Vintage Goodness: On Angel Wings From France

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I received an early Christmas present yesterday - Delivered On Angel Wings from France...
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My Dear friend Ange from the fabulous blog 'Signed by Ange' sent me a little parcel of goodies she thought I'd might like. Some little thing she picked up in a Vide Grenier [fleamarket] in the South of France. The parcel was lovingly wrapped and adorned with the beautifully creative caligraphy Ange is known for. Tied up with string and a single white Angel to protect it on it's journey.. I was so excited I forgot to take a photo of the parcel and the many layers of wrapping adornment within. [I may re-create the moment at a later date so I can share it with you].


Many layers of pass the parcel, revealed a small but heavy, bubble wrapped item. WHAT could it be???? Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the contents... Five antique glass negatives dating from the early 1900's!!! I almost peed my pants with excitement.. and then had a little cry of joy for receiving such a thoughtful gift chosen to suit me! I'm sure most of you are like me and have the cupboard full of well meaning but unsuited gifts stored away for some future purge! Well I can tell you, this tiny thoughtful gift will be treasured for a lifetime and perhaps some future lifetimes also. [although I don't know who.. let me know if you want to be in the will.. hehe]


Keen to unlock the potential of these little darlings I quickly scanned them hoping the resultant images could be manipulated into revealing their content. This technique did bring forth some portion of these glass house occupants. Sadly though they managed to keep their heads and identity intact. It seemed the only thing to do was get a bit artsy with these fragments of French living. [Images #1 & 2 are alterations of the scanned negative]

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In an effort to show you the glass negatives themselves, I took photos of them propped up against 'Mac In The Box' to see if I could get a shadow box effect from the screen. WELL why didn't I think of that first!! It would seem these fair folk from 1900 were enamoured by the iMAC and the resulting images produced far more detail. Of course that was after I spent hours producing those above. But never mind.. I like the artsy images from the first attempt and now have many hours of editing to look forward to. More importantly ... My fine friends from France... now have heads!! Yes, they escaped Mademoiselle 'La Guillotine' to live another day.

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Thank You Dear Sweet Ange for this much treasured present.
May all your Christmas moments be full of delightful surprises like this!!
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I hope you all enjoy a little 'Christmas Spirit' this season - Just make sure to 'Keep Your Heads'
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As I'm yet to figure out how to hyperlink from iMAC, you can find Ange's blog in my sidebar


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Ciao Julie


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IMAGES: Scanned and altered from antique glass negatives [being ruby]



33 comments:

Fabulously French said...

They are fabulous, typical of Ange who always manages to make the most amazing finds :-)

Joyeux Noel...

Leeann x

Giulia said...

How wonderful, Julie! I shall visit Ange's blog tonight. Just wanted to pop in, say hi, & sure, put me (& Julie, le chat) in the will:)

xoxoxo

Susan &GG

Sue said...

What a wonderful treat and how perfect for you! Bloggers can be so sweet! I hope you are rested and enjoying the week!

Sue

Anne Marie said...

Julie......Ange always leaves such nice comments at the farm too...She seems very interesting with all that has happened to her.....and for her to think of you like that; well - how unique!and lovely a gift - the gift suits the person - unique and lovely......

Merry Christmas Julie....

Chemin des Muguets said...

Julie,

Ange knew the perfect gift for you. How thrilling that you were able to bring the images to life.

Cheers and love,

Marjorie

Ange said...

Julie if I ever find more I will send them to you again!
It's amazing what you did with them and I'm thrilled that you loved them - after a moment of panic once they were in the post! You are a very talented artist. I only wish I could do half as much.
I for one however am going to get 'ahead' of myself this Christmas and let fly with the bubby! Here's hoping I don't knock any heads off. Cheers and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. And most of all - thanks for all your support and encouragement and following me when I was only a couple of weeks old!
Affectueusement,
Ange

Ange said...

PS - I still think you should put them away until next winter and get out into the fabulous Aussie sunshine ;-) I have to go through Blogger by the way to add a link within my post... I've had my Mac for 4 years and I'll bet you're more proficient at using yours than I am now before jan 1st!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh amazing! Vintage glass negatives! What a dear friend she must be.

Happy Christmas to you!

Aunt Amelia

Tamerie Shriver Halliday said...

Oh my gosh, Julie, what an awesome gift!

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Julie....they are bloody fantastic !!!! What a terrific pressie and so thoughtful. Do you think that if I make friends with the lovely Ange and wax lyrical about Picasso, she might find me one in a French flea market !! Hoho.
Those slides look soooo old...some of the earliest photographs, I should think. I actually love the first ones, but I like things that are quirky !!!!
Enjoy fiddling with your photos, Julie. XXXX

Jen Beaudet said...

