Monday, September 17, 2012

Character

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I found it sitting on a dusty shelf in a little, old antique shop last year--and I knew immediately that it was mine & what it would become…

This sweet Victorian album would become my “CHARACTER” book…a book filled with images of my mothers—the women that came before me—and would—with just a few words--encapsulate their characters…

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The pages weren’t in the best shape, but not too bad, either…a bit ripped where family photos from the former owner had been removed…I could work with it…

It was a bit hard for me to write that first word on the beautiful old page…but once I started, I couldn’t stop!  A bit of my art journaling coming into play here…and just the tiniest bit of doodling—couldn’t resist!

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Words and elements added to briefly illustrate a life well-lived…here, lovely bits atop a piece of crushed red velvet—just the kind Estella loved to put in her hair when a girl…

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My youngest daughter told me I should write just snippets of their stories on the sides of their portraits…so I did.  And I love the results.  

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A perfect pen nib found—“memoirs” etched upon it—it illustrates Anna’s life so well, as she spent so many of her later years recording not only her own life, but of those she loved, as well…

DSC00740_edited-1 {nib from the Tim Holtz collection—thanks, Tim!}

The two women together…I didn’t mean for the book to be in any kind of order, but as it turns out, these two are perfectly perfect to be facing each other, as their children married each other…which is precisely why they became my great-grandmothers…

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I love the shabbiness of my new treasure…bits of gilding, still lovely--it’s seen a lot of love in it’s life--and will see much, much more now…

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Pages waiting to be filled…I can’t wait!

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Now I just need to find another one for my fathers…

See you soon with something new.

Julie

37 comments:

  1. I love it! Julie, your album is so beautiful, and what a wonderful plan you have come up with for it. Such a beautiful and special heirloom to pass down to your daughters.

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  2. Love your vintage album find, what a treasure you have made it into. I always love seeing your projects,I wouldn't know where to start, wish I had your talent.

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  3. What a beautiful book Julie! You are a creative genius! Love all that you do. Hugs and kisses being blown your way all the way from sunny, but cool UK.xxoo

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  4. Beautiful. love the little nib and flowers. Enjoying your entire process..smiles...Renee

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  5. How neat, my mom's middle name is Estella. I just bet you our families knew each other or we are somehow related......

    I've got my fathers side of the family information for a few generations back, but I've got my mom's side of the family all the way back to the year 1109. With my oldest daughter being Mormon, she's continued on with the family info. Some day it would be awesome to do something like this, except that my hands are so shaky and my writing stinks. Many blessings on your continued journey.

    Hugs,
    Meri

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  6. Hi Julie,
    So very beautiful. Love the simple, yet elegant, embellishments. So pretty.
    Maureen

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  7. How beautiful this book will be.

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  8. Beautiful, I love all the Vintage touches! Hugs~

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  9. Tha is really great looking. Just think of all this history you are leaving behind for YOUR family.

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  10. What a treasure and the personal photos and touches you added will make this a family keepsake. Beautiful Julie!
    hugs Lynn

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  11. Julie, this is a stunning and precious family heirloom you are creating. I so admire your talent!

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  12. Julie, this is the most beautiful creation I've seen! It's gorgeous. You've inspired me to make something like this for my family album. I love it! Annnd I'm going to be your newest follower too. Michelle x

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  13. What a great way to document their stories and picture! I agree the writing just ads something to it. Have a great week, sweet friend.

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  14. Julie,

    It is PERFECT for your book of "Characters". I love that you wrote on the sides of the pictures. AND the pen nub was a perfect compliment. Again MAGIC! Your work is stunning my friend. You are so lucky to have all these photos, stories, & talent to do something special with them. AND... to have daughters. My sons would simply roll their eyes. HUGS!
    Charlene

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