Oct 08 2008
My 25th Anniversary
My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past June and I wanted to do something special to commemorate our milestone. I wanted to create a design that would be an heirloom to pass down to our sons once we are gone.
The Recipe is at the bottom of this post.
I asked the frame shop to leave the glass off so that I could take these pictures without a glare.
Below are several close-up shots that I took going clockwise around the design. I decided to include them in this post so that if any of you want a closer view, you will be able to see a little more detail.
I started the close ups with the top of the picture.
The flowers in this picture are at 1, 2, and 3 on a clock. The Lily of the Valley was painted on the front of the vellum with a mixture of Pearl Ex and Gum Arabic.
The position of these flowers is 2, 3, and 4 on a clock. You can see the shine of the Lily of the Valley very nicely in this shot. Each flower, leaf, stem, etc. was cut with a craft knife.
The position of these flowers is around 3, 4, and 5 on a clock. I have overlapped a lot on the pictures so that there are several views of the flowers at different angles.
The position of these flowers is 4, 5, and 6 on a clock. These are all the flowers I used in the calendar that I watercolored. As you can see, there is a much softer and translucent look when watercolored on vellum. I just love the lilies and roses in this shot.
The position of these flowers is 5, 6, and 7 on a clock. The flowers may look the same in color, but I actually used several different colors in the pink, peach, and maroon families.
The position of these flowers is 6, 7, and 8 o’clock. As you can see, the flowers are a little bit lighter in this photo, which is more accurate of their true colors. All the pictures were taken in the same room at the same time. I use natural sunlight when I take my photographs and sometimes the values will be different if the sun goes behind a cloud. These two pictures are a perfect example.
Now we’re at 7, 8, and 9 o’clock. Do you see the lily, that’s the lily stamp I used on the June calendar page. Those tiny little flowers and leaves are the wildflowers that I usually paint in hues of blue and violet.
The position of these flowers is 8, 9, and 10 o’clock. These are the same Calla Lilies that are on the August calendar page, as well as the Lily of the Valley. I love using those stamps together.
The position of the flowers here is predominately 10 o’clock with a little of 9 and 11 showing. The Calla Lilies are among my favorite stamps.
Here we are at 10 and 11 o’clock, the final phase of the project. I hope you enjoyed looking at the close up photos.
Last of all, the finished picture framed with the museum glass in place. To give you an idea of the size of this project, the photograph is an 8″ x 10″, the framed picture measures 24″ x 24″. A box frame was used when framing at a depth of 1 1/2″.
The picture is hung at the bottom of our staircase.
Recipe:
I took one of our wedding pictures and had an 8 x 10 copy made. I went to a frame shop, picked out an embossed bridal mat and asked that it be cut in an oval to frame the photograph, which I thought would be perfect for the design I had in mind. After it was cut, I took the mat home and tucked it away for safe keeping. I stamped multiple flower stamps onto vellum cardstock from Stampin’ Up! using Versamark. I embossed the flowers in a mixture of gold and gold tinsel Ranger embossing powders. I watercolored the vellum on the reverse side using a blender pen. Once I had what I hoped would be enough flowers to frame the photo, I cut them out using a craft knife.
I placed a xerox copy of the photograph under the mat and then arranged the flowers roughly around the photo to get an idea of how I wanted to place them so that they would be symmetrical/balanced. The reason I used a xerox copy instead of the photograph is because I didn’t want to get fingerprints on the original photograph that would ultimately be placed when the flowers were adhered. I wanted to see the picture underneath the mat so that I would get an idea of how the flowers would look with it. I used non-permanent scotch tape to tape the xerox copy to the mat. I didn’t want all the lilies on one side, or end up with all the roses being in a corner, so I played with the design for a while until I had it arranged the way I wanted it to look. Once I had the flowers placed where I wanted them, I adhered them down with Glue Dots. A bow was adhered at the top of the picture with the ends swirled down on both sides of the photo. You may be wondering if the Glue Dots are visible through the vellum . . . the answer is no. Because I overlapped the flowers, no adhesives can be seen. I adhered the bow and ribbon in the same manner.
