Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sunday Stars and Stripes...

Nocturnal or early bird greetings to you all...
A few hours ago I was engrossed in papery ponderings...convinced I had another day left to join in with the challenge at Simon says Stamp and Show. Agreed to work all week at the office and today was my first chance to get going with an idea that had been waltzing around my head... but after a quick peek at their blog I saw I had just five hours to come up with the goods. Major eeek! So, after a rather animated  "Oh flippin' heck" and a pep-talk with my tweakaholic side, time to get busy.


The challenge this week is Stripes and thoughts of the American flag immediately took up residency with me. I also have this great photo stamp of Clarke Gable and Vivien Leigh in a passionate moment. So I decided to pull it all together by recreating the mood of the film "Gone with the Wind". Hard times, around 1860, The Civil War, Georgia and on the plantation Scarlett O'Hara will get her man...


I started by doing a bit of research and then went on a hunt for my materials and ephemera. I have printed out the flag on canvas and then aged it with inks and fraying. I really wanted canvas for the texture, authenticity and to be able to create movement in the piece. I set it onto a piece of painted and distressed cardboard.




I found a pretty sassy excerpt from the book on-line and turned it into a book page by changing the font, layout and adding a page number. I applied a layer of gesso and then tore, distressed and inked the papers. I stamped over top with some florals to add contrast and layered it under the flag.

I am really pleased with the letter which I made from nothing. Just my printer, some white paper and a rubber stamp. I found out where Scarlett lived, typed the address and then spent ages looking for the right letter font to transform it into a love-letter from Mr. Rhett Butler! I printed it out onto paper, cut it to size, aged it with DI, added two collaged stamp images and then added the post mark by stamping to finish off. Don't mind the wrinkles and bumps - all part of it...See, if you really want something bad enough - create it!

I found the other images after a hefty on-line search for genuine ephemera images from that time. Again, chose the size and just printed out on normal paper. The change happens after lots of fine tuning with "the distress kit". I adore this green card. It is a remembrance card for the soldiers of the Civil War, the others are a song book cover and an ad for the Pony Express Mail!

The film is originally a book, so I wanted to add an image of the book cover too - next to the lovers... I then added a hand-made ribbon and lace flower. I used more lace and ribbons on the rest of the piece, going for a nice dark brown velvet one down the side, a fabric scrap and buttons and also added a double bow in the corner. I didn't go over the top with embellishments. I think the stamped photo and other images are strong enough.

Today it was really about recreating the mood and era of Gone with the Wind. Have you ever seen it? No...? A good way to spend a long, lazy Sunday afternoon...and frankly my dears, I do give a damn...so that is why I am here at this ungodly hour. Huge thanks to my brilliant hubby who helped with the fabulous photographs - whilst I fainted on the craft table...

I am entering it into a few challenges:
Simon says Stamp and Show
Creative Inspirations
Paper Romance Challenge
The Pink Elephant
Anything Goes Challenge

I think I will call it a day, even though it's morning. Thanks for calling by and taking the time to be here. Hope you enjoy it - I'm off up the wooden hill.. a soft pillow and a dream with my name written on it awaits...

Sarah

15 comments:

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

A great idea. A lovely creation. Good Luck with the challenges. Very partial to the Patriotic, my sons in the military. And I love all the Vintage photos. Thanks for sharing

Kaz Hall said...

Wow Sarah! This is just stunning, love the flag, well I love everything about it, might even have to watch the film now lol. Hope you are well, had an busy but exciting week myself but am really struggling to get out of bed.....might have to stay in it a little longer.
hugs
kazxx

Heidi said...

This is stunning!
Great design and details:)
Have a nice Sunday.
Hugs, Heidi:)

Terry said...

Hiya Sasa I JUST LOVE YOUR CREATION. I think it is amazing that you realized you had a few hours and with the stress you made this amazing piece wohoooooo Great. Thank you for sharing your art work with the DT from Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs Terry xxxx

Nancy Wethington said...

Love this inspired creation! Thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp & Show challenge blog.

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Ooooh, Sarah, this is so amazing. You make the most wonderful art. I really love how you took the Gone With the Wind theme and created an entire piece around it. The letter is especially brilliant.

I have to apologize, though, for making you rush through it. Our linky system had the wrong close date entered so you really did have more time than it showed on the site. We discovered the error and fixed it. You always have until Sunday evening, Eastern Time, to get your project linked up.

We're so happy to have you as a regular player at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

Sandra P said...

What a fabulous work of art! Love the vintage :)

Thanks for joining Paper Romance this week!

Hugs,
Sandra P

Forsythea Nelms said...

Wow, you are truly talented! Love everything!

NGCARDS said...

Oh this is beautiful! Thanks for joining in with our challenge of Stripes at Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge Blog!
Don't forget to check out my blog for the Celebration Candy! xxx

sue said...

this is utterly fantastic absolutly love it and what was the font on the letter love that too thanks for joining us at anything goes x sue x

sue said...

thanks for info xx sue x

Sid said...

Gorgeous creation !!

Angelnorth said...

Lovely piece, lots of details to enjoy here, great job evoking the era!

Candy C said...

This is such a cool vintage piece! I love all of the layering and details you put into this. Very lovely.

Ginger Hanchey said...

Absolutely Amazing! The time and thought into this piece makes it even more amazing. I love your style.