Sunday, June 30, 2013

ANYTHING GOES ~ DIMENSIONAL NOSTALGIC PAPER MACHE BOOK

Happy Monday everybody!  

This week at Simon Says Stamp and Show it's "Anything Goes".  So, join us by creating anything your heart desires and post it to our blog challenge.  You could be the lucky winner of our random $50.00 credit voucher!  And ... you and your unique work of art could be featured in our new feature at Simon Says Stamp and Show.... "Simon's Spotlight!"

I was digging through some family photos the other day and came across a lovely portrait of my paternal grandmother when she was a young girl.  (The smaller picture in the metal frame is also of my grandmother in her later years).  Her name was Maeme, pronounced "Mame-E".  Her parents immigrated to the United States from Sweden in the late 1800s.  Unfortunately she passed when I was only about 5 years old but I do remember several things about this dear lady.  When I saw her portrait, I was inspired to create something with a vintage feminine quality to showcase what a lovely girl she was.


I transformed a plain paper mache book into this nostalgic and feminine piece that will sit atop a lovely antique dresser. 



I first scanned and printed out the portait onto some semi-gloss photo paper.  I then added the bits of pink to give the photo that old colorized effect.  To do this, I swiped some Tattered Rose Distress Ink onto my Non Stick Craft Sheet, picked up a bit of the color on my Inkssentials Craft Nibs and then added the pink to the rose buds, the bow in her hair, and the detailed folds in the skirt of her dress.  Then I lightly tapped all over the portrait with Antique Linen Distress Ink and an ink applicator.  That not only set the color but gave it an even more vintage appearance.  

Next I prepared the book by completely covering the book with a coat of Claudine Hellmuth's White Gesso because I wanted to seal the somewhat porous finish of the paper mache and also to create a white base coat to apply my colors onto.

When dry, I began layering all of my different textures from vintage laces that I had but being very careful to leave a space for my portrait.  I added a strip Tim Holtz' Brackets On The Edge die cut that I cut from Plain Grungeboard and stacked to the left side of where my portrait would go, some Melissa Frances Pearls that I glued on top of the Brackets Die cut, a large metal key underneath the portrait, a white Mariposa Prima Butterfly and different sizes of Prima Roses in various places.

 

(Note:  The colors of the flowers, laces, butterflies, etc. makes absolutely no difference because you are going to cover everything with White Gesso.  So, it is more important to be more concerned with the TEXTURE of an item rather than the color.) Then I needed to let that dry.  Next, I brushed over all of the elements with the White Gesso and let that dry; both by air and also my Heat It Craft Tool.  The key is that you need to be sure that everything is completely dry before going to the next step.  

When I was happy with all of my texture and the design of my cover, I randomly sprayed the book (inside and out) with Bubblegum Pink and Squeezed Orange Dylusions Ink Sprays. Again, I had to let them completely dry.  Then I went back and dry brushed the White Gesso over all of the laces, flowers, edges of the die cut, any place that I wanted to highlight and bring out the texture.  


Then, to add even more interest, I used some paint from a Gold Paint Dabber and gently swiped it (with my middle finger) over the high areas of the roses, some of the lace areas and some of the edges of the book.  

 

I then added the lace frame to my photograph using 1/4" Scor Tape and then placed the photograph in the center of the book. I added the delicate gold dresden trim to really bring out the gold highlights of the gold paint.  Finally, I hot glued some glass buttons and other little metal objects onto the cover after I was finished adding all of the spray color and White Gesso dry brushed high lights.


Here is a picture of a simple piece of lace that I added to the binding of the book.  It's amazing how much just one piece of very textured lace can add!


A book needs pages!  So, I created these old and tattered looking pages using Wendy Vecchi's White Embossing Paste.  I heavily added the paste using a brush and also a palette knife.  Once it was dry, I painted the pages with an off white acrylic paint.  When that was dry, I added a wash of brown using Adirondak Espresso Paint mixed with water.  I also lightly washed the binding, back and interior of the book.  


Finally, I added an interior cover from some left over Glitz pages that I had to finish off the book.  I added some little gold Dresden like corners and a lacy flower at the center top of the page to dress it up just a bit.

So, that is my "Anything Goes" home decor piece.  Stop by the challenge blog to see all of the wonderful creations that the Design Team has for you.  Then enter our challenge.  


Not only do we have the $50.00 credit voucher give away,  but YOU and your creation could be featured in our brand new feature ...

 
Simon's Spotlight!  Now THAT is exciting!

