Saturday, February 28, 2015

Collection Folio Challenge!

Here it is - the 23rd challenge for the Compendium of Curiosities III - the Collection Folio found on Page 34 of Tim's third book!  I will confess I was a bit nervous about taking on this challenge on as it looked like quite the task!  However, it has turned out to be one of the most rewarding challenges I have done!

I decided I would use my maternal grandmother, Eunice Blanch Wood, as my inspiration as she was truly one of the strongest people I have ever known.  She was also kind, loving, faithful and patient, attributes that I will always remember.  I was also blessed to be the granddaughter she wanted to have her photos, so I have lots of wonderful photos to work with.  It was hard to fit them all in!

Here is the cover of the folio:


I originally resisted using Tim's Wallflower Stash as I use it quite frequently, however, it is truly my all-time favorite paper and I couldn't bear not to use it for this project!  Don't ever discontinue it, Tim!  I removed the elastic closure and covered the entire folio with the paper with the exception of a few of the "fold-over" areas.



I then cut out my favorite picture of my grandmother with an oval die and oval scalloped die and mounted it on green and brown card stock.  I used Tim's Alterations Typeset die to cut the letters for her name.  After this was done, I reattached the elastic closure through the designated holes, adding a Word Band to the top before threading it through the last hole.

Now it's time for another confession!  I tend to generally "play it safe" with colors and textures.  However, I finally decided I needed to step out of my comfort zone and go crazy!  I did this with the inside piece of the folio that the photos and ephemera are attached to.  Here is what it looked like when I started:


I used Tim's Frameworks Trellis Die as well as the Latticework stencil along with Peeled Paint, Antique Linen, Forest Moss and Gathered Twigs Paint.

The fun then began!  I have to admit that it took me two full days to put this together, however, I wanted it to be extra special.  I also had lots of photos I wanted to incorporate.  You certainly don't have to put as much as I did into this project - just select a theme you like and go for it!

For the inside cover of the folio I used one of Tim's Mini Cabinet Cards and placed my grandmothers baby's picture in it!  I always laugh when I see it as she looks so startled.  I used this photo for the first challenge and turned the photo into a birthday card.  I die cut a banner from Tim's Sizzix Alterations Tattered Banners strip and hand wrote her birthdate.  To finish this cover I added two photos of the farm where she was born in Alva, Oklahoma.

On the right side I sandwiched two new Elementary Flashcards, one that said "family" and the other "story" over the first cascading flap.  These Flashcards have such wonderful words on them!  Love them!


On the right hand side of the second cascading flap I attached two photos of my grandmother's family.  I used an Industrious Frame from the new Gallery set to frame her parents' wedding picture.  Some photo corners from the same set were used in all four corners of the family photo.  I used the Alpha Parts: Newsprint letters to spell out the word "Family" at the top of the photo.

For the back of the second cascading flap I added two more photos which I adhered to not only the flap, but also the reverse side of the photos on the opposite side.  I used the Life Quotes Remnant              Rubs to add some words.

The right side of the third flap features my Great-Grandmother Mamie.  I used a library pocket I had in my stash.  I laid it on its side and covered part of it with paper from the Wallflower Stash.  After placing the photo on a brown mat, I adhered it over the paper and added some Alpha Tiles to spell out her name.  I tucked in a tag I colored with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress Inks and stamped with a B-Line Designs Gorgeous Fabric background.  I added another Elementary Flash Card and then a Remnant Rub from the Botanical set to the card.  I finished the front of the flap die by cutting and adding a Tim Alterations Distressed Doily die cut and  fussy cutting a rose image from the Wallflower Stash paper (one of my favorite things to do).  The last touch was the addition of an ephemera piece from the Emporium Ephemera Pack.


Close up of the tag:


I used the reverse side of the third flap for one photo plus another Flash Card and some fussy cut images from the Wallflower Stash paper to create a nature collage. 


I also stamped the tag on the reverse side with a stamp from Wendy Vecchi's The Beauty of Art stamp set.  Here's a close up of the reverse side of the tag:


On the right side of the fourth flap I used two large #10 tags.  I adhered a reduced size copy of my grandmother's graduation certificate to the top tag.  I used two B Line Designs stamps for the bottom tag, Women are like Buttons and Button Collage that I stamped lightly with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  Another photo was placed on this tag along with a Life Quotes Remnant Rub, Stencil Mark and Chit-Chat sticker.   Both tags were finished with a strip from the Industrious Gallery Stickers, two bows made from Crinkled Ribbon, a Ring Fastener and a Graphic 45 Shabby Chic key.  Another                      Flash Card with an image from the Botanical Remnant Rubs can be found in the center of the flap.



The left side of the fourth flap features two #8 tags to which have been added Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress inks and adhered to the larger #10 tags on the opposite side.   I decorated the tags with another photo, my grandmother's wedding announcement, a flower from the new  Emporium Ephemera pack, two bows made from burgundy seam binding that was crinkled, an photo is an oval frame from the Industrious Gallery Stickers with a photo, a Flash Card with a Botanical Remnant Rub and a metal key (sorry - not sure where this is from) and a floral stem from Nature Adornments.




