Star Spangled II: Design

My next project, Star Spangled II Tramp art frame, is a patriotic frame which will be flanked with deep tramp art stars in the corners and lots of red, white and blue.  I have completed the design, the color chart and the pattern pieces.  The pine base frame has been created and sculpted into the design shape.  This frame is similar to one I have made previously but like all of my other frames, no two frames are the same.  Different details, colors and variations.  Each one, one of a kind!

This piece will consist of approximately 120 tramp art pieces, up to 9 layers, rich colors and gold gilding. 

I have equipped my scroll saw with a fresh, new blade and am off to cut out the tramp art pieces.  Slow, precise and clean!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Sea Breeze Tramp Art Frame: Completed!

Now that school is finally out and the school activities have stopped, our house is starting to get into a new routine and schedule.  Between the summer jobs, sport camps and friend time,  we are still busy but without the homework load and early wake up times.  I have managed to work in bursts of tramp art time and have completed the Sea Breeze Tramp Art Frame.


Let me back track a little.  After chip carving the 108 wood pieces, I did a quick dry run to check on their fit. 

Looks great! They are ready to paint.  Another advantage of this sunny weather, is that the paint drying time is much shorter.  Everything got the coats of paint they required and  were placed out in the summer sun for a quick dry session.

Now a quick assembly to check on my color combination.

Like magic! After lots of sanding, assembly, antiquing, and varnish, my Sea Breeze tramp art frame was complete.  Gold gilding was added for the pop and the back side was finished with a decorative boarder design. I love this sea breeze / orange combination! Very eye catching to say the least.

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Sea Breeze Starburst Tramp Art Frame

I've started my next project, "Sea Breeze", and its moving right along.  I've created a preliminary design, created the layout and have decided on a palette.  What is not to love about sea breeze green and burnt orange, antiqued and buffed into amazing, rich shades?  Hands down one of my favorite color combinations!

I've created all of the pattern pieces, scroll cut the  pieces and have started the chip carving.  For strength this piece is getting a base layer of oak, and will be completed in hand chipped poplar.  I've built a strong pine base frame to build upon and created a dust cover for the back.  

Off to enjoy my Maine sea breeze and a glass of cold iced tea, while I work on my basket of chip carving!  Does life get any better???

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Stars and Stripes Tramp Art Frame: Completion

This frame turned out amazing!  Very rich colors, deep tramp art layers, accurate cuts and a fine tuned tramp art frame .  I am very happy with the completed piece and it's patriotic feel.

Now where did I leave off with the blogging? 

After creating the square pine frame base and shaping the corners to the star shape that I needed, I created each individual pattern piece for each layer.  Each piece was transferred to the wood, cut out, sanded and chipped carved.  All 168 pieces!  I had sore fingers after this one.



Before chip carving. Kind of daunting!



















Here is a picture of  the fitting I did after notching them.  There were only a couple of pieces that I needed to recreate and tweak.

 

 




9 piece star stack







The pieces were then sorted into ziplock bags according to the colors that they were to be painted. 

Lots of painting and sanding ensued, and it's final assembly got underway.  The pieces fit together very nicely and accurately, and resulted in a fine tuned tramp art frame.  But it was lacking something...it needed a pop.  I created an hand carved star for each side and applied gold leaf to each.  That was the pop it needed!
 

 

The mirror is ordered, varnish applied and the backing created. So happy with the end results!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Stars and Stripes Tramp Art Frame: Palette

Can you believe it is June already??  We definitely haven't had our share of sunshine yet! 

With my stars and stripes frame underway, I've got red, white and blue on my mind.  I've created some new paint chips with some potential color choices but I think these four yummy colors are the ones.

Light ivory, antique gold, wedgewood blue and moroccan red, all antiqued and varnished to very rustic and yummy colors. Deep stars, with a single layer of red and white, outlined in blue. Tall blue circle stacks finished off with tacks maybe?  I'm thinking it will need a small pop of gold.  Gold gilding maybe?  Gold paint? Gold tacks?  I'm thinking this one will look best as a square frame. So many great choices and so much fun!

