Ruth and Eugene - The Whatevers June Challenge

Just made this LO of Ruth and Eugene for The Whatevers Creative Storytelling Group.

Here is how are it works, as quoted from the Whatevers Group on Facebook:

• Vicki, Cat and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you – just right click on it to safe it to download and show us your version of The Whatevers.
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us andshow us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

My story is about Ruth and Eugene and a photograph they sent to their grandma in Wisconsin.

I chose my mom and uncle's middle names to name these children and used the family name of "Whitney" for the grandma.

The story reads:

"Have you ever seen two more handsome children murmured Grandma Whitney when she received the photograph of her two grandchildren, Ruth and Eugene.  The children and their family had just settled in on the Western Frontier of the United States.  The family had moved, leaving Grandma behind in 
Wisconsin.

The studio was a great find in the port town of Tacoma.  Some said it should be the state capital, while still others felt that Seattle would make a better state capital.  But mama had taken the children there for a cherished photograph to send to Grandma.

Grandma dearly missed Ruth and Eugene.  She had taught young Ruth to sew before she moved and hoped to teach her to knit as well.

Eugene had been a sickly young boy.  In the photo he looked completely recovered, but Grandma still remembered when he was a baby and got the whooping cough.  Everyone was so afraid he would die.  She smiled to see him now.   He looked so healthy and handsome.

Grandma slipped the photo postcard into her Bible.  She prayed that the two children would be safe.  She looked forward to visiting them next year.  She settled back into her rocking chair, closed the Bible and closed her eyes with a smile on her lips.

The LO was made using Pink Paislee, Pinion, and Ruby Rocket Papers, Jolee's flowers, Tape from Vintage Street Market and Embellishments from Crafty Secrets.  The buttons and mother of pearl from my vintage stash.

Hope you enjoy my interpretation of this fun formal photo.

<3 Victoria

A New Sketch with a Summer Feel

I am enjoying the little bits of sun we are getting in the Northwest.  I also am feeling re-energized about creating.  I prepared this sketch with the idea of three dimensional barn stars.  It would make a great western themed boy layout, one for Memorial Day, or planning ahead in red, white and blue for the 4th of July.  The stars easily swap out for another element, like flowers for all of you with girls out there.  Let me know if you use my sketch and where it is posted.  I love to come and comment!

Have a wonderful day AND let's think summer!

<3 Victoria