Sisters Forever, No Matter

I just finished up my second grungy portrait piece, and I'm thrilled you are here to share it with me!

 As usual, nothing according to plan, but a happy result never-the-less!  I started with this slim cigar box from my huge pile (s).  When I was looking through my box of ephemera, I came across these two old (1938-39) original report cards.  I have no idea where they came from, and I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings by using them.  Bless their hearts, these two sisters from Craven County were not the greatest academic achievers. Sadly, "Beluah" (although I think her teacher spelled her name wrong on her report card) didn't have it in the Phys. Ed or Drawing department either.  But they each had gifts all their own, as we all do!

Inside of cigar box.

Beluah is embracing imperfection by leaving a dirty thumbprint.

The background paper is a page torn out of my 1920's arithmetic primer; photocopied and distressed.

I photocopied my little treasures and found one of my own found relatives (given to me by a crafting buddy) and one from Tim's paper stash (not sure which one--they are all cut up at this point).  Beluah and Carrie must have been sisters, and they were in the 6th (and will be again, judging from her report) and 8th grades, respectively.  Beluah seems to have a devil-may-care, daring streak, but is willing to embrace her imperfection. In fact, she even leaves a thumbprint on her scrapbook journaling.  Carrie on the other hand, is sweet and tries hard at her studies...she is determined. And she cares deeply for her sister.

 I have to admit I gave the wrong cabinet card to the wrong sister.  Beluah doesn't take as much care of herself or her belongings--her report card is torn up and her best piece of jewelry looks like it's been run over a time or two. (And in real life it has!  I picked it up along side the road!) She was supposed to get the torn and scruffed up photo frame. Oops!  It's time to embrace my own imperfection!

"Sisters" is stamped on a fabric scrap and edges frayed.

Lots of Tim Holtz techniques were used on my collage from his CC Vols. 1,2 and 3.  The kids had exams these past few weeks and I've been spending a LOT of time waiting in the school parking lot, so I've taken along some reading material to inspire this piece.  From Vol. 1:  Altered metal with paint on the Snippets pin. Modified Dimensional Collage using pin setting and Crackle Accents for Stand Boldly embellishment. Altered Metal Alcohol Inks on the label frame and spring clip.. From Vol. 2:  Crumpled Kraft Suede for my Beluah background. Spritz and Flick Distress--duh!  When DON'T I use that! Blended Stains on the mini cabinet cards (modified). Faux patina (modified) on cabinet cards. Re-purposed Packaging  (modified) on frame windows. From Vol. 3:  Cabinet Card Pocket for frames.  Distress Photo Tinting on both girl's photos. Layering Stencils: Monoprint on fabric swatch and under Carrie's frame. Frayed Fabric under Beluah's and Carrie's frame and on Sisters embellishment. Tim Holtz inspiration?  Hmmm...I think so!  This is the best way to list the details of this project without writing my own book, so if you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment, and I will try to answer right away.

Crumbled Kraft Suede technique.

Frayed Fabric with Monoprinting. Can you see the stenciled letters in the background?

Beluah--isn't she tough?

Carrie takes time to put some new red paint on the old barn door!

This project was just great fun to make, and once I got my girls lined up the rest just fell into place. This is not meant in any way to poke fun at the real girls behind the report cards, but rather to give them a personality and a face.  This also reinforces my favorite Tim quote:  "Embrace imperfection".

That's one of my old real cabinet cards in the shadow.

And my old Arithmetic book

I hope you've enjoyed my creative journey with this one.  Thank you, as always for stopping by and leaving your treasured comments! Hugs and blessings!

Sara Emily


The Artistic Stamper January's Challenge "New Beginnings"

A Vintage Journey Challenge 23 "Use a Portrait"

Country View Challenge "Use Something New to You" My new products used are Mini Cabinet Cards and New Brilliance Black Lightning ink.  Although several of Tim's techniques are old, they are new to me--Crumpled Kraft Suede (as outlined by Tim, anyway), Frayed Fabric, and Monoprint--first time I've tried them.

Mixed Media Challenge #8 "something New For the New Year" New products and new techniques to me as listed above.

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start" I'm getting a fresh start with a couple of techniques new to me, a couple of new products--both listed above.  And the girls are hoping to get a fresh start in their academic careers.

Fashionable Stamping Challenges #89 "Something New" I've given some new stash a try:  Mini Cabinet Cards and Brilliance ink Black Lightning.  I've tried a few new Tim Holtz techniques --new to me, anyway!

Rhedd's Creative Spirit Altered Art/ Mixed Media Only

Paper Artsy Topic #2 "Shiny Stuff" My first time linking up!  My shiny stuff are my photos, their frames, the kraft"suede" background paper, and my metal and star embellishments. I was inspired by the Treasured Gold colors and the projects that were made using them.

The Mirror Cracked #5 Stencils  I used Tim Holtz' Cargo stencil for monoprinting on fabric and paper.