Tuesday, November 27, 2012

My Preservation Story: The Faded Ticket



At 12 years old I was invited to my first real concert ever!!!......Alanis Morrissette on her Jagged Little Pill Tour. My sister and 2 of her college friends took me.  I felt so cool to be with the college kids AND I get to see an awesome concert.  Obviously it left an impression and soon afterwards it lead to a long string of concerts through my high school and undergrad.  I had my prized Alanis ticket thumb tacked to a board in my room.  I was young and didn't understand that the sun bleached things if left in the suns exposure.  As you can see from the picture above that the ticket is left unreadable.  Luckily I have 3 other people to back me up on my actually being there.  After this I learned the importance of preservation.  There my journey began.......

I was never someone who really damaged their toys.  My American Girls Dolls from the 90's are still in pristine condition.  I started to be better about it when I took photography in high school.  From there I went to Art college where the importance of archival and preservation was key especially in the Fine Art Photography degree.  My senior year I interned at the wonderful Govinda Gallery in Georgetown, Washington, DC.  The gallery specialized in art made by and/or about musicians.  There I fell in love with these priceless pieces of art of my favorite groups growing up.  Donovan, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Miles Davis, John and Yoko images....just tons of unbelievable imagery.  That's when I knew I had to be in the business of preserving art for the rest of my life.

I went on the get a MA in Museums Studies from the Johns Hopkins University where I concentrated on Collections Management.  There I learned the process of accessioning and deaccessioning art, donations, deed of gift and handling of priceless objects.  I keep these in mind while creating each and every one of my 3D Scrap Boxes and any other item I create where memories are meant to be stored, kept and cherished.

LeslieGallery combines the designer decor with the stability of preservation.  That is my preservation story and like all great stories there is no ending.  My journey is still in progress and as new items are created there I will be with my acid-free archival supplies in hand.   

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Cloud 9 Design Fabric Stickers

Whenever I am at any craft store I have to wander through the scrapbook sections because there are always fum new products.  This trip to Joann's was no different.  Cloud9 Design by Fiskars has a lot of great scrap booking supplies that I can use for my 3D Scrap Boxes.  I use the embellishments, flowers, ribbons, scrapbook paper.....etc.  Last night I found FABRIC Die Cut Accent Stickers.  It was $3.99 for 12 Accent Fabric Stickers. 

Why Am I So Excited?

All my 3D Scrap Boxes are covered in Fabric book cloth.  Sometimes the embellishments doesn't look so great on the outside of the box. The one that I found never looks good is putting flimsy paper on beautiful book cloth.  It just doesn't look right.  Now with Fabric stickers I can achieve a professional, clean and funky product to sell.  The die cut fabric stickers are in varying shades, tones and tints of white, grey and black. The details large and small are crisp and could possibly be colored in with markers.  While I have not tried this myself I think it would be a great experiment with such a fun new product.

Check out Fiskars.com and Fiskars on Typepad for more exciting product.

Happy Crafting!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Handmade Holidays: Items for the Children's Chorus Brunch



I sent a text to my sister asking the size of the Granny square blanket I made my niece Taylor for Christmas last year.  I asked cause I needed a mindless craft project I can do in front of the T.V.  She calls me back and tells me about the Children's Chorus Brunch and the fundraiser they're doing.  My sister is assembling baskets and needing donated items to fill them with.  Needless to say I was Ecstatic!!  I love having an excuse to knit or crochet especially if I get to learn something new, work on something I am rusty at or getting to do one of those fabulous patterns I'm been dying to make.  That night I started with a beautiful set of wrist warmers.  The easiest way to make quick and easy wrist warmers is to knit a rectangle.  I know, not very exciting, BUT.......when you're stitching up the seam leave about 1.5"- 2" hole where you can stick your thumb out.  Well she only told me this about a week ago and I have completed 2 sets of wrist warmers (pictured above), flower pens, and knitted flower pins.  I wanted to donate something that was a bit more towards LeslieGallery so I am currently experimenting with pamphlet stitches and fun cardstock.  I have about a month left and the amount of quick and easy projects is endless.

If you're in the Springfield, MA area check out Children's Chorus of Springfield, December 2, 2012.  And check out my lovely sister Katie's online magazine, BYO Family for all things family fun in Springfield, MA and the surrounding area.

Happy Crafting :)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...