Monday 21 October 2013

Meg's Garden DT - Ellen Kean

It's a joy to work with the luscious papers from Meg's Garden and I chose to use the 
Dreaming in the Meadows collection “Dreaming in Mulberry”

The strip I fussy cut and used to trim the top of the page.
The beautiful “Emperor pin”  is tucked into the cluster on the right 
along with “Organza lace flower with diamante”
The “Small rectangular Parisian frame”, I painted with Croco crackle and burnished with some gold acrylic glaze
THE STORY
Ellen Mary Kean (Nell) was my husband's Grandmother, she was born in 1869 at Seven Hill in South Australia.  This is a little of her story and demonstrates her strength of character.
Unlike a lot a women of her era, Ellen was an anti-monarchist and a pacifist.

Once, when she was walking from the train station to the Roayl Adelaide Hospital to visit her dying  husband, she berated the soldiers standing guard at Government house. She let them know her opinions on the futility of war and her absolute contempt for the Monarchy. 

Ellen’s husband died after fifteen years of marriage, leaving her to raise five children alone. There was no widow’s pension in 1917, so she was reliant on the kindness of relatives and her skills as a seamstress to help feed and clothe her young family.

MATERIALS

Meg’s Garden - Dreaming in Meadows, “Dreaming in Mulberry”
Meg’s Garden - Emperor pin
Meg’s Garden - Organza lace flower with diamante
Meg’s Garden - Small regtangular Parisian frame
Prima flowers
Prima “Say it with crystals”
Kaiser flowers
Martha Stewart punch - Embossed zig-zig
Life’s Journey - Stamp
Wild Asparagus - Pale pink cardstock
Bazzil - Purple cardstock
Imaginarium  - alphas
Tattered Angels Glimmermist - Pashmina
Tattered Angels Chalboard - Astrid
Cheery Lyn die - Large Sunflower Doily
Melissa Frances - Vintage Embellishment (key)
Silks acrylic glaze - Solar Gold
Croco Crackling Colour - White
Ribbon - Spotlight

Photobucket

12 comments:

  1. This is totally beautifully done Helen & I love the interesting story & lovely vintage photo that accompanies it. Thank you so much for your support & encouragement - it means so much to me & I'm only sorry I can't always return the favour - although I do love popping in as often as I can and always admire your very special creations....

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  2. wow Helen this is such a deep and rich layout with emotion oozing from the layers. super duper fussy cutting and you have really and truly captured the essence of your grandmother ... stunning work x

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  3. As you know, I'm so NOT a purple girl - but gee whizz, it works sooo well here & that embellie cluster...YUM!!!! And she is such an inspirational woman, by the sounds of it...that's one tough gig she had to go through....nice to have a photo of her, too:):):) Oh, & Helen, thanks for the 'love' you left re: Scrap365.....I'm a bit nervous, but terribly happy....AND HEAD OUTTA THE SAND...Christmas is a-comin' - whether you want it or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  4. beautiful and was very excited to see and read the history as the name Keane is part of my history so much I ran to get out the only piece of paper that has a family history on it am very interested if there is any connection wouldn't that be funny

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  5. Gosh Helen this is absolutely beautiful!! Sooo elegant, the papers and embellishment suit the era perfectly, and your stellar design shines through!! A masterpiece, a great tribute to an amazing woman, and as always I love the stories you write!

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  6. Gosh Helen this is so beautifully elegant, perfect fit for the era! Such an amazing woman, you really made a wonderful tribute. As always your design is perfection...fitting story and photo together in the most exquisite manner!! Beautiful fussy cutting, paper choices and embellishment, all create the superb atmosphere!

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  7. Your have a way with words and everything looks so elegant, I love vintage photos and your story and photo all look fabulous together..... Lovely to catch up with you today... have a good weekend :)

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  8. This story is so important to record! Fabulous!

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  9. Such a beautiful page Helen! Your fussy cut strip at the top is gorgeous! Super journalling, lace, photo and bits, that make this page so elegant and beautiful! Love this purple colouring too!

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  10. A beautiful rich layout to honour an amazing, strong and ipinioned woman. I love to hear stories from back then of strong characters who were not afraid to speak out, in an era when women were expected to be 'good housekeeping wives'. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must have been to bring up singlehandedly 5 kids. That alone is testament to her strength... I love that you have honoured her like this. A beautiful layout. Gorgeous fussy cutting and wonderful words that bring her to life. You are an amazing talent Helen.

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  11. WOW!!! this is Gorgeous......the flower, leaves and doily are all gorgeous.
    Your work is always incredible Helen. Design, colours, elements and stories........ I am continually inspired by you.
    Thanks for sharing. xx

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  12. Had to read and re-read all the comments several times, just sat nodding to everything. EXACTLY what I was thinking seeing this fantastic page! Purple is such a challenging colour and yet you have used it so well giving that spot on feel of the era. Gosh, would I love to have a photo of any of my great great or great grandmothers but alas. Thank you so much Helen for all your visits and fantastic encouragement - mwah mwah mwah to ya!!

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