Saturday 28 March 2015

A diamond day

Thank you so much for all the good wishes you sent to me for my parents'  diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday which I passed on.  For 60 years of marriage the Queen can be requested to send a congratulatory message. I decided that I would surprise my parents.  I had to apply last month and this was the confirmation which arrived a few weeks ago...on Buckingham Palace headed note paper no less.
Below is one of the official wedding photos of my darling Mum and Dad on their wedding day, 26th March 1955, when they were 21 and 22 years old. Apparently once my Dad had ironed his trousers that morning he refused to sit down until after the service so that he did not crease them. Just look at the shine on his boots, he learnt that when he was in the army. My Mum looks so serene and so beautiful in her wedding dress and that was quite some bouquet of roses she carried.

and this is a more recent shot from one of our Thursday day outs.

We had planned lunch out at Scotney Castle, a National Trust Property but on the day it was so wet that we decided to go to our favourite garden centre instead and keep Scotney for a sunny Thursday. By going out later than planned it also meant that we were were in when the Royal Mail Van pulled up and the postman rang the bell. He wished my Mum happy 60 years of marriage and handed her an envelope. She was really surprised to find that it was from Buckingham Palace in this regal envelope.
 Inside was their card from The Queen
 It arrived in time for the actual time they were married, 12 noon, 60 years ago.
 It was personally addressed to them, here is a cropped version of their lovely message.

Today's card challenge entry is the card I made them.
They love my "vintage" Tim Holtz inspired cards so that is what I made. Tim uses "Found Relative" photos in his work but I use "My relatives" in mine as it makes my work so personal to the recipients.
I scanned and sized the image. I wanted to make the card look like a vintage photo frame capturing this magical moment. Here is the card.

I used Bister pigments for the background which I then stamped with a flower stamp and added lace fabric. I also added lots of frantage for "confetti". I distressed the edges in true Tim style and added some Vintage photo ink, so apt for my card. I mounted the card on Kraft card to continue with the vintage feel.
I used metal embellishments and one of Tim's lovely pen nibs. The sentiment is LOTV. I added a simple ivory bow and a little heart charm.
I also added a little set of rings embellishments, one of which has a "Diamond" in.
I made a corrugated card backing for the photo, inked with DIs. I used 2 styles of metal corners and more frantage.
The flowers are mulberry paper from my stash, I added some distress inks to them to give them a more ivory colour.
And here is a close up of the focal image, I love this photo and I love these 2 very special people. They have given me so much love and support throughout my life. I have been blessed to have them as my parents.
I would like to enter my card into the following great challenges;

A Vintage Journey anything Tim
Papertake Weekly a cut above
Top Tip Tuesdays buttons or bows
Frilly and Funkie put a ribbon on it
Country view crafts anything goes
Crafty ribbons anything goes with ribbon
Penny Black and More blossoms and bows
Inspiration Journal spring blooms
Mixed media world anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday anything goes

And so the celebrations continue......we are looking forward to a Sunday lunch with the rest of the family and we will raise a glass or 2 of bubbly to wish Mum and Dad many congratulations on reaching such a milestone. I am so lucky that I was able to spend the day with them on their special day.

Thanks for visiting me here today and for the blog love you leave, it's so appreciated.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

24 comments:

  1. What an amazing celebration and beautiful memories captured in that stunning card, Jane! I hope you have a wonderful lunch with all the family tomorrow and wish your parents a very happy diamond wedding anniversary! As I said on my facebook comment, only another 51 years for me and hubby before we get our royal greeting..if they're still doing them then!?! Hugs, Lisa x

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  2. Awe what a wonderful card to celebrate your parents 60 years of marriage, you had such a lovely image to work with and you have made even more beautiful!!! Your Mum's bouquet was amazing, my Mum had one the same only full of sweet peas, my parents were married in June, they just don't make bouquets like that anymore.
    Brilliant too to receive a card and lovely message from the Queen, a lovely keepsake.
    Enjoy your continuing celebrations tomorrow,
    V x

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  3. Wow this is just stunning I'm sure your parents will love it as they celebrate their 60 years together. How lovely to receive a card from the Queen .

