Ms. Peterson is a very talented needlework artist and she brings me her fascinating creations to design and frame. I absolutely loved this latest needlepoint of hers. It features a fiery golden pumpkin with an intriguing face on it. The festive autumnal colors were beautiful. The framing design we picked out played up the bold colors and texture of the piece; a patterned black frame paired with a roped gold fillet really makes the texture stand out without being overwhelming. I can’t wait to see the next needlework Ms. Peterson will bring!
Ms. Keenan brought me several paintings to frame and we had such a good time picking out designs. These 4 small, abstract paintings could be hung individually, as a square grouping, or a linear grouping. I thought the idea of a mix-and-match hanging option was really interesting. We framed them separately in a contemporary silver floater frame to give the paintings a modern feel as well as a dimensional look. I also loved the story behind the artwork: Nora’s cousin in Ireland originally painted these pieces, and they’ve been around the world with Nora in her travels.
Barbara's Favorite Things:
The moment Janet told me she had a vintage circus costume of her grandmothers she wanted to frame, I was excited. I love designing frames for interesting objects. Janet wanted to include an engraved plate & images of her grandmother. She wanted it to be classy, fun & vintage. So, we came up with a 'big-top' look by doing black & red mat stripes for the background, and found two perfect frames that gave it the timeless, vintage look she was going for. This was such a fun project to work on, I always look forward to what Janet will bring me next! :)
This is one project that really stood out in my mind because it is a story of true talent. This is Dianne, a talented artist, who was involved in an accident which left her with little to no use of her right hand (which is the hand she uses to create her art). She was at a point where she was ready to pack up her art supplies because she thought she'd never be able to create art again. After trying to write text with her left hand, she thought there would be no way she'd be able to tackle artwork. However, one day, she made herself sit down & give it a try. This project was a turning point for her as it was the first piece of art that she has created with her LEFT hand. It is true that you've either 'got it' or you don't, and Dianne clearly has 'a talented gift', that nothing can keep her from!
Pat's Favorite Things:
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the projects we have designed & framed all year. Trying to remember the projects is like recalling dates on a history quiz. I can’t remember them all! And, I certainly didn’t take enough pictures this year. But, overall, my favorite projects are pieces that represent something – a vacation, family mementoes, a painting that Mom painted, and the like. The kind that when you look at it reminds you of a special time or a special person. Some projects framed in the Chesterton gallery that fall into that category would be a fishing vest that was given from a mentor, a career of medals in the military, swimming medals earned by an autistic son, a turkey your 25 year old child painted when they were in the 4th grade, or a collection of family portraits that a family is ‘rebuilding’ after their house burned to the ground.
Some unusual pieces would be Tommy Guns reproduced and used in the movie Public Enemies (gun; pictured) and in the really unusual category, the various baseball art that Ron Kittle designs (flag; pictured). Oh no, there's nothing Ron Kittle can't do with a baseball - this one has 260 red, white & blue baseballs. It was framed with a simple but sturdy black frame with a dimensional acrylic surrounding it so that you can see the balls from all sides. 
In the heartwarming category was a collection of fun, whimsical art being framed for an art gallery, the artist died shortly there after. Right now we are framing a christening gown that all 7 grandchildren were baptized in – look for the finished project on our Facebook page soon. One project that did not escape my memory or camera was an afghan that the client’s mother-in-law (Grandma) created several years earlier. Due to age and use, it was getting holes, and the client didn't want it to get any worse. Grandma taught her daughter to knit, and now her daughter was getting married and the reception was to be in their home, so now would be a perfect time to frame it and show it off. It was a challenge – showing just enough holes, but not too many; Grandma's knitting needles were added for a nice textural touch.
One of the best perks about working at Framing Concepts, is that you never know what is going to come in tomorrow to be framed. Thank you all for sharing your projects & stories with us this year!
Ignore our snazzy yellow ladder. :)
Pumpkins!!!
More Pumpkins!!!
Director Michael Mann incorporated many historically accurate shooting locations, bringing a few minutes of fame to towns like Crown Point and others scattered through Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Crown Point’s claim to Dillinger fame is the Lake County Jail, dubbed ‘escape-proof’, which Dillinger broke out of using a toy gun and then stole the sheriff’s new car. The majority of Crown Point filming took place at this location.
The city got an old-fashioned make-over for the event. Below are photos of the fake cobble stones laid down on the streets, and some of the old cars populating the scenes.
Sadly I was not here in Crown Point during the three days of filming in early 2008. Apparently I missed a good time. The effects and popularity of the film here are evident even in the framing world—recently we framed a replica Tommy Gun, Public Enemies movie posters, and a magazine article about the movie.
