Ginger Snap Creations Copper, Ginger or Rust Challenge

I created this for Ginger Snap Creations' Third Annual Copper, Ginger or Rust Challenge.

I used copper, ginger, and rust to create this collage.  The copper ring is actually a part for a handbag.  I hand-beaded the frame around it.  The lady in the photograph is not a relative, but the photo is one of those wonderful 'freebie' photos that I've had for some time just waiting for the right time to use it.  She is so lovely, she seems to just burst right out of the photograph!  I filled the copper ring containing her photo with Glossy Accents.  I created the collage around the photo using a page from an old book, some rust-colored quilt fabric, a cut-up leather leaf and a ginger-colored paint chip.

Willtype

I created this collage as an homage to my Dad.  He worked as a printer his whole life.  He was a professional linotype operator.  Here is a photo of a linotype:

This cumbersome and heavy machine was used to create iron slugs that were then packed into printing boxes, ultimately becoming something like a huge metal 'stamp' to print words and pictures.  The iron was melted in a pot which was part of the machine, so it was very hot.  My Dad knew how to take this entire machine apart and put it back together again!  It's hard to believe that before the age of the computer, this was the most modern and up-to-date way to print.  The keyboard, which can be seen hanging from the front of the machine, had a very non-traditional keyboard.  It was nothing at all like the qwerty keyboard that we use today.  The keys were laid out like this:

My Dad retired right around the time that computers were taking the place of linotype machines and other more manual methods of printing.  When he was in his late 70's, he purchased his first computer.  He had one big problem though - the keyboard!  Having used the linotype keyboard his entire working life, the computer forced him to use a keyboard that looked completely foreign to him.  Some people say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but my Dad did not believe that.  He set a goal of learning to type with a qwerty keyboard, and mastering the computer.

When he got his first email account, his email name was "Willtype."  My Dad's name is William, but what he meant by that was, "I will type."  He did master the qwerty keyboard and spent many hours working with his computer until macular degeneration made it too difficult for him to see the screen.

For my collage,I used a photograph of a Woodstock typewriter that I own. I'm thankful that my Dad did not have to type on this machine!  My Mother learned to type on a typewriter like this; but I have been fortunate enough to have always had an electric typewriter - and now computer keyboard. 

I used a scrap piece of a printing plate to cut the rectangular embellishment on my card and then embossed it and used StaZon Saddle Brown ink on it.

3D Collage of my Grandmother

The subject of this collage is my grandmother, Hazel Davis, the mother of my father.  This picture was taken prior to 1917.  I used two types of fabric and three types of paper to make the collage background. The picture has a 3-D effect

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Take a Word - Vintage

Take a Word's subject is Vintage.

Out of the Woodwork

This is for Art Creations Friday.  We were given this background to work with:

Here's what I came up with.  I printed 2 copies of the background and wove them, basket style.  I included some scrap strips of paper I had previously created and some ribbon.  Then I added all of the people.  Coming 'out of the woodwork.'  This was a lot of fun.

Preoccupied

Goddesses

These cards were made for a local Meetup trade this weekend. The theme was 'woman as goddess.' I had a hard time with this subject, but this is what I came up with. The fifteen cards were created on three different collage backgrounds I made utilizing paper and organza.

Three Vintage Children Cards

For a Facebook Trade.

Siblings

"The Dog Trainer"

Sisters

Serenity

Alice Joyce - Silent Film Star

Promise me we'll always be friends

I made the background for this card using a tutorial I found on Lin Lin's blog.

For this week's 'Crowabout' challenge

My entry for this week's Crowabout

Every Saturday a collage sheet is posted on Flicker. Our mission is to make a collage using those elements. You don't have to use all of them, and you can add anything you like.

To the left is the collage sheet I started with.

Below is my submission. You really have to click to enlarge this to see all of the crazy details.

Crowabout

Sports Enthusiast

My collage for Art Creations Friday

To the left, the picture we were given to work with.

Cream or Sugar?

New Cards