Wednesday, November 3, 2010

A Country Girl…

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Good afternoon, dear friends!

What weather we’re having!  Last week was all chill and drizzle…this week…roses blooming all over my garden and 80 degrees!  Hard to remember what season we’re in here in California!

As I still have roses in my garden, I felt very justified in having a lovely country garden as the theme for my card today…

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A lovely background image from Crafty Secrets’ “Garden” Creative Scraps, and the sweet little paper-pieced & popped-up country girl is from their brand spankin’-new stamp set “Down on the Farm”

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…so many adorable images!

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A little handmade frame, slightly popped-up…Dazzling Diamonds on all the lovely flowers, lace, Martha Stewart seam binding,  a bit of sparkly framing with platinum Stickles…

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…vintage mother-of-pearl buttons, paper roses spritzed with “Lemon Zest” and “Cherub Pink” Glimmer Mist (my favorite rose combination), and that’s about it!

Time to tell you a little more about our very own country girl, Minnie…

The daughter of Norwegian-born parents, Nels and Anna Maria,

Nels and Anna Peterson

…Minnie grew up on the family farm in beautiful Evansville, Wisconsin.

As the oldest child in a family of twelve children, Minnie was kept very busy on the farm…helping with the animals and chores…and her younger brothers and sisters, of course!

When she was about twelve, in 1885,  she was enrolled at the Evansville Seminary…

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…which was known for having the finest instructors “from the East”…educating their students in a course of study that included Latin, German, astronomy, biology, history, rhetoric and mathematics.

Minnie loved school and was a very good student.  She was a member of the Literary Society, and took part in many public speaking contests, earning tw0 silver medals….

Also involved in the Society was a young man named Leo Campbell who took quite a liking to the young Minnie.

Leo Henry Campbell

Leo would escort Minnie back home to her family farm after those Society evenings…and their courtship continued for some time.

When Minnie graduated from the Seminary, she taught school for five years in a little rural school in the town.  She loved the children and taught them well…

Minnie P. Campbell's first school in Brooklyn, Wisconsin

Leo and Minnie were married in 1895, after seven years of courting…

Leo H. & Minnie F. Peterson Campbell

 

…another story for another day…

I’ve been enjoying reflecting on Minnie and her love of teaching today as I think of my own daughter…Minnie’s great-granddaughter…Chelsea, in her second week of student teaching in an elementary school…loving every second of it!

I hope your day is wonderful, whether it’s filled with roses or chilly rain…

See you soon with something new.

Julie

 

26 comments:

  1. Hi Julie, What a beautiful post, your card is just lovely. Your story about your family is just wonderful, you are so lucky to have to many beautiful photos, thank you for sharing and how wonderful your daughter is teaching, the hardest job and the most rewarding. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Terri

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  2. I loved this card, so sweet! And learning about Minnie..very pretty! We are having such a nice warm Fall..I can hardly believe it! :D

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  3. So wonderful to hear about the Norwegian realtives:)
    Your card is pretty Julie! Love the vintage look!
    Hugs from Norway!
    Hanne

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  4. Your card is one of my favorites so far...very, very pretty and detailed. I loved hearing the story of your family and I want to wish Chelsea all the best in her new job!

    XO,
    Jane

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  5. Your card is gorgeous!! And I hope that Chelsea (I love her name!) is enjoying her student teaching--it's so fun to teach...She picked a beautiful career.
    XO

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  6. I love Minnies story and those fabulous pictures.
    Your card is so pretty, I love the image of the little girl.
    Chelsea is a popular name here in the UK. I'm sure she will be a real success as was her great Grandmama.
    Have a great day, Angela.

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  7. Beautiful vintage card Julie!

    Hugs,Willy

    Have a nice day!

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  8. Another beautiful card as ever Julie. I love this one as well. The colours and sentiments are beautiful. I also loved reading about Minnie and seeing those fabulous old photos. You are so lucky to have them. How wonderful that your daughter is training to be a teacher! I just know she will be a special teacher. How could she not be! I send lots of love and hugs and Happy Thursday wishes from across the sea! Love you loads my sweet friend. xxoo

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  9. I love the scene you've created in your Country Girl card and just wonderful colors! Always love hearing about your family stories - both past and present.

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  10. Hi Julie! What a beautiful post as always. I love hearing your family memories. Precious memories! I want to see pics from your rose garden missy!! Pretty Please!

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  11. This card is absolutely beautiful!!!

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  12. Julie! I just recently found your blog and I LOVE reading about your ancestors... what a rich heritage you have! Thanks for sharing it with us and for sharing your beautiful cards!
    God bless!

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  13. Oh Julie, I can't wait to hear more about Minnie and Leo! These stamps are so great. I am definitely a country girl. Have a nice day! Twyla

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  14. Aloha Julie; I love your vintage card; so gorgeous. TFS for sharing a bit of your heritage, I enjoyed it!
    Hugs

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  15. Soooo sweet...I know you will LOVE my giveaway post this Friday...your name is written all over it. xoxo

    Hugs.

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  16. Julie,
    I always love your posts. The first part, telling about what you created and the the second part, telling about someone in your family history. This one is especially good. I was a teacher for many years and, along with the story and great pictures, I feel like I know Minnie. Very nice job
    !
    Hugs,
    Suz

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  17. Beautiful stories, as well as those wonderful cards! My paternal great grandparents came from Norway. I have been ill, and am a bit behind, but will be sending you an e-mail soon!

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  18. Always love your beautiful projects mixed with your family photos and stories! perfect!

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  19. I a d o r e your style. Your cards are always so cute!
    Happy hugs for a wonderful weekend, Julie xoxoxo

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  20. Hi Julie, what a wonderful card, you have such an eye for all the small details! That stamp set is really cute, too bad I don't stamp! Loved reading about your GM Minnie, what a great story and pictures. Have a great weekend, Nan

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  21. Hello Julie,
    I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog yesterday and leaving the sweet comment. It's always nice to meet new friends. I popped in for a minute yesterday and sadly I 'm on my way out the door, but I will be back later to visit. I hope you have a great day!

    xoxo Cori

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  22. That was a beautiful story my grandparents came from Norway and sweden. I so enjoyed it and your lovely blog!

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  23. What a wonderful story of Minnie and her love of teaching! The photos are PRECIOUS, Julie! I loved this post!
    Hope your Sunday is peaceful and your week is fabulous!
    Coralie

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  24. Julie this is just gorgeous, I love how you added her to the scene, just perfect.

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