Scraps Of Darkness - June Kit Reveal, White Rabbit

 Scraps Of Darkness presents White Rabbit.  It includes an artfully fun collection of papers and embellishments.  As with all Scraps of Darkness kits,  you can take this kit in any direction you want.  That's how versatile it is.  As you scroll through my designs and those of the Design Team, you see how easily this kit can adapt to your scrappy mood and scrappy style.  This kit pairs interesting papers with unique embellishments and add-on options to include the amazing stick pins handcrafted by our own  Mandy Harrell.   

The featured paper collections this month are:

7 Dots Wonderland Collection

Bo Bunny Weekend Market Collection

Authentique - Genuine Collection

Many of the photos I used this month are from the United States Library of Congress Flickr Pilot Project website.  They have retired the copyrights on many photos or the photographer has generously decided to release the copyright subject to restrictions. 

Jazz Great Chubby Jackson

This is a photo I found in the United States Library of Congress Flickr Pilot Project website of Jazz Great Chubby Jackson.   I loved the way the light played upon him.  Such a striking photo.  

This design is based on the monthly sketch from Charlotte Jenkins, also known as suepup.  She is a brilliant sketch artist and makes scrapping so much easier.

I used the cool 7 Dots paper for this and had a ball grunging up a cardboard strip, inking, misting, spritzing, gluing.  Oh my, I got messy.   I also used some stamps, fibers and a touch of Rub 'N Buff Gold Leaf on the photo and around the edges of the layout.  I adore Rub 'N Buff as tops on my "Must Have "scrappy  supply list. 

Here is a close up of the Fabscraps playing card chippies I used.  I covered them in Shimmerz Enamelz Molten Metal embossing powder.  Love this stuff.  Actually looks like a coating of metal in person.

To see how I created my cardboard embellishment, here for the mini-tutorial.

Here is the actual photo of Chubby Jackson from the Library of Congress.

Portrait of Chubby Jackson

This shot was taken at the Down Beat Club in New York , NY,  Nov.,1942 by William P. Gottlieb.  Mr Gottlieb dedicated these works to the public domain and the Library of Congress.   In 2000, Jackson was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.  He died at age 84 in California in Oct. 1 2003

Here is another really cool photo from that same club, Shot at the Three Douces Club in New York, NY in Sept.1946 by William P. Gottlieb.   This is Slam Stewart looking sweet and sinister at the same time the way the lighting is hitting him.  Brilliant photo!

 

 Portrait of Slam Stewart, Three Deuces, New York, N.Y.,  Sept. 1946

Coney Island Polar Bear Club 1915

I found two intriguing and enchanting photos once again at the Library of Congress Flickr Project. 

It shows a group of folks enjoying the beach and taking a dip on Jan. 3, 1915 with what is called the Polar Bear Club.  Ice cold swimming.  While personally NOT a fan of the winter sub zero swim, I salute these folks.  I'd be the gal with the big furry fluffy hand muff and long coat.    There is also a pup in the photo being snuggled by the lady on the right. By all accounts it looks like a typical day at the beach, even though it is the dead of winter in New York. As a resident of NY, I can tell you that these folks are tough ( polite code word for NUTS).

"The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the United States. "

"The Coney Island Polar Bear Club was founded by Bernarr Macfadden in 1903. "

  

I slapped some gesso on this and applied it with my metal ruler like a giant paint pallet.  I also used the

amazing stick pin handcrafted by our own  Mandy Harrell.  It is included in the embellishment add-on. 

I found a resin starfish in my stash  as well as some pine cones painted white.  I wanted to combine winter with beachy elements just as these crazy kids did back in 1915.  Crazy! 

Coney Island 1/3/15,  Bain News Service, publisher

 

Coney Island 1/3/15

The building in the background is called the Rathskeller. Records from Nov 21,1953 indicate that the Rathskeller was destroyed in a fire caused by a storm.

Coney Island 1/3/15

And the Heavens Parted

This is a photo I also found at the United States Library of Congress Flickr Pilot Project website .  I saw it and instantly knew what I needed to do.

I have a scrapper friend experiencing a very difficult trying year.  This was created with her in mind.  When it seems like all the clouds are grey and the air to thick to breathe, she has found hope in her deep faith. 

So much symbolism used here:

The blue leather strap represents the strong binding hold that problems can have in life. Sometimes problems hold us back from being the people we were meant to be - stifling our full potential.  My friend decided to not let her problems draw her away from her faith and her commitment to family.

The deep blue sky with puffy clouds:  Faith can make the heavens part and reduce the storm clouds to manageable puffs and wisps.  She will weather this storm.

The Dusty Attic Crooked Fence - I painted it white - representing hope and grace.  Yes the fence is falling apart - my friend seems like her life is falling apart some days, most days. She just needs to realize the fence is open,  not closed and locked.  It has an opening to let her into the church where her prayers and sobs can be heard and answered.  The fence may look crooked,  but I assure you it is always tended and freshly painted by a host of heavenly angels to lead the way.  Looks can be deceiving.

The church in the photo is having some maintenance done on it.  Aren't we all?  We all need to realize we are a work in progress and life problems and difficulties only serve to strengthen us and our faith.

The angel wings in molding paste - May your prayers be carried to heaven on the wings of angels.

I have formed a cross type shape out of the 7 Dots paper as my photo mat.  A photo mat is really just a foundation for my photo.  Your faith is the foundation for living your life, dear friend.

As you have poured your heart out to me and I have listened, may our prayers be joined so that your heaven can part and joy be restored. 

Here is a close up of the angel wings of molding paste topped with a crown. 

I used the  Dusty Attic Crooked Fence DA0620 here and painted it white for more starkness and to resemble the broken fence in the photo

Llano de San Juan, New Mexico, Catholic Church

Lee, Russell,, 1903-1986,, photographer, location: Llano de San Juan, New Mexico, Catholic Church

1940 July or Oct.

Precious Girl

This is a layout that shows the versatility of the kit.  Scraps of Darkness does not need to be dark, moody, artsy.  It can be charming, fun, flirty and feminine.  It's however the paper talks to you...your paper DOES talk to you, right?  I'm not the only person listening to paper, right?  Of course not.

I am continuing to have fun in combining corner and edge punches using my mini tutorial.  I combined the Martha Stewart Deco Fan Corner punch with Martha Stewart Cherish edge punch. 

Image from Magic Moonlight Free Images. 

The lace doily was given to my by my mom. She found it at a yard sale.  Thanks mom! Great find.  When I saw this piece of 7 Dots paper, I knew that yard sale gem was destined to be glued to it.  It completely looks like the lace collar on the little girls dress.

Let's talk Dusty Attic.  I used the Dusty Attic Foliage DA0507 and covered it with white paint, then dabbed the edges with Ingvild Bolme inks.  I also cracked out the Dusty Attic -Dusty In Bloom flowers DA0805 in Bridal Veil.

Please consider joining Scraps Of Darkness.  Be inspired and take your scrappy art to a whole new level.

Thanks for looking and spending time here.