Vintage Greeting Cards With Mary Jo McGraw: Create Timeless Cards Using Family Photos & Keepsakes

Rating:
Summary: What a Find!
Review: I found this gem of a book in the library and now I am going to buy a copy. Why? because it is so full of ideas I don't want to forget a one! Mary Jo's ideas range from modest to WOW! She uses materials in ways I never would have thought of. Inspriring me to use my own vintage pictures on fresh new ways. I can not wait to try the rubber stamping on copper and the photo transfer onto metal. One of my grandfather's was a tinsmith and I am looking forward to doing a picture of him on that metal. I recomend this book to anyone who is looking for new ways to enjoy card making and scrapbooking.

Rating:
Summary: money well spent!
Review: I purchased this book for a friend of mine for her birthday...This book is so full of ideas and helpful hints that I was sorely tempted to keep it and bring her flowers instead!!!...If you enjoy great quality pictures, well written instructions and inspiring artsy examples, you want this book in your collection. Trust me, I'm hoping someone gets the 'bright' idea to get me one for MY birthday.

Rating:
Summary: Way more than the cover suggests.
Review: Somewhere along the way I've become far too jaded, because when I first saw more pictures of sepia-stippled, faux-aged, faux-vintage cards, my spirit withered within me and unintentionally I issued a tiny faux-sigh. You know, I loved the whole walnut ink thing when it got started. But a girl has limits.

Thank goodness I realized it was a Maryjo McGraw book, and had the good sense to give this brown-hued tome a chance. Note to self; jadedness is a very bad thing, because this is one heck of a fabulous technique book.

The great thing about McGraw is that everything she does is a little bit different. She handles her gel transfers differently, does the beeswax thing in her own way, and puts a unique spin on mica layering. This book is full of her luscious innovations.

Especially to die for here is her "faux-tintype" technique. Wow, a "faux" that can still make my crafty heart go pitter-patter even after stuffing myself on all those issues of Somerset Studio. That's saying something.