Wednesday, October 24, 2012

White Christmas


I believe all children look for special moments with a parent to call their own. Everyday strife can be put away easily each time the moment comes again. Such was the case with my mother and me and our favorite movie, White Christmas.


I would wait for the moment when my mother would say, "I use to wear dresses just like those."; and she would wait for me to exclaim, "Oh, I love how he turns a table napkin into a winter wonderland!" When I came across Martha Stewar's skiing diorama, I just knew I had to create a version to recall my own special moment with my Mom, all my own.


Oh how this project reminds me of my mother who was an artist. I felt as though I was painting with paper. I drew upon all the images I have tucked away of the beautiful snow scenes she was noted for.


I learned from my mother that everything is about color. Vintage cards that call to me, do so because of their color and not their subject. Most all boxes of vintage cards will come with red, blue, white, and brown hued cards. I have used all of these to create my letters.


I began this project by pinking quadrangles from the cards. I divided the colors into "snow", "transitioning into sky", and "sky". You can see how the poinsettias provide the perfect transition color by having both red and white in the pieces.


Vintage cards work so beautifully with Mod Podge. Apply a thin coat to area you will place paper piece, apply a thin coat to back of paper, position, apply thin coat over top of paper, smooth with finger tip. Repeat with each piece placed. DO NOT PAINT your cardboard letters as the Mod Podge will pick up the paint and color your images.


I was always so embarrassed when my mother would sing the songs of White Christmas out loud not realizing I would do the same with my own daughter, and she secretly would know all the words as well.


"SNOW IS BLUE!" Countless times my mother would tell her students as they painted their own snowscapes. "Cerulean Blue, a little yellow, a little Allizaron Crimson, and then, only then Titanium White." I remember these names as though they were loved ones. You can see how I have transitioned the white with the use of yellow and pink.


The Neighborhood with the Hills, and my own home nestled at the bottom of the Halfway Woods. I loved how the deep winter snow would turn our streets into sledding hills for days and days. Fathers were so careful not to drive down the center when they came home from work.


Truly, this is such a special project and a very easy one as well. Any cards will do when divided into the three categories. Thinned Tacky Glue was applied to the "snow" and sprinkled with MS shard glitter. The little elves are made from paper clay.


 A Place to Be through the winter months, my White Christmas poster just to the right, my mother's heart now within my own. JOY

33 comments:

  1. How beautiful! Such sweet memories to hold so dear to your heart.
    Love your creation!!!
    Huggies ~
    Sharron♥

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  2. I am making each of my neighbors a a Christmas "monogram" using the paper mache letters. I love all the detail you put into yours...it will be a treasured item filled with memories. Isn't it funny how we start out with an inspiration picture and make it totally our own?

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  3. Simply magical. I'm immediately transported back to my childhood seeing your beautiful creations. Your memories and talents are being shared beyond your family, Elizabeth. Thank you.

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  4. E...these are on my Christmas list to do...unbelievable. I would never see it until you created it.. Smiles..Renee

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  5. "SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! It won't be long till the hills are white with snow!" All that whooshing and shoosing! I LOVE that movie! Your snow JOY makes me happy just to look at it!

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  6. What fun! I love the letters and your explanation of colors and of course the wonderful story. Thank you so much!

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  7. White Christmas is also my favorite Christmas movie, and I've passed that love on to my oldest daughter. She has her very own treasured "Blu-Ray" version to watch on her HD T.V. We used to curl up under a soft throw on the sofa, drinking our hot chocolate and eating Christmas cookies while watching. I'd always comment on how tiny Vera Ellen's waist was and all the dancing scenes were our favorites. My two favorite songs were of course "White Christmas" and then my second favorite was "Counting your Blessings." Every year, we still try to get together and watch, and I just know she's going to pass this down with her own children someday and it just makes me smile.

    Love ya'
    Meri

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  8. OK, my list for the craft store keeps getting longer and longer! Now I need to add paper mache letters! Thank You Elizabeth for this darling idea! Your JOY is contagious!
    Erica :)

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  9. What a fun project! White Christmas is my favorite movie and still watch it every year. Now I want to start crafting with snow and glitter and tiny trees!

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  10. Another wonderful story! The letters are just darling! White Christmas is a top favorite in our family....every year my 5 girls sing Sisters, Sisters...it would not be Christmas without their performace!!

    Fondly chris

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  11. Another beautiful Christmas creation! Thanks for the design pointers on color! You bring such JOY to so many!

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  12. what a lovely project this is. You always have the vintage magic to add to your projects, no one can do it like you can!

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  13. i love your letters... and im sure that everyones would be so different as the images they chose... would make them so individual.. as for memories.... isnt it wonderful to have such joyful things to hold in your heart :)
    i know around the holidays... my parents used to pile us in the car and we would take a ride.. to look at the lights.. and all sing the christmas songs together :)
    i loved hearing my parents and us kids.. (piled in the stationwagon)
    singing and enjoying the simple things in life
    thanks so much for sharing
    xoxo
    big ladybug hugs
    lynn

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  14. Me encantan tus trabajos , cuanta creatividad !!
    Besitos !

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  15. Just beautiful, Elizabeth! I love how you used the cards to create the covering for your letters. Everything flows so nicely ~ it is apparent how much thought you put it this project before starting your gluing down. The glitter adds the perfect finishing touch.

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  16. Elizabeth not only are your stories wonderful & your craftings so lovely...what amazes me is your "eye" for the backgrounds of your pictures! They are just as artistic as the craft you r displaying. I loved the puppy peaking through the O.

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  17. What a super fun project! I am putting this on my to do list which is getting alarmingly long!

    Blessings

    Linda

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  18. Wow! These are beautiful and unbelieveable! Such a wonderful creation! xo Holly

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  19. This is such a beautiful and special post. Thank you for sharing your memories of your Mother.

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  20. The letters are beautiful and joyful. I love that you put your personality into everything that you create.

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  21. Just beautiful E! Those cards were really paint for you!

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  22. Hi E!!!
    You have the best memories from your childhood! You were blessed!
    I LOVE
    J
    O
    Y
    It's my favorite word. I also think of this when I see that word
    J (Jesus)
    O (Only or Others)
    Y (You)

    I think I should find some time and make some JOY around here!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  23. I absolutely LOVE White Christmas, and I also absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!
    Hugs,
    Julie

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  25. Lovely!!!!! I love how you've used the paper as your "painting color".... (is it me? or is your "J" backwards....) could be me-- I'm dyslexic :-)
    big hugs,
    Cheryl

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  26. So gorgeous and inspiring!! I adore this!! Thank you for sharing!! xo Heather

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  27. I have never seen White Christmas.
    But your story has made me want to watch it this holiday season. I do love the song though. Cute letters.

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  28. Miss E,
    Thank you so much for your understanding of my post. I was hesitant to post it thinking everyone would wonder why I was dwelling on something that happened so long ago. I really felt like it was healing in a strange sort of way. She really didn't say anything, other than ask who I was, but just facing her and being pleasant in spite of her glare was a bit of a triumph. Knowing she could no longer affect me was really a wonderful revelation and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to face my demon!!
    Hugs,
    Julie

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  29. I have enjoyed getting to know your blog this morning! Such wonderful vintage Christmas inspiration. I'm so glad I found you. I too LOVE White Christmas, and watch it multiple times a year.

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  30. i adore your creations.i found your blog and just keep saying wow!
    blessings,angelina

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  31. Thank you very much for this article as always very interesting.

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Your kind words mean so very much to me. Thank you for your visit! Elizabeth