Cherish

I have been blessed to have an abundance of family photos passed down from generations. In searching for a way to memorialize one photo, I found that a traditional manner just did not feel right. Searching my studio for the perfect backdrop, I found myself drawn to a basket of baby dresses. It was truly a lightbulb moment—I knew then a little dress would be the perfect backdrop for this cherished photo. The addition of a shoe buckle that belonged to the girl in the photo became the perfect finishing touch.

Materials List

acrylic paint, white

adhesive

baby dress

beeswax in melting pot

blue watercolor crayon or wax pencil

brown colored pencil

cardboard

CHERISH stamp

cream embroidery floss

embroidery needle

fabric glue

fabric scrap

gel medium

gesso

heat gun

optical lens with frame

paintbrushes

paper towel or cloth

photocopy or laser print of child

rhinestone buckle or other object

scissors or heart punch

scraper

script stamp

sheet music

tape

Timber Brown ink pad

wax paper

wood board

STEP 1: Prep the Board and Add a Paper Layer

Paint a layer of gesso on the board and let dry. Apply gel medium to the back of a page of sheet music and adhere it to the prepared board.

STEP 2: Remove the Paper

With a scraper, remove the top layer of the paper to create a weathered effect.

STEP 3: Add Paint

With a dry flat brush add white acrylic paint in a random manner. Remove any excess paint with a paper towel or cloth.

STEP 4: Stamp the Perimeter

Load a script stamp with Timber Brown ink and stamp the perimeter of the wood, allowing the script to overlap onto the sheet music.

STEP 5: Print the Transfer

Photocopy an image (or use a laser print) of a small child.

STEP 6: Create a Nonstick Surface

Cut a piece of cardboard that will fit into the opening of the dress. Cover it with wax paper and tape it to secure it.

STEP 7: Adhere the Image

Apply gel medium over the surface of the image. Press the image into the top center of the dress. Allow to dry.

STEP 8: Remove the Paper

Once the gel medium has dried, place water on the back of the paper. Begin to roll the paper away with your finger tips.

STEP 9: Add Stitches to the Dress

Thread an embroidery needle with cream floss. Gather the dress on the lower corners and place a simple stitch in each. Add a third stitch on the right-hand side of the dress if desired.

STEP 10: Alter the Optical Lens

Draw a circle on the back side of the optical lens with a blue watercolor crayon or a blue wax pencil

STEP 11: Attach the Optical Lens

Attach the lens over the image with embroidery floss and the needle.

STEP 12: Stamp the Fabric

Stamp the word cherish on a scrap of fabric with Timber Brown ink. Stitch the scrap onto the dress with embroidery floss.

STEP 13: Add the Heart

With a heart punch or scissors, create a small heart and adhere it to the bottom of the image.

STEP 14: Add Shading

Add shading to the corners and sides of the board with a blue watercolor crayon. Repeat this with a brown colored pencil.

STEP 15: Add Wax to the Background

Apply a thin layer of wax to the board.

STEP 16: Thin the Wax

If needed, use a heat gun to smooth any bubbles in the wax.

STEP 17: Place the Dress

Add drops of fabric glue to the perimeter, top and bottom of the dress, and adhere it to the board.

STEP 18: Adhere a Rhinestone Buckle

Adhere the object to the top of the board with an aggressive adhesive. Allow to dry.

STEP 19: Add Wax to the Photo

Add a few drops of wax to the corners of the photo. Allow to dry.