Second on the 2nd

I want to begin by pointing out a post by my friend Kathy at Hummingbird Woodland Studio.  She recently told me she would like to start posting cast iron cooking projects every Friday and if there is enough interest, she will set up a link for OTHERS to share their cast iron cooking experiments and experiences, too.  I am certain there are those of you who read my blog who would be interested in her starting this meme.  Please let Kathy know if you would like to share your cast iron cooking experiences, too.  Sadly, I had to give all my cast iron away when I dropped a cast iron skillet (at age 19) and learned I had a rare form of arthritis I was born with.  But, I am sure there are those of you who will enjoy her posts as much as I, and maybe even join in her Cast Iron Fridays.  Now back to my regularly scheduled post!

I dug this post out of so far in the past, I'm almost embarrassed by it.  I'm still not certain I've gotten any better at making mixed media, but I can hope I have learned from my past.  Please be aware, the links in the post below are no longer valid.  This is from February, 2009 and I give it to you in its entirety.  It is entitled:

A birthday gift for a friend

My friend Celia has a birthday on March 1, and Di Hickman had a rubber stamp giveaway on her blog, which I won. These two disparate events came together to allow me to create this wall hanging for Celia's birthday. Since I don't have a whole lot of supplies on hand, I had to make do with what I have that's not in storage or in boxes. (Please note: My supplies were still in storage because of a flood that occurred in my basement that year in January when the pipes in my basement burst.)

I began with the "celebrate" stamp from Di and the lace scrap. The lace looked like it would go well with the ledger paper I have been hoarding. I took an old Entertainment card that was given to me and turned it into a stencil after I scruffed it up a bit and painted it with green paint, gold fluid acrylic, and rust dye ink (Really Rust reinker by Stampin'Up). I also colored a page from a book with the rust ink, which was the closest I had in color to the lace. I didn't notice I had the book page upside down under the "C" until I was preparing to scan the piece.

I'm not much of a stamper, so this was a real challenge. I used a makeup sponge to add the ink to the stamp, but I had problems with consistency. For some reason, I thought the makeup sponge would work like a stamp pad, but it didn't have the same effect (remember, I'm not much of a stamper). However, I did manage to make the entire page look really grungy with the sponge, by swiping the rust ink on everything.

I had an image from my vintage altered book, so cut it out and used it. I had to laugh at the vintage lady and the "atomic" feel of the rubber acrylic stamp. Talk about mixing styles!!! Then I had no ribbon for a hanger that was anywhere close to the color of the piece. So, I "dyed" some really orange ribbon with some Really Rust dye ink. I sure hope Celia likes it.
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 Now it's time to share your own Second on the 2nd.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable.  Then link below (direct links only, please) and Bleubeard and I, along with other Second on the 2nd friends, will be by to visit.   Please be aware this link is only open for five days, so linking on the 2nd is preferred.