Monday, February 25, 2013

When is a French attic not an attic?

... when it's a book-box!!  


Before Christmas I spent quite a lot of time making this little French artist's attic in a fake book (which is really a storage box) as a Christmas gift for my artistic daughter-in-law Lamina.  It was very difficult to keep it a secret as we're usually chatting regularly about the projects we're working on.
Sketches by Lamina @ doabit.blogspot.com.au
The Tale of Mr Cat from inalux.blogspot.com.au, reproduced with kind permission, visit them to see his true beauty 


The life-drawing and landscape sketches are Lamina's own work, copied from her blog.  The wonderfully colourful cat is a mini-reproduction of one of Lamina's favourite art works 'The Tale of Mr Cat' by the incredibly talented artists at inaluxe - many thanks to Kristina and Jason for generously allowing me to copy this work for Lamina's mini studio - it wouldn't be the same without the contrasting style and colour it provides. It's impossible for me to do it justice here, visit them to see Mr Cat's true beauty and admire their other fabulous creations.
Other credits are due too - the pretty jug and flowers were made by Flora, the well-worn little canister by Mercedes,  the tiny angel was a gift from Synnove.  The graphic on the box of rags is from The Graphics Fairy

Much as I enjoyed making this tiny attic I'm still feeling inspired by Jean Jacques Brisson (see post dated December 3, 2012) and continue to dream about creating a larger version...

33 comments:

Catherine said...

What a wonderful personalized gift! Everything looks great too. :-)

Lucille said...

It's absolutely lovely. Your daughter-in-law is very talented. She must have been very happy with such a beautiful gift of the heart!

otterine said...

Oh, I love it!!! It's a wonderful gift! And, Mr. Cat is brilliant! I had never heard of the artist - thank you for sharing. :]

Margaret said...

What a gorgeous gift you have created Norma, love all the little details you have included.

De said...

What a beautiful gift, Norma! I'm sure your DIL will treasure it. I love that you were able to use her sketches.

lamina@do a bit said...

I am SO lucky to have such a creative and wonderful Mother in Law! It is the most wonderful gift! I totally LOVE it!!!
Lamina xxx :)

minwks said...

What a wonderful little gift, so nice to share your passion with someone who understands the skill it takes to create it.
Hope all is well.
Regards Janine

My Wee Life said...

What a lovely gift and project made more special using your daughter in laws own work :)

Anonymous said...

brilliant!! It turned out really well - good on you. Doris

Ilona said...

Norma, what a gorgeous gift for your daughter in law, it is made with love! All those details are gorgeous!
Hugs, Ilona

mcddiss said...

que bonito trabajo

besitos

Mari

Fabiola said...

What a wonderful gift!
Bye Faby

Sans! said...

It is impossible for someone not to love something handmade for a present and when it is personalise to this extent, it will be treated as an heirloom piece!

Really wonderful work, Norma!

afairytalecometruewyrna said...

It is a nice personal gift from one artist to another. It is so well made and I'm sure it will be well received.

Hugs
Wyrna

Marian said...

Congratulations for this work.
Te ha quedado fabuloso y seguro que tu nuera esta encantada con la escena.
Besos

Marisa said...

it's a wonderful gift :)

Love
Marisa

Fi.P said...

What a beautiful gift. Lots of time and thought has gone into this little scene, your daughter in Law will surely treasure it.

ML Fi x

Nono said...

What a lovely box . I like your blog very much!

Susan@minicrochetmad said...

This is lovely Norma! I love your style and eye for detail, everything placed exactly in the perfect position with just the right amount of accent colour. Clever girl your d-i-l, fantastic sketches and a fantastic way of using artwork within artwork.

Irene said...

What a lovely gift and a very unusual box too.

Cinderella Moments said...

This is very cute! I think it's nice to do a little project once in a while. I would love to do one of these. Thanks for the great inspiration!
hugs♥,
Caroline

Anonymous said...

Me encanta como te ha quedado la escena, no le falta detalle, todo perfecto. Felicidades por el trabajo. Un abrazo
http://miniaturasarantza.blogspot.com

Monica said...

Norma ... your comment box has been hacked. You've got three big comments that read like gibberish. I just got my email back after something similar. Anyway, I'm inspired by the book interior idea , and the delightful little scene you gave yours. Lamita is a very lucky DiL to have such a caring, creative MiL ... and vise versa. I'll be waiting to see what you come up with next dear friend.

Norma Bennett said...

Thanks for the tip off Monica, have deleted them now, how annoying some people are!

Monica Roberts said...

Whoops ... spelled Lamina's name wrong ... so sorry!

Unknown said...

what a nice gift its a beautiful art studio

Anonymous said...

I just recently purchased a similar book box. What a wonderfully creative idea this is! Thank you for the inspiration, Norma!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Unknown said...

What a beautiful gift! Such a great idea, love it! :)

AM Minnaard said...

What a beautiful gift! Love all the details. gr. AM

Lady Jane said...

It came out wonderful. Great idea to put it into book style.

Sandra said...

Norma, this is a lovely gift - you've put so much effort and thought into it. I love the dash of colour that Mr Cat provides. Your DIL is very fortunate indeed. Hugs, Sandra

Hopblogger said...

The lovely gift has turned out so nice. I just love it!
Many hugs and kisses,
Conny

Deni said...

Oh I love that Norma !its so cute!
I have made an office for my son from that sort of box I love the idea you can put s few items in there and looks fab!!!
Ill put a pic up