Monday, June 20, 2011

Loved...

Good Morning,
Welcome...I hope the new week finds you all on good ground. I'm here to share my new creation for Simon Says Stamp & Show where it's all about metal. Metal may sound very modern I'm taking you on a nostalgic walk down Memory Lane. I just love vintage images but there is something very precious about those of your own family and for a long time I've wanted to create a keepsake of my own heritage. Last weekend I enjoyed a good rummage through my mum's photos and came home with a wonderful selection to choose from.
The idea of generations really appealed to me and I found three images that fitted together beautifully. My mum looking very sweet, my much loved Nanny and my elegant Great Grand-mother. They were to be the focal point of the entire piece.

I created three hanging frames by altering three candy tins. No, I am not addicted to Hello Kitty sweets but they caught my eye whilst waiting in a long queue at the corner shop. I sanded off the original paint and then gave them a good bathing in several shades of Alcohol Ink. I took a while to get them covered and it is best to do one colour at a time otherwise they wash each other off. I also used a very old paint brush to get the inks all over the tins. Needless to say, days later I am still scrubbing my rusty fingernails...

I scanned and printed the original photos, altering the size to get the right sizes and proportions for the frames. This turned out to be a tricky old job but I had set my heart on these three images. I aged them with Vintage Photo ink and also cut a "glass" front from Mica which made them complete. A cardboard frame is covered with Ten Seconds Studio Metal which I embossed with the Textile folder. I then used lots of alcohol ink, followed by a light sanding to enhance the detail.

I covered some chipboard with K & Co paper, sanded and inked the edges and added four metal corners. I'm not always so quick to use a ready-made Design paper but this was perfect in every way - just like vintage wallpaper. I made three rusty roses using more metal, Alcohol Ink and the Tattered Florals Die. I scored lines on the petals with my tool kit before inking them up. I tarnished them over a gas flame - hold them there a second too long and you get a fizz, a puff of smoke and all the copper colour falls off... (don't try this at home kids...) Check out some fabulous flower tutorials by Laura Denison and Lin Brown.

 Whilst all this was going on, I had stamped the word LOVED onto tiny paper circles, placed them under a charm clip and filled them with Glossy Accents. I glued just the heads of some brads to the clip tops and when they were completely dry and clear I glued them all to the frame as it would have been a fight to drive a real brad through that metal! I added a length of copper thread underneath them for more definition.
I did then play around with some other decorative ideas but I kept coming back to this design feeling it was right to keep things pure. These three beautiful ladies can hold their own and it's all I want to admire too. It was quite a voyage of discovery and I'm really pleased with the outcome. It definitely a different feeling when you work with those you know. It was quite hard to photograph as the light just loves bouncing off the metal but I hope you can enjoy the nostalgic mood too.

So there you go, another story all told. I hope that you are feeling inspired and will maybe dig out some family history too. There's so much you can do with metal - vintage or ultra modern, just take a look at the Design Teams fabulous ideas over at the Simon Says blog. Every week you have a chance to be awarded the coveted Top Three Title and a $50 shopping spree.
 
Looking forward to seeing your take on the challenge. Thanks for visiting, I would love to hear what you think, so do drop me a line...be seeing you all soon!

Sarah.

26 comments:

Unknown said...

That is so gorgeous.

Juls said...

this is so so gorgeous!!!! Love all the images and the roses are amazing!!! Hugs Juls

Effie said...

Fabulous!

Cardarian said...

Oh what a lovely walk down memory lane! You did a fantastic job with metal! I just love the results! So, so beautiful!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Lezlie S. said...

This is the most beautiful tribute to family I have ever seen. It took my breath away!

ScrappyDandyDoo said...

Gorgeous, those tins look fabby :D
J xx

Kathy Eddy said...

Fabulous piece! Gorgeous flowers!

Candy C said...

Sarah...this piece is LOVELY! I love nostalgic family pieces like this! What a beautiful job...and out of candy tins! WOW! Love the metal flowers, too. Really beautiful! <3 Candy

Angelnorth said...

Beautiful piece, the little tins make perfect frames!

craftytrog said...

Such a beautiful piece sarah! Great idea to alter those little tins! x

Marjie Kemper said...

What a stunning piece, Sarah! Love it. The labor of love just on the word "LOVED" with the altered brads reflects your feelings for these photos. A truly beautiful project!

StampDancer said...

OH my! What an absolutely beautiful piece of art you've created. All the effort is well worth the results you've obtained. I am in awe!

Laura said...

Dang....I knew I should have kept those tins!! What a great job, clever idea too.
Laura

Lori said...

This is awesome, Sarah, love how you colored the metal, it looks fabulous with those images, really well done!

Kaz said...

Oooo I need to go visit your corner shop! love those tins what a fab idea and so unique! Always in awe of your work and this is no exception, love all the elements fabulous x

Kazx

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Gorgeous work of art. So many fabulous parts. I love it.

Franka Benjaminsen said...

Back again and you still made these wonderful projects. These metal frames look really vintage and I love the roses too. Bye Franka

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Oh Sarah, how gorgeous! Thanks for giving us a little sneak peek down memory lane, I love the personal touch and the little details you added are perfect!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp

Dolly Daydreams said...

Thus has to be one of the most amazing pieces of art I have seen for a long time, perfect in every way, from the photo,s to the frames to the flowers absolutely incredible I adore it.

Marie

Jenny said...

Lovely monogram cards Sara, the decorated monograms are fab with a soft edge to them :)
Jenny x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Oh! my gosh this is just amazing, and very beautiful

Rachelxx said...

Love this! I love rooting through old family photos. You've used some interesting techniques :-)

Lana said...

love this idea!!! can't wait to try it myself thanks for sharing such a beautiful project!
hugs

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

WOW..really beautiful treasure..Love the nostalgic pictures displayed and all the elements you have used to make it so beautiful.

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

This is just absolutely stellar, Sarah! Wonderful work with the metal frame and flowers. You tins are so perfect for the photos. Such a wonderful heirloom keepsake you have created here!

Lucy said...

i can't tell you how much I love this, Sarah! It is so perfect! Love all the little details of the work that has gone into each aspect, without it being in any way overdone. What a wonderful tribute to the three ladies. Bet your Mum is impressed! (p.s. can you let me know where you get the sweets from?),

Lucy x