Friday 9 January 2015

Use a Portrait is the new theme at AVJ

My CG sample for the new challenge at AVJ uses several portraits in it, but how would you define a portrait?


    A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. 

    Wikipedia


I used a Tim worn cover and had great fun changing it into a place to keep photos of current and past generations of immediate family.


I dipped it in distress inks (still one of my most favourite techniques) to achieve an aged look to it.


I love the way the colours have blended and dried achieving some fabulous water damage results.


I didn't add too much to the front cover, I just like it simple as there is already quite a lot of decoration on it. (This photo was taken before I added the ribbon to tie it up). The photo is my grandmother when she was a young woman and married to my grandpa. You can see I added two small pieces of collage, some inked layers using Tim's stencils, remnant rubs and label letters.

Let's open the book and see what is inside.


Family portraits, in fact 5 generations of us girls. The large cabinet card photo is one of my grandmother when she was small and in fact I captured all of us as children. On the left hand side is my Mum at the top, Chris and I, then my daughter Maddie and my two grandchildren at the bottom.


So having decided that rather than make a journal I would add a configurations box, I lined it with Tim paper and edged it with tissue tape.


I wanted to add two corners and for them to look aged too. So I layered distress paints, drying them between coats until I was happy with the look.


My intention was to get a rusted look by using tea dye distress embossing powders (the only orangey one I have), but I was disappointed with the soft effects.


So I dripped sunshine yellow and butterscotch alcohol inks over the top.


The photograph of my grandmother was mounted onto craft card and then I adhered these two pieces of wood to the back to raise it up. Beneath the photo I added some collage pieces and  more patterned paper and elements in various places.


I dipped the inside covers in the distress inks the same as the front cover and dried them adding some random stamped text.


The circular portraits were made using Tim's reflective imagery technique, although I changed it slightly, but you can see on the girls photos the metal showing through the distressed areas, (Don't forget - embrace your imperfections).


The background is the back of a cabinet card, I had used the front previously on a project and kept this piece, so it came in very handy here.


Some additional collage pieces, chit-chat stickers and two linen ribbons to tie it up ......


..... a decorated back cover with a stamped image from Artistic Outpost.


I have enjoyed making my portrait book and I know the girls will love looking at it.
Most of the supplies I used can be bought at Country View Crafts who are the wonderful sponsor for AVJ donating a great £10 voucher for each fortnightly winner. Why don't you transport yourself over to the challenge blog to see all the wonderful inspiration from the other.Creative Guides, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for joining me today, for taking a look at my piece and for leaving a comment if you have time.

Have a great weekend.

hugs Brenda xxx

24 comments:

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful project Brenda! Love the subtle coloring on the covers - and the wonderfully done box inside - a lovely keepsake for your family!

jasann said...

This is an absolutely lovely piece of work, congratulations!!!!

Jane said...

This is such an heirloom piece Brenda...what a fabulous keepsake. Thanks for sharing all those techniques too.....I love to see how pieces come together. Beautiful work as always xx

Unknown said...

Fabulous box. So vintage and love the way you have built it up.The girls will love it. xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Brilliant Brenda, such a great idea! Love the outside and the inside, - what can I say, this is going to be such a fantastic place to keep those treasure family photos, - stunning!!

Ruth said...

Just stunning Brenda.....love love love the 5 generations page and use of cabinet card in this way and the rusty cornered picture of your grandmother is just wonderful. Wow! Ruth x

Pamellia said...

What a spectacular project! I love the water damaged look to the cover and your rusted corners turned out fantastic! What an incredible way to display and keep your family photos! hugs :)

Words and Pictures said...

What a wonderful family portrait keepsake, Brenda - the metallic look on the photos is fab, and I love your addition of the Configurations box to the Worn Cover - what a lovely idea. Great inky colours and effects on the outside too - fabulous!
Alison xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Oh Brenda, I'm missing words, that's a wonderful project.

Juliz Design Post said...

Hi Brenda, what a stunning family heirloom which has been beautifully made with a lot of love clearly put into it. I love how you have mounted your Grandmothers photo and boxed it up, makes it clear she was a very important lady in all your lives and I adore the photograph of her.
Julie x

Redanne said...

Oh Brenda, this is just simply beautiful, I love that you kept the outside minimal and the inside is just so amazing - beautifully set out and I love that you added the box - a very clever addition. You have created a wonderful family heirloom! Hugs, Anne xx

Sylvie Collet said...

Elegant cover and fabulous inside Brenda!!!!
Bises,
Sylvie

Cocofolies said...

A fabulous treasure box for your precious keepsakes Brenda... Wonderful!!! Hugs, Coco xxx

Anonymous said...

It goes without saying that this is absolutely beautiful but it is also incredibly touching.
You are created such special heritage art dear Brenda.
Wishes
Lynne

Jennie Atkinson said...

Oh Brenda ! what a fabulous memories book! I love how you did the cover - the faded colours are just amazing - but the inside is just amazing! Such a special piece. Jennie x

PS Sorry for the late comment - we've had a few power cuts today!

Jenny Marples said...

Such a special way to record the portraits of so many female generations in your family. Love that water-damaged look to the cover and the rusting on the corners. Jenny x

Curls N Twirls said...

Brenda . Its just Superb .... I Loved the way you have added the Portraits in the Family heirloom .. The Configuration Box was the main attraction for me .. Am running short of words .. :) Hugs Remya

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Stunning Brenda, love how you added the configuration. Gorgeous. Tracy x

Unknown said...

Brenda, this is just lovely!! I have to say that I'm enamored of the photo of your Grandmother that you mounted to the inside of your album--she's wonderful!!
This is such a gorgeous family heirloom, Brenda and a wonderful inspiration for the Use a Portrait challenge :)
XOXO-Shari

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I'm blown away by this project...it is fantabulous!!!! I love all the items you used and manipulated to make this so vintage! Gorgeous photos and love those corner pieces! This is a treasure!!!

sarascloset said...

My Goodness, Brenda! what a family treasure this is! The worn cover with the water stained treatment is fabulous and to use the configs box in place of pages or just a photo by itself is genius! Just the perfect amount of embellishment!

Jools Robertson said...

Love your altered worn cover the dipped effect is fabulous
The configurations with the generations portraits and the amazing picture of your Grandmother is stunning
The rusted elements contrast beautifully with the sepia tones

Wonderful! a very special family heirloom

Jools x

Terry said...

Not only is this a masterpiece, but a cherished keepsake! Brenda, I love what you have done with the worn book cover and made it so personal with the portraits. Hugs!

S@ndy Diller said...

What an artful way to preserve these wonderful photos.
This is simply amazing and to capture so many generations is very special. I appreciate your participation in the challenge with this lovely piece.

Hugs, Sandy xx