Altered Frame

My friend Sue Ann sent me this poem last week when she knew I was feeling sad about Stevie's anniversary that was coming up.

Do not stand at my grave and weep 
I am not there. I do not sleep. 
I am a thousand winds that blow. 
I am the diamond glints on snow. 
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. 
I am the gentle autumn rain. 
When you awaken in the morning's hush 
I am the swift uplifting rush 
Of quiet birds in circled flight. 
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry; 
I am not there. I did not die.
Mary E. Frye

It's such a lovely poem and has stayed in my mind since first reading it. Do you ever get consumed with an idea and get no rest until that vision is realized? I knew I just had to do something with the poem and decided to frame it. Im glad to say that it came out exactly how I saw it in my mind.

I printed the poem onto vellum and attached it to a frame I made with Smokey Shadow cardstock. The small stamped image above and below the poem is from my WMS Very Vintage Labels 10 stamp set. I attached the vellum frame to a sheet of patterned paper from My Minds Eye.

I added rub-ons from American Craft to the Smokey Shadow cardstock as well as the black frame itself.

I added butterflies from my PTI Butterfly die and from my Martha Stewart punch. I finished off the project by tying a bow with my Ocean Tides Satin ribbon to the glass itself. I wanted to accent the depth of this frame so tried to use the different layers to show that.
Im sorry to say that my pictures do not really capture how lovely this frame turned out! It looks kinda flat and doesn't convey the depth and 3-D quality of the project. Oh well, Im a papercrafter, not a photographer. Though if anyone has any tips how to take better pictures of my larger projects (especially those with reflective glass), I'd be happy to hear them.

Thank you Sue Ann for sending me this poem. I don't know how I never came across it before. You were quite thoughtful to send me that particular one when you knew I was missing Steve. Im glad I met you through the PTI forums and can call you my friend.

Supplies used - 
Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Very Vintage Labels 10
Ink: Palette Noir
Paper: PTI - Smoky Shadow, Vellum; PP: My Minds Eye So Sophie "Forever With You"
Other Stuff: Black frame from Pricebusters, American Crafts Rub-Ons Accessories Book Two, Elegant Book Two, Accents Book Three, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, PTI Butterfly die, PTI Ocean Tides Satin Ribbon, True Black Vintage Buttons, Clear & Black Rhinestones, Copics (to color rhinestones), Atyou Spica clear pen