Whispering Woods Gallery

“Vintage is Now” Day 3- World War II Group Photo Restoration

Posted by Susanon April 4, 2018February 21, 2025in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now

Photo restoration is a service offered at Whispering Woods Gallery. This group photo from Fort Bragg 1942 came to us without a mat and in an old frame. It had been stored and it sustained water damage. The photo was adhered to the glass in some areas. If we tried to separate the photo from the glass, it would rip. We scanned the photo through the glass, fixed the blemishes digitally and then printed a new copy for our customer. A solid color core mat and new frame were selected. This was a gift for our customer’s son who also served in the Armed Forces.

“Vintage is Now” Day 2 – Vintage 60’s black and white candid trio

Posted by Susanon April 3, 2018February 21, 2025in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now

Vintage photos 1960’s — Traveling back to 1968

This is a trio of original black and white photos taken in 1968 of a five year old in Atlantic City, NJ. Whispering Woods Gallery framed the project in the late 1980’s and it still looks great due to conservation framing practices. The simple classic framing lets the viewer focus on the subject matter. The glossy black lacquer frame adds a touch of whimsy to the project. The neutral solid core rag mat still looks perfect, thirty years later.

The photographer not only captured the personality of the child but also the details of the house. Note the second door handle for little people. The fig tree, the texture of the siding, the architectural details all bring back memories of the summer of 1968.

Do you have a candid photo from the past? Stop by and we will frame it to look great for you and future generations.

“Vintage is Now” Day 1 – Framed 1950’s Wedding Cake Topper

Posted by Susanon April 2, 2018February 21, 2025in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now

Framed Wedding Photos and Cake Topper — Mom and Dad’s framed Wedding Photos and Cake Topper

If you have visited Whispering Woods Gallery, you probably have seen this piece displayed on our framing example wall. It’s one of my all time favorite projects. It consists of two wedding photos of my parents and their original wedding cake topper. Although I have their original wedding portrait hanging in my home, these photos were generated by scanning from my parent’s wedding album and printing new photos. It’s a smart idea to check for permission by the photographer/studio first before reproducing photographs.

The black frame is a simple yet deep dimensional frame by Larson Juhl. The mat was a textured silk top mat with a black inner mat. The bride and groom sit on a white moire platform, similar to the cake. The TruVue Museum glass looks virtually invisible. The silver engraved nameplate has my parent’s names and their wedding date.

This is a piece that will be passed down for generations. My Mom saved her wedding cake topper because it was precious to her. Everyday I view this piece and see the love that started our family. If we didn’t have a well preserved wedding album, this project would not have been possible. Make sure that your digital files will withstand the challenges of new technology. We look forward to preserving your memories at Whispering Woods Gallery.

Ready for spring? See our spring projects!

Posted by Susanon February 28, 2018March 10, 2018in Art, Custom Framing

Whispering Woods Gallery is ready for spring! It’s a great time of year to look around your home and spruce up your walls. Enjoy some of our favorite spring themed projects. We are happy to help you celebrate by framing your favorites.

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Framed Vintage Photograph Projects

Posted by Susanon February 28, 2018March 10, 2018in Custom Framing, Photo Restoration, Vintage

Vintage photographs are one of the most popular items that we frame at Whispering Woods Gallery. Sometimes we digitally restore an older photo and print out a new copy to frame. We combine vintage photographs with an item such as a military medal, calling card, piece of jewelry or some other type of memento. Sometimes we just frame the original photo. We carefully determine your needs when you meet with us. The frame can be simple or ornate. The style can be traditional, contemporary or transitional. We have a wide variety of frames and every project is unique.

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Peter Keating – Bucks County Poster

Posted by Susanon January 26, 2018February 22, 2018in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community, Vintage

Whispering Woods Gallery offers local art and custom framing. This is a vintage Peter Keating Poster from 1986. It’s a classic and timeless. Peter Keating, an artist who lived in Bucks County in the 1970’s and 1980’s, painted beautiful rural scenes of Bucks County. We offer this poster in your choice of custom frame. It would look great in a home or office. If you are looking for local traditional art, give us a call at 215-364-4321.

