9 January 2015

Use a Portrait at A Vintage Journey

Hi everyone and welcome. As promised on Wednesday I'm back with a new challenge post for A Vintage Journey. This time Sandy is our host; Tim provides us with some excellent portraits with his Found Relatives, but, of course, it could be a photo or portrait of your own. Create whatever you like with it - a card, an ATC, a canvas, an altered project, a tag, oh the list is endless and incorporate your choice of portrait! Of course given that this is a Tim Holtz focussed challenge we need to see/know what Tim has inspired in your project. And remember, as this challenge is generously sponsored by Country View Crafts there's a gift voucher for the overall winner. Three 'Pinworthies' will also be featured on our dedicated Pinterest board.

I adore Tim's 'Relatives' but figured you might see a lot of them. On principle I don't add current/recent family photos (having a bit of a thing about safeguarding - a hangover from my days working in education) so that ruled that option out. Time for option 3 - a stamped/inked portrait...


So this is my take on 'new fangled' early 20th Century portraits; in times gone by the rich and famous would be recorded for posterity in a painting, but with the advent of photograph it became possible to capture those faces on plates and then film to make as many copies as you liked. The idea caught on in such a big way that it became an affordable option for the middle and lower classes too. And thank goodness for that! Those of us who love to research our genealogies a picture can paint a thousand words and hold so many clues to the past. Now we take our own portraits, or 'selfies', but back then you had to take a trip to the local photography studio (unless of course you could afford the photographer to come to you)!
Step forward my self-made man and famous US industrialist "Gordon H. Booth"...


You'll see that Mr Booth had several shots taken using the same pose with the intention of selecting the most imposing one. Over the years the reel itself has deteriorated (alcohol inks/Distress Spray Stains on the stamped images) but his Distress Stain painted image remains intact.


Captured for posterity with his image, some of the (Tim Holtz) ephemera retained from his 'journey to the top' - even a hard-nosed industrialist could have a sentimental side - including the stamp attached to the letter confirming his acceptance into the 'City Fathers Guild' and the ticket to the circus show where he took his wife to be on their first 'date'. And now this collage comes together to celebrate the momentous day he was born in 1877...


So how will you 'Use a Portrait'... still not sure? Head on over to A Vintage Journey to see lots more wonderful ideas from some of my fellow Creative Guides. For now I will bid you farewell and hope you take care of yourselves as this weekend approaches. Jenny xxx


All Tim Holtz products available from Country View Crafts.

33 comments:

  1. What a great design with the stamped images framed like a film strip! great colors and layerings - you are a master of this kind of design Jenny!

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  2. This is a work of art! I so love this card and every little detail you used to create this crafting gem!

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  3. A great card Jenny ! Love the insight into the way your mind works with the fab back story x

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  4. Terrific Tim inspired card with matching additions for the portrait

    Love Chrissie x

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  5. Brilliantly conceived and executed Jenny, this is wonderful portraiture work, original and ingenious. I love the fabulous collage you have put together to display the main image and all the wonderful elements that fit together so perfectly. Great job xxx

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  6. Love your original idea on the portrait challenge Jenny, another stunning card with great layers! That chap certainly has been given a very wonderful surround!

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  7. The story line gives such a wonderful insight into your design process. Perfect layering of ephemera. Another wonderful card Jenny. Ruth x

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  8. Love your faux 'contact sheet'Jenny. (Or has he been in a steampunk photobooth! :-) )A brilliant card!

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  9. Absolutely amazing Jenny! I love the story that goes along with your images! What a fabulous idea and the layout is stunning! Love it!! hugs and smiles :)

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  10. Love your industrialist - he certainly looks the part (do you think he might give my chap a job?!)... and the collaging is fabulous to frame the photo strip. Love it!
    Alison xx

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  11. Such an inventive card Jenny...all the bits and pieces make it fab!
    Greetings,
    Alie :-)

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  12. You do layers of callage so well Jenny and I particularly like the stamping aspect as the main image instead of using prints.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
    ShirlsCards.

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  13. Good afternoon Jenny,
    Another of your stunning "works of art" absolutely brilliant.
    Love how you have put "your" idea on the "portrait"
    Hugs

    Patricia xxx

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  14. A great idea and really a wonderful card.

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  15. I think Mr Booth has thoroughly enjoyed being photographed. Loved your story and card with a great collage and techniques.
    Julie x

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  16. This is so very clever Jenny! I love how you created the film strip with the aged background. Great balance and great layering (as always) too - oh and love the story behind it. Anne xx

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  17. Great card Jenny - its lovely! Sounds as though you are crafting up a storm - well done!! xxx

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  18. Fabulous card Jenny, love how you have used the focal image he sits beautifully against your backdrop and layers. Tracy x

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  19. Such a great card from you Jenny. I like the way you have built up the layers with the man dominant, as the focal.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  20. Absolutely grungylicious my friend! I love the composition and all the layers of element. Superb make Jenny! xx

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  21. A fabulous idea to use Mr Booth! I love how he appears in the film strip and all those wonderful added details. Just fabulous! Jennie x

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

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  22. OMGOSH!!! I LOVE how you used the gent image as a large filmstrip...that ROCKS!!! This is so cool and inspirational!

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  23. Love your great design, Jenny. This is such a beautiful card. :)

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  24. A clever tribute to the history of photography... I love this vintage atmosphere!

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  25. Fabulous card Jenny, so much to look at xx

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  26. Brilliant portrait filmstrip of your Industrialist Mr Booth fab fun theme, cool colours, textures and embellishments

    Jools x

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  27. Just love the use of a photo film strip to frame the dapper gent! As always this is brilliant, Jenny! Hugs!

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  28. UGH... I just love this! Geez, I thought I knew how to layer. What a stunning creation.

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  29. What a fabulous layered collage using Mr. Booth, and the story is riveting! If I dind't know better, I'd say this was a birthday card for the Master himself! Great inspiration!

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  30. What a wonderful card, Jenny! Love the time traveler! He looks perfect! Hugs, Sandra

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  31. What a great idea to do a vintage version of a 'selfie', so clever. Love the card and loads of inspiration here xx

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  32. Just love the direction you went with this, so fun and so well done. As always, great job!! I appreciate your participation in the challenge.

    Hugs, Sandy xx

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  33. Just popped in to see if you and yours are all OK.
    Î know your a really busy lady, just checking.
    Hugs

    Patricia xxx

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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