Off to create the pine picture frame base, shape the frame and map out my pattern pieces.

 I hope the sun comes out soon!  I'm out of sun tea!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Stars and Stripes Tramp Art Frame: Design

Amazing what a few sunny days can do for a soul!!  Salsa garden is planted, lawn is mowed and my next challenge is underway.  Being close to the 4th of July, I'm feeling a little patriotic and have started my Stars and Stripes Tramp art frame.

Here is the initial design!

I'm thinking vintage shades of red, white, blue and gold gilding. Lots of deep layers finished with lots of love and just the right amount of antiquing. 

Can she create it?  Stay tuned

Happy Tramping,
Angie 

 

Working on Fine Tuning My Backside!

The backside of my frames, of course!  I've been working on getting the backside of my frames as beautiful as the fronts.  They have to be trampy and beautiful but easy to use and sturdy.  It's an on going process but my backsides are evolving in the right direction! 

Here is a picture of the backside of my starburst tramp art frame.  Vintage, warm colors carried onto the back, easy to use turn buttons, and signature in place, while equipping the frame with strong hanging hardware.    And of course, topped off with some hand painted vines and berries!

 

 

 

I have been using the backside of my frames to test new techniques, colors and experiment with new ideas.  The place I really tend to cut loose!  You never know what you will find on the backside of my frames!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Starburst Tramp Art Frame: Completion!

What is that shiny, bright thing in the sky??  Finally!  Boy have we earned this sunny, warm, and rain free weekend coming up!  With the arrival of this sunny stretch, I am glad to put the finishing touches on my Starburst Tramp Art frame. 

This piece was completed in a soft burnt orange, antique teal highlights and pops of gold gilding.  The colors came out amazing and have been finished with four coats of finish.  After lots of love and care, I am pleased with the end results.  This piece measures 15" x 15" and can hold a mirror or a  4 3/4" x 4 3/4" photo.  This frame consists of approx. 88 hand chipped wood pieces and from 4 to 7 layers of tramp art.

 

 

So pleased with the precise cuts and more uniform wood chipping!  The additional time spent on  a more accurate design,  pattern pieces and exact cuts has really paid off in the end product.  They are still a little quirky and "trampy" but that's what makes me love them so much.  A little off here, a little worn there, and definitely one of a kind!

 

Now back to the sketch book to figure out my next piece.  With the 4th of July coming up, I'm leaning towards a patriotic piece.  I'm thinking old glory in tramp art!  We'll see....

 

This piece is available for sale!  Please message me if you are interested in this Downeast Tramp frame.

 

Happy Tramping,

 

Angie

Starburst Tramp Art Frame : Assembly

I believe if we all think sunshine, we will get sunshine and boy do we need it! My garden and my tomato plants are waiting patiently.  So in the hopes of some warm sunny weather, I started to create this warm and sunny starburst tramp art frame. 

I have painted each layer a warm soft orange with bursts of ocean mist green.  Orange/teal color schemes always make me happy! This piece will include a pop of gold gilding around the parameter of the frame.  So far the colors look just like the shades I was looking for.  Once these soft colors are antiqued, they quickly become rich and yummy!

Here is a picture of my last dry run before assembly.  I use this step to double check my pieces, my colors, my fit and my nailing logistics.  Got to nail them so that the nails stay covered as much as possible!

This has got to be my favorite part of creating my tramp art frames: assembly.  I continue to be surprised at how interesting, beautiful and original they all come out. This is the stage where I can really see all of my sketches, pieces and work come together.  It is so much fun!

 

Off to predrill some holes and complete the assembly.  I can't wait to antique these colors and see how this starburst is transformed.

 

Happy Tramping,

Angie

Starburst Tramp Art Frame

My Starburst tramp art frame is well underway!  I've scroll cut all of the tramp art pieces and have done a piece check.  After replacing a couple of missing pieces (Thanks kitty!), I think I'm ready to start sanding and notching.  A great time to get caught up on my movie watching! 

I've darkened the picture so that each layer is more visible.  The base layer has been cut from oak to give the frame more bottom strength with the remaining layers cut from poplar. Easier on my fingers!

