Tuesday 30 January 2018

Baby Lorraine Comes Home

Hello Friends,

It's Simply Neutrals Tuesday again. 

Today I thought I'd share some collages I made recently, and the story behind them.







A while ago I visited Dee's Funk 'n'Junk at Ulladulla to browse in her wonderfully eclectic 'vintage seaside meets shabby chic' junk shop. Her FaceBook page is here. I love going there for a chat and for the inspiration packed into such a small area. Dee uses every inch of her display space. 

I've shown Dee photos of things I've made using old laces and pictures and she saves me special bits and pieces. I spied this old photo of a baby hanging high on a wall and asked her how much it was, thinking it would be out of my price range anyway. 


To my surprise Dee looked at me and said, "It's yours. There's a sad story to this picture. I knew this baby when she grew up. She was a local, a teacher who never married. Her name was Lorraine. She used to come into my shop to find treasures. When she passed on at a ripe old age, she left behind no children to share her treasures with. A niece who inherited brought all her stuff to the shop to sell it to me. I felt so sad that those special things Lorraine had delighted in were not appreciated. Not even her baby photo which was really old - maybe 90 years. I didn't know what to do with the photo as I felt too sad to sell it. When you asked, I knew who would appreciate her. So she's yours."

I was absolutely thrilled!

So Baby Lorraine came home with me, and I made three vintage lace collages using copies. Dee was chuffed when I gave one to her in appreciation for her gift.

This one uses a vintage book cover as its base...



 This one uses a worn old LP cover as its base...




A close up of details... some vintage music and avocado dyed cheesecloth...




I scanned a vintage tape measure and printed a copy to add to the collage. Pieces of vintage clothing, doilies and laces were used, as well as scrapbooking papers, beading, found skeleton leaves, feathers and some flower embellishments I had made.







I will feature Dee's shop in a post to come soon.

Come join in for Wen's Simply Neutrals Tuesday party at her blog: 

You can see see more neutral-coloured artworks, collectables and photo art on display. You may like to share some too...





Until next time, may the sun shine on you...


Jesse


17 comments:

  1. lovely work, such a sad story, you have honored her memory

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    1. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment for me, Susan. Have a great week.

      Jesse

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  2. What a gorgeous piece you have created to honor her. Every little detail!

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    1. Thank you, Nancy. Have a great week from Jesse XX

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  3. Such a beautiful story about Lorraine, even sad. But I`m sure she in her heaven is now so filled with joy, seeing the little wonders you created using her photo. I love them all, in nature tones, and with so many details with the gorgeous old things you used, for the collages.
    Hugs from Dorthe, xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Dorthe. I hope your week is happy :)
      love,
      Jesse XX

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  4. Hi Jesse...
    What a sad but lovely story. How sweet that your friend gave this precious photo to you. You have made such beautiful and inspiring pieces! I'm sure Lorraine would be so touched. I wanted to thank you for your most thoughtful and encouraging comment on my blog. I"m sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I have not had time to post since late fall and I hardly check my comments. Thank you for visiting! It truly made my day :)

    Have wonderful week <3
    Tamara xoxo

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    1. You're welcome, Tamara. I know what you mean, it warms your heart to have someone drop in and leave a ray of sunshine...Thanks

      Jesse XX

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  5. WOW Jesse would a beautiful gift from Dee! The picture was meant for you!!! Her shop sounds amazing. Now one of these days I shall go and visit her!!! Look forward to seeing your post about the shop also!
    What beautiful collages you have created using Lorraine's baby photo with all of your special additional embellishments like the tape measure, roses, laces and beads. I can see you are keeping yourself busy now back in your studio and it is so great to see you having fun expressing yourself!
    Sending love from down here on a much cooler day which is very pleasant!
    Suzy

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    1. Hi Suzy, Thanks for stopping by. I have been making pockets of creative time and trying to use them well. It was good to make three collages on a similar theme as I found I was much more efficient. The cooler weather is a wonderful change for us. The garden is so dry. The kids have gone back to school today and the house is very quiet now. Just cicadas singing in the trees and our little kitten Jasper purring away on my desk...

      Love and hugs from Jesse XX

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  6. I am totally smitten with the beautiful collages you made with the baby photo. It was such a kind gift from your friend and the sad and touching story about Lorraine now has a happy ending.

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    1. Thanks, Liz. Glad to see you back on your blog too :)
      Love,
      Jesse XX

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  7. Oh my, I'm really having problems with my internet at the moment. I had typed a comment and poof before I knew it it was gone. Oh well. Let's try again... :) What I was trying to say here is that your story really touched my heart. That it is heartwarming to see how both Dee and you honour and respect the story of this beautiful lady and how sweet of you to create such a gorgeous collage as a gift for Dee. Your collages are so so gorgeous, dear Jesse! Sending you big hugs and love, xx

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    1. Thanks Wen for taking the time to comment on all of our contributions. Thanks for hosting SNT again :)
      Love and hugs,
      Jesse XX

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  8. You have made such lovely creations with her baby pictures, she would be so thrilled that her baby picture wasn't just discarded.

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Thank you so much for your friendly comments. It makes my day to hear from you about my artworks and topics.