Monday, March 22, 2010

I See the Moon...


"I see the moon, and the moon sees me...God bless the moon, and God bless me."



Good afternoon, everyone!

Look at the beautiful sight that greeted me this morning...



How's that for gorgeous?!  It was soooo foggy this morning, then--the sun started rising behind these hills, and oh, how beautiful it was!  Not a bad view for a backyard, is it?!

Well, moving away from the sunrise, I seem to have had the moon on my mind alot lately...remembering sweet rhymes and images from childhood--my own and my daughters'...here's one of my very favorites:





Not the best scanning job--sorry!  But I love this sweet poem..."Wynken, Blynken and Nod", by Eugene Field.  They don't come much sweeter than this!  My Mom tells me that my Grandmother Smith loved this poem, and would tell it to young children--me included--whenever she got the chance...


This is my grandmother, LaPriel, when she was 8 years old, about 1920, along with her little sister, Veon at 5 years old.  I don't have many pictures of my grandmother, and this one is very dear to me--Her mother, Mary, loved good literature as well, and I imagine LaPriel had this poem read to her when she was a girl...


...and here she is again, years later...a very young mother in the late 1930's...just at the beginning of her time reading beloved bedtime stories to her babies...

I copied the poem from one of my favorite books--a collection of books, actually, called "Childcraft"--I'll bet some of you are familiar with these.  This edition was printed in 1949, when my Dad (LaPriel's son) was 12 years old.  This series of books was hers, and she passed it along to my Dad, who then gave them to me.  I remember looking at them all the time when I was a girl, and I love them still.

With the moon in mind, and thanks to some fabulous images, I made this (yes--another one!) 3D Shadowbox card this weekend:


"Would you like to swing on a star...Carry moonbeams home in a jar..."  I love that old song, made famous by Bing Crosby...and it's been in my head all weekend!  It just came to me as I started putting this together, and guided me as I went along...



I found this star online, and just copied it in different sizes...glimmered them all up with "Iridescent Gold" Glimmer Mist and distressed them with Vintage Photo Ink...some gorgeous turquoise lace as a backdrop...


Don't you just love this sweet little girl lounging on the moon?  She comes from Crafty Secrets' "Altered Fairy" Creative Scraps--one of my favorites!  I stamped the background with a star stamp from Crafty Secrets' "Message on a Bottle" set.  The patterned paper used for the card is one of my favorites from Crafty Secrets' "Radiant" paper pad. "Over the Moon" was cut out from the "Altered Fairy" scraps.

It seems to have been quite a fad in the late Victorian to Edwardian times to have a moon as the backdrop for a portrait--I've seen so many--like the ones at the beginning and end of my post...they're just wonderful!



I found this wonderful vintage moon image online...just perfect!  Dusted him up with a bit of Dazzling Diamonds and LOTS of Glimmer Mist--doesn't show up too well in the photo, however--but it really looks great!  Then, of course, added a jar for our moonbeams...also from Crafty Secrets' "Message on a Bottle" stamp set.  The tag stamp is from their "Price  Tags" set.  The jar was "filled" with Dazzling Diamonds--what else for moonbeams?!

The sentiments I just typed up and printed...some lace, gingham ribbon, silver Stickles, glitter, gorgeous turquoise crystal rhinestones...and that's about it!

Well, I think that's all for me today.  I hope your day is wonderful in every way...and tonight, take a peek at the old moon and think of your favorite childhood rhymes, songs and stories.  Teach one to your babies, and enjoy every second...



40 comments:

  1. I thought you might need a kind word or two. Your cards are fabulous, I just found you today! I am going to bookmark your blog.

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  2. Dear Julie,
    I so love your shaddow box card, so lovely colors, of the dark nicht, beautifull.
    And I must say that I could envy you your view,how gorgeus, -I love my own view to the sea, but this is stunning, dear.
    And thanks for the sweet story, and lovely photoes of your grandmother, I love to hear about beautifull memories, like that.

    Hugs to you,
    Dorthe

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  3. I cannot imagine seeing that view every day, Julie! It is amazing! I always enjoy hearing your family stories, and this shadowbox has to be one of my all-time favorite projects of yours. You carried the theme through so beautifully. I especially love the jar of moonbeams - perfect!

    My moon story is that I attended graduate school at Hollins University, where the impeccable Margaret Wise Brown, author of Good Night Moon, was an alumna.

    Hope you have a wonderful week ahead! {hugs}

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  4. Love this post, and your card creation is divine! Of course, I do so adore moon images and stories, and your story here doesn't disappoint. Wonderful. ~ Angela (Filigree Moon)

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  5. A crescent moon is 'my' personal symbol, so lovin' these, alnd although my hair isn't quite as long as the reclining woman's, it's very similar.. thanks for posting these!

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  6. What a view you have, just gorgeous! I love all the cards you've made, what a neat "theme", so pretty!

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  7. This is a super post and I love the story you tell too I only wosh I had photos of my Nana (grandmother) but sadly only mamories (very good ones at that and I sill cry when I think of her)

    Wonderful moon work and now I am singing the same tune although I only know that bit so may have to learn the rest ;0) thanx for sharong this post I am a follower as I love loads of your work you are truly talented

    Love Dawn xx

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  8. Such a beautiful shadow box project! Love all of the moon images, and now I have that song in my head, too! (It's okay, I LOVE Bing Crosby!)

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  9. Such beautiful cards! I love seeing these old family pictures!

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  10. oooh, these might be some of my favorite things you have made! Wynken, Blynken and Nod is my ultimate favorite rhyme. I even hand painted furniture with some verses on it at one time.

