Treasures of the Heart

Well today is the day when Magaly would like us all to share stories of Love. As ever I had planned to make an art piece to celebrate the first time I met my hubby. I dug out my treasure box(took me ages of rummaging cos I'm ashamed to say I had forgotten where it was!)

It is an old chocolate box...the first "posh" box he bought me :D

Inside. lots of treasured 1st memories

In one envelope, a collection of 1st tickets;

Bus tickets to our first date, visit to cinema( I asked the usher if I could keep them undamged :D), nightclub entry, the paper bag that held the first box of chocs he bought me(Terry's All Gold)...and I tissue he wrote his first love not on and left under my pillow :D Aaaaaaw!

In another envelope, his button hole from our Wedding day...

And then memories from our first meeting.

It was my 19th birthday...there was a college trip to London, and my ex-tutor invited me along(I had left college because my mum was expecting). I needed to buy an outfit for my cousins wedding, so I went along. My younger sister(17yrs old) wanted to go too :S So I agreed. We are not very similar personality wise, but there would be a coach load of people to entertain her lol.

(birthday card from Harrods)

On the coach we met up with a male friend of mine called Chris, who introduced us to his friend Patrick. Patrick seemed nice, so I spent the day trying to pair him up with younger sis. She was wanting to join me on nights out and was "cramping my style". I thought if I found her a decent bloke, she would go out with him instead lol

(The boys called me George in those days :D)

Because we were clothes shopping, the guys went off on their own, and bought me a card and a chocolate lolly from Harrods

(the lollies were cheap because it was 2 weeks after valentines lol)

...and a helium filled heart-shaped balloon :D

By the time we arrived back in our home town, I had succeeded in pairing up Patrick and my sis, but when the guys wanted to take me to the pub for a birthday drink, she went all prim and proper..."but it's after 10, we should be going home." It was my birthday!!! So I told her she could go home...I was going with the guys. They were great company(nice blokes), and thought they'd done something to offend her. I assured them they hadn't, and when the pub closed Patrick offered to walk me home while Chris gave some other friends a lift to the next village.

It was a beautiful still evening...we chatted amiably, and didn't even hold hands. When we got to the front door, he asked if I would like to go out with him on a proper date sometime...I said "yes...when?"

He said "Tomorrow?", I agreed :D

One gentle parting kiss...and 30 years later we are still together :D

Oh gosh...I got all teary reading this back on preview hahaha :D

I always say He is the best birthday present I ever got :D

Enjoy :D XXX

Lady Ophelia appears on the stage!

Week 26 of Darcy's Postcard Challenge finds Lady Ophelia in the United States of America

I can't believe how quickly time is passing, halfway through the year and managed to carry my story through each country. I have been waiting for this one...as I recently watched Doris Day in Calamity Jane with my 13 year old son, and spent most of it on google checking how accurate the story was lol. 1895 was the right year for Lady Ophelia to meet up with her in the U.S.A :D

The state flower of New Hampshire (where they meet) is the Purple Lilac. Ophelia's watercolour is a bit sparse this week, as she was having too much fun to concentrate, and she is sure Lillian knows what a lilac tree looks like :D

"My dearest Lillian,

I have had the most amazing adventure yet, here in Concord New Hampshire! Mr Cody's Wild West Show is gathering here for the 4th of July celebrations, and Richard arranged for me to visit the site...IT WAS FABULOUS!!! I met a lady called Calamity Jane, though her actual name is Martha. She and Miss Francesca got along famously, and spent the whole visit smoking cigars and swapping stories of great heroism. Richard warned me that they may have added a few embellishments to their accounts, but I do not care. Watching them together I could feel the sense of camaraderie one normally finds in old soldiers. Which is in fact what they are.

I also met a group of actresses dressed as the native american tribe "that lives around these parts" as Miss Cannary would say. They braided my hair, and gave me a doll fashioned on a native woman. I will keep it in a safe place, as it is a gift for the baby.They would not let me ride one of the war ponies, but instead allowed me the great honour of a seat on the mail coach...apparently our own Prince of Wales rode in it when the show came over to England for Her Majesty's Jubilee.

I love this place! So full of energy. I can see why so many of our people choose to come and live here.

Your affectionate friend, Ophelia xxx"

" My darling Ophelia,

I am so pleased you finally got to see that magnificent show. You were only 11 years of age when they came to Manchester, and your father refused me permission to take you.He did not believe it was suitable entertainment for a young lady. I am still of the opinion that he was wrong. A young lady needs a rounded education, not just sewing and piano lessons.

I do hope Miss Francesca was not "unwell" after your visit with the infamous Calamity Jane, she is quite a character is she not?

The Lilacs here have already faded, but the roses you have been sending are blooming magnificently. Marcus has acquired the piece of land adjacent to my cottage, with a view to extending our garden...oh... I have not told you...Marcus has moved in with me. Now do not reprimand me over my reputation. I am 43 years of age and Marcus is 45. We have decided to marry in August, but saw no reason to live apart at our age. I wanted to wait til you returned, but Marcus thought that too long. We are planning to hold a party in the garden, so that you can be with us in spirit. He is also planning to extend the cottage, in order to add a small classroom, so I can give extra tuition to children in the village. It will feel good to be busy again.

your devoted friend, Lillian xxx

  

Images on my page: 

1890's poster for Buffalo Bill's show, photo of actresses dressed as Pennacook tribes women circa 1900, Calamity Jane 1895, The Deadwood Stage from the Wild West show Concord 1895, a doll in the style of a native american woman.