The left side of the fifth flap was adorned with photos of my mother and uncle in Industrious Gallery Frames and finished with words from Chit-Chat stickers.  The back of the library pocket on the opposite side was decorated with another photo and Label Letters spelling my mother's name.  I also attached a gingham ribbon bow by Creative Impressions to the tag front.  Here's a close up of the tag front:


 Finally the back of the tag was stamped with a border from Wendy Vecchi's The Beauty of Art set and a stamp from Wendy's new Art and You set.




Close up of the reverse side of the tag:


Finally, the last flap was adhered to the back of the folio and a large photo of my grandparents on their honeymoon was placed on top.  A later photo of my grandmother was adhered to the top inside flap and a photo with me in it was adhered to the inside bottom flap and a fussy cut image from the Paper Stash was glued over the photo and onto the paper. 


I had to move from my small studio to the dining room table to spread everything out for this project. Here is what it looked like (I'm embarrassed to say):  I would bet that many of you can confess to the same thing!  Am I right?



Wow, that was a much longer post than I had intended, however, there are so many details I wanted to share with  you.  Now it's your turn to create something beautiful with this wonderful Collection Folio and share it with us.  As usual, head on over to the lovely Linda Ledbetter's site, read the rules for the challenge and start creating!  For this 23rd Challenge,  Inspiration Emporium is sponsoring a shopping spree in the amount of $50.00 for one randomly chosen winner.  Tim and Mario have a fabulous prize package for the winner of the Curiosity Crew Choice.

Good luck to everyone and have fun!

Susan







56 comments :

  1. Susan...this is a true labor of love and what a fabulous tribute it is!! Eunice Wood really made a strong and lasting impression on your life. That is evidenced with this lovely tribute to her. Your folio, with all of its beautiful cascading pieces really tells a story. Each painstaking detail is so worth the time it took to create! This is a real treasure, Susan.

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  2. Hi Susan, Enjoyed seeing all the wonderful pieces you created to adorn your collection folio about your Grandmother. I loved the idea of the collection folio when it 1st came out but haven't started mine yet. Yours is lovely. Enjoyed seeing the photo of your dining room table too and yes I often spill over to my dining room table when I need more room! Very inspired, now I just need to get started.

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  3. You have given me inspiration to do a filo of my mom & day. I just love this ! Beautiful work Susan !

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  4. What a beautiful tribute, Susan! Now I want to do another.... I really love all the small areas you worked on and how they add up to one amazing page-flipping folio. Thanks for sharing that last pic... it made me feel better about the condition of my work area!

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  5. What a beautiful tribute, Susan! Now I want to do another.... I really love all the small areas you worked on and how they add up to one amazing page-flipping folio. Thanks for sharing that last pic... it made me feel better about the condition of my work area!

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  6. What an amazingly stunning tribute! Each piece, each layer, just amazing! I think if I looked at this and read each part, I'd be crying by the end. You are so wonderful to capture these wonderful pieces of the past in this folio. What a super idea!!!

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  7. what a spectacular tribute!!!! i love your folio! and i too feel the exact same way about this paper line....i want to use it for everything!!

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  8. Such a wonderful vintage feel to this folio. Wallflower was the perfect choice. The flash cards and the frames are wonderful touches. You have done a great job honoring the story.

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  9. Susan I must say these folios are bringing out the best in your art. So charming. Great job.

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  10. Simply beautiful!! A wonderful tribute!! I love this paper also. You created a beautiful piece of memorabilia to pass down!!

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  11. This is beautiful Susan! How lucky you are to have so many photos to work with. You used my favourite paper too, the wallflower is perfect with the vintage nostalgia you created. Jan x

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  12. Hello-just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your portfolio. I recently bought these papers but I have not gotten into them yet but you have truly given me some great ideas and your work is beautiful! I recently got some old family photographs that I never even knew existed so you have truly inspired me to get busy with these.

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  13. What a lovely book you've created! You were absolutely right to use Wallflower for this project. It sets such a perfect mood for the photographs and the story you're telling. Congratulations, friend, this is awesome! What a treasure.

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  14. Oh my goodness, Susan, I know you had some serious fun creating this beautiful tribute album. It's gorgeous. Wallflower, I agree, is the best and it was the perfect choice for your folio. So many lovely details and accents. I enjoyed looking through it slowly and savoring every bit.

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  15. What a keepsake ! Your Grandmother looks so pretty. The paper selection was perfect. I need to hunt down some photos of my family .. I wish it was like now where you have a camera with you all the time. When I grew up it wasn't as easy to collect those memories. Beautiful project .. thanks for sharing !

