Kris Kringle

When I first saw this gentleman, I thought he looked familiar... then it occurred to me... he looks like Kris Kringle!  His rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes shine way beyond his attempt to be serious, but I can definitely see a hint of a smile!  This cabinet card had a lot of damage, but I left the damage to his jacket alone - because it looks a bit like snow!  So here you are, to inspire you for the upcoming holiday season... Kris Kringle in "disguise" as an ordinary patron, sitting to have his portrait taken.  Now you know what he wears the other 364 days of the year!

Autumn Wings

Wings!  As you might have noticed, these particular wings are one of my favorites.  They were designed beginning with a portion of an antique die-cut bird wing, and repairing and adding further sections to that initial image to complete one wing, then duplicating and reversing that image. 

The color combinations are endless using photo editing software; other versions have been used in my blog sidebar and can also be viewed here.  

I hope you enjoy these new Autumn colors, designed especially for my friend Paula.  The browns and golds honor the hay harvest, and the fiery colors mimic favorite fall leaves.  Thanks for the inspiration, Paula!

Gothic Portraits

The next time you are searching for inspiration, try inverting the colors of one of your favorite vintage photographs.  The "negative" effect can be quite dramatic.

Vintage Halloween Postcard

The bottom image is a softened version of the original color of this postcard, which belonged to my grandmother's Aunt Nellie.  For those of you who enjoy a more muted color palette, I did a bit of editing to change the blue tones to more subtle browns.  I love the cheerfulness of this image, celebrating the fall harvest.

Antique Millinery Feathers

Antique Clocks

Birds & Blossoms

 

Antique Birdcage

 Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Antique Celluloid Album

The above images are from an antique ivory-colored celluloid album cover that was handed down through our family.  I will be posting the entire cover design at a later date, but thought the center portion was lovely enough to stand on its own.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Vintage Portraits

Velvet & Celluloid Album

This worn, red velvet photograph album cover with celluloid ornament has seen better days and has long been separated from its pages. One can only imagine what wonderful items were once inside!

I've made the image of the back slightly larger than the front so it will be a bit more forgiving if you would like to print both covers; the original is a bit warped and as a result the covers are not mirror images.  I love the shield shape of this pretty album and hope you will, too. 

Leather CDV Album Cover

I adore these small Gothic style leather CDV albums.  The first image in brown is the original color; the actual album is in tatters with a two missing glass rests.  It makes me smile to know that this sweet object will continue to be enjoyed.

Antique Frame Border

This antique image is from the reverse side of a cabinet card.  It frames the logo of photographer W.P. Jackson, of Tacoma, WA and was included in an album that was a gift from Lyneen. Thanks, Lyneen! 

Babes of Spring

Look who we found in our garden this week!

Shortly thereafter, I spotted this little one in a hot air balloon overhead...

Easter Favorites

Hi Everyone! After the last few holidays sneaked up on me and flew past, I was determined to post my favorite Easter postcards in time for you to make good use of them! I love the rich colors of these vintage cards and hope you will, too.

Dogwood Album Pages

I've had so much fun during the last day! My dear friend Lyneen gifted me with the most wonderful antique cabinet card album - really blew my socks off! I was speechless - which is a bit unusual for me. Lyneen loves these antique albums and cabinet cards more than anyone else I know (myself excepted), so to part with this was quite a sacrifice. Well, Lyneen... rest assured that as much as you loved this album - I cherish it even More!

The first image from the album features dogwood blossoms and a cabinet card photo of the most adorable little boy holding a hand-made bow and arrow. The lovely green tint is the original scan - that beautiful Victorian Green. For the subsequent variations, I removed the photo, did a bit of digital coloring and added two more of those cute bees. Need those bees to keep the dogwood happy!

Thanks for stopping by - Enjoy!