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