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  16. What a beutiful tribute. I love all the pieces you included and your realtive pictures. Great idea

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  17. Oh, Susan--This is just beautiful! I love your creations that you make honoring your family! Just stunning and filled with so much love!! I won't say that this brought tears to my eyes, thinking of my own maternal g-ma, but it could have ;) :) Just beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing, Susan!! XOXO-Shari

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  18. Sweetie, what a lovely, heartfelt tribute to your Grandmother. The love radiates in your gorgeous folio. The photos are wonderful and your designs are (as always!) absolute perfection. <3

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  19. So gorgeous. What a lovely tribute. I love how you used the rub ons on the flashcards. It gives them a little something extra.

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  20. Susan, this is just a wonderful heart felt tribute to you Grandmother, and to all of your family. Your post was lovely, and such a pleasure to read. Wallflower=perfect choice! I love how you finished the flaps, too. Just a true inspiration!

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  21. Susan, this is just a wonderful heart felt tribute to you Grandmother, and to all of your family. Your post was lovely, and such a pleasure to read. Wallflower=perfect choice! I love how you finished the flaps, too. Just a true inspiration!

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  22. Pulling at my heartstrings... love you folio ! I loved my grandmother's and they hold such special places in my heart so I can so appreciate your "celebration" of your grandmother ... so beautifully done ! Aren't those photos so special ? <3

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  25. I has been so lovely following you along as you made up this beautiful memory album, you have added such wonderful details along with the beautiful photos. This is a very inspirational blog post! Anne x

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  26. Apologies Susan, it printed my comment 3 times.....!

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  27. Susan an amazing and stunning visual journey, your folio is certainly something to be treasured. Thank you for sharing your table shot too, ahhhh yes I am guilty of this too, mess shows creativity I think ;-)

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  28. What a super cool treasure. I love that you used it as a tribute. You have created an hierloom!

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  29. What a super cool treasure. I love that you used it as a tribute. You have created an hierloom!

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  30. So amazing, and such a tribute! A stunning way to use the folio, I love it from beginning to end!! Loved the final photo too:o) You are so right, with a project like that, that's what it looks like. Lucky you have such a large kitchen table. Your folio is truly amazing!

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  31. Posts like this can NEVER too too long. I really enjoyed the trip through your Grandmother's life; it made me with I had known my own Grandmother half so well and had memories of her in photos like you have. The vintage color is perfect - just like all those old sepia photos one see. I loved it!

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  32. How wonderful to have such a person in your life, and to be able to have photos and memento's to help honor her! I love all the details you placed in the folio...great inspiration!

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  33. I laughed out loud at the last photo. What a charming project as always Mrs Susan. of course I LOVED the paper set you used. GREAT job.

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  34. What a lovely keepsake of your Grandmother. A great way to remember her.

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  35. I love your folio. It must have taken a long time to create. (I can certainly relate to that!) and by the way, my craft studio looks like your table all the time so don't be embarrassed. It's part of the creative process!.

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  36. Gorgeous keepsake and tribute. The papers showcase the images beautifully. I love all the layers and ephemera you added and I totally agree my craft table looked exactly the same as yours once I had finished. Tracy x

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  37. What a beautiful tribute to your Grandmother. The folio is absolutely lovely with all the layers and ephemera. A keepsake to be passed down.

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  38. Beautiful tribute! I love your folio, great work. So detailed, I love soft tones you've used and the vintage feeling that you've gave at your beautiful piece! BArbarayaya

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  39. Susan - this is really beautiful and Wallflower is one of my favorites!

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  40. This is such an amazing family folio! I love your vintage colors and the photos are displayed so beautifully! What a special project and keepsake. Using your talents to create something meaningful for your family to share is such a gift! I can't believe you finished such an undertaking. You have such wonderful photos! Love your table too!

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  41. Your project is so lovingly done, and so beautiful!! I love old fam photos and keep a frame of them (copies!!) in our bedroom to remind us of all our loved ones now long gone. So precious!

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  42. You can feel the love that went into this Susan. It is amazing and a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. I love it!!!

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  43. You can feel the love that went into this Susan. It is amazing and a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. I love it!!!

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  44. I absolutely LOVE this album!! Great job

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  45. Oh what a wonderful project!!!! Now I know what I am making for my sister and my brother for Xmas. They will love it! Thank you so much for the idea. We are into genealogy and it will be a treasured project specially when finances are not "holiday" status right now. Thank you!!!!!

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  46. Would u consider a video?? I do better seeing how it was done than reading. It is beautiful!!!!

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  47. I love this album, I'm starting a journal as we speak. take care.

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  48. very very beautiful it s very good idea
    kise pretty

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  49. Bellísimo e inspirador trabajo. Felicitaciones!!!

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  50. I just saw this on Pinterest and had to tell you that I absolutely loved it. What a wonderful tribute!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so very much for taking the time to comment on my portfolio! It was definitely a work of love!

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  51. I'm not exactly clear and where I can find the instructions for making tthis portfolio. Can you help me find them? Thanks, I love what you've done with this folio design. What a treasure.

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