Because the picture was darkened, so was the palette samples in the upper left hand corner.  This piece will be painted a much lighter shade of teal and orange with some strategically placed gold gilding. Maybe.  We'll see!


This one is going to be sooo much fun!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

P.S. Happy 17th Birthday Maddie!!!  So proud of the kind, thoughtful, and beautiful young lady you have become. You'll always be my Madwoman! XOXO

Bring on the Starburst Tramp Art Frame

I've started to design my next project: Starburst Tramp Art Frame, which has been inspired by the sunshine that we so need after a week of wetness. Enough rain already!  

This pieces will be a starburst of warm, vintage orange with teal and dark chocolate, and should consist on approximately 88 hand chipped tramp art pieces with 3 - 7 layers.  Here is a picture of my sketch, pattern pieces and pine base frame.

I've settled on very warm, vintage orange (my favorite color!) for the points, teal for the knobby pieces and dark chocolate and gold gilding for the details. Here is a closer look at the palette I want to work with. Do you like the combination of vintage orange and teal?

I love this combination of orange and teal, but am thinking that I might go a little lighter on the teal in this piece. We will see......off to cut out the wood layers!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Ocean Mist Tramp Art Frame: I love this vintage color!

After lots of color considerations, I'm so happy I went with an original mixed acrylic color which I am calling ocean mist green.  After lots of sanding and antiquing, I think I achieved the "vintage" looking green I was looking for.  Kind of minty, kind of tealish, I love it!

 

After a couple of coats of ocean mist and dark chocolate, the freshly painted pieces were put out on the deck.  Gotta take advantage of a sunny day and speed up the drying time!  I played around with using gold leaf and found that it added some elegance to the face and a pop to the 4 corners of this piece.

 

 

 

This is pre-antiquing. Just a quick check of pieces. My cat likes to steal them!

 

 

After lots of sanding and antiquing, Here is the completed frame.   A soft teal with amber antiquing in all the right places, with bursting coral flowers and gilded gold highlights! 

 

 

The frame measures 14 x 16 and holds a standard 8 X 10 picture.  This one-of-a kind frame consists of approx. 66 hand chipped pieces, 6 to 9 layers and was built upon a sturdy pine base.  I added a 3-D piece to the flowers to give them some depth.

 

 
 



3-D Coral Flower Detail
 

9 Layer Corner Stack







I am so happy with how this one came together and am thrilled with my new color finds.  So what's next....a vintage coral-ish frame or a vintage yellow piece?  So many choices! This piece is currently available for sale.

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Ocean Mist Tramp Art Frame is UNderway!

My Ocean Mist Tramp art frame is well underway!!  I wanted to create a frame that consisted of simple but precise shapes, soothing colors and with a touch of elegance.  I wanted to concentrate on the creation of the pattern pieces, the consistency of the wood chipping and the palette choice. 

After many different color considerations, I decided on a palette of Ocean mist green, dark chocolate, and coral, all sanded and antiqued to look shabby.  I love these soft vintage colors!  Here is a picture of my palette test.

And of course a splash of gold leafing!  Yes! Gold Leafing!  Another way to add some elegance and pop to my frames!  My technique is going to need some practice though.





I have cut, sanded and chipped all of the pattern pieces for this frame and tried to keep the cuts and chipping as consistent as possible but not enough to ruin the "trampiness" of the piece.  Here is a picture of the dry run before chipping them.

Now off to do some sanding and chipping, in my lawn chair!









While sanding and chipping of the pieces, I made a couple of little design changes and fine tuned some pieces.

 The flowers will have a 3-D element.


Now off to mix up some shades of Ocean Mist!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Completion of Birdsacre FRame

This tramp art frame was finished while enjoying spring break, yard work and the start of the softball season.  After a tweak here, a little more sanding there, and many coats of varnish later, the Birdsacre: Winged Ones tramp art mirror is complete.  This mirror has been donated to the Birdsacre fire recovery fund and will be a part of the facilities' raffle on August 2nd, 2014  to celebrate their annual Cordie Day.   So happy we could help!  Please go to their website at http://www.birdsacre.com/ to read about all of the wonderful work this facility does and help them in any way you can.  It's for the owls!

