Wednesday 20 March 2013

Pick And Mix At Country View Crafts. . . Anything Goes

As well being the start of Spring, March is also the birthday month of my sister Vikki, so I wanted to come up with something really special for her.

I linked my last post up to the new challenge blog at Country View Crafts and then realised that they wanted a totally new, previously unlinked piece as an entry. This project is entirely new and was only received yesterday by my sister so I would say that's pretty new! Their theme is 'Pick and Mix - anything goes' which is a great opening challenge.

I have a number of copies of old photos depicting family members and I've been itching to use one of these in my craftwork.

I printed off a photograph of our great great Grandmother, made a frame for it and then produced a dual purpose card come packaging so that it arrived in style.

Again, a number of pictures but I want you to see all the details:

I kept the outside of the 'card' very understated but with some very feminine touches.
I wanted the piece to have a vintage look because of the very old photo. Lots of distress ink and stamping was used to achieve this.
Attached inside the card is the framed photograph. This can be detached and used as a decorative piece. I fell in love with this photo as soon as my Auntie showed it to me - fantastic piece of visual family history.
The frame is made from embossed recycled board. A first coat of gesso was applied then many different layers of acrylic paint, inks and crackle glaze were applied to achieve the look.
Two hangers were made from rusty wire and attached. Vintage ribbon  (thanks to the lovely Trace for that!) was tied through them and to the eyelets on the card - this enables the frame to be removed and used as desired. Muted gold coloured lace was added to finish the look. I like to think it looks old because the shade of gold is very pale.
The inside received matching stamping to the front but less inking as Kraft Card was used. The birthday greeting was split between the two inside flaps.

The letters were die cut, stamped and then embossed with gold EP. A coat of glossy accents finished the look. They are a little bright but often with old things, the colour survives extremely well when hidden from the light.
The frame fits inside the 'card' and is attached by ribbons which can be used to hang the photo when removed. I left the ribbons as new but wonder whether I should have distressed them a little as I did on the outside?
I distressed two picture hangers with alcohol inks and acrylic paint to use as the closing mechanism. Another piece of vintage ribbon was used to tie these closed - I added a little ink to the ribbon to age it.
Corner detail from the front showing gold embossed stamping.

White card was used for the outside of the project. I wanted to get that background light that can be achieved with distress and white card. Some Kraft card was punched with delicate lace punch and attached at both sides of the front edges. Most edges of the pieces were inked.


My sister was really pleased with her gift and card. Might have to make one for myself now! Thank you so much for looking today. A big welcome to my latest followers too - I really appreciate your support.

25 comments:

  1. A beautiful piece, Julia. The embossed and painted frame is truly stunning.

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  2. Love it! Your sister must have been over the moon to receive such a wonderful card and gift Julia:) Stunning photo.
    Val x

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  3. Truly a wonderful gift (notice, that's not just a card) and I'm not surprised your sister loved it. Love the crackle effects you produce - they remind me of aged ivory but without the ethical issues. Thanks for sharing this. Hugs, Jenny x

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  4. Julia, this is an absolutely stunning gift. Fabulous frame, and I agree with Jenny, it does resemble ivory.... very clever and beautiful, and so suiting the era. Thanks for all of the details on how this was done. Have a great rest of the week. Cheers, Di

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  5. This is so beautiful Julia! Your sister is very lucky, and I'm not surprised that she loved it! You should definitely make one for yourself, I couldn't have brought myself to give something so lovely away! xxx Keren

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  6. This is so beautiful and I am sure will be treasured !! Simply gorgeous
    Thanks for joining us at country view crafts first challenge ..
    Hugs trace x
    Xx

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  7. Julia, this is stunning. Love the embossing and crackle, especially.

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  8. Wow and thank you, for introducing me to this new challenge.

    Sam xxx

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  9. Hi Julia, your work is always so beautiful but in my eyes you have stepped it up a notch with this gorgeous creation. What a wonderful treasure for your Sister. Hugs, Anne x

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  10. A beautiful gift for your sister, love all the details and the framed photo in the wonderful card.

    Sylv xx

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  11. Wow Julia, what a gorgeous project and present for your sister, stunning my lovely. Your attention to detail and techniques used blow me away as always, amazing job sweetie. The photo is stunning too, what a beauty to find and treasure.
    Huge hugs x

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  12. What a stunning way to showcase this beautiful photograph. Love the closure and the embossed frame is gorgeous. Xx

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  13. Fabulous project Julia.
    Loevely detials and a great gift for your sister.
    Greetings Janny

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  14. Julia, a work of art, I bet your sister Loooooves it. its really outstanding,I believe creating with love makes it very special, thanks so much for sharing all of it, have a fabulous day...

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  15. Wonderful project

    Love Chrissie xx

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  16. Julia, of course your sister loved this, I myself have fallen in love with the beauty of the photograph and that stunning frame. Initially I assumed it was purchased! Incredible texture but still so in keeping with the beauty and age of the photograph.
    Very special indeed.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  17. Wow!!!! What a present!!! Your great grandmother was stunning and you've captured the vintage feel of the period most excellently' what a gorgeous piece!!!!

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  18. Julia this is amazing! What a fabulous idea for a card but also your hanging is stunning. That crackle glaze is superb - I don't think I have seen anyone crackle glaze quite like you!! And what a gorgeous photograph - no wonder your sister was thrilled.

    Just catching up with blogs, been a hectic week! x

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  19. An exceptional piece Julia! You have incorporated such beautiful touches - your gorgeous Great Grandmother's photo has truly been framed with exquisite love. Nicola x (And I reckon the ribbon inside is perfect as is)

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  20. Gorgeous! You have given a beautiful vintage photo a worthy and amazing home! Such a fabulous gift!

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  21. Sooooo beautiful, stunning. Thanks for sharing it with us in our first challenge at Country View Challenges. Chris xxx

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  22. Hi Julia, just had a catch up - this is a beautiful card/gift. The frame has a wonderful vintage look to it.
    Avril xx

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  23. Fabulous work Julia, I love old vintage photos too and you have displayed this to perfection. I love the colours and techniques you have used. Thanks for choosing to enter this into the first CVC challenge.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax