Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Alter Those Ancestors Blogiversary & Give-Away

As much as I appreciate the simple beauty of those photographs from days gone by, I also can't resist "making them my own."
I especially enjoy CDV's , or cartes de visites. Carte de visite photographs are small prints mounted on thick boards that were wildly popular in the late 1800's. Part of their popularity was their size (2&1/2"x4") and durability. Some of the same reasons I like them so much today. They're one of the few collectibles (and I have many) that take little space. Altering them is fun too, about the same size as an atc.


I achieved this transformation by first using tracing paper to mask those portions of the photo I didn't want painted or inked.



Using gouache paint, I colored the background, then stamped using various stamps on the dried paint. Embellishments included collage images and dresden trim.








In an old Yahoo group (now defunct) we made collaborative books with our altered cdv's.


This gorgeous cover of my book was created by Sharon McAllister, from the UK.

Doesn't this look like fun? And if you've never attempted altered art before, this is a great starter canvas. So in honor of my one month blogiversary I'd like to host a giveaway. Do one simple thing to enter: become a vintage dragonfly follower! If you'd like to leave a comment, please do. I appreciate the feedback.


I will happily send the winner (selected by random.org on May 20th) the 4 cdv's, flowers, scrabble tiles, lace, vintage seam binding and ribbon pictured above.

I have some additional cdv's listed in my Etsy shop, linked on my sidebar.
Good Luck and thanks so much for taking the time to check out my blog.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely give-a-way and congrats on being a blogger for a month!
I really like the feel of your 'place' on the net....and am a follower for sure! Love what you did with the vintage photos!!
Hugs,
Jan

Serra55 said...

I think your creations are awesome. What a great idea! I never really knew what to do with those ancestor pictures. I'd love to give it a try. Good giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I've just started a VERY humble blog...congrats on your one month. Please enter me in your giveaway. I'll be back to visit again. Sally sjhackney (at) yahoo (dot) com

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

Hi JoAnne, Your blog looks great! And what a fantastic giveaway. Enter me please, and I'll also mention it in my next blog post. Now I'm off to check out your etsy....

Julie said...

I echo your experience as far as establishing a blog and then just letting it languish for a year or so... your action will be an encouragement to me to "get with the program"!

Love the vintage photos re-arted!

Anonymous said...

The blog is very sweet and your giveaway very generous. Love the art!
Lizbeth

Tania Pelletier said...

Great giveaway and blog! I'm a follower now!

Tania

Nelly said...

Love it!!! I'm one of your friends from Yahoo's Alt.Bks. Great blog!

funkycrafter said...

nice project. very creative. i just signed up to follow. cool giveaway too. enjoyed the visit and will be back soon.

Andrea said...

Awesome! So happy I came by today, can't wait to see what you create for the blog party!

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi JoAnne!!! What a sweetie you are already having a giveaway!!! Welcome to this wonderful land of blog where so many precious friends are made ~ I wish you many, many more months of blogging and I'll be sure to spread the news of your giveaway on my next blog post!!! hugs and love, Dawn

Lynn Stevens said...

Hi Joanne,
Well what a happy surprize to come by and see your having a giveaway also. Thanks so much for posting about mine, So best of luck to BOTH of us!!LOL Love your altered photos. I thought I was the only one who ever used gouche paint!
Lynn

Barbara Jean said...

Came over via Dawn's, the Feathered Nest.

Congratulations on your 1 month anniversary!

and thanks for such a wonderful giveaway.
Sure would love to try that art form.

blessings
barbara jean

Dorthe said...

Hi, came over from Dawn, to see your beautifull giveaway,
I will love to follow your blog, -so am now a follower.
I`m Dorthe from Denmark
www.denlillelade.blogspot.com
xo Dorthe

marga said...

Congrats on your one month blogging. Lovely blog you have...i became a follower. Love your give-away.

Elsina said...

congratulations! your blog looks great! Lovely candy too!

Carol Mae said...

Lovely giveaway, would love to be entered. I'm a new follower also. Blessings, Carol Mae

Lesley said...

