Images and Inspiration

Today I'd like to share some wonderful typograpy and illustrations from "Ackerman's Repository of Arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions, and politics".

Ackerman's was a British magazine about style and taste, and was published between 1809 and 1829.  Just looking at the frontispiece for  the publication gives you a clue to the ambitious nature of the project.

Here's a simple Morning Dress from the period.

And then, just slip into this little number for the Ball.  You have one just like this in your closet, I know.  And we all have the tiny feet and ribboned slippers.


You can make some wonderful Art with these images, I'm sure.  Click to enlarge, then save to your computer.


Happy Friday from the Dog and me.

Vintage Halloween Costumes and some words about Paper

Another new set of  Halloween Tags.  This time it's based on Vintage photos of children dressed in their Halloween Costumes.  

They  are dressed in wonderful, one of a kind, home made Costumes, and  there are 8different designs.  Available to download and print at my Etsy shop, DigitalAntiques. 

A Few Words About Printing and Paper

Lately, I've had a number of questions about printing and paper. There are so many variables, just like in any kind of art, but let me share the answer I gave to one of these questions:

The kind of paper you choose depends a lot on what you want to do with your print. My own favorite paper to print on is Matte Photo paper. It's a heavier weight than cardstock, and gives the very best color and image quality for these prints. 

Staples has their own brand of Matte Photo Paper, and it's excellent, plus a lot less expensive. I like this heavy weight for making tags, notes, and cards. White cardstock will also work well, and is less costly. I suggest using white to keep colors closest to the ones you see in the digital image. 

If you want to give a more aged look, try using stamp pad ink in brown or sepia, and a sponge or small stencil brush, to age your images. It gives a lot of control to the aging, and a lot of depth. It's also fun to try printing on some of the lighter colored or marbled papers, to get a different look. Kraft paper gives a muddied look, which is desirable sometimes. 

Do some experimenting, since there are so many variations in printers and settings. Most likely, your printer has a setting for Matte Photo Paper, so check under "Preferences" or "Options", before you hit that "Print" button. If you'll be using your prints for collage, or other projects where they will be backed with something stiff, you could use lighter weight paper like copy paper, or even vellum.

One of the reasons I bring all this up is that Staples is having a great sale on their Matte Photo paper.  Until August 27, you can get a 50 sheet package of this paper for only $.50!  The regular price is $14.99, but you can buy 2 packs and get a rebate on each one for $14.49.  This paper does go on sale now and then, but this the best price I've ever seen on it, and if you'd like to try it, now's your chance.

If I could convince the Dog to get some too, I would.

New Hand Made Folk Art Tonight

 I will have some new Hand Mades available on TDIPT Mercantile tonight, so you might want to pop over.  Everything should be in place between 9 and 10pm, Eastern Time. Be sure to check out all the wonderful artists who have offerings on the site as well.  

If you're not familiar with TDIPT Mercantile, it offers artwork from some of the best primitive and whimsical artists on the web.  The group has been together for over 4 years, and keeps getting better. New items are offered on the 1st and the 15th of each Month.

You can read more about TDIPT on the group's blog, http://todwellinprimitivethymes.blogspot.com/

Thanks, from the Dog and me.

New! Vintage Halloween Garland

I've been working on this one for quite a while.

Make your own Halloween Garland, and it's really quick and easy, honest!  Keep it simple, just print, cut out, punch, add ribbon, and you're done!  Or, you can add your own twist, with glitter, ink, tinsel, beads, whatever strikes your fancy.  Available now at my Etsy Shop - DigitalAntiques.    The Dog and I both hope you like it.

Here's what Else is Happening on the Farm

The best part of Summer.

Happy Monday from the Dog and me.

Are you ready for......Vampires?

Well, they're ready for you!  Perhaps the heat is getting to me, but here are some spooky Vintage Vampires.

Ready to download at my Etsy Shop, and also at Artfire.  A bit of Halloween amusement from the Dog and me.

It's Still Halloween Around Here!

Although there's not a Pumpkin in sight, and it's over 90 degrees today, I'm firmly focused on Witches, Bats, Ghosts and Goblins.  Apparently Halloween is a very big holiday for a lot of folks besides the Dog and me.  My Halloween printable downloads are very good sellers, so there must be lots and lots of folks out there who craft and decorate for the Spooky Season.

Here's my very newest set of Halloween amusements - The Witch's Household Labels!

There are 9 different labels, for all the products a Good Witch's home could not be without:

• Bat Stain Remover
• Pointed Hat Straightener
• Cauldron Cleanser
• Beetle Burnishing Paste
• Cobweb Restore
• Clean Sweep  Brooms
• Black Cat Conditioner
• Frog and Toad Bait
• Stubborn Spell Scouring Powder

I think this turned out to be such a fun group, and you could make so many creative  things with these in addition to labels.  Tags, party invitations, note cards, and Halloween Decorations all come to mind.  Please check out Digital Antiques on Etsy, or Digital Antiques on Artfire for this and other Spookiness.

No Trick, Just a Treat

I have special little free download for you today.  Often when I'm working on a set of images, somewhere in the process I end up with an extra something that really doesn't fit well into the mix.  An orphan, so to speak.  Today's free download is one of those.  After all, you never know when you might need Gargoyle Treats.

Please click HERE to download an excellent quality pdf file of this image. The Dog and I hope you will have great fun with it.