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Saturday, February 20, 2010

Authentic in the Farmhouse

During the time the old farmhouse was constructed, the popularity of the camera was on the rise. However, it's rather unlikely that the first inhabitants of the old farmhouse had the need or the time for photographic portraits. While I am sure within ten or twenty years that would have changed due to the low cost of photography, up until then the common type of portraiture was the silhouette. 

Think Jane Austen...
When I put it that way, it's hard to resist, isn't it?

I have no doubts that there were silhouettes in the old farmhouse during the second half of the 19th century. I also think it highly unlikely there were many, if any, during the 20th century. For that reason, I have done my part to rectify things around the old farmhouse for the 21st century. 

There are lots of instructions to be found online on how to make your own silhouette, so I won't go deep into details, however, I will tell you that I found my inspiration from Sasha over at Lemonade Makin Mama. You can go here for details. 

I picked up frames for $2 a piece at the dollar store and some card stock. I decided to shake things up a bit by choosing a paper with white and black for a border and it was a really good excuse to make it look a little more francais, n'est pas?
 
And if that wasn't cool enough, I also had the good fortune of a having a computer savvy artist on the premises. He took my photos like these...


and then did his magic in Photoshop...
and then he carefully cut out the image...
 
 and when he was done, I had these adorable keepsakes.
 I think we need one more.
Of this girl.
I'd like a keepsake of these ears.
For forever.
And a day.


Be well friends!

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Those came out lovely! And very detailed. Quite a treasure to have for years to come.

Have you ever heard of the German Paper Cutting Art called Scherenschnitte (means "scissor cuts")? It is basically the cutting of silhouettes of various figures and scenes using tiny scissors. I use to do this a lot when we were dirt poor and my husband was in seminary. It was an inexpensive hobby and looked beautiful. I think you might like it.

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Precious! You will have these forever!

Do you read Nienie? Silhouettes are kind of a theme for her life/blog. She has them on her header,too.

How awesome is it that you have so much talent living under your roof! The Artist is too, cool :)

xo, misha

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Now those are adorable!!
I remember my Mother trying that 50 some years ago. wish I could find her works.

Deb said...

I love those! Yours turned out great.

City Hen said...

You are just precious! Those are the sweetest keepsakes, I love this idea! I think you should get your little dog his own keepsake and please post when finished! There is just so much to love about your blog, but most of all I love your great BIG heart!
HUGS,
Rhonda

Joan said...

Beautiful! But I think you need one of yourself and the artist too!

Anke said...

Those are wonderful, what a great idea. I might have to show this to hubby and see if he can help me create something like that. He's my photoshop guy...

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I have a silhouette that was done of me when I was in the 8th grade. What a keepsake. Thanks for sharing how to do this.

ain't for city gals said...

Oh My...I have a little Queensland with the same ears...but mine has a split face...half grey and half black. We always say the black part is her dark side...

Laurie at Turner Farm said...

They look beautiful. Love the black and white. Also love the idea behind them, capturing how the old farmhouse might of been. I agree, you must have one of you adorable dog. Cute.

Unknown said...

They turned out lovely! I have yet to try this, but it sure looks like an interesting process.

Mary, Windy Meadows Farm said...

What a great idea...something to keep always! I often wish we had photos of our house in it's younger days...would be so wonderful to see. Enjoy the week!

Susan at Charm of the Carolines said...

Great idea! I can't wait to try it. Not sure if my furbabies will sit still long enough to get their silhouettes, but I'll try.

Susan at Charm of the Carolines

Girl Tornado said...

You are lucky to have such a wonderful Artist there with you! Those are too cool. I love that last shot of your dog against the door, beautiful!