Card on page

Enjoy :D XXX

Missing being in my garden :(

Gotta love this British Summertime :)

Thought I'd share something I made years ago, can't remember if I was blogging when I made this, but I'm bored so your getting it any way :D

It is a concertina/accordion book I made for fathers day. The image is my fav pic of my dad "Johnny Brown" bailing hay circa 1962(he is the one on the hay rick wearing a cap) 

I think it was the first "poem book" I made, and I wrote how he spoke, with a thick Yorkshire accent :D 

"Mary, Mary,

Quite contrary,

How does your 

Garden grow?"

"Wi  'oss muck n graft!

What's up!

Are ya daft?"

"Ask Johnny Brown,

E'll tell thee so!"

...and that is a pick of my dad, asleep on the bench in my garden in 2002 :D

back cover

Enjoy :D XXX

Look into my eyes......!

This post is for The Butterfly Effect "Eighties" challenge and The Game Challenge "Hopscotch"

So let's talk the Eighties...HUGE shoulder pads, glamorous hair does and fabulous make-up...

not me! This pic is me in 1986 aged23, in fact it was taken at our wedding party. Everyone else dressed "as above"..the bride, in a leather fitted mini dress(black of course), a few silver trinkets and a bit of eye liner :D My hair as uncontrollable as ever...I like being different :D

I was going to do a white on black sketch from this photo, but I glow in the dark, so not enough definition, then I remembered the challenge at The Game this week, which has a random selection of elements to use. I'd already made my selection, 1 image and 8 words. Using your 2 items make a wall hanging so...

I made this :D

I started with a 10"x7" piece of card from a take out meal :D...

coated with gesso, acrylic paint(cerulean and ultramarine blue) and drips of blue and brown ink...

my image and my 8 words(in the Haiku stylie...though I don't follow rules well)

started blocking in colour to build a picture...

adding detail with a white sakura gel pen(more japanesieness)

Coloured the words with distress inks(mustard seed and peeled paint)

Zinging!!!

"look into my eyes......."

and whalla!

More doodling with  white gel and yellow souffle pens, 3 ribbon loops stapled in place and (because of the oriental links) threaded onto a chopstick to hang from :D

I loved the 80's. It was actually a very eclectic time, when just about anything was wearable and the music rocked!...and I met and married a gorgeous and loving man :D (he had ringlets and a tash!!!) in fact while we're sharing...

and yes...the lady in the background is wearing a duck mask :D

Enjoy XXX

Lady Ophelia and a fine filly.

Week 25 of Darcy's Postcard Challenge takes Lady Ophelia to AUSTRALIA

"My dearest Lillian,

Having a lovely time in Australia. We are staying in a town called Melbourne, which has the most fabulous Horse Racing stadium. Miss Francesca and I had a little wager on the Melbourne Cup race. One had such a pretty name "AURARIA", so I chose her, and she won! Do you think that would be a pretty name for a little girl? "LADY AURARIA PENDLETON", sounds awfully grand don't you think?

Richard has been watching cricket again. We just missed the England Team tour, who play here regularly. It is apparently becoming a bit of a tradition between England and Australia.

We also had time to visit the latest exhibition by a Mr Tom Roberts. I may use my "winnings" to acquire a piece of his work. Very earthy and realistic. The light here is so different to ours...yet it is the same sun. Science really does baffle me.

The plant I am sending you is the Golden Wattle (pronounced like bottle not battle). It will grow into quite a beautiful tree, though my painting barely does justice to how golden it is.

Your affectionate friend, Ophelia xxx"

"My darling Ophelia,

How wonderful that you are getting to see such marvellous works of art in real life. One of my favourite pieces by Tom Roberts is "Golden Fleece", which depicts the sheep shearers at work. I believe any of his works would be well worth acquiring.

Mr Harrup enjoys a "little flutter" as he calls it, and says well done. Though this is a practice I shall endeavour to discourage in both of you. Auraria is a pretty name, but maybe the shorter form "Aria" would be more suitable than naming your child directly after a horse?

It is rumoured here that the Australians have written themselves an unofficial national anthem...a Waltz, about a Lady named Matilda. We have yet to hear a rendition, but I believe it is being played by orchestras there already. Do let me know if you have heard it. I love a good rousing anthem. 

Your devoted friend , Lillian xxx"

Images on my page: Tom Roberts and his painting exhibited 1895, the Melbourne Cup race day circa 1895, the horse pictured on my page is Aurum, brother to Auraria(I printed wrong pic:S)

This is a pic of Auraria, that should have been on my page :D

Postcard on page

Now off to do this weeks U.S.A card :D

Enjoy :D XXX

What lurks beneath????!

Another Guy for June

Tee Time challenge this week "What lurks under your bed?"

I had this book page that has a quote from Shakespeare, which seemed rather apt.

"If we shadows have offended,

Think but this, and all is mended,

That you have but slumber'd here,

While these visions did appear."

I know what I'd like to be lurking under my bed lol

though he did end up a bit cross-eyed, probably from all the dust under there :D

Pencil/watercolour/ink/soft pencil...

and added my own words around the page...

"What Daemons lurk beneath your bed?

What dreams they whisper in your head?

Will you lie awake in dread?

Or chase these daemons out instead?"

What a Hoot!...work in progress

My friend Tee Thompson has been poorly this last week(spent time in hospital!!), yet she still couldn't resist going on line last night to entertain us with her painting skills.

This is a WIP(oil paints take ages to dry), based on the acrylic painting she did last night, based on the watercolour painting done by our nother friend Maisy :D

Background is a page in my journal painted with acrylics a few weeks ago.

Colours used; yellow ochre, burnt sienna,burnt umber and titanium white...

Will be adding black at a later date( and more detail when drier) :D

For those who where expecting me to paint "boobies"...I have a long time to wait for paint to dry so who knows what I will get up to..mwahahaha :D