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: 5250
Favorited:12
I love your story! I read all of the Anne of Green Gable books, and Anne Shirley is still dear to my heart. I also love your card. Thank you for sharing both. Daria
Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Wed, Apr 27, 2016 @ 5:52 AM
Susie, you always put so much detail into your cards that it amazes me - the longer I look the more I see - like the fence in the distance. Your birds are always spectacular, a and so are the backgrounds you create so beautifully - and gleefully, I suspect!
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