Friday, January 24, 2014

Found Relatives

I have created a lot of projects for CHA over the years.  In fact, by my calculation I have participated in approximately 16 shows since 2005.  For the majority of those years, I have been in on the design work at some level, so I know what will be in the product box when it's delivered...meaning, I know what to prepare for or think about before the box arrives.  Working with Tim is no exception.  Preparation for a a show can start almost a year in advance and that gives me a lot of time to think about what I want to do with the product.  Found Relatives was one such product.
Tim and I collected vintage photos for this set of cards then laid them out on his table to choose the ones we liked the best.  I wanted people you could cut out, and he wanted some of his signature "men with moustaches" photos.  After a bit of debate, I think we got a perfect mix of men, women and children to create with.
So maybe your like, "why would I want a pack of pictures of people I don't know?"  Well, I hope to show you why over the next week or two in the projects I created.  I personally like to make up a little story to go with the photo, give them a name, a place they came from.  Super easy to grab one from the stack and get started on a project.  I do use old family pictures from time to time but I am limited on what I have to choose from, the contrast is not great on most which makes them hard to cut out and most are a bit blurry when made larger than a 2 x 3".  This pack solves my problem of wanting to create art with photos that are easily accessible.
The cards come in a pack of 24.  I say cards because they are printed on heavyweight paper...nice a thick so the image can be cut out and still stand up. 
The back of each card is printed like a playing card so either side can be used in your artwork as I did in this first piece I am sharing today.
I had this little black case sitting on a shelf in my workroom.  I think I bought it on Etsy or Ebay years ago when I was searching for glass vials.  This one came with vials filled with watch stems.  I took out the vials that were left and removed the velvety cushion that kept them in place.
I used one of the 6 x 6" papers that is at the back of the new Wallflower Paper Stash to cover the left side of the case (it was heavily inked to match the right side).   I also gathered some new (and past) products to add to the mix.
Industrious - frames and trims
mini numerals
Adornments - nature
Corners
2 Found Relatives cards
I inked the back of one of Found Relatives card, then used Crackle Accents over the top.  After it dried I added Distress Stain - Vintage Photo over the cracks.  Some of the crackle broke away as I was wiping the stain away, but not enough to make a difference.  I was very happy with the result.

I cut out the bride a groom from the card, then colored the flowers with a Distress marker.  Because the card is slick, it allows you time to color and wipe away before drying (Just have a bit of a paper towel or cloth handy).  I like how the flower, although a subtle color of Victorian Velvet, added a bit of faded elegance to the bride.  For the groom, I used one of the new Heart Charms held with a Mini Fastener.  Once that was done, I mounted the couple on foam tape so they are popped up on the card back.
Heart Charms come in a pack of twelve with eighteen stickers and matching epoxy.  I like them because the are small and lightweight...a super easy add-on to the top of a tag, a card, or mixed media piece.

On the left side, I used Iced Spruce Distress Paint (you are going to read the word Iced Spruce a lot in the next few weeks...I used the entire bottle doing my projects!) and a couple Alcohol Inks - Mushroom and Pebble over the top of the paint on the Corners, Mini Numerals, Adornments bough and Alpha Parts - framed (together).  I only used the Alcohol Ink on the Industrious Sticker - oval frame.
The new Alpha Parts looks like this.  Yes, it's black plastic but it doesn't have to look like it.  Amazing what a little paint can do to change it up.
So I think I covered about all the info that you might want about this piece.  It's simple but still a favorite.  I love the bride and groom.  They really take on a whole different appearance once cut away from the card...and they are going to work great on a Halloween project too! 

Now what you have all been waiting for....
The winners of the Idea-ology tote bags are:
Beulah Bee
I've always been very partial to all of Tim's Paper Stash and will make a point to look for the new Wallpaper in the stores. I enjoyed the photos (especially the poor fellow needing a charge) and your stories too. I bet you wish you'd had more time to see all the new products. It is mind-boggling how big the craft industry is!

Butterfly
It all looks absolutely stunning - so much eye candy it's not true!! I love the display windows and boxes - genius, and the whole Wallflower vibe is so completely up my street...

I'm so excited to see (and stroke) the papers, I adore the bug dies, and the fantastic confetti/stencil decorative strip dies, oh, oh and the Framelits butterflies - totally fantastic - but I think the ones I'm most keen to get my hands on are those fantastic Frameworks repeated patterns (have a couple of'em on pre-order!!)...

Thanks for sharing your side of the story - it's been such a joy to get a glimpse behind the scenes!


Jo Lynch
Great recap Paula!
OMG!! I love everything!! So many products and inspiration… so little time!!!
I think I need to quit my job just to do all of the things I am inspired to create! =)
However, I L-O-V-E the new Letterpress print blocks!!!! I have several projects in progress that I am going to use them on.
And I am really looking forward to finding my lost relatives to use them in LOTS of projects!
Also, I love your dress form!! Have admired it in past photos, so glad to know it's yours!