Here are all of the products available at Simon Says Stamp that were used in creating this vintage book:























34 comments:

  1. Fantastic. LOVE what you did to the photo!

    ~Linda

    ReplyDelete
  2. This piece of art is really touching! You made the picture a memorable souvenir, a piece sweet and wonderful! BARbarayaya

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is stunning, Candy. I look forward each week to your post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful way to remember your grandmother Candy, with this stunning box on your dresser. I love the colours you have used with all the embellishments and the flowers really are magnificent, the dry brushing really makes them pop. The touch if gold adds an antiquing appeal that I love too.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Candy, who would have thought that orange and pink could look so stunning together! The photos of your Grandma are beautiful and I love the delicate pink that you have added to the main one. Your layering is superb and that large butterfly is just stunning. This is such a wonderful piece to sit atop your antique dresser. I absolutely love this piece. Hugs, Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is so feminine and pretty! Love all the textural elements, - a gorgeous, gorgeous make!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a delicious creation to honour your grandmother, Candy. The photograph is wonderful to begin with, and your floral frame is a knockout with all that dry-brushing. I love the dog-eared page edges you added - such a great detail. Lovely!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful project Candy! What a special photo to have of your grandmother. Love the tinting you did on the photo. All the flowers, details, textures and the great colours are amazing, and so are those clever book pages.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ganz wundervoll,sehr schöne Details,sehr schön.

    LG Petra

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Candy....what a fabulous creative treasure you have here. It is simply stunning. Thank you for sharing the how to and I was particularly keen on how you created the book pages.

    Best wishes

    Annie x

    ReplyDelete
  11. First to comment YIPEE :).I haven't got this in my post yet,just dropped by and saw this GORGEOUSSSSSS make, I love the colors and all that texture is fabulous shesh I love that, oh my goodness they really look like old pages on the side.The inside is just yummy with all the pink shades.It is a STUNNING make my Dear.. I just wanted to tell you, I read your comments on all of the blogs we follower, you write the nicest comments, what a sweet person you are, I know all the artist appreciate it..
    Thanks for sharing and have a great day..

    ReplyDelete
  12. this book - so awesome!!! I love the colors, the texture - everything!! Makes me want to go make one of my own. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is so gorgeous, Candy!

    Love the inside especially and the colour scheme you went with! A real treasure!
    Please do not feel rushed by my sending you the parcel so early. I was just lucky to have Mr. Mojo stop by early for some company with creating something for our swap, so I jumped in. Of course there is still time until the end of July as we had said earlier!!! (But of course I am already veeeery curious on what I will get from you *giggle). I am so happy that you like the pieces I have sent you and that they arrived safely :)))

    Big hug,
    Claudia x

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so soft, delicate and fragile looking! Almost like velveteen! Gorgeous and what a lovely tribute to Maeme!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is truly a piece of glorious artwork! Beautifully created and executed. I love the trinkets - this is a wowzer. You really inspire me - I so would like to make something so wonderful!!!!
    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  16. Loving the wonderful alteration you have achieved Candy with its special magical memories, truly a piece to be treasured, hugs Annette x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gorgeous Candy, what a stunning way to showcase such a beautiful image. You can treasure this for many years to come. The colours are particularly eye catching. The texture and flowers are wonderful. I particularly love how,you used the embossing paste, very clever Candy. The inside is just as striking as the outside. Stunning. Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow... Candy, this is such an amazing creation! I love the gorgeous textures and beautiful colors. All the details are just fantastic! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a stunning project! I bet it looks fantastic atop the antique dresser!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Candy. What a beautiful and special piece. My paternal grandmother passed when I was seven. I can still her face as clear as day. Everyone tells me that she loved me like nothing else, I donthave much to rmemeber her by except a few pictures that my dad kept. What a wonderful keepsake you have created her to remember your gran by. I love the softness and femininity of the book, I love the texture and the colours - there's almost a porcelain feel to it. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. this is simply breathtaking!!! I love the colors and that very special photo for such a beautiful vintage project.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Absolutely stunning in every way Candy!!! I can just imagine the color of your fingers at the finish!!! Love the sealing with Gesso to hold all the color on...perfection!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gorgeous colors and love the effect of the gesso over the flowers. Beautiful Beautiful book! The fairies inside are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  24. andythis is stunning , what a wonderful make jam packed with yummy goodiesxx I love howyou have used these to frame the book! A truly scrummy make x hugs x trace x

    ReplyDelete
  25. ohh Candy, this is so wonderful and precious. An amazing tribute to your paternal grandmother! Love all the texture and such pretty colors! Lovely pictures! Hugs, Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  26. ♥♥♥ WOW ♥♥♥ WOW ♥♥♥ Everyone knows now, that vintage isn't always brown coloured (:o)Looooooove it!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. this is absolutely gorgeous, great layers and textures , beautiful piece of work, sorry about lack of comments , playing catch up..trace x hugs x

    ReplyDelete
  28. Stunning project Candy! I love all the texture and beautiful colors!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beautiful frame, Candy!! I love the pinks & oranges together :) Perfectly summery & pretty!!

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Gorgeous Candy, you always have an amazing piece of art to share. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dear Candy, your new creations are totally divine. Sometimes I don`t have enough time to get around to everyone, but I always enjoy your wonderful blog very much and I have high regards for your artwork!
    Have a great weekend.
    Wishes
    Martina

    ReplyDelete
  32. Another stunner! :) Gorgeous Candy!

    ReplyDelete
  33. SOOOO beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete

I am so happy that you stopped by my blog! I truly appreciate your time and thank you for leaving a comment! Have a wonderfully blessed day!