Not Happy Days - DT page for CSI 138

The colours this week were quite challenging for me, but I guess that’s why it’s a called a challenge, huh!    Some weeks much more than others.   Because my topic is a bit bleak, I wanted a pared down, austere look for the page.
What do you think?
Ready for this week's challenge?
Grab your forensics kits, CSI members,
and get ready for some serious sleuthing as we open 
CSI CHALLENGE 138

I used the current sketch at  

Sketchabilites as a base for my design. 

Why not check them out, they have inspirational scrappers on their team.

 I started with a Maja patterned paper background.

The little pink heart paper is by Prima - All about me collection, 

“Celebrating Me”

The brown woodgrain paper is by Simple Stories - “Wood/tablecloth”
The small blue piece is from 13@rts; a remnant of a background page
which I botched and abandoned in disgust.

My journalling is tucked inside the Kraft envelope from Maja
Chipboard title and peacock feathers are from Imaginarium designs
The tiny stars are by Studio Calico
Tim Holtz provided the pen nib

EVIDENCE
Wood - Stars
Woodgrain - brown card stock
Globe
Tape
Envelope
Numbers
Buttons
Stars
Paint

TESTIMONY

I chose to document something about school, in the form of a letter from my adult self to the little girl in the photo.  I was about five years old, still safe at home with my Mother, unaware of the terror awaiting me.  The letter says:-

Know in your heart, that despite what the Nuns tell you, your brain works perfectly well. 
When they stand you in front of the class and belt your legs with a ruler; understand that it is more about their own inadequacies than yours.
Try not to be humiliated by their snide remarks about your home made uniform and when they send you home in disgrace for not wearing a petticoat.
Be aware that your school experience will equip you with the gifts of perseverance and tenacity.
Rejoice in the thirst for self directed knowledge and the love of books and reading; one of the escape routes you will use to block out the trauma of toxic schooling.
Delight in the gift of empathy for the marginalized; perhaps a result of the oppression you endure. 
Use the experience of being force fed facts and figures learned by rote, to question the veracity of the curriculum, especially Australian history.
Know that there will come a time when ink splats are not summarily dealt with, by a crack across the knuckles. That objects placed randomly on the page will become an art form and that you will become the keeper of the stories for your family.
Believe in yourself and reach for the stars, you will achieve all your goals.