collaging in bed

one of my favorite indulgences is lounging in endless down comforters, snuggling in my pajamas and nesting for a good long while. of course, this requires that you bring the rest of the world with you in bed in order to keep functioning. lap tops are usually close at hand. remotes. baby bottles.

so what else? breakfast in bed is certainly lovely. dinner in bed is even guiltier. one hilarious book on your reading list really should be 'the eating in bed cookbook' by Barbara Ninde Byfield (published back in the 60's and sadly hard to find these days.) but the creme de'absolute creme of en-snuggle indulgences for me is collaging in bed.

i'd be lying if i said i wasn't jealous of all those knitters and needle point wizards who always have a project nicely on their lap whether on a plane, at the hospital waiting room, through their son's piano lessons. (mom i point my finger at you) . seriously, why doesn't a collage artist get to carry their wares on various field trips... or at least as far as the bedroom?

perhaps because it is a delicate and precarious adventure indeed. this is not for the novice nester. nor for the novice collager. and i must admit that for any serious collage work i much prefer my studio with a vast array of magic potions on hand to work the canvas on a whim.

still, there are a few special projects that lend themselves beautifully to the surroundings of pillows, blankets, and sleeping babies laying beside you as you work. my latest soiree involved a valentines day banner made of formica samples. here's how i did it.

the only rule to collaging in bed is to respect the scope and scale of all materials involved. in the same way that i'd bring food on a little tray - all of my materials must fit nicely on one tray. this is perhaps the most difficult task of the entire adventure - limiting oneself to just a few pieces, and a few techniques. tho i do love a challenge.


on this project i only allowed myself scraps that might have otherwise been thrown away. nothing from the larger drawers of supplies. in this case, i quite literally took pieces that were on the floor of my studio. i like trying it from time to time because it reminds me how something so little, or forgotten can make such a huge beautiful statement.

beyond the scraps, paint, glue, and brushes, i needed little canvases. i have been very lucky to come across a 300+ collection of tiny formica samples. these are perfect little canvases for an odd little project. as valentines day is approaching, i decided a few of these could partner together to form a little banner of lovely tidings.

so, with the tray stocked, the idea hatched, and the nest surrounding me, i set to play on the little magic canvases. and i seem to have only reinforced my urge to indulge in this vice...

so knitters, needle pointers, jewelry divas? i fear you not. dmv, urgent care, pta meetings, here i come.