Friday 26 October 2012

My Happy Thoughts - A Pop-Up Book


How on earth did this project come about ? Well, if you go on over to UK Scrappers you’ll see there’s a cybercrop underway and ( never one to resist a challenge ) I decided to buy the mystery kit and see what might happen. Once the Pandora’s Box had been opened, for some unfathomable reason, the contents shrieked “POP - UP “ at me and there was no going back !  And so began to story of “ My Happy Thoughts “

The papers were quite graphic and yet I was feeling in a sort of misty mellow fruitfulness ( apologies to Keats ) kind of mood. There was one paper at least that was brambly and Autumnal and that was my inspiration. A collection of my favourite happy quotes and thoughts forested from my collection sprung to mind and so the concept was born.

Where the pop-up idea came from, I have no idea but I’ve always been fascinated by paper engineering and the cleverness of it all. I can’t claim any credit for my clumsy attempts but I had a go.

Armed with a pair of scherenschnitte scissors that I’d bought in Switzerland on holiday where they have perfected the art over the centuries and some black cardstock, I started to fashion a few trees, a woodland cottage and a little window that reminded me of Hansel and Grettel’s cottage. 

I didn’t ever think I was going to finish it in time for the submission deadline as I could have gone on forever but mercifully I was limited by the contents of the kit. I’m happy to report that I used absolutely everything. 

It’s a little whimsical which is not really my style but its nice to break out of your comfort zone now and then.

You know how you get so far into a project and then you think ... my goodness I wish I’d never started this ? WEll, I have to admit like feeling like this when I was about half way through . I couldn’t see a way out of it , I had to keep going . Admittedly now I’ve finished it , I’m mightily glad I stuck with it as it’s kept me out of mischief for at least a week.

Incidentally, the title alone was a little ironic , especially as I was going through hell and back with eldest teen at the time although as my introductory page explains ... 

“ ... happy thoughts ... to get you through the tough times “

Might as well put it to the test. I’m still smiling, so it looks like it night have worked. And anyway there’s nothing guaranteed to make you laugh more than dealing with a teen-related crisis whilst grappling with the mechanics of a pop-up plastic pennant. Kind of puts life in perspective !

Hope you like it . 






































And here is kitten Jack helping out !





11 comments:

  1. That is the most amazing thing I have ever seen - how? You are a stunning artist and craftswoman and you deserve massive plaudits for seeing something like that out of the MK - just awesome. Please bring it to Eastbourne, I need to see it IRL. xxx

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  2. oh my gosh!!!!!! I can really only say WOW ... for goodness sakes woman, just how talented, are you? LOL xxx

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  3. Flipping heck! Amazing job with that mystery kit!

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  4. WOW!!!!! This is totally gorgeous!!!!

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  5. Claire, wowee! what a super stunning creation, you are amazing!

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  6. That is AMAZING! Absolutely love it.

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  7. Absolutely beautiful Claire - just amazing

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  8. So imaginative! Its gorgeous, its wonderful! I hope it helps?
    PS lovely cat!

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  9. Very impressive - love the creativity & humour!

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  10. I had to keep going . Admittedly now I’ve finished it , I’m mightily glad I stuck with it as it’s kept me out of mischief for at least a week.


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