The estimated time to do this project: One week — Well worth the enjoyment I receive every time I pass the staircase and will continue to enjoy until I pass on. I hope that if I make it to 80 or beyond, I will still be able to look back and remember pouring my heart and soul into this project. I hope to remember the excitement and joy I felt as I worked on each and every flower.
Paper: Cardstock Vellum
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Tombow Markers, Blending Pen, Heating Tool, Ranger Gold/Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder, Pearl Ex, Gum Arabic, Craft Knife, Glue Dots, Photograph, Professional Framing, May Arts Gold Trimmed White Organdy Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds
WOW - really, this is an inbelievable token of love and dedication!!
Congratulations on your Silver Anniversary. Gorgeous project. It must have taken ages to complete.
Jerri this is absolutely GORGEOUS and such exquisitely detailed!
What a work of art — your labor of love shows strong in this beautiful piece!
Jerri, this is stunning and beautiful! Definitely heirloom quality!
You’ve been married 25 years??? How old were you on the wedding day? 12???
Jerri,
Congratulations on your anniversary and another amazing project!
Yes, please may I have a list of the stamps used in this project.
Thank You!
WOW! To see this so close up and in detail is wonderful. Your watercolouring skills are to die for…even close up everything is perfect. What a gorgeous way to commemorate your 25th! Wishing you as many more!
Extraordinary! Wow! You created the most amazing and touching testimony to your 25 years of marriage
Just wonderful and I wish you and your husband another 25 years of wedded bliss 
Jerri,
Congratulations on your 25th anniversary. They are all so special but 25 years is a statement of success in this day and age. It’s evident that this was a labor of love; it’s perfect in every way!
Something beautiful !!!!
Salute !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Breathtaking! There is not another word I can utter about this project other than BREATHTAKING!!!! WOW!!!
Hi Jerri,
Thank you for sharing something so personal and so special. You are a wonderful artist and your work is exquisite. Congratulations on celebrating 25 years of marriage - it’s a great milestone, and a real example to young people these days. We will celebrate our 25th anniversary in April next year, and your project has given me some ideas of what I could do as an anniversary gift for my husband. I would love to know the stamps you used please Jerri. Thank you so much.
stunning, exquisite, a true labor of love.
congratulations on your 25th anniversary, this picture is so beautiful. You do such a great job with the embossing powders everything you make is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing such a amazing project.
Oh wow, so beautiful!
xAndrea
So beautiful!!!! What a wonderful family heirloom you’ve created!
Jerri, when I first saw this in your SCS, it took my breath away. Seeing the detailed pictures here, you’ve done it again! Thank you s much for sharing the details of this very special work of art. It’s truly magnificent!
And congratulations on a very special milestone in your marriage!
Cathy
Congratulations for your 25th anniversary. This is really a beautiful frame. Very soft and elegant!
Congratulations on 25 years! This is an amazing, stunning frame. Definitely a work of love and a beautiful heirloom to pass on to your kids.
Breathtaking!!!!
So beautiful, I’m nearly moved to tears. Congratulations to both of you on your 25th year in love.
Jerri, this project is so stunning. Your sons are going to argue over who gets to keep it. Your attention to perfect detail is wonderful. No one…..I mean no one can do this gorgeous work like you.
Jerri, this is such a lovely piece of art and I know your sons will appreciate getting this someday and remembering all the work you put into it. I love all your attention to detail that you made and this is simply a stunning work of art! Wow, such beauty and such love that went into celebrating your 25th anniversary!
Pinky
Congratulations on your big anniversary. Your love for your husband really shines through with your present. The detail and time involved is amazing. As always, your work is outstanding. This is one gorgeous piece of art!
Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary. That’s quite an achievement these days and I wish you many more happy years together. You’re probably going to need to make one of these for EACH of your sons, since I can’t imagine they wouldn’t each love to have this.
Your work is absolutely outstanding in its perfection and detail. This is just stunning!
