LITTLE BOY BLUE

I never knew the precious little boy in the photograph and only have a few details of his life.   He   was my great grandfather and he grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Civil War began a year or two after this portrait was made, so I cannot help but wonder how The War Between The States affected his life, and what he knew about the conflict that was in no way civil for either side.  

Techniques used on this piece are wet distressing, inking, paper folding, painting, hand stitching, stamping, and calligraphy. 

When I first laid eyes on Prima's Londonerry Collection, I knew that I had found the perfect paper and embellishments for this precious picture.       The lyrics to "Battle Hymn of the Republic" , by Julia Ward Howe seemed to be the perfect choice to explain the era and place.  

The photo is framed with the paper by cutting out a little window, folding it back, wet distressing and painting it. Most of my heritage LO's are done in this manner, so that the viewer gets a sense of looking through a window and seeing into the past. The concentric circles are distressed, stitched and layered. There is a bit of fussy cutting in the background. 

I stamped the clock face onto paper and misted the Prima Resistant Canvas and Bretton Vines.

Here's the complete list of supplies used:

DMC Embroidery Floss
KRYLON 18kt. Gold Leafing Pen
PRIMA:
      Architecture Collection, Resin Embellishments,     
          Ceiling Ornaments  
     Londonerry Collection:
          paper
          chipboard stickers
          Jardinere Flowers
          Vintage Trinkets
          Alphabet Stickers
          Cling Mounted Stamp
          Avon Rose mulberry flowers
     Ornamental Edging Collection Trim, brown
     Printery Collection:
           Bretton Vines, Chronicle
          Cling Mounted Rubber Stamps
          Resist Canvas, Shapes
     Toggle Wood Buttons, Quirky
TATTERED ANGELS:
     Glimmer Mists: Denim Blue, Graphite, Suede
TIM HOLTZ / RANGER:
     Crackle Paint, Picket Fence
     Distress Ink, Tea Dye
ZIG:
     2 Way Glue
     Writer, chocolate
ZIP DRY glue

I appreciate your comments!