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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Altered Cigar Box


Hi I am making a box of cards for my sister's birthday present. I started with a wooden cigar  box that I got at a garage sale. Then I decorated it with paper, some vintage lace and a few special pictures.

The picture is my grandmother Arra Linda Lovelin. Isn't that a pretty name.  She was my dad's mother. Arra was an amazing lady. She was a single mother with two sons and had her own flower shop in the basement of a large hotel on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City in the 1920's. My sisters youngest daughter looks a lot like her.  She died in her forties so we never got to meet her but my mother worked in the hotel and knew her before she met my dad. He ran the ferris wheel on Steel Pier on the Boardwalk. Mom told us many stories about this amazing lady.
Here is a short video that shows what I did.

Thanks for stopping,

9 comments:

Kate said...

Linda this looks great. Your Grandma was beautiful, I love the picture. Your sister will definitely love this gift. Love the name Arra.

Hugs
Kate

Sharon said...

How beautiful Linda - I bet your sister will love this!!!! I'm sure this will be a treasured keepsake!!!

Jane Wetzel said...

Hi Linda- first of all...THIS IS SO AWESOME...I am so excited cuz I just picked up some old cigar boxes from a garage sale and wasnt sure what I was going to do with them! I am going to do this exact same thing for my sisters' birthday! lol THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION :) AND..what a very cool story about your grandmother, love the pic and I love to hear about these old stories..I find I am getting a little hooked on the old movies channel while crafting these days :)

June Houck said...

Beautiful upcycle project! Your sister will treasure the cigar box and probably won't have the heart to part with the lovely Linda cards inside :)

Susan said...

Hi Linda!

Sorry I haven't visited in a bit, I have been so busy. But I'm back!

I love old cigar boxes. I am also one of those people that love the smell of cigars. My grandpa smoked cigars and that scent brings me back to the memory of him. You did a beautiful job decorating this and adding the picture of your grandmother. I love the story about the Boardwalk also. There is a show on HBO that is set in that time period, I think it's called The Boardwalk. My husband watches it and at times I'll catch it just to see the neat costumes and hairstyles. Thanks for sharing your project and also the wonderful story about your family!

Susan
cricutandgrasshopper.blogspot.com

Dawnll said...

Just love this- I just finished a cigar box last night that I love. I will be sharing on my blog closer to the end of the month.

Such a beautiful picture and love those pearls.
My fav is the personal picture in the inside, I KNOW your sister will love this.

coldwaters2 said...

Oh my word Linda this looks terrific the vintage style is my big favourite all that wonderful lace, the picture and embellishments look superb.
Hugs
Lorraine x

Dr Sonia S V said...

Pat what a gorgeous alteration. Looks completely like something royalty would own!

Cheers
Sonia
http://cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com

Dr Sonia S V said...

Linda Sorry I called you Pat its my blogger firends name.