Have you ever tried altering cabinet cards? These are the sepia toned images you can find at the flea market, from around the 1850'5-1920's. You know, the ones where no one ever smiles. I can never figure that one out! Here is one of my book covers with an altered card.
You can see a set of my altered cards on my Flickr site here. The key is to mask the image, itself, then you are free to alter the background by sanding , painting, stenciling, rubberstamping, or anything you can think of. Once finished, add some rub-ons or phrases and these become pretty interesting little works of art! Try one!
Your book cover looks great. I love old cabinet cards. I was always told that the reason no one ever smiles is because they had to hold still for a very long time just to get one photo.
Posted by: Janet Ghio | Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Janet is right--it took a long time to take a photo in those pre-flash days and if your smile faltered, the photo was blurry. Photos were expensive in those days, so you didn't take them often. I love what you've done with them--you certainly made the most of the shape and subject!
Posted by: QuinnCreative | Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Great piece of altered art. I have a bunch of cabinet cards, altho it was years before I ever heard them called that. The older I get, the more willing I am to use the original of something, so I think I need to make one of these. Love the wired twigs, the black grommets, and the upholstery swatch. Very nice.
Posted by: Leslie | Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Beautiful! I also love all those ribbons at the spine.
Posted by: Caatje | Monday, September 19, 2011 at 03:02 AM
Love your altered cabinet card! These are one of my favorites to work on.
Posted by: Marilyn J. Rock | Monday, September 19, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Hi Melissa - I want you to have my new Blog address: http://mrockart.typepad.com/art-rocks
I had to get off of Blogger! xxoo
Posted by: Marilyn J. Rock | Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 02:09 PM