If you are one of the lucky winners, please email me your shipping address to paula@oneluckyday.net

now carry on,
paula



30 comments:

  1. Thank you for the step-by-step on this project! I love the details. Congrats to the winners!!

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  2. oh my gosh, I love these ... the backs of the cards are just as beautiful as the photos ... thanks for the inspiring post! and Congrats to the lucky winners!

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  3. HAHA- loved Tim's story about these photos- they are not 'random dead people' they are 'found relatives'!! I enjoyed doing the CHA make and take using these. Nice project, fun details :)

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  4. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! This is what I have been waiting for - the details! Love all the glorious details on the projects that you created.... Sigh.... makes me very happy!

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  5. Fun project! Love the back story on the relatives. I can just picture you two having a spirited discussion about who stays and who goes. These are going to be fun to play with.

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  6. OMG Paula this is such an amazing way how to work with These items --- thanks a bunch for sharing it with us.
    Congrats to the winners
    CU hellerlittle

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  7. I don't need selling on the Found Relatives - I think they're wonderful... Perfect selection of various types, and some wonderful back stories already alive (he looks happier about this wedding day than she does, don't you think?!). Brilliant make... and then so thrilled to see my comment come up as one of your winners too. Will be in touch at once! Thank you.
    Alison x

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  8. If you need any more "family people" let me know, I am filling albums with hundreds, maybe thousands of my ancestors!! You have given me great ideas. Love your style.

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  9. That is one GORGEOUS piece of art Paula!! Thanks for such a detailed look at the Found relative cards also. These WILL be fun to fool with!
    Also love the charms and I love the stickers with them as well.
    TFS your awesome art with us up close. :D

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  10. Paula, If I had to describe this with one word, it would be "Outstanding".
    The more I read about CHA on your blog and T!M's the more I want to
    start creating. You guys are my fav. source of inspiration. So many blogs
    seem to say Look what I did, Ya'll say "Look what YOU can do, and we BELIEVE you!! Thank you for sharing.
    donna in Ky

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    1. thanks Donna. And trust me, if I can do it you can too. A little trial and error or maybe I should say, "make it work" moments. You just have to get in there and try!

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  11. Love reading about/ seeing your creativity! Have to say the backs of the cards appeal more!! :)

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  12. Love your project I love seeing the new goodies! My list keeps getting longer and longer :)

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  13. the dime next to the heart charm was so helpful!! hard to gauge size sometimes and that was perfect- fun project - thanks again for sharing so much -

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  14. First congrats to the winners. Second.....Love your project! It is stunning! Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to the next few weeks with Iced Spruce!

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  15. Congrats to the Lucky Winners! What a great prize. Thanks Paula for the awesome detailed tutorial. I have a feeling we are in for a whole lot of very cool inspiration and this was a great start. I guess we are the new relatives of the folks in the pictures and we must now tell their stories. Sounds fun to me :)

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  16. Wow, love how you transformed the metal corners, number and adornments with mushroom and pebble alcohol ink - I'll have to go buy those colors this weekend. Great project as always!

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  17. PAula I'm in love with this project! Love all details,absolutely inspirational for me! As always! Barbarayaya

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  18. your project are stunning , love it :)

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  19. LOVE these cards ... pictures and fronts. Looking forward to getting them. Sadly, we only have a handful of old family photos and, like yours, aren't very suitable for copying and using on projects. I adore your project. All of the new products and ink effects are fab. This gave me some ideas for using some of my stash of old frames/boxes. As always, thanks for the inspiration, Paula! :D Gabby

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    1. It's all about the inspiration to create more! I know I need to make more time for that! thanks again Gabby.

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  20. Love this project! I want to work more with people pictures. Thanks for the tutorial!

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  21. Another cool project, Paula! Can't wait to get my hands on LOTS of the new products coming out. Congrats to the winners!

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  22. Absolutely love it!!! Those people are awesome and I can't wait to get them. My Iced Spruce paint is getting very low too. LOL

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  23. The whole "found relatives" thing cracks me up.. I bet some people look at them and thing "omg that looks like..." I have very old pics like that of people I actually am related to so those will be fun to use with all these very cool releases

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  24. Going to love playing with the new relatives. They look a lot better than mine, sorry, my women relatives look like they could have pulled the wagon across Kansas instead of the horses. Stout looking folks guess it came from all the hard work they did everyday. Great project!

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    1. Peggy - you always make me laugh. I have some relatives that look like that too. One guy was know to be so strong he could lift two men and smack their heads together! Good old Scotsman he was.

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  25. Came across a package of family photos about 4 years ago. Bought them and had such great fun creating stories. These family members were hoots, if the photos were any indication! Can I say you have done it again....gotten my creative juices flowing. This project is AmazinG! Thanks Paula!

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  26. I love the family wedding photo book/card. It is so me!

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