I’d like to share a project with you today…
This project is very special to me because it celebrates the life of my Grandmother, Merle Virginia focusing on my favorite picture of her, which was taken in the early 1920’s.
My Gram lived to be 101 years old and held on to her wish to be able to stay in her own home til the end, she was one tough lady.
She used to tell me stories about her mother playing the organ and piano to accompany the silent movies in the theatre, so that was the inspiration for the piece.
This altered frame incorporates papers from Graphic 45, stamps and Spritz Screens from Hampton Arts featuring G45 designs and LOTS of Clearsnap products. Also included are bits and pieces of vintage “junque” that I have accumulated through trips to flea markets and estate sales.
The base of the project is an MDF frame which was flat on the front and resembled a shadowbox on the back. I thought the back was much more interesting than the front, so I used the backside of the frame to build this piece.
If you have someone who is close to your heart that you would like to honor with a similar project, here are s few tips:
- start by listing things that were unique to them
- gather memorabilia, cards or letters, and vintage bits that relate to them
- decide on a color scheme and gather papers, inks and embellishments in those colors
- select stamps to use as backgrounds and accents that will compliment your project
- CREATE!
The “create” part should be the enjoyable part, give yourself permission to play and experiment. Relax and let the memories of your special someone inspire you.
Here is a list of Clearsnap products that were used to create my project:
Smooch Spritz: Log Cabin, Gold Glow, Caramel Latte, Tea Party and Vanilla Shimmer
Smooch: Shabby Pink, Mocha, Lettuce, Banana Custard, Snickerdoodle, Moonlight, Silver Fox, Olive Twist, Gold Lame’ and Taffy
ColorBox Archival Dye Ink: Mudslide, Cookie Dough, Putty and Mermaid
ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan
ColorBox Pigment Ink: Dragonfly Black
Fairy Dust Glitter: Pralines & Cream
Top Boss Embossing Powder: Opalescent Clear
tami sanders * paper crafter 
Wow, this is gorgeous! I am lovin’ all the textures, layers, embellishements and colors. And to live to be 101, wow, that’s awesome and I bet she had great stories to tell! I didn’t know my grandmother well and I would have loved to have heard stories from days gone by. What a blessing for you.
Have a great day!
Awesome keepsake Tami, and what a beautiful gram, too. I know what you mean, my gram lived to 99 years, and I have a portrait of her taken when she was about 18 or so. Her Mother passed away when she was quite young, yet she was the oldest child. So she had to take care of her younger siblings while her Dad worked to make a living. Your project has given me some ideas which I can’t wait to try. Thanks so much . . . . .