Congratulations on your blogerversary. What a lovely givaway. I'm so pleased I found your blog, and have added it o my favourites. Blessings

Dragonlady said...

Lovely giveaway, I got here via Dawn @ The Feathered Nest.....
I just became a Follower too....
congrats on blogging for a Month..I blog but not everyday cause I spend so much of my time looking and reading all of the other fabulous blogs...lol..
hugs
Brenda

PeggyR said...

Please enter me in your giveaway! Happy first month blogging. I am a follower. Love the artwork.

Sue K said...

Wonderful giveaway! Love the old photos and other goodies. I'm new to your blog (found you through Dawn at the Feathered Nest) Please put my name in your giveaway list! I will go and sign up to be a follower right now! Thanks for offering this.
hugs, Sue K

Charlene said...

Congratulations on your one month blogaversaru!!! Isn't Bloggin the best? I have been doing it for over a year now & it has opened soooooooo many doors to meet wonderful friends. ENJOY! And I would love to enter your giveaway because I ADORE vintage things, lace & scrabble tile. Come visit me too. Charlene

Hearts Turned said...

Hi JoAnne! So nice to find your blog this morning! I'm a lover of all things vintage, too--your altered ancestors are fabulous! I use mine in my cards, but haven't really "altered" them yet--I'll be giving it a try!

Congrats on a month of blogging--it's a wonderful world here--enjoy it all!

I'll be back often to say hello--have a beautiful weekend!

Ragamuffin Gal said...

I followed you over from the PW group and just wanted you to know that I adore your creations and your blog is so beautiful! It may become one of my most favorite ones to hang out in ~ Blessings~k

Maple Ridge Vintage said...

You have a really pretty blog. Congratulations and good luck!! please enter my name to be the big winner!!! Hugs, Chris

nancarts said...

Hi JoAnne, just found your blog from the feathered nest! and became a follower right away. Please include me in your very generous give away...thanks for being so generous. I love your blog and will be back to visit often.
Smiles and Blessings,
Nancy

Tina said...

Hi JoAnne
Came over from Dawn and I´m so happy I did. you have a beatiful blog over here, and what a great giveaway. I would love to be entered inyour drawing. and now over to be a follower ;D

Chani said...

What a wonderful blog you have! I love dragonflies ;) Please count me in, this is a great give away. I'm having one myself, stop by and take a look!

RobinBirdsNest said...

Congrats on the 1 month! Just became a follower! Your blog is lovely!!

Blessed Serendipity said...

Cool altered cabinet card!

-Danielle

Karen said...

Love your blog and I became a follower!

VintageCrafter said...

Your blog is so wonderful and so is your giveaway! I am now a new follower and look forward to your next inspiring post!
*smiles*
Carol

Pattyjo said...

Hello I just found your blog from the feathered nest! Became a follower right away. Please include me in your very generous give away...thanks for being so generous. I love your blog and will be back to visit often. Thanks for the chance.
Pattyjo
rholschen@air-pipe.com

Lady Pamela said...

I have just started trying my hand at altered art. I am pretty happy with the results so far. It is a change from the scrapbooking that I have been doing.
Great give-away. Someone is going to be very happy!

she dreams big! said...

A new blogger with such a lovely blog and a giveaway so soon - you are a real go-getter! Those old relatives never looked so good!

I'm a new follower and can't wait to see what's next!

JaneT said...

Congratulations on being a new blogger. Love your site. Happy Mother's Day!

Susan said...

Congrats on your one month blogiversary! I love your altered CDV! Thanks for the opportunity to win a great giveaway.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Please enter me into your give away. Beautiful things make me very happy! I'm having a give away this week as well, so stop by www.queenmarcyoriginals.typepad.com and enter! Thanks. Marcy
mantle@piedmontcenter.com

Erica said...

You altered art is so creative and lovely!

Vintage Gran said...

I just became a follower. I am a new blogger too, Still working out all of the technical stuff. I just went back and visited all of your posts. Great giveaway from a great blog.

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh your altered cdv is fabulous!!! I did one quite awhile ago, I need to get busy and do some more! I love the cover of your book!!! By the way I love your blog and your work!!! Marva