This is for Dawn's terrific Free for All challenge, celebrating National Reading Month. I love books!!
One day at school our teacher asked us to name 3 people you would like to have dinner with. My hand shot up and I confidently named Anne Shirley, Heidi and Clara. She went nuts and I was ordered to the Head Mistresses office. Sitting outside her office was the longest 5 minutes of my eight year old life.
I told the Head Mistress what the teachers question was and then I told her my answer. I quickly added that one of my favourite people in the whole world is Anne Shirley of Green Gables, we have never met, but we are of kindred spirit (kindred spirit was my favourite saying from the ages of 8 to 10). In a very dignified voice she said that perhaps my teacher was looking for people who were actually living. I sat there in stunned silence; she asked me if I had understood. All I understood was that Anne, Heidi and Clara must had all died that very morning while I had been sitting in class. The tears started to fall; this was my first experience of grief and loss.
This was in the early 60's when corporal punishment in school was the norm. Boys got the cane over the backs of their legs and girls got whacked (really) hard with a wooden ruler across the palms of their hands. With silent tears streaming down my face, I stood up and held my hands out, squeezed my eyes shut tight and waited and waited and waited. I never did get hit; turns out the Head Mistress also loved Miss Anne Shirley too.
My card is in honour of my favourite book Anne of Green Gables. The background was created using the Smack & Squirt technique - smack distress ink onto aluminium foil, squirt on a lot of water then using a foam blending tool, scrub over smooth cardstock. Repeat until the desired colour and depth is achieved. NOTE: If your foam pad is new (or hasn't been used in months) give it a good squirt of water before you start. If you have trouble blending the colour, just squirt on more water and wipe gently with a baby wipe. Wait for the card to dry, and then add more colour using the S&S method.
I used the rectangular shaped blending tool and just turned it on its side to shape the grass and water. The berry tree and flowers were added before adhering Anne to the card. Her legs and boots were roughly drawn and cut into shape, then stuck in place using a glue stick. Her plaits are from a gorgeous Unity Stamps Co stamp. Anne's hat was made by using a large oval punch and trimmed to size. A grey copic marker was used to outline Anne and give a 3D illusion.
The quote seems like something Anne would say. I had heaps of fun making this; I will be adding it to my journal.
Thank you for looking.
Date: Friday, March 4, 2016 GMT Views: 5256
Favorited:12
Registered: August 21, 2007 Location: Wayland MA Posts: 105267
Sat, Mar 05, 2016 @ 12:53 PM
What a story!! Isn't it amazing how things that really touched us as children never leave us! Anne of Green Gables was a wonderful series, and I love the braids you added to the Crazy Bird in her honor!
------------------------------ Anne HarmonFS154, QFTD58, PROUD FAN CLUB MEMBER (photo of our Great Granddaughter Elise, just 6 months old) and me, even older.
Registered: June 10, 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 7372
Sat, Mar 05, 2016 @ 5:03 PM
More creative birds. This one is wonderful - right down to her red plaits and the stockings. I have to agree with you - Anne of Green Gables is a favourite of mine too (guess it was for most people of a "certain age") - he he. Next time I get to Canada I will definitely be making a visit to Prince Edward Island. Just lovely.
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Registered: October 26, 2009 Location: Oakhurst, near Yosemite Nat'l Park. Posts: 46806
Sat, Mar 05, 2016 @ 8:09 PM
I just read your commentary to Andy who laughed heartily with me throughout!! He said to tell you that he loves your bird cards, loves your writing and that WE are definitely of kindred spirits!!!
He just loves you Susie, just like me!
------------------------------ Blessings, Robin Encourage one anotherMy Blog-InkMagination , QFTD201,Dirty Dozen Alumni.Impression Obsession DT, ECraftDesigns DT, Formerly HC DT, ODBD DT, DRS DT
Registered: March 8, 2005 Location: Halfway between Dallas and Houston Posts: 24019
Sat, Mar 05, 2016 @ 8:38 PM
When I saw the title, I knew I would find a crazy bird here. But to my surprise, the crazy bird turned out to be Anne because there were pigtails on this bird! So clever and original! And thank you so much for the description of the smack and squirt technique with distress inks. I have bought a few of them and have not really used the. So now I may be able to change that! Thank you friend!
------------------------------ Proud Fan Club Member
Dirty Dozen Alumni
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
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Registered: January 19, 2014 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 90914
Sun, Mar 06, 2016 @ 6:10 AM
Oh heavens, I am so glad your hands did not get smacked. I too love Ann of Green Gables. What a darling card to represent that book too. You do such beautiful work!!!
Registered: May 25, 2006 Location: So. Oregon Posts: 122019
Sun, Mar 06, 2016 @ 6:51 AM
oooh I love that you gave her braids
AND
Congratulations! In the General Stamping forum, you're in the FAVORITES for the week ending March 6. See post #15
Registered: March 29, 2011 Location: Covington, WA Posts: 32470
Sun, Mar 06, 2016 @ 1:20 PM
Reading is just one more thing we have in common, Miss Susie. Love your adorable card, the hat and braids are marvelous. Your description and story is fabulous, of course! Glad you had an understanding head mistress who was a Green Gables fan too. My favorite books at that age were the Andrew Lang Fairy tales, still love them. I used to try and hide my library book inside my textbook and read in class. Needless to say, I got caught on a regular basis. It's still hard to put a good book down ; )
------------------------------ Carla ~ Proud Fan Club Member and Dirty Dozen Alumni.
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