Friday 27 January 2012

Lady Ophelia and the" beautiful creatures"

Darcy's Postcard Challenge for 2012/ week 4# CHINA

Spring of 1895 was a time that changed the world. The Qing Dynasty went to war with Japan over who was to control Korea. Japan was assisted as an emerging nation by the British Empire and Germany in the building and training of it's armed forces(British naval skills combined with the German regimental system, making a force to be reckoned with). The Chinese on the other-hand were still recovering from the Sino-French war and two Opium wars with the British. Eventually, in February 1895 the Qing Dynasty agreed to leave Korea to the Japanese, a defeat that the Chinese Empire never really recovered from.

"Dear Miss Lillian,
for the first time since leaving the safety of home, I would say I am a little afraid. Richard is taking great care of me, but being met mid-ocean by a Japanese Warship, in the middle of the night,was very unsettling.
We were treated with the utmost respect, and taken to a port on mainland China. I found this most baffling, but Richard seemed totally relaxed about the whole situation.
I was escorted to the Ladies quarters of a most palacious house, and didn't see Richard for two whole days.
The Ladies that kept me company were the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen, dressed in the finest silks, and moving with so much grace that I found them positively hypnotising.

yours affectionately
Effie XXX

p.s. Richard says if you send a man to the Embassy in London once a month, he can collect each plant that I have drawn for you x
(oops, took this pic before adding p.s.)

"My Darling Effie,
I barely know where to begin. What on earth does your husband think he is doing, putting you in such peril? I know that the Japanese have all but chased the Chinese out of Korea, but to take you to mainland China? When we have been of such assistance in training the Japanese Imperial Navy! Not to mention that it is not so long ago that we ourselves were at war with these people!
I feel positively faint with fear for your safety.
I am certain that the Ladies of the court were most attentive, as one could never fault the manners of the oriental nations, and for this reason I must chide you for your choice of phrase "beautiful creatures". Do not EVER refer to Ladies of any nation in this manner again. The word "creature" should be used only when referring to God's lesser creations.

your ever-loving(though slightly cross) Governess
Miss Lillian xxx

p.s. The house was "palatial" . I look forward to receiving this lovely tree peony. They are quite the thing amongst gardening enthusiasts, my neighbours will be terribly jealous.



:D XXX
Photobucket

42 comments:

  1. historical, literate, and lovely!

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  2. I love your flower! Your book is gorgeous! And I love all the historical facts!

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  3. Yet again I am treated to a wonderful history lesson. Thank you Effie and Miss Lillian. I am so glad you chose these characters, they are most instructional on a period of time I don't really know much about at all!!

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  4. Beautiful card and matching page, your artwork is a joy to look at. I really feel we're getting to know your characters as the weeks go by, fab! M

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  5. Fabulous stuff Gina! Love the story, the drawings and the characters.
    Hugs xx

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  6. Dang, every week I'm concentrating on Effie's writing and know some word is wrong and I can never find it... Can I blame being Dutch for it??? :)
    You did a lot of work this week and I love how everything matches so well! ♥

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  7. Absolutely beautiful, love the story.

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  8. I am truly enjoying this unfolding story. Your flowers are so delicate. Effie's garden is going to be the envy of the neighbourhood once she collects all these samples.

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  9. History so interesting and insightful. The garden will definitely be beautiful with these yellow beauties. Love how you've added in the ship. It so makes Miss Lillian's fears real somehow. Love Miss Lillian's feminism.

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  10. you are so talented in this kind of art-story-romantical-thing. I LOVE it!! especially the book page with beautiful china girl :-)

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  11. Lovely flower drawing and a a beautiful page in your book.
    Jen x

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  12. loving your story, so much research has gone into it.

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  13. I love your art work and the story is a must each week. I do love the way she is corrected, fun, and so much research. Caz

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  14. Love the story and the history lesson. I too can never find the grammatical mistake! Beautiful artwork.

    Janet xx

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  15. I am impressed with your research! Your artwork is gorgeous. Yours is one of those I HAVE to read every week! (I am adding to my favorites so I don't miss any installments). :)

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  16. Your story is wonderful, and you have done a lot of work on it! Great card! Valerie

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  17. Wow what art and what a story, have you ever thought of writing a book Gina ? you would be great.
    hugs June x

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  18. Another beautiful letter, this time set in Poland, a beautiful painting.

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  19. Wow, that's a fantastic piece, enjoyed reading the story. Have a nice weekend :)

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  20. you're such a great storyteller. fabulous dahling!!

    hugs :)

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  21. Ooooh Gina I so love come visiting here! It is such a great story and you tell it so well. All the art work is great too!!!!
    ManonXx

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  22. A great post Gina, love the art work and story. TFS.
    luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

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  23. Love that you are researching a specific time period to set your exchanges in. I'm also doing "historical" but am being very vague about my time frame. So cool that you have committed!!

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  24. So informative and entertaining! Lovely yellow flower.

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  25. Gina this is so cool & I'm really getting into this story & LOVE the artwork (& learnt new things too) ;)

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  26. Great cards but love the history that you manage to tell us each week. A xx

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  27. Gorgeous card and intriguing storyline. I love the governess still chiding her married charge.

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  28. I'm really enjoying your cards. Each week I've learnt a little snippet of history, as well as seeing your fabulous creations :-)

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  29. Terrible slip of the tongue when commenting that the post was set in Poland, it must be because he had just told a girl from Poland. I love the dress and that awesome Japanese vessel.

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  30. Your artwork is stunning and precious. Delightful. Wonderful. You could illustrate something with your design sense. Love the story too! Nice!! *smiles* Norma

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  31. Yeah absolute garbage Gina...what were you thinking haha. Love the background looks great..

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  32. Effie is on quit an adventure, isn't she?! :) Love the story and the flowers. :)

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  33. Your delicate florals and talk of peaceful gardens during war fit perfectly with China

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  34. Gina the previous comment was from LarkspurVicki Lol still love it

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    Replies
    1. Lol...no worries...I'll receive it graciously any way haha

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  35. Beautiful art work, and love the story too. Love the pages you put your cards on
    J x

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  36. Yes, I like how you get into this fictional world. Greetings.

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  37. loving your postcards and all the historical facts ( also the spelling lessons !)Great story line

    Joan

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  38. Oh Dear Miss Lillian is a bit put out ! Does sound a bit scary though...beautiful card , love your soft floral pictures...Esther xx

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  39. Your page is just stunning! Really like the flower drawing as well. And your story...well that's great as well.

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