Saturday, 16 March 2013

Family History and Vintage Fan

A new Tin Holtz die for me straight from the CHA and inspired by a burlap panel made by Jim Hankins I set about to design a piece where the vintage fan fitted in. Here's my antique room display.

To begin I covered a thick piece of greyboard 23 x 25 cms with hessian and stuck TH tissue tape round it to cover up the staples.


I had great fun designing this piece and originally I had used a photo from Claudine Hellmuth's collection that she sent to those of us who did her on-line collage course last year, but wondered why I was doing that when I have some fabulous old photos of my grandparents. My cousin has set up a family genealogy site that has even more so I have quite a few to choose from going back to my great, great, great grandparents.

                    
This is my Grandpa on my Mum's side, John Albert Victor Axon. I don't remember him very well, I think he kept out of our way when we went round to their house, but one memory sticks in my mind and that is sitting in my classroom by the window at primary school and watching his funeral go past. I was considered much too young to be allowed to attend.                                                                          I have added the years of his life written by hand and added to a cog case from an old clock.




 Do you like the writing desk? The old typewriter, pen nib and telephone. I made the little bottle of Quink ink using one of those very small corked bottles, black alcohol ink and a handmade label.



I think the fan worked really well. It was die cut four times, firstly in silver metallic card which has been embossed with the riveted metal embossing folder and then alcohol inked. The second time cut in black card, the base cut off and heat embossed with clear EP. The next two layers were cut from idealogy packaging and I cut the fan out twice again using alcohol inks on it including snow cap which gives that lovely mottled effect. You can see the shine on it when angled towards the light.




The vintage green backing panel was made in a William Morris style wallpaper.






This was so that I could join in the fabulous Frilly and Funkie challenge chosen by Jenny, which is such an original theme to choose. I used a Sizzix embossing folder to get the pattern I wanted and then added layers of different green and brown paints to get the worn vintage effect, finishing off with treasure gold highlights over the raised designs.



A tribute to Grandpa.


Supplies 
Dies - Vintage Fan, Cameo Frame
Metal embellishments
Tissue Tape
Wall panel made using Sizzix embossing folder
Distress inks - Rusty Hinge, Pine Needles. Peeled Paint, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Black Soot.
Alcohol Inks - Copper, Ginger, Pitch Black
Rock candy Crackle Paint
Treasure Gold
Plastic packaging for fan

Thank you to those of you who have commented or contacted me about my win at Simon Says Stamp and Show last week. I am very lucky not only to be drawn out of the hat for the $50 prize but was also chosen in the Top 3 with my Vintage Photo Wheel. A huge thank you to the team over at SSSS, it's always a privilege when you are chosen by your peers and is something very special. 

I hope you are having a good weekend, I shall be round to see what everyone is doing.

Take care.

hugs {brenda} x0x
Photobucket

28 comments:

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is fabulous, and I love it even more for being a photo of your grandfather. The burlap panel is a great idea,

Lucy x

Jenny Marples said...

Gosh this is fantastic Brenda! LOVE that wallpaper and the desk is superb. The Arts and Crafts movement used lots of metal and I'm sure William Morris himself would be impressed with your work here.
Massive congratulations again on your SSSS win/top 3 - bet it doesn't happen that often and is so well deserved. Thanks for all your inspiration with PP's too. Have a great remainder of your weekend, hugs Jenny x

trisha too said...

Brenda, this is a fabulous, detailed piece--but I like it even more knowing you used a family photo in it!

:)

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Fabulous Brenda, I love the scene you have set. The fan is fantastic and I love your background. Fantastic design and I love the little ink bottle. Tracy x

Suzi B said...

What a fantastic tribute to your Grandpa... I'm sure he would've loved it..
I've just had a quick glance at your recent posts... all fabulous, such lovely work.
Congratulations on your deserved success at SSSS
Suzi B xx

Fliss said...

Wow! A jaw dropper here Brenda. The amount of detail is amazing and the whole effect together is just stunning!
Hope you're having a lovely weekend too.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Anonymous said...

Fabulous project Brenda, the embossed background is wonderful. Great way to create a tribute to you Grandpa. Congrats on your win too ! Sue C x

Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie too !

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous - and a wonderful way to a use photo of your Grandfather. Love all the details and a wonderful embossed background.
Avril xx

Redanne said...

The family photo and the story behind it is wonderful Brenda. This is a quite stunning make, love how you made the Quink with the little bottle and the fan is is amazing. Love this whole piece. Many, many congrats at your double win at SSSS too! Hugs, Anne x

Netty said...

wow I think I love this best out of all your makes Brenda, it is totally stunning and a wonderful tribute. Such fab details....am in total awe. Hugs Annette x

Karin said...

Fabulous piece!

Rita said...

Your Art piece took my breath away Brenda. It is really beautiful and so much thought has went into this and makes it very special for you. Love your WM background too. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs Rita xx

catherine said...

This is just so stunning Brenda and so very creative. Love all the images and your pieces you added. Very good piece
x catherine

Annie said...

Wow Brenda...........what a fabulous tribute to your grandfather. I so love your design and all the fabulous elements/dies you have used

TFS

Crafty Hugs

Annie x

Lisa Jane said...

ooh wow .. i love the backgound and thta fan.. a beautiful way to showcase that precious photo
Lisa x

Words and Pictures said...

What a fantastic family heirloom you've created around that wonderful photo of your Grandpa... the embossed damask panel is so stunning, and I love all the elements arrayed on the burlap backing... and I'm completely in love with how you've layered up the fan - it looks brilliant, and with the texture on the frame too. You're on an amazing creative roll, Brenda!
Alison xx

Connie said...

Hi Brenda, you have out done yourself. This is amazingly beautiful. You have a marvelous talent for layering.
Great Job!!!
Your blogging sister, Connie :)

Daniele said...

totally amazing Brenda, the fan came out brilliantly, love the embossed background
have a fabbie day
hugs

Von said...

Brenda you really have created such a awesome memento of your Grandad and well done on SSSS
Von ♥

Claire said...

wow what a beautiful project Brenda, it really tells a story with all those special little details. Congrats on your win too! Hope you're having a good weekend
Claire xx

Martina said...

That looks gorgeus, dear Brenda! Really great design. And what a lovely tribute to your grandpa!

Rossella said...

Hi Brenda,
I don't know where to start. This is so gorgeous, love the wallpaper, the fan, the ink but most of all that it is your history and your memories.
Rosie x
Ps lots of congrats x

Paper Profusion said...

Talk about a picture painting a thousand words - this is a beautiful tribute to your Grandpa Brenda - how sad to watch his funeral go by. The wallpaper is just perfect and the office space totally inspired. Best of all, imho, is the fan which is so so clever. Love all the little bits and bobs you have added. A fabulous scene. Nicola x

Nan G said...

Fabulous piece! Your textures are .... the wallpaper, the burlap...all the layering....so awesome. I feel like I could pull up a chair and answer the phone with the fan cooling me! Wonderful tribute to your Grandpa!

Lynn Stevens said...

Oh My Gosh Brenda ,Its FABULOUS!!! The fan looks so real. Your attention to detail is amazing. What a great tribute to Grandpa. Clap,Clap,Clap!!!
Hugs Lynn

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Most excellent! That fan is brilliant and looks perfectly real! I love it! Love all the details here! Congrats on the win...excellent tag!

Marjie Kemper said...

Holy mackerel! This is incredible. I love how you did the fan and so many other remarkable details. Off to pin!

Terry said...

WOW! Every detail is amazing, but now that fan is over the top fabulous! Love how you displayed a picture of your grandfather. Adds such a nice personal touch! Hugs!