported troops or who've been in the thick of combat, whether still living or now lost to us. No matter where in the world this day is being observed, let it be a sign to us as to war's cost in human lives. Let's likewise give some thought to the numerous conscientious objectors who drove ambulances and worked as medics or support staff. Even they risked their lives so that as many people as possible could return home to their families. They, too, even though they didn't choose to do battle, were an essential part of the world's times of war. " The World War I draft law recognized the peace churches [the Quakers, Mennonites, Church of the Brethren and Seventh Day Adventists] but prosecuted anyone else who objected on the basis of their own beliefs. Five hundred objectors were court-martialed – 17 received death sentences for refusing to fight. Although none of the death sentences was carried out, almost 150 objectors were jailed for life, and others were harassed and beaten. Finally, in World War II, the draft law exempted from military service those who "by reason of religious training and belief" opposed war. The objectors still served. They were assigned to "work of national importance." This service fell into two types: First, about 25,000 objectors served in the military in "noncombatant" roles. They were medics who were in the Army but didn't carry a gun. Second, those who objected to being in the military served on the home front. About 20,000 objectors fought forest fires, built conservation projects in rural areas, or took care of the mentally ill in hospitals. There were objectors who refused to even register for the draft, believing that the draft itself was supporting the killing. About 6,000 of these men went to jail." From an online article at http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/life_05.html Let's take the time to honor our veterans of all ages this coming Friday, November 11th. Additionally, in the UK or for those of us elsewhere who are religious, this coming Sunday is known as Remembrance Sunday. (the Sunday closest to the 11th) The old song title says, "Are We Downhearted? No! No! No!" This was a fairly popular song for some of the troops of WWI. According to a Wikipedia article, "Before entering the war, the U.S. had remained neutral, though it had been an important supplier to Great Britain and the other Allied powers. During the war, the U.S. mobilized over 4 million military personnel and suffered 110,000 deaths, including 43,000 due to the influenza pandemic.[1] The war saw a dramatic expansion of the United States government in an effort to harness the war effort and a significant increase in the size of the U.S. Armed Forces. After a relatively slow start in mobilising the economy and labour force, by spring 1918 the nation was poised to play a role in the conflict."
IN FLANDERS FIELDS POEM
The World’s Most Famous WAR MEMORIAL POEM
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium
(found at http://www.flandersfieldsmusic.com/thepoem.html)
Below the Display version, I will add 3 YouTube videos of antique recordings plus one of a very short overview of the history of this very important day. Let's Honor all our Veterans, including those among our allies this November 11th!
A new room + two new outfits and the latest news about Mercy! Victoria's cousin Mercy and her husband, Tom, are staying for a few months with his family while their new home is being made ready for them. Their time with family has been very pleasant, although recently some family members have gone traveling for a while. To make up for the loss, Victoria has come to stay a while in the rambling old fashioned house near Grosvenor Square. Please respect my copyrights by following the red letter Guidelines located at the foot of this post. Thank you so much. Mercy's cousin and best friend, Victoria has been invited to stay for three weeks while Tom is away on business. Tom's parents, meanwhile, are at the country estate belonging to some friends. This means that our two young cousins may do whatever they like for three whole weeks. What shall they do with their free time today? I am glad that you've asked. They are about to entertain a few guests for late afternoon tea! This will not be what the northern parts of Great Britain considered then to be "high tea," as that was more for artisan workers, and after a long day's work. However, this relatively casual gathering will offer something more wholesome than simply tea and sweets or digestive biscuits. Both fashionable young ladies are wearing the very latest in tea gowns. A tea gown was a part of a fashion and health movement during Victorian times known as "the Rational Dress" movement. Women could relax in looser clothing (such as a tea gown) and with no corsets on for hours at a time, thus allowing their insides to be as healthy as possible. For Victoria, this will be her very first fancy tea gown ever. You'll notice how parts of this gown's design and cut are a bit like that of her peignoir. The one main difference between the two styles maybe seen at the waistline, as well as in the length of the skirt at the back. As you may have already noticed, Mercy's special gown accommodates two now. She and Tom are expecting their first child sometime before spring. She seems both comfortable and elegant in her new purple velvet gown trimmed with rich feathers (yes - feathers!). Her cousin is wearing a pretty blue gown patterned with flowers that is adorned with flounces and ruffles of lace. Both carry fans. This was a common fashion accessory in the wearing of formal but friendly tea attire. Mercy's is a hand painted one made with guards and sticks of mother of pearl. Their guests are not likely to wear such loose clothing as tea gowns. After all, nobody would dare to travel or be out in public wearing such attire. The fashion was intended more for time spent among one's family and closer friends. Mercy and Victoria have been busy laying the table. Soon, the pretty room full of antique furniture will shine with some of Tom's mother's china and silverware. Hot water for tea will be sent upstairs from the kitchen in the basement to the first floor (which was never the ground floor, but the one above it). From there, a maid will fetch it from a sort of a small elevator made especially for dishes and food that is called a "dumbwaiter." Next, she will deliver it to be poured. The little party will start more as a light supper or late luncheon with soup, a salad, and some little finger sandwiches. This was not customary, but in informal settings, one could always choose one's menu to suit everybody's taste. The dessert part of the menu will offer the guests a number of delightful choices. -Not forgetting, of course, plenty of tea and good conversation. Perhaps one day you, too, will give your own tea party for your closest friends or family. Tea time recipes for just such a repast may be found at a variety of sites online, among them this one HERE and also this one HERE. Happy Teatime Creativity!