Hi Julie! What a nice gift! I kind of like the headless ones. They're a little spooky. Thank you for your visit to my blog. Your comments always put a smile on my face:)-Jennifer

Luiza said...

Oh, Julie!
I´ve been so buisy, I didn´t even have the chance to leave comments on your wonderful images on previous post and the one before.
But as you allready know, I come here everyday, to see you=).

You are one lucky girl, to reciev presents, meant only for you! And you deserve them.

Well, christmas holiday is around the corner. Today I´ve been making meatballs [203 of them]...
Now I´m going to continue wrapping presents...

Wish you the best christmas. May it bring you love , joy and peace!

Love from snowy and reeeally cold Sweden!

Luiza

La Petite Gallery said...

WoW!!!
That is awesome.
Merry Christmas
I am so happy for you
and such a sweet friend.


Yvonne

count it all joy said...

What a beautiful, thoughtful gift. She truly is an angel....what a precious friend. I don't have a Mac, but they seem to be capable of the most incredible feats. Are they any good at washing up? If they can do that, I'm getting one...hang the expense.

I'd love to send you some of my ice cream cake...but I don't think it would travel as well. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful perspective here...I'm looking forward to seeing more in 2010. Sending you warm, Christmas wishes from our home to yours. Meredy xo.

alison said...

I am VERY jealous!! I love the images you have created from the glass negatives!

Carole said...

I do have a hard time keeping my head...:))) I love your editing but then I do love Halloween and the whole headless horseman thing too. I don't know Ange but with a name like that she's got to be an angel sent from heaven. How wonderful to have some thing from the french fleamarket.
Merry Christmas,
Carole

Jane said...

Hi Julie what a wonderful gift and so thoughtful. I hope you have a great break \ rest\ recuperation and a wonderful Christmas big hugs JANE

Barbara Jacksier said...

Ooh la la. Marvielleux! Did I spell that right? Joyeux Noel!
Barbara

Pooch Purple Reign said...

oooo pretty blue !
sweet gift.... you must deserve it!
have a good one
~laura

Julie B. [Holland] said...

Beautiful Christmas spirit!So happy for you Julie,
such a lovely gift and a really special thought to send them your way. There are some really giving and wonderful people in blog land, so caring and thoughtful. HAPPY Holidays everyone, and all my best wishes for a fab 2010! Julie in HOlland ;) xo

Berta F said...

Happy Christmas Julie .. I you have been charmed with knowing thanks to the world of the Blogs..... Un abrazo Berta

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Dear Julie [In Holland]

Thank you for your constant visits and lovely comments this year... I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and wish you and your family happiness and laughter. Here's to more fun next year!! xxxx Julie

Les Cotrions said...

Ciao Julie! Buon Natale anche a te!!!
I'm also very happy to have met you!!!
Have a joyful and peaceful time my friend!!!
Baci e abbracci!
Vale

rjerdee said...

loved your first angels, those illusive spirits! Merry Christmas to you, Julie. Looking forward to more of your posts in the new year!!

mimi charmante said...

Could you love her any more if you tried? What a beautiful gift you received! I posted about the gorgeous sign that she made me a week or so ago - such a treat to see her name on the return address!
Happy Holidays,
xx

Angie Muresan said...

How beautiful, Julie! Put my name in your will, would ya? Wishing you a lovely Christmas and a Fabulous New Year which brings you tons of happiness.

Love,
Angie

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Aren't the beautiful friendships that come of blogging wonderful? Happy holidays!

Mise said...

Merry Christmas, Julie! I feel as though you've been on the neighbouring carriage for this train-ride. Have a lovely relaxing time after all your hard work.

simon said...

Fantastic! Its always nice to receive surprises, especially from france. :o)

Merry Christmas

Millie said...

That girl's a gem, no doubt about it! Have the loveliest of Christmas Day's tomorrow dear Julie. My boys are just about to start the Melb. to Adel. trek, I'm so excited! Thank you for your amazing blog & for your beautiful spirit that comes through in all you do. I know that 2010 will bring big things for you Julie - Mystic Millie knows these things!
M xx

Samy said...

Dear Julie,
Thankyou so much for visiting my blog and for all your support, lovely comments, each one of them has brought a smile:)
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year, I look forward to visiting your lovely blog in 2010 :)

Exquisite Accessories said...

Lucky you Julie, I know you are enjoying your lovely gift you write so excitingly I really felt your happiess!!
Have a great christmas Elaine :)

e said...

A Highland 'Nollaig Chrisdeil' tae ye, Julie.
Lizzy :)