SS Leopoldville-December 24, 1944

Posted by Susanon October 17, 2017December 21, 2019in Custom Framing, For the Community, Vintage

SS. Leopoldville tragedy — A vintage postcard of the SS Leopoldville, which was torpedoed in the English Channel December 24, 1944. Seven hundred US Soldiers were killed.
Miraculously our father, Harold Gittlen was rescued.

The SS Leopoldville was a passenger ship converted to a troopship in WWII. It was torpedoed by the Germans on December 24, 1944 while transporting US Army soldiers of the 66th Infantry Division across the English Channel. 763 of the 2223 soldiers died that evening. Also 56 crew members perished.

Unfortunately the horrific event was kept out of the media. The survivors were not allowed to talk about the event and they were told that they would lose their Veterans benefits if information leaked. Many of the families did not find out how their loved ones died until years later. Clive Cussler claims to have discovered the wreck in 1984.

This vintage postcard has great importance to my family. My father Harold Gittlen was rescued on a lifeboat in the 48 degree waters on that Christmas Eve, 1944. Growing up he never spoke of this event. Until recently I did not know the importance of this part of WWII history. Allan Andrade wrote an extensive book on the Leopoldville, published in 1997. It is called SS Leopoldville Disaster, December 24, 1944.

Allentown Paper and Book Show

Posted by Susanon October 16, 2017November 6, 2017in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community

I recently attended the Allentown Paper and Book Show in Allentown, PA. As a first time attendee, I had no idea that it was such a large show. I could have stayed for the two days. I went to search for a few vintage postcards. I found booths filled with all types of old photographs, magazines, advertising, sheet music, posters and more. Vintage cameras, World’s Fair items, romantic Valentines, toys, old maps, matchbooks and original drawings were plentiful. The original vintage signage was fun and bright. There was even a booth with display supplies for collectors and dealers.

Ketubah Handling Tips

Posted by Susanon May 28, 2017November 6, 2017in Custom Framing, For the Community

Your gorgeous Ketubah has just arrived in time for your upcoming wedding! Here are some considerations for handling so that it stays in perfect condition for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Try not to excessively handle it before the wedding. It is easy to put a dent in it, so take it to a professional framer as soon as possible to open it.
A framer can put a temporary fomecore backing behind it for the ceremony. Many framers put acetate over it to prevent damage. Other options include matting and/or framing it with out glass for the ceremony.
Be sure to read any recommendations from the artist or Ketubah supplier.
Check the spelling of your names in English and Hebrew. It’s rare that there are mistakes, but it can happen!
Colored nail polish can leave permanent marks on your light colored Ketubah.
Use a special fade proof pen for signing. Ink can fade over the years if exposed to UV light rays. Test your pen if possible to see that it writes smoothly on your Ketubah.
Will you display it at the ceremony? Make sure that there is an easel available.
The wedding day can be hectic. Appoint somebody who will make sure that it is carefully wrapped to come home. Don’t leave it in the trunk of the car for an extended period of time. Take it to a professional picture framer as soon as possible for archival framing to last a lifetime!

These tips are provided by Whispering Woods Gallery in Holland, Pennsylvania. We have been professionally framing Ketubot in the Philadelphia area since 1986.

Wedding Custom Framing

Posted by Susanon April 23, 2017March 10, 2018in Custom Framing

Custom framing is a great way to remember your special day. Gather your favorite photographs, invitations and other mementos and we’ll create a wonderful treasure that is cherished forever. We frame wedding items old and new. We can custom frame your engagement photo, wedding portrait, invitation, ketubah, signature mat, and family photos. Choose from a wide variety of frames. Our award winning staff will come up with a design that you will enjoy for years to come.

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West Coast Art and Frame 2017

Posted by Susanon January 30, 2017March 10, 2018in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration

Every year framers from all over the world gather at the West Coast Art and Frame Show in Las Vegas for five days of classes, vendor exhibits and networking to strengthen our industry. I just returned with fabulous new ideas and a few awards too.

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Sunday at the Met

Posted by Susanon October 7, 2016March 10, 2018in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community

On September 30, the Metro Atlantic Professional Picture Framers Association met for a private tour with frame historian Suzanne Smeaton at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Framers and vendors from three states attended the event. It was inspiring to be with others in the industry, discussing art and framing and I came back to the shop with many fresh ideas.

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