Friday 4 June 2010

In Memory of a Very Much Loved Mum

It is hard for me to start this post today in a way that would be fitting.  But what you are about to read comes from the bottom of my heart as does the piece created.
One of my work colleagues at very short notice, lost her mum not so long ago.  This was a very tragic time for her and I admire her courage and the way she handled herself over the period of loss and how she continues to do so even now.  My heart and thoughts are with her and her family.

This lovely lady had seen some of my other memory boxes, in particular the one that I have as my header on my blog and asked me quite quickly if I would create her a memory box for the cards and other items which she would like to store so that her family could remember her mum as time passed.  

I agreed and over a few chats, sometimes just chatting or other times when she was showing us at work the lovely floral tributes, a clear vision of what her mum loved in life became clear. She had from the beginning told me to post it and to enter it into any challenge, which initially I felt I did not want to.  I felt it was too early, but now feel that it would be nice for her to see it posted.  She told me this morning that she would become a blogger so she could see it (I hope I have done this post proud for you xx)  I remember when making it how emotional I would get and again now the same as I try to write why it was created. 

The flower colours are those she loved, along with the dophin and the butterflies.  Each and every element was created with her in mind.  The front sentiment is the poem located by her and read by her at her mum's funeral. 

When I started to put my ideas together even the DH did not see the vision.  I kept updating my colleague each time she came in.  It did not happen overnight and took a good five weeks to complete, as I had said to my colleague I wanted it to be just perfect and not rushed in anyway.  It became my labor of love and here you will see why. (I apologies for the number of photo's but wanted to create a lasting memory of all of the special elements it holds).  When I found this chipboard, book - I just new I wanted to create a special bible effect.

The spine contains the computer typed name, which was then traced onto tissue paper and then very carefully glued in place.  The beautiful linear trim, is the self sticky velvet ribbon from "Running With Scissors", it finished it to perfection.
Here is the inside of the bible
This was created from creating an artizan shape and cutting this out of a piece of carefully measured to fit 12 x 12 speciality paper.  I then used a MS punch to create the corners.  I punched out lots of little branches with leaves on them and the same of flowers in various shapes and sizes and lots of scrolls and butterflies too.  I glued them all together to make a lace effect over the gold acrylic base colour.  I added the pearls to the flower centres and the ends of the scrolls.  I added two small red roses to the centre of two flowers.  She loved red and bright pink roses. I added a row of liquid pearls down the butterflies body and curled the flowers for depth.
This was another cut to fit 12 x 12 paper to start with.  I stamped an MSE blank dolphin onto the central area.  I also stamped an MSE worded dolphin onto acetate.  I cut out the blank dolphin to leave an aperture that the acetate dolphin would show through.  So that the gold was seen through both the acetate and the aperture.  I then added the lace to fit snuggly all the way around the edge to protect the contents.
I will try at this point explain how I created the overall look.  After trying several different media for the crackle look, whilst laying down the base gesso I finally found the look I was after.  It is a spray can of cream crackle paint normally used on furniture.  I had fully coated the whole box in the acrylic gold and this showed through at just the right amount.  I then glazed it all to protect it over the years.  The sentiment is made from some light cream linen textured card.  The sentiment computer generated and printed onto the card.  The sentiment was torn out and then wet using baby wipes to allow me to curl and distress the edges. It was left to dry before I used Tim Holtz distress inks to age it till I felt it looked just right.  I glued this onto the box front. When it was dry I spent a good couple of week, placing all the flowers bought from several places on the box front around the sentiment.  (Hobby Craft, Local Department Store, Hobby House, Tilly's, Grimsby Crafts and a local cheap shop)  Once I was happy with the floral arrangement I started to carefully glue them all into place.  Once dry I added the green twirly stems, and the lovely gem stems that Polly gave to me (thanks Polly they look awesome)
This is the beautiful poem, it just says it all..................................
The edges I used a very large house paint brush on to get the effect of gilt edged pages.

I am entering this into one challenge, the only challenge that I feel would understand the amount of work that has gone into this piece.  It is one of my favorite challenges with very talented ladies for the DT and great followers too.  Each and every piece that is entered into this challenge are always so beautiful and so detailed.

The Challenge "Lets Get Shabby" - the theme this month is Paint, Chipboard and Lace. 

My thoughts are with all of you out there in blog land who should take every opportunity that life gives you as it is so very precious especially in the crafting world. Enjoy your weekend crafting :)
Kate xx

24 comments:

sam21ski said...