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous artwork with us all. :O)
Virginia
OMGoodness, Jerri, spectacular, stunning and what a treasure! Thank you for showing the detail pics, absolutely gorgeous!
Oh, how wonderful! Such great attention to detail and it turned out so lovely. I really like your wedding bouquet-pretty. Congrats and many more!!
You have taken my breath away with this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You keep out doing yourself with each new project! Your truly blest with patience and artistic talent!!
God bless you and your husband Congratulations!!
breath-takingly beautiful =) thanks so much for sharing something so special! A very big congratulations on 25 years of marriage…what a milestone and a blessing! =)
OH MY GOODNESS!!! How beautiful!!! You did a phenomenal job on this Jerri and congratulations on your 25th… Fabulous!!!
Jerri, I have to be honest with you………when I saw this it absolutely took my breath away!!! It is so beautiful and congrats on your 25th anniversary!
What a wonderful way to celebrate your 25th anniversary and show your dedication to your marriage! This is also a wonderful tribute to your husband and a gift to your family….a gift of love! Thanks for sharing. VA in AZ
IT’S ESQUISIT,LOVELY, CONGRATULATIONS
Jerri this is one of the most beautiful photo frames I have ever seen. It must give you such a thrill to see the finished product. I would love to know where I can buy these stamps. I live in Eastern Canada and have not found them on a search yet. Where do you purchase them? Beautiful work.
Heather
I think what I love most about this project is that your flowers are so delicate in the vellum and the softness of color on them is really wonderful. It is such an example of the artistry you can achieve with stamping. A true labor of love my friend!
So…I see you saw I tagged you hee hee
Can’t wait to see your fun facts!
This is an incredible work of art. So much time & sacrifice is a real testament to your love for your husband and your marriage! Thanks for sharing this!
LeAnne
Oh my goodness Jerri, this is just stunning. It is a day you will never forget and now you will have the joy of remembering the fun you had working on this project. Great job and thanks so much for sharing it with all of us.
Joan
You are AMAZING! Incredibly gorgeous detail!!
Jerri….you are a super fabulously talented lady, my friend!!! This is just jaw dropping gorgeous!!! Your attention to detail is incredible…how did you ever cut out all those flowers with a craft knife???? What a wonderful keepsake for your sons….oh, and congrats on your Silver Anniversary….you are truly blessed!!!
Oh - my - WOW!! What a delightful trip around this exquisite frame and I savored every moment of it! The love you put into this masterpiece of the heart truly makes it a family treasure. The vellum is so delicate and beautifully painted. I’m in awe!
Such a tender and beautiful work of art. So much love and care was obviously put into this…. much like a marriage that has 25 happy years to show. Congrats!
I am so amazed by the intricate details! This project looks like it took a lot of time and love to do. Happy 25th anniversary! My hubby and I have been married for 23 years. Isn’t it wonderful to have someone to love all these years! Hope to see a post for your 50th in a few (25) more years.
Congratulations on your anniversary– what a precious keepsake you’ve created! So elegant and beautiful! You so often amaze me with your marvelous projects! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Oh-my-gosh! I don’t even know what to say…unbelievable! SO elegant! Happy anniversary!
Jerri,
My 15th is coming up next week. Do you want me to send you a picture of us so you can make me one?!!! OMG this is soooooo beautiful. You know I’m a big fan of yours but I think this tops all of your creations!! WOW!!!
well, you know I love it!
Jerri This Frame for your picture is absolutely Outstanding! It’s Gorgeous!! I really love it. So much work. But so much true beauty to look at. What a talented artist you are! Congratulations also for celebrating 25 years together.
You are right though, I’m sure another 25 years from now, you will still walk by the photo and still love the job you have done!
wow, i have only found your blog from seeing names on other ones and being curious, but this is really lovely.i tohought your cards were fantastic but when i stumbled upon this my breath was taken away. i bet your husband was so proud of you too. it will be treasured forever.
The 25th Anniversary frame is breathtaking. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary also. I would love to do this for my daughter and daughter-in-law. Could you please email me the list of stamps you used? Thanks so much and again the frame is absolutely beautiful.