Travel Inspired Altered Domino Keychain Exchange
September 13, 2008
Read to Travel? I’m participating in an altered domino key chain exchange. The theme of the exchange is travel, very fitting I think! As usual, I can’t just make one of anything. I ended up making 3 altered dominoes with a travel theme.
For my traveling to China keychain, I used coin charms and other metal charms (and one bead) in this altered domino key chain. The stamp is real from an envelope. It has a picture of an egret. The lettering, which is upside down in the photo,is from a Hong Kong tea house advertisement. The background is part of a map of China. This was the first key chain I finished.
I love Italy! I traveled to Italy alone in my 20’s after a boyfriend, my traveling companion, broke up with me a couple months before I was due to leave. He stayed home. I had a blast. I’d love to go back again.
For my Italy keychain, I digitally altered the map in the background with the addition of a vintage hotel logo. I added an image of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a stamp. I wire-wrapped up some purple glass drops, arranged them to look like grapes and hung them with a metal leaf charm from the top of the key chain.
Since I did some reminescing, I thought I would do a bit of dreaming as well. The whole family went to Florida. We saw some wildlife and beaches. My youngest is now obsessed with Florida and the beach. We didn’t make it to Key West (for me) or Disney World (for my daughters). I had a domino already drilled and ready to go, so why not dream a little.
I decided to add Florida to my travel theme. The background is an altered vintage map of Florida. I added a lighthouse charm with a crystal rhinestone on top. I added a sun charm, mouse ears (mickey, of course) and a shell. I think the pieces on this one stick up so far that they might be knocked off. I have some ideas for using this altered domino elsewhere.
Travel might become my theme for the month. With my eldest in the hospital and the studio remodeling, we missed out on a big vacation this summer. I think I may have to talk my husband into saving our pennies for a big trip next year!
September 13, 2008 at 8:01 am
Awesome job, Sue! Are the stamps collaged or part of the background paper? I am curious as they look so flat, but then again I believe you use Diamond Glaze. Great keyrings.
September 13, 2008 at 8:20 am
Thanks Cindy!
Those are real stamps off envelopes. I have so much ephemera that I decided to go ahead and use the real stuff. The tea house lettering is from one of my originals. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is also a separate piece of paper. I used a vintage postcard, scanned it and altered it.
The stamps are cut at the corner folded over the side, and glued down. I’m not showing the sides in the photos.
I know a lot of people buy paper, but my backgrounds are all digital alters of vintage ephemera, mostly from my collection.
I didn’t use Diamond Glaze, but I found a very nice product that gives the surface a matte finish and seals everything in.
September 13, 2008 at 9:13 am
[...] Original post: Travel Inspired Altered Domino Keychain Exchange [...]
September 16, 2008 at 12:27 am
Very cool, Sue! I should make one up for my mom when she goes to Ireland next year!
September 19, 2008 at 12:07 am
Your travel keychains are beautiful! I especially love the China one but then I love them all! lol We’re heading to Florida in January. My DH is running the Disneyworld marathon with my dad. That means the whole family gets to come and go to Disney. Like we were really going to let him go without us! lol
September 19, 2008 at 2:36 am
Thank you very much.
Wow! You have a great vacation coming up. I’m jealous. I’d love to go to Disneyworld. I would even run (or try to) a marathon just to go back to Florida to see the Keys.