WOW Kate what a fantastic stunning bible but also a very moving tribute.

All the work that has gone into those beautiful red, pink and white flowers - they really do look stunning.

I am sure the family absolutely love your creation and will treasure it and the memories it holds forever.

Makes you stop and think doesn't it - xxxxx

Sue said...

Hi Kate
wowzer hun this is just so beautiful, what a gorgeous keepsake for your friend, she must have been thrilled with it, it must have taken you ages hun. A truly stunning creation you should be very proud of it.hugs to your friend, hope she joins blogland, sue,x

mandysea said...

Oh my goodness Kate, this grabbed my heart and took it to another place - a journey.
So beautifully crafted and made with such love. Thank you for choosing Shabby to show it. Its absolutely a treasure.

Anonymous said...

kate.
that is a wonderful and lasting tribute.
a lovely creation.

have a nice evening doll!

ciao
carmelina

Lindsey said...

Kate this is absolutely stunning. What a lovely idea, i'm sure your friend will be thrilled with it, the meaning behind each detail is so special. I hope your friend is coping with her sad loss xx

maddy hill said...

how beautiful ... and you can tell it was made with love and definatly from the heart .... i am sure the family will treasure your box as well as the memories it contains ... just stunning x

hugs
maddyx

Joey said...

Kate you have done your friend proud, your have done her mum proud and you have done yourself proud, this is an amazing creation and made with so much care, you have done a fabulous job! your post is lovely. Joey.xxx

Deb said...

Absolutely beautiful. You have put so much thought and work into this special creation. I'm sure your friend will treasure this forever. It is a very special gift.

Lesley Edmonds said...

How totally beautiful and such a wonderful keepsake. An amazing piece of art your friend will treasure forever, keeping those precious memories safe.
Lovely.
Lesley x

Julie said...

Wowser Kate this is simply stunning. I love all the detail you have put into it and it is something that will be treasured I am sure. Thanks ever so much for playing along with us at shabby.

Lynda said...

It's an absolutely treasure Kate - you can see the love and thought that has gone into it's creation. It's truly beautiful.

Love Lynda xxx

Lynsey said...

Oh my goodness Kate what a work of art this and how lovely for your work colleague you made this for. I am sure this will be treasured.
Hugs Lynsey x

Mrs Frizz said...

quite simply put ... stunning!!!

Marianne's Craftroom said...

Oh Kate, I've just caught up with this post. What a beautiful pice of work, which will be treasured I'm sure. What a lovely thing for you to do for your friend. Hugs Marianne x

Mel29 said...

Hi Kate

It is ... well what can i say when i have it at home other than thank you ... thank you ever so much , i am of couse sat in the meeting room next door with tears streaming down my face at all the kind comments and your moving words you do lovely work and i am honnerd that you did this memories box for me , my mum would of loved it , it is simpley perfect thanks again xxx

Mel29 said...

Hi Kate

what can i say when i have the box at home other than thank you ... i am of couse sat in the meeting room with tears sreaming down my cheeks at all the kind words and you lovely coments,
thanks again my mum would have loved it , it is so much a part of her. thank you again i am honnerd to have you do this for me.
thanks again
Mel xx

ARTfulWings said...

Simply BEAUTIFUL Kate - a keepsake to treasure for always XX

zandra said...

Such a touching gift. I'm sure they will treasure it for yeats to come. Just simply beautiful!
Hugz, Z

liz said...

This memory box is the most beautiful and heart touching gift i ever seen x

Angela Weimer said...

what a beautiful keepsake you have created. I am sure they will treasure it. So stunning. thanks for sharing Angela

Toni said...

What a BEAUTIFUL Gift... Thanks so much for playing with us at SHABBY!!!

Just a little bit Crafty said...

WOW Kate, what you have created here is more than a box. It will not only store precious treasures, but will also hold untold memories. Just love everything about it.
Cheers, Irene xx

Mandy said...

I have wandered off course when I spotted the snippet of this stunning memory box Kate.
Your post almost had me in tears as it's totally from the heart, so much thought and love has gone into this very special creation, everything is just perfect hun, I'll bet your friend cried when she saw it and will treasure this forever
hugs Mandy xx

jacirascrap said...

Que bela caixa! As cores e a disposição das flores por fora e por dentro ficarma lindas!!!

Items for Sale in My Etsy Shop

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
09 10