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  11. Oh my....this shadow box is absolutely breathtaking! All the images and details are just fantastic.

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  12. Oooh my, that is a beautiful view!!

    I just love the cards you made this weekend and how you incorporated the rhymes. And who wouldn't love a Bing Crosby song? I have no doubt he would have made a great lullaby album.

    Hope you're having a beautiful day!! Well, I guess it's evening now :)

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  13. Oh Julie, everything is beautiful! I love stories of your grandmother. Twyla

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  14. oh no need to twist my arm I MUST get some of these frames!! Gorgeous GF!
    I do remember the song about the moon, oh sweet memories....

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  15. Oh Julie, so much to love here today! I have loved those poems and verses since I was a young girl. We are so much alike my friend, its positively uncanny!! I loved the pictures of your gran and also the new cards! You are so talented. I know I say that every time, but I can't help myself, It's true!! I love every little scrap that springs from your fingertips and talented mind! Just so sweet and gorgeous! I enjoy my visits here to much. They are an integral part of my day. How ever will I cope when I am offline next week. Oh dear, what a terrible thought. I shall miss you so very much!! Love and hugs from the UK. xxoo

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  16. What a beautiful post, Julie! So many things I enjoy are in this one: the beauty of nature, old family photos, Wynken, Blynken & Nod, and that blue tinted moon card!
    Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and saying hello.

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  17. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L in every way!! The photos & stories you share always bring back wonderful memories for myself ... you certainly have a wonderful way with words!
    And again I must say I am sooooooo jealous of your view ... just gorgeous! Happy Day my friend!
    BTW ...Mark had his chemo port removed early this morning and is doing GREAT! So glad that journey has come to an end!!

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  18. Love all that you share--the moon, by the way, has just been gorgeous the past few nights, hasn't it? Last night, the almost half-moon was shining in a clear sky, surrounded by bright, sparkly stars--just a beautiful sight!

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  19. Hello Julie

    That certainly is a wondeful view to wake up to.

    Ours is equally as seren and open, but totally flat in keeping with our Fenland region. Here you can see for miles and miles and only trees to block the view.

    B x

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  20. Adorable photo of the baby in the moon and what a gorgeous view to wake up to :-) I do miss living in London (of course for the shops!) but I LOVE to wake up in the countryside and to look out onto open fields. Enjoy your week Julie - much love xxx

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  21. Julie, This is it, I'm over the moon with this creation! You have shared my very favorite childhood poem! It has made me love the image of the moon all of my life. I love the names of your grandmother and her sister. I wish names were as beautiful today. The paper I used in my simple (seems to be the style that sticks to me best) garland is called Dear Lizzy. My father is the only person to ever call me Lizzy. Made my day! Have a great week ahead! Elizabeth

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  22. Oh my goodness Julie when I saw that picture of your grandmother LaPriel I thought it was me. No kidding I have photos of me as a child and I looked so similar. The dates are off I was not born yet all the same it had me going for a minute. Loved your moon cards and that set of books, yes I know those too and they can still be picked up at library sales and such.

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  23. The view out your back door is amazing. I really like your grandmother's and her sisters names. What nationality is that?

    karen

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  24. I think this might be my favorite yet since I've gotten to know you! I love the jar of moonbeams. And you used one of my favorite songs.

    Can you believe I gave away a set of Childcraft books? A fellow teacher gave them to me and I ran out of room in my classroom. What was I thinking?

    Thanks for coming by!

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  25. Julie, your cards are lovely. I made 8 Easter cards today and was quite proud of myself. I love the old photos, too. Her grandmother had a very unusual name, but she was so cute!

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  26. You are definitely on a roll with this shadow box cards - another fab one! I love your bottled moonbeams, what a great idea for that stamp!

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  27. Hi Julie! What a darling post, and I just loved your shadow box card...how gorgeous!!! Every little corner of your blog is just so lovely! Happy spring, Sweetie! xo Paulette

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  28. My mother read me the Eugene Field poem every single night for years...I loved it so much and still do! Also really love your post and vintage photos! Wonderful memories! Thanks so much!
    Hugs,
    Coralie

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  29. I envy you ladies who put such beautiful creations together with love and such ease!

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  30. For some reason some of your images didn't come through on my computer. But I so enjoyed seeing your lovely sidebar! I love flowers and bright colors and this is exceptionally lovely!
    Brenda

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  31. Okay, now they came through. I must have scrolled too quickly.
    Brenda

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  32. I LOVE moons Julie, so I just adore this post! Thank you! x x x x

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  33. Hi,
    Thank you so much for coming by my blog and following it!! You are so sweet thank you again!!
    Rebecca

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  34. soooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  35. Such beautiful Creations, I love looking up at the Moon, I always have...
    I am having a Easter Candy Cup Giveaway.
    Stop on by for a chance to win!
    Join the Fun
    www.saturdayfinds.blogspot.com

    Hugs, Diane

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  36. thank you for a lovely post, a gorgeous
    view, and a sweet recollection of precious
    nursery rhymes.

    blessings,
    lea

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  37. Stunning views and arts that you made. I never knew that about Victorians and the moon as a background for portraits. I love learning something new and it's a great inspiration too. Happy Wednesday. xo

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  38. I just found your blog today - how lovely and comforting; I'll definitely be back for more. Very inspiring and uplifting...Regards, Sheila

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  39. Hi Julie....first of all, great post~you live in a gorgeous area, WHAT A VIEW! Secondly...you WON my blog contest for the Salt N' Pepper Doll! Email me at Shabbyfufu@yahoo.com with your shipping address and I will get "her" out to you. Congrats!

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