Wednesday, January 21, 2015

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.

51 comments:

  1. You've done it again! Another antique that should be on display behind glass somewhere! Stunning, vintage and so creative!! Home run! I love all your Tim techniques, it all works together so well and what a great bit with the photocopied page from the old book! Love it! hugs :)

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    1. Thank you, Pamellia! Your thoughtful words really make me smile!!! I had such a blast making this and the Gent's Club pieces. So glad you liked them! Hugs!

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  2. Your are definitely on a creative roll, another great creation. Sometimes when things don't go as planned it is a good thing. I call those creative detours!! Thanks again for you participation and lovely project. Let's just keep traveling on that Vintage Journey.

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    1. Sandy, Thank you for your very encouraging comment! I'm so happy you liked this, and if I didn't have at least one creative detour, I don't think my work would be any good at all. I am not a planner when it comes to my artwork at ALL. I'm so happy I could join your challenge--was thinking it wasn't going to all come together in time! Hugs!

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  3. A very creative project I love the antique techniques used to produce this amazing piece of art. Thank you for entering it into The Artistic Stamper creative team challenge. Dee x

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    1. Wow, Dee! Thank you for your lovely comment! It was my pleasure to be able to link up to The Artistic Stamper--such an inspiring challenge!

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  4. Sara...this is so so SO cool! I love the back story you have given to Beulah and Carrie. That is my daughter's name...Carrie NOT Beulah...so I think I am partial to her! :) This vintage piece is so imaginative. I love all of the distressing and antiquing you've done to make this appear to be something out of Grandma's old trunk in the attic. <3 Candy

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    1. Candy, you always leave me with a great big smile on my face when you leave a comment on my posts. Well, I'm sure your Carrie had much better success in school than this poor gal! She's a sweetie, though, and I'm sure your Carrie is, too! I'm so happy you liked my little portrait box! What a great compliment coming from you--a very talented artist!! (I see you spelled Beulah's name the way I thought it should be (I kept on having to correct my post to spell it the "wrong" way.))

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  5. Oh Sara, I do love it! Just realised I left 2 comments on the Gentlemen instead of one on this and that! Sorry, keep the wine in the fridge x

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    1. Hi Jan! No worries on the extra comment! I loved receiving both of them! And thanks for visiting again! :) Glasses are ready!

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  6. Delightful Sara, I just love what you have done with these two girls.
    Have a great weekend.
    hugs Brenda xx

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    1. Thank you, Brenda! I'm so happy you like my cigar box creation! Hugs!:)

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  7. I loved reading your story woven around the 2 girls. You have created a masterpiece. I love it!

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    1. Wow, thank you, Hazel! What an amazing complement! I'm so happy you enjoyed my ramblings! :):)

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  8. Totally gorgeous...love everything you have created it, made with love...I just adore it.
    Thank you for playing along in our challenge over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit...x

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    1. Absolutely made with love! I'm so happy you like it, Sandra, and I'm equally pleased to be able to link up to your inspiring challenge at Rhedd's Creative Spirit...I really missed it over the break!

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  9. Hello Sara,
    Well it was quite a story on the sisters, the cigar box is gorgeous with all it's ephemera.
    I am in love with your altered piece of frayed fabric and yes I can see the stenciling.
    Thank you so much for joining us this month at CVC.
    Smiles:)
    Sue (Dt)

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    1. Thank you so much Sue! I really appreciate your thoughtful comment! I'm happy you mentioned being able to see the stenciling--I didn't want anyone scratching their heads! Once I got started with the frayed fabric, I'm afraid I couldn't let it go! Such fun making this entire piece and so happy I could link up to CVC with it! Hugs!

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  10. I'm lingering over my Saturday morning 2nd cuppa....and of course, I decided that a visit to your lovely blog was just what the doctor ordered on this gloomy, raw, rainy morning. So glad I followed that urge...this is wonderful! Love the way you've used the cigar box as a double frame...and the story you wove here is magnificent. This looks like it was recovered from a dusty attic....and it is alive with detail. Thanks for sharing this with us. It's marvelous! Oh, and you'd be tough, too, if you had the name Beluah. It was common for parents to misspell a child's given name in those days of minimal education. But since it was on the birth certificate, they had to live with it all their lives. My hubby had a cousin named "Alcie" b/c her parent's misspelled Alice. Poor thiing!

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    1. And I'm on my 3rd! I really should be out exercising before church, but it's a tad too cold here! But I saw your lovely comment and just had to say THANK YOU! You've completely made my head swell, and I would look pretty silly walking around the neighborhood looking like this! Your words really make me smile from ear to ear! Especially the bit about the story!