After creating the pattern pieces for each piece and layer, I transferred and cut out each one.  Here is a piece check I did before picking out my palette.  Some thicker pieces with some thinner wood for the detail pieces.

 

 

With this piece, I chose to leave some pieces un-notched hoping to give those elements some pop.  After a few changes here and there, I was very happy with the whimsical elements of this piece and how close it matched my original design.  After considering several different color options, I decided to make the tree elements a brown that gradually gets lighter towards the top with a darker background to help give the piece more depth and achieve the "dusk in the forest" look.  The owls were painted my favorite orange and the toadstools an antique red.  I gave some elements that glow or sparkle with metallic paints and light antiquing, and did tryout my woodburner on the toadstools.  Here is a picture of the final piece.

 

Birdsacre: Winged Ones Tramp Art Frame/Mirror



 

 

 

Sleeping Owl detail

 

Moon and Owls detail

I hope this piece finds a good home and helps make the fire recovery at Birdsacre a little easier.

 

Happy Tramping, 

Angie

 

Winged ONes: Springs arrival!

It always amazing to me how the arrival of spring changes every ones outlook on life.  Mine included!  Even though my driveway is a mucky mess, I'm thrilled with the ability to start getting outside and puttering about.  After our everlasting winter, we sure have earned a good one!  Cooper is also enjoying the warm rays of sun and posing for some portraits.

 

 

Now where did I leave off on my project?  I'm trying to create a piece that has a deep, warm forest feel and a good home to my folk art winged ones.  Kind of a nestled in feel to it.  I'm thinking with the help of rich colors (greens, browns, reds), some thicker woods, and some thinner woods, I will get the look I'm looking for.  Maybe some wood burning details on the owls and toadstools?

I've created each individual pattern piece for each layer of the design.  After redesigning the trees and the layer pieces within the trees a couple of times, I think I have settled on a more free flowing design.  Here is a picture of the dry run of my pattern piece check.  I tweaked the pictures colors so that the pieces are more visible

Next on the project plan:  trace each pattern piece onto the wood and scroll cut each piece.  I'm using mostly poplar on the creation of this piece and plan on creating eyes, wings and beaks with Baltic birch. 

Off to hang my first batch of winter worn comforters on the close line!  Spring cleaning is happening!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Winged ONes

The design process is well underway for the tramp art frame, Winged Ones.  All proceeds from the auction of this tramp art piece will be donated to Birdsacre: Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary.  Birdsacre is one of my family's favorite local treasures that suffered a devastating fire recently and has many years and dollars of recovery to go.  We have many amazing family memories on those wooden boardwalks and really want to help in anyway we can! Please check out their web page ( http://www.birdsacre.com/index.html) to find out all of the amazing work they do for our "Winged Ones".

I've come up with a design, a frame base  and a basic plan for the piece.  I am shooting for a piece that portrays the local owls nestled in the deep Maine forest, and combines several different tramp art techniques that I use throughout my pieces.  A dark, deep Maine forest, with chunky leaves and toadstools, and a sprig of flowers or ferns popping up from the corner while being watched over by curious owlets.  With warm, rich color and a pop of red or yellow here and there.  All antiqued and glazed for that much loved look.  I'm creating this piece to be a mirror but it will also be able to be used as a picture frame if so desired. 
 

Here I took an outline of the frame so that I could make pattern pieces that will be mounted directly on the frame base.  These will be the base layer of each element.  From these pieces I will figure out which pieces will be the deeper tramp art pieces and which will be the more detailed pieces like the owls. 

This is my first shot of the look and design of the piece.  Leaning towards more rustic cut pieces with painted details and maybe even some wood burning detail. 