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  4. How wonderful Jane to organise this card from the Queen. I can just imagine how thrilled your mum and dad must have been getting it. Your card is so beautifully and I'm sure will be framed. Love how you incorporated their photograph and your arch of flowers. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Congrats to your parents, they look wonderful.
    Julie xx

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  5. Everything looks special and wonderful!! Hoping your parents are having the best weekend celebrating with you all, Jane. What special cards to be treasured. Many congratulations from my family.....
    Anne xx
    PlumCreek22

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  6. 60 years- Congratulations to your parents for their wonderful accomplishment! It's only fitting that your elegant card shares a spot on the mantle with a note from The Queen!

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  7. Oh my goodness.. what a WONDERFUL story and photos! You are so lucky to have such wonderful parents.. and that is why you are so fantastic, too. Have a fantastic party tomorrow and I look forward to seeing photos. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. Huge congrats to your parents, that's always wonderful to hear! Your card is beautiful, I love the rose arch, it's perfect for the happy couple. Thanks for playing along at Frilly and Funkie xx

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  9. What an absolutely beautiful card and such a wonderful love story as well,made me feel all warm reading it ;)
    Thanks for playing along at MMW and good luck
    Big hugs
    Donna xxx

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  10. Jane what a fantastic surprise for them, how wonderful. I love their wedding picture and their most recent one. They still look very much in love.
    Rosezeeta.

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  11. Wow Jane, I have to say that your post nearly brought a tear to my eye. A big super congrats and happy anniversary to your parents, and what a wonderful daughter you are to arrange that message and card from the Queen. Your parents must have been over the moon! Your card is absolutely breathtaking, a real work of art to commemorate such a momentous occasion! Outstanding! hugs :)

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    Replies
    1. Just wanted to pop back in and say Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie for our 'Put a Ribbon on it' challenge! Hugs, Pamellia DT :)

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  12. I so enjoyed reading your post today, Jane! I am also fortunate to have my parents still with me, and they will be celebrating their 70th anniversary in June! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely card and the story behind it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

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  13. Oh Jane what a lovely story, I'm so glad your Mum and Dad had such a fab day, and your card is stunning. Thank you so much for sharing the occasion with us and joining in with our challenge at Country View Crafts. Sue xx

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  14. What a lovely post and equally lovely story Jane! Your parents are adorable - then and now! How very special that the queen will send notes like that - a perfect top off for their celebration! And your card is even so much more special - featuring their wedding photo and all the lovely decoration! thanks for sharing it with us at the AVJ all things Tim challenge!

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  15. What a great day you have with your parents and what a message from you and the Queen! My mum and Dad will be 52th wedding birthday next week , I think I must take some of you ideas. Your card is really perfect! Many thanks to join us on Crafty Ribbons Challenge this week and good luck from Christelle DT
    http://coccinelledemoiselle.blogs.marieclaireidees.com

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  16. Hi Jane, I loved seeing your parents and the lovely message from the Queen! That was a fabulous idea to get for your parents. Another memorable moment in their lives together! Your card creation was splendid and a treasure for your parents from their talented daughter. Hope the rest of the weekend was enjoyed! xoRobin

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  17. wow Jane...this is fab ! What a lovely gift to receive...your parents must be loving the card from the Queen and this one is a real treasure too! I love the vintage feel to the card and the ring embellishment is just so perfect. Happy celebrations at home and wishes to your parents too. PS..I was your post at F nd F and it was so catchy, I had to click and read and am glad I did so. Hugs.

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  18. What beautiful blossoms and bows for our theme this month Jane, thanks so much for joining in at Penny Black and More challenge.

    B x

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  19. so lucky indeed! Your post brought tears to my eyes!
    What a wonderful daughter you are!
    CONGRATULATIONS to your Mom and Dad!
    I love your card Jane!!

    Thank You so much for sharing this beautiful story with us!

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  20. Hello dear Jane,

    What a wonderful post this was - made me reach for my tissues more than once! I am so so happy you shared all this with us, that beautiful wedding picture and the happy couple more recent! And that Queen's card - just a cherry on top of the cake, really, simply fantastic. And your card is once again a masterpiece - with that special picture...just perfect!

    Happy Tuesday, dear friend!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  21. Mwah, how lovely. What a stunning way to celebrate such a momentous occasions. Your parents must have been thrilled. I love your card full of layers and great colour scheme. Thanks for playing along at MMW hugs Debs xx

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  22. Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Penny Black & More @ Allsorts challenge, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  23. Such a beautiful card for such a special couple on their very special occasion. I can see you really pulled out all the stops for this one Jane (understandably) and I love how you have your wonderful parents exiting the doors through an arch of flowers. Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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Jane x