Friday 6 January 2012

Lady Ophelia Pendleton's Grand Tour 1895

This year Darcy at Art and Sole is prompting us to make 52 postcards(last year was 52 journal pages..phew!)
The postcards will tell the story of the relationship between 2 people...my characters are;

Lady Ophelia Pendleton, wife of Sir Richard Pendleton , formerly a British Army Officer and now Ambassador for Her Majesty Queen Victoria(let me hear you so ooooow! :D) Ophelia is only 19 years of age, has never been away from her family, and still spends most of her day reading adventure stories and sketching in the garden.
The lady she is writing to is Miss Lillian Crowther, Ophelia's most loved Governess. Though Effie(Miss Lillian's pet name for Ophelia) was not her brightest student academically, she was the happiest child you could wish to meet.
When Sir Richard married Effie on Christmas Day 1894, he surprised everyone by announcing that they would be leaving immediately, as he had planned the grandest of all Grand Tours for his new bride, and that it would be a great addition to her education.
Miss Lillian was quite taken aback, at the suggestion that she had been lacking in her duties, and promptly left the celebrations. She gave notice of her retirement the next morning.
Effie has decided to share her adventures with Miss Lillian, and has vowed to send a postcard from each country they visit...each one hand drawn..so as to show Miss Lillian she is keeping up with her studies(her ladies maid told her about Miss Lillian's retirement).
They arrived in Austria just in time for the Grand Ball at Hohenwerfen Castle on New Years Eve.
The very next day Effie set about writing her 1st of many postcards...

To Miss Lillian Crowther
Peartree Cottage
Little Smetherington
Yorkshire
England

"My Dearest Miss Lillian,
So sorry I did not get to say goodbye after the wedding.
Richard and I arrived safely in Austria, and are having the most amazing adventure. Last evening we attended a ball in the most glorious castle, where it is claimed "Her Majesty" danced with her precious Albert in their younger days.
I know you worry about me so, but be assured, Richard is proving to be the most considerate husband.
Excitedly yours
Effie XXX

P.S. I have bought you the sparkliest crystal I have ever seen!"

On the reverse side she has painted an Edelweiss flower.
And this is how it looks in the journal.
I am keeping the postcards themselves quite delicate, as befits a victorian lady. But the pages themselves will reflect the excitement Effie is feeling with each new country she visits.
Miss Lillian is sending her replies via the Embassy of each country Effie writes from and is hoping they catch up with her, as Sir Richard has left no itinerary with the family(said he did not want anyone spoiling his surprise...), though they should be home to spend Christmas and New Year with them all.

To Lady Ophelia Pendleton
C/O The British Embassy
Austria
(please forward)

"My Darling Effie,
So lovely to receive your postcard today. You sound as if you are having the most marvellous time on your travels. Thank you for your beautiful Edelweiss, and I believe the crystal you are referring to in your post script is the new Aurora Borealis collection from Mr Swarovski. I look forward greatly to seeing it when you return.
I am certain Sir Richard will take great care of you sweet child, I just wish he had left word of the places he is taking you.
Just one thing my dear, I know you are excited but...please try to take a little more care with your handwriting.

Your ever loving Governess
Miss Lillian XXX"

Photobucket

43 comments:

  1. Oh wow! What a great story that's already developing. I really like the delicate flower - and the vibrant page it sits on!

    This is such a brilliant challenge - I'm lovin' it!

    x

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  2. Fabulous, gorgeous contrast of bright page and delicate card. Love the line about neater handwriting, and the details wow, you have been researching lol

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  3. Sounds like Effie will be having a most amazing time and who cares about scruffy handwriting?!!!

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  4. Oooow! :)Sound wonderful! I'm looking forward to Effies adventures. :)

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  5. Oh wow! Your journal pages are beautiful, as is your postcard. What a fun story!

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  6. What a fantastic idea - absolutely love it. Look forward to finding out more!

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  7. Fabulous!!! Already can't wait for the next instalment!
    What an imagination you have and I love the contrast between the delicate cards and the vibrant journal.
    Hugs xx
    p.s. my new blog url is:http://susiej-thisismyworld.blogspot.com/
    The old blog will still be there but for craft posts only..:)

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  8. A delightful story. Lovely drawing!

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  9. beautiful postcard. Love the story line, can't wait to hear more from Effie.

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  10. Fantastic - love how different we are all being :) this should be one brilliant adventure for all of us :)

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  11. Amazing card and story. Can't wait to read Effie's adventures in the world. A xx

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  12. Lovely work, Gina - your characters sound very British and very noble! Now I will be able to accompany them in their grand tour - great! Hugs from Germany, Valerie

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  13. OMG I am loving all you made thought out and created! I am just in AHWWWW Gina!
    ManonX

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  14. Beautiful pictures, beautiful flower, and I really like the blade of the dance and the castle. Greetings.

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  15. A fabulous post Gina, it kept me enthralled to the last word. Love your art on the card and in the journal - fabulous contrasts.
    luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

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  16. That is so brilliant. I was really worried about two people travelling around the world so I like the fact that one of yours isn't actually travelling, just responding. Great work!

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  17. Gina this is truly gorgeous the story so far is amazing. Your postcard and book stunning can't wait for more instalments.

    Hugs Shirley x x

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  18. is there really an edelweiss flower? i LOVE it!

    hugs :)

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  19. so lovely romantic ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

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  20. Lovely art work and already interested in your characters. I'll be popping back each week to follow your Laydship's Grand Tour. Caz

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  21. great minds indeed with the whole Peartree thing :)

    Love your flower and story, cant wait to read the next instalment and your book is amazing

    Helen xx

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  22. Gina --- how absolutely magical .. I'm in love. Can't wait for the next installment. xoDonna

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  23. Gorgeous postcard Gina, that edelweiss is so delicate and I love your journal page, characters and storyline too.
    Claire xx

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  24. How beautiful Gina,I love the Victorian setting and the contrast of your delicate postcard and the vibrant page...thanks for your comments, the inktense blocks are fab,got mine from E-bay - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bargainartistshop

    Esther xx

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  25. Wow Gina, this sound really like a wonderful project, I'll keep an eye on your next cards ;)

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  26. You are a writer indeed! I'm already entranced -- can't wait for the next installment!

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  27. I love your posts my friend, they are not just creative artwise, but with words too, a weaver of dreams you are Gina.
    Have a lovely weekend
    hugs June x

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  28. This is wonderful ! can't wait for the next postcard

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  29. This is wonderful ! can't wait for the next postcard

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  30. A delightful story of period beautifully represented.

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  31. gorgeous flower painting and fabulous story.

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  32. Fabulous project! You must be so organized to have done so much so quickly. Can't wait to read the next instalment.

    Janet xx

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  33. I just love your flower - it's so delicate :-)

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  34. Oh goodie - another postcard traveler. Though I'm not participating, I'm loving other people's travels and will follow along avidly. Beautiful work. Thanks for the visit.

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  35. Love your postcard! Can't wait to see what happens next!

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  36. Great idea and I love the contrast between the delicate postcard and the bright and bold page. x

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  37. Wow your postcard and book are amazing, love the vibrancy of the colours and can tell your story is going to be full of verve too, what a fantastic start to the challenge xxx

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  38. What a cool idea! I love the way the book will tell part of the story and be it's own work of art.

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  39. Love the concept of the story. Your book is lovely, the cover is so pretty.

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  40. Late joining in so playing catch up, great idea. The story is so involving.Great art work too.
    Jen x

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  41. Gina, you are such a good story teller. Your postcard is fab!

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