  

Now off to pick out colors,, sure up the base frame and finish making the pattern pieces.  Hmmm...what kind of wood to use???  Old crate wood, poplar, oak....lets see what's hiding in the basement!   Can I work in some decorative nails or tacks??  So many possibilities!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

My Last Day of Winter INspiration

For my next challenge, I have decided to make a piece in honor of local destination that had suffered a devastating loss rencently.  Here in Ellsworth, Maine we have a bird sanctuary that rescues, cares for and loves our local injured birds.  Birdsacre - Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary, in Ellsworth, Maine, has rescued, cared for and loved our local injured birds while providing an amazing network of walking trails for local use.  On March 2,2014 , Birdsacre suffered a devastating arson fire that destroyed the main house with many of its artifacts.  My family has many fond memories involving Birdsacre and the fascinating birds in their care, not to mention the network of walking trails we have enjoyed for many years.  It's an amazing facility that does incredible stuff, and should be enjoyed and supported by all!!!   Please check out their website at: http://www.birdsacre.com/ and help in any way you can!


So how do I help?  No question!  I have to make a frame in honor of Birdsacre and donate the proceeds in help restore the damage.  Every little bit helps and if I can help get the word out even better!

Now I needed a little inspiration to get me started.  It needs to have owls of course!!!  But what colors, size, a mirror?  So I was off to our local Goodwill store hoping to find a little spark on this sunny last day of winter.

And low and behold...I found my spark.  Check out this family of owls I found wrapped in scotch tape!

My spark! My inspiration for my next project!  Not sure how or if I will use them in the final project but they definitely have pointed me in the right direction! 

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Completion of Forever & ALways: Birch Bark is amazing!

After poking at this one for many weeks, Forever & Always is finally complete!  This was my first shot at working with birch bark and I have to say it's amazing.  The Native Americans knew what they were doing when they used birch bark to create their durable and beautiful homes, canoes and crafts.  After cleaning and drying the many pieces of birch bark I have gathered over the last couple of years, I started measuring and cutting to fit the frame.  And what a discovery!!  Birch bark is pliable, colorful, warm in color and absolutely beautiful.  Just what I needed for this frame.

My challenge was to create a warm, cozy and full of love frame to display an amazing engagement photo.  The photo captures all of the love, warmth and hope of young love.  I wanted to use a soft palette of colors that can be found in our local Maine birch bark.  Soft oranges, light greens, and browns!

I created a sturdy wide pine frame, created the patterns and wood pieces. With a lot of notching here, and a lot of painting and sanding there.  Some nails and glue. A piece tweaked here and there....  

 

 

Finished!  I'm thrilled with how it turned out.  Soft, warm, and romantic!  A little lace around the edge, warm colors, antiquing, copper tacks, and hearts of course! 

Thank you to Sarah and Ryan for allowing me to use your picture of your special day on my blog! 

My girls have decided that this frame is their favorite so far.  I too love the combination of Adirondack style with tramp art and will definitely be make more in the near future!

Happy Tramping,
Angie

Forever & Always: Back on TRack

I survived school vacation, basketball tournament season, a 14th birthday sleep over and 2013 tax preparation.  Now back to the project I have been walking by for the last 2 to 3 weeks.  It's been trying to wave me down, sitting front and center on my kitchen table.  I've been able to follow through on a few project steps but have not been able to fully concentrate on its creation.  Too busy - Life has been moving forward and has required more Mom time I guess.  Another reason why I love the flexibility of what I do - the ability to set work aside for those things that need my attention.  Family time!

Where did I leave off??  I've created the sturdy pine base, created my pattern pieces, and cut out the individual layers. I washed, dried and cut the white birch bark to fit around the inner surface of the frame pieces.   Here is the dry run and piece check  I did this morning.   I recreated about 10 pieces and trimmed up a few others.  The layout looks just right.  Lots of warmth and love radiating to the center of the frame!

Over the next couple of days, the sanding  and wood chipping will be finished up, and then the fun begins.  Color!!!  Check out the oranges, greens, grays and browns in this close up of the birch bark.  Amazingly soft  colors!

We'll see how it comes together once color is used but I'm hoping to do some hand painted details along the scalloped edge and maybe even some wood burning details.  It might even need some copper tacks for the final touch!

Happy Tramping,
Angie