These beautiful matted and framed portraits came to be in a series of small steps. As the self appointed family historian it was imperative I learn how to restore antique photographs. After months of learning I began working on the old family photos. I then turned my attention to my treasured collection of vintage portraits of children. The finished photos sat in a file for months until I happened to browse through my grandmother’s antique photo album. Every bit as fascinating as the photos were beautiful but crumbling lithograph mattes they were mounted behind. Because of the poor condition of the book, I knew its days were numbered. As I pondered how to restore it, my mind wandered to my collection of children’s photographs. I could picture them beautifully framed behind mattes such as the ones in the book. After many more weeks of pondering I became determined to make it happen. I picked four of my favorite photos and did an in depth research to make sure the copyrights had expired. Finally, I needed to find the frames. I wanted a different frame for each photo. They each had to be beautiful and yet coordinate well with all the others. They also had to be high quality and yet affordable. It wasn’t easy. Even more difficult was to get the name of the wholesaler after I’d found them. Persistence paid off and what you see are the results. Too beautiful to be given a mere item number, they were each named. Because this whole project arose from a family album, they are variations of names from my family; my grandmothers, my mother and me. The quality is superior and they are every bit as beautiful as I’d imagined them so many months before they came to be.
