From Idea, To Mock Up, To Fruition!!

Hi!

I thought I'd share with you another beautiful example of the stylizing process I take with my Brides.

In this case, it was the lovely Allison for her wedding in September. 

On a previous post, I demonstrated how to turn a beautiful photograph into a spectacular photograph with hand tinting. My idea was to make the photograph pop with a hint of color!

I had wonderful responses to that particular post so I thought you'd like to see the entire creation.

Stage 1: This was the mock up of the centerpiece to give Allison and her Mother a better visual of what I was suggesting and was talking about. (The centerpieces consisted of two types; 1.Vintage double-decker wooden silverware boxes for the base, lace, silver candy dishes and silver smalls and silver candelabras, 2. vintage wooden Silverware boxes for the base, lace, crystal cake stands, crystal smalls and crystal candelabras) I used some silk flowers I had to give it a bit of color but for reference only.  Notice in this mock up photograph, I hadn't thought of the putting a photograph in the open drawer until a bit later. Even the table number was a mock up!

Stage 2:  Food tasting gave me an opportunity to make a  centerpiece sample with real flowers and a better table number! Just before dinner, I added  a photograph in the drawer (not Allison and Kyle) for fun.

Everyone loved it!

Stage 3: I was thinking that a regular photograph just wouldn't do with all the vintage accents. So, I came up with the idea of hand tinting the photograph (picture posted from a previous blog) to add pop.  

I included silver frames to go with the silver accents on those specific tables. (I roughed them up a bit too!)

Stage 4:  The real McCoy! The day of the wedding!! Complete and beautiful!

Stage 5:  Don't forget your napkin treatment. It's a really fun accent that can really embellish your table.

I love the way it turned out!!

Allison's Mother did a wonderful job with the table numbers!!

Here's a photograph of the crystal tables. These tables used the single wooden silverware boxes for the base and lots of crystal accent pieces.

I hope you love the presentation as much as we did!

I have a question for you...

Is it time to get designing and planning?

It is at the Jones Victorian Estate!!

Smiles and Love,

Michelle Gregory

p.s. A huge thank you to Flower Allie for the stunning flowers and another one to BrandiBarrPhotography.com for the photos.

Hand Tinted Photographs for a Real Vintage Look!

Hi!

So, if you're working on your "vintage" look, I'd like you to consider this really easy and fun project.

Hand Tinting!

Years ago, I used paint the photographs to achieve the hand tinting look I wanted.

Today, it's really easy, cleaner and a lot more fun. Let me explain...

First, download a variety of  photographs and change the "effects" to Black and White.

Print the size you need for your frame; i.e. 5 X 7 or 4 X 6 or any size (I used 4 X 6) and print them on plain ole' copy paper. 

Let the Photograph Dry Completely!

Using colored pencils of your choice, start adding the color to the details of the image!

I use a slightly heavy hand with the colored pencils.  I then go back with a clean eraser and"blot" the color to blend and soften. 

In this first photograph, I accented the window frame. 

In the second, I added color to Allison's floral dress and lips!!!!

Remember, hand tinting is generally not for the entire photograph but rather for special touches.

 A before and after shot of the photograph!

These photographs will be added to the floral centerpiece.... check out what I'm doing below!

This is amazing, if I may say so myself. What's here?

A double-decker, wooden silverware box, lace, silver candy dish, small silver accent pieces,  silver single candelabra and a fun glass bottle table number. 

BUT, I opened the drawer... added flowers and a photograph of Brandi and Josh (my past Bride and Groom) that I used as a sample of this way-cool centerpiece!!!

Brandi, I kept my gift favor! :)

It's multi-dimensional and multi-colored and just plain beautiful!

And it's just the sample mock up!!

Thank you Flower Allie for the beautiful flowers!!!

Hand tinting! Who knew?

Smiles,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate