A Little Piece of Treasure ......

Hello and welcome to a somewhat different project today. It is rather special as it is not just made up of my own bits and pieces but includes a piece of my mother's artwork. 


We have a new challenge starting today over at A Vintage Journey - it is a bit of a celebration as we are celebrating our fourth anniversary. But .... instead of our usual Birthday Celebration Challenge Brenda has got us looking out:


TREASURE

Treasure can be described as wealth or riches we store or accumulate, a collection of valuable, interesting or useful things, bits and pieces we highly value, articles that we hang onto that we've bought or found and might never be able to purchase again. What is in your crafty or artsy treasure trove? Those items we squirrel away to keep for something special? Maybe some elegant embellishments, that hoard of ephemera or memorabilia found in a junk shop, a tin of old buttons, rusty keys or diamente jewels, a paper pad you get out and stroke and then put away again, some beautiful fabric or lace you can't bear to part with. 

We invite you in this challenge to share a project that includes a part of your treasure trove!

My mother was a wonderful artist, self taught, but able to work in all mediums. Towards the end of her life (back in the late 90s) and struggling with cancer which had destroyed her hands, she enjoyed making little sketches and painting on silk which she then made up into cards for us all. This was one she had made up but not sent (I couldn't bear to cut into one she had written on for me!).  



I managed to extract it from the card and although it is rather tatty in terms of glue and bits of paper, I still decided to work with it.



I went around the craft room looking for bits and pieces I think she would have loved. I didn't use them all in the end, but it was fun!



I found an old embroidery hoop (probably one of Mum's as well) and played with bits and pieces. This whole design changed as I progressed but it gave me an idea of what I could fit in.



I made a base from some card and painted it with PaperArtsy Fresco Chalk Paint (Chalk) and layered some papers stitching them on with the machine.



Then I had to experiment with the lace to try and hide some of the worst bits!  I really didn't want to cut into the piece to fit a frame as I knew it would probably all go wrong and I would regret it!



It worked quite well stitching the lace and then folding it back over the edges of Mum's painting.

And here are some close ups of the finished project.



I painted the embroidery hoop with the same chalk paint and added a distressed gold edging with DecoArt Gold Metallic paint.





I really love how this turned out in the end and of course it is rather special. I think Mum would have approved! She would have loved all the wonderful paint effects that we use today and I am sure she would have used them in a very artistic way. 



I do hope you will be able to join us in our challenge this month and hunt through your stash to find a little bit of treasure! Do hop on over to the challenge post at A Vintage Journey as my fellow Creative Guides have used some amazing pieces of treasure!


Thank you for joining me today and have a great weekend!

Jennie x




Comments

Annie said…
Jennie this is such a special project and I just love the way you have set it all out with the beautiful layers of lace. The hand painted rose is absolutely gorgeous and I am sure your mum would have loved it too.
Thank You for sharing

Hope you are all cosy and warm xx We have not been badly effected by snow but it has been very cold !!

Huge hugs
Annie x
Brenda Brown said…
Oh Jennie this is utterly delightful, you have created another treasure from all the little ones you collected together. I love how you added the lace and stitched the papers and brought it all together in a hoop. It really looks magnificent. Thanks for sharing part of your crafty treasure trove.
hugs Brenda xxx
Redanne said…
This is such a beautiful real life treasure Jennie, your Mum's painting is exquisite and you have used it so beautifully in the frame, I love all the addition elements you added. This will no doubt become a family heirloom now! Hugs, Anne xx
Julia Aston said…
What a truly lovely way to keep your mother's memory alive with this beautiful piece of her artwork incorporated into your own art Jennie! I'm sure she is smiling down on you and saying "well done daughter"! Julia xx
Astrid Maclean said…
Oh Jennie, this really is a Treasure with a capital T!! Art obviously runs in the family!! I love your mum's wonderful and delicate painting and the way you have combined it here with that gorgeous lace and the other elements, is just stunning and so clever! xxx
erentz said…
How sweet and such a nice memento of your Moms work, making it a cherished artifact in her honor. I have an abundance of little hoops, but never thought to use them as a frame! Brilliant idea and so beautifully executed. I love the sewing and I too add a little metallic color to my work, just gives it that touch of elegance. Thanks for sharing!
Lys said…
Such a treasure, the memory of your Mum is perfectly kept here, her flowers are beautiful!
sarascloset said…
Jennie, you have rescued this beautiful treasure from your Mum and made it into a family heirloom adding your own very special touches. The flower painting in itself is so very lovely, but you have really brought it to life with the addition of that beautifully altered embroidery hoop frame, the touches of lace, and layers of beautiful papers, the chippies and flowers. The cameo is the icing on this beautiful cake! Well done taking this from a treasured painting to a real family treasure! Hugs!
Unknown said…
Love your Mom painting and this is the best treasure in the world !!!!
A Pink said…
Oh Jennie you brought a tear to my eye with your heartfelt words and beautiful creation. I doubt there is any better treasure to be had then that of someone who you hold so dear to you as your mum . You have given your Mum's gorgeous silk painting the showcasing it truly deserves and honoured her memory in such a lovely thoughtful way. Thank you so much for sharing your story adn both yours and your Mum's talent with us.
Hugs x
What a truly beautiful heartfelt keepsake, a piece to treasure. A wonderful piece of art to hold dear and to showcase your mums beautiful artwork combined with your special touches. Truly wonderful. Tracy ❤️
Wow, what an amazing piece! I love the setting you created for your mum's beautiful silk painting, the details are exquisite 😁. Thanks for the inspiration and sharing your happy memories! Wishing you a wonderful week! J 😊
Marci said…
So lovely to honor her artwork.