      Poor Alcie! But I bet she was one unique individual! Thank you for sharing that bit of info about names--I really thought it was the teacher's mistake! I'm not sure which would be worse--Beluah or Beulah to go through life with! But as a kid I really didn't like my name, either--everyone else was Mary or um...Kathy!! I wanted to be like everyone else! But at least I wasn't named after my Grandma or Dad! I can share those names with you privately! :) Warm hugs!

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  11. What a great grungy project! I love all the details you added and how much thought and effort you put in to this. Thanks so much for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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    1. Donna, this is the most wonderful comment! Thank you for visiting and making my day!

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  12. Hi Sara, just going back through entries and realised I forgot to thank you for sharing your fabulous project with us at A Vintage Journey. hugs Brenda xxx

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    1. No worries, Brenda! I'm so happy you came back with your Creative Guide hat on! It was my pleasure to be able to complete this in time to link up to A Vintage Journey. I feel like I've really missed out if I don't join in the fun!

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  13. What an amazing and beautiful project - fascinating to have that real history in it. I love the techniques you've used and particularly like the suede effect. The mono printing is great - is that photographic advert image a Tim Holtz stamp you used on top of the cargo stencil - I love it!?

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    1. Thank you, Diana! Your comment is so heartwarming! After a little technical dance, I was able to send you a personal e-mail to answer your question--this is Tim's Eccelectic Elements fabric--I was lucky enough to win it on Tim's blog this summer! It would make a great stamp--hint, hint, Tim!:)

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  14. The crumpled weathered look is so cool here, Sara - another wonderful entry for Country View Challenges, The Artistic Stamper, PaperArtsy and A Vintage Journey.
    Alison xx

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    1. Thank you, Alison! It's always such a pleasure to receive a thoughtful comment from you! And a pleasure to be able to create something for ALL these inspirational challenges! :)

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  15. Wow Sara, this is so authentically vintage with the little found report cards!! You always put that little bit of extra details that make your projects so jaw dropping!! I love this piece!

    Thank you for your wonderfully kind comments over at my blog, they always make my day!
    Big hugs
    Georgie xx

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    1. Awe, thank you, Georgie! That's so sweet! Hugs!

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  16. Wow, Sara, that is fabulous! Love all your layers and all the different techniques that you used; I see I am going to have to invest in Tim's Compendium books, your results are outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing and for your kind words on my blog, Deb

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    1. Thank you, Deb! I hope you'll get Tim's books! They are great reading and great inspiration! I'm happy you like my girl's post.

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  17. Sara, this is just amazing! I loved reading how it all came together, and I love all the techniques you have used across the project, they all work so well together. Makes me want (need) to get my copies of Tim's books out again! Thanks for sharing with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit ~ Steffi :o) xx

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    1. Thank you, Steffi! It's so nice to read your comment, and I'm happy you like my girl's story and their portraits! Tim's books are great, aren't they?

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  18. Hello from the PaperArtsy challenge.
    What fun I've had with your girls stories and what you've created is really fabulous!
    oxo

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    1. Thank you, Patty! I'm happy you liked the story! :)

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  19. Sara it is totally fantastic! Love the way it has developed as you have told the story and it really comes together I totally totally LOVE IT!!!! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Cathryn! You have really made my day! So happy you like my girls and the little story behind them!

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  20. Gorgeous! Thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper Creative challenge this month :)

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  21. Now wouldn't you just die of shock if I said my name was Beluah! It's not, just thought it would be fabulous if it were!

    What an amazing piece. I love all the detail and your descriptive text had me entranced. I enjoyed that as much as the fabulous end result. Trying to remember where in the heck my old report cards are so I can create something with 'Linda need to learn to mind her own business and not other people's' or 'It's difficult persuading Linda to stay in her seat', although unlike these two beauties I did get a lot of As, so not sitting still and being a nosey parker appeared to reap it's own rewards.

    Thank you so much for sharing this with us and giving me an enjoyable read.

    Lin
    The Mirror Crack'd

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    1. Lin, I laughed hysterically at your comment! Good job on those A's, but looks like you gave your teacher's some grey hair! And yes, I would die of shock if that was your name! I kinda felt bad putting these girl's report cards out there for everyone to see! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading my post! :)

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  22. Gorgeous altered cigar box! Your attention to detail is amazing and I love all the grungy texture you achieve! Thanks for joining us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  23. Oh I adore the story you have woven into working with these found items! And they look full of character...if not so blessed academically!

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    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed reading about my girls!

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  24. LOL!!! Poor Belueh... hopefully she is much more of an academic achiever in her past life. Very cool project and love how you incorporate all these found items to create something wonderful! Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
    -Rachel
    rwkrafts.com

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