Monday, January 16, 2012

Tiny Pop-Up Books

I am a book lover, and I have always been fascinated with pop-up books. In my secret heart, I've always wanted to write a pop-up book. I hoard broken pop-up books, just so I can take them apart to see how they work...   

Last year, I received a tiny 1"x1" pop-up book in an ArtCharms swap. It was a lucky rabbit, for the Chinese New Year. I was instantly enchanted, and had to try for myself. I found Robert Sabuda's Website full of free pop-up templates, and chose the castle. A little shrinking in Photoshop, and viola. Not bad for a prototype.  



Inside. I painted it with my new metallic watercolors to try them out. I like them very much. 
Exterior. A bit rough. The heart is made of Friendly Plastic, from when Peggy Krzyzewski came to visit last fall. The title, "Love Will Light Every Room" is a line from a beloved camp song called "Castles". ( We don't live in a castle, but love will light every room. The stars that shine in your eyes and mine, are bright as the glowing moon. )

~

"Happy Little Bushes, Ode to Bob Ross"  This was my trade for the first Tiny Pop-Up Books Swap. I used the castle template, but redrew it as a landscape.  This is also painted with the metallic water colors. I made the beads, and the hand dyed ribbons are by Debbie Metti / Kitten Creates.  ( Her Etsy Shop


Oh, but I wasn't done. For the "Video Game" swap, I used the same castle template, and altered it to make a pop-up based on the old-school Frogger cabinet arcade game, just like the one I played down at Bob's Burger Express as a kid. 

Alex found a copy of the game, and then played untill we could get screen shots of the important elements. A little cut-n-paste, and we're good to go. Just have to say, Photoshop rocks.  Dig the beaded joystick. 

By the way, I'll be hosting another Tiny Pop-Up Book swap over at ArtCharms, if anyone wants to join in. Sign-ups start Feb 1, 2012.

11 comments:

  1. OMG, people always think I'm crazy for making detailed little things. These are amazing, fantastic, unbelievable! I love it! I'd love to try it but I don't know if I'd be able to achieve your level of technique. WOW!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cindy, I hope you give it a go! :) Everyone has a different style, and I love it when people try something new. This isn't about perfection. It's about having an excuse to play!

      Delete
  2. These are all really amazing Kia! Very inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kia, your craftsmanship is perfection! I love these.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love my little pop up book from our swap Kia! You bet I'll join your new swap :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cris, I would love it if you post a ( link to a ) pic of your pop-up book, too! I thought it was really cool how different our books were, and yet we both ended up doing our local landscapes. Great minds and all.. :D

      Delete
  5. I love your little books! I'll have to think about the pop-up, though. I'm not sure my hands will cooperate with my mind to accomplish the detail. Hmmm, the seed has been planted, and I'll keep thinking about it. Btw, I loved seeing your glass work...it's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Bonnie. I hope you do join! Can you tell I'm itching for a project, since I can't blow glass until the weather warms up? :D

      Delete
  6. too cute. Looks like it was a fun swap.

    ReplyDelete