Tuesday, March 1, 2016

 
"Generations"  Wedding Album
 
Dear friends, I thank you for joining me today!
I'm afraid I've been away from my blog lately; more than I'd like to be.   But aside from 'no home internet' these days,  my parents are not at all well.   Dad was in the hospital this last week end, and mom totally depends on him.
My siblings and I have been caring for them as best we can.
It may not be long before we move them to a facility that can cook and clean for them;  we shall see.
 
Well,  - I am bringing back something I had posted in September 2015 I think. 
I made this mini album (it is about 6"X6") for myself several years ago.  It contains old wedding photo's! of members from my husbands family and my family as well.  Several generations are in here.
The album is made of:   White corrugated board, a mix of scrapbook papers- (mostly Prima paper) http://www.primamarketinginc.com/  from the  'Almanac' and 'Printery' paper collections.  Also  handmade flowers, some ribbon, chipboard, glitter glass, stickles, rubber stamping,  and beads... : ) you get the picture! LOL
 
Here is the cover: 
The tag pulls out to the left with some information on it.  Most of the pages have 'hidden' pull-out tags with info about the corresponding photo. The chipboard mannequin is from Blue Fern Studios http://bluefernstudios.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1 and has a sprinkle of glitter glass.  I added a silhouette of black cardstock behind it~

I will be sharing this with Wen at Apple Apricot blog:
 
Weekly linky party
Bi-monthly link party!!
Please stop in to see some wonderful 'neutral' projects and photos~  There is a bit of everything shared there and so much inspiration!  Perhaps you would join in and share with us!?!
 

Here is a page of my fathers parents:
I made the flowers. The teeny letter 'tickets' are from the (Prima) Almanac paper collection. We called grandpa "Pops" & he was quite a 'salty ol' dog! LOL~
 
Here are my mothers parents.   It's hard to see the back drop behind them in this photo, but up close it is amazing! So vintage~
Both my mothers parents  are 100% French : ) [my dads mother was too.]   All of my French great grandparents hail from Canada; and their parents came over from France~  ( All of my grandparents were born in Michigan)

And here are my parents below.  Mom was so beautiful : ) They were so in love - and still are after 62 years of marriage! *sigh*
The flowers are all hand made and the butterfly is Blue Fern chipboard.   Papers are Prima.

Here are my great grandparents on my dads fathers side. (The German side:)
  I heard these two were quite the pair!  They look mischievous to me! LOL!  The buttons are vintage; from grandma's jar.  Did a bit of sewing machine stitching too~

Here comes Alan's grandparents! (him mom's parents)
The original "Poppy." He worked his own greenhouses (on their property) until he retired.
He could make A N Y T H I N G  grow~   Grandma was a kindergarten teacher for 26 years!

And here is Grandma's parents.  This, of course, is not their wedding photo (we don't have one)  but a 50th Anniversary photo.
Westy (great grandpa) was another "Salty Dog!" ; ) and though great-grandma "Oma" was already gone when I met Alan, I did get to meet Grandpa "Westy". There are 'tales' he joined (snuck in to) the Navy when he was only 16 yrs. old~


Alan's  parents' wedding:
His dad's parents on the left and Poppy and Grandma on the right.  For this page I used 'My Minds Eye' paper; some of my very favorite,  from their (retired) Lost & Found collection.
 Also used some wedding applique and hand made flowers.

My dad's mom, Alberta, was sooo dear to my heart.  We became very close when they moved out to be with us in Colorado.  She was a dear soul. 
There are a few more but I think I'll stop right here : )  Thank you so much for your visits and friendship!!  My heart feels a bit torn - wanting to spend more attention to my blog, but knowing the important things must come first!  I know God will help me sort everything out and help me set my priorities in order~
Bless you all! and thank you for your thoughts and prayers~

Karen








28 comments:

  1. Simply stunning, Karen! I love everything about it. I can't imagine the amount of time that you must have put into this beautiful tribute. Have a great day! Hugs, Sue

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    1. Thanks for the visit to see my Generations album Sue! Yes, there were lots of hours into it; but for some reason (I'm sure you can concur)it just fell in place so easily. And I made it "for me" -I don't do that very often! So it was a treat to do. Have a great rest of the week sue. I am behind in visits : ( C U soon. Karen

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  2. Oh my goodness Karen! This is just breath taking! I adore every page and every photo! I started out as a scrapbooker (used to even own a scrapbook shop) and I in just in awe! Heritage work is my favorite...there are no words for it. I am sorry about your Dad and you and your family will be in my prayers! P.S. I had a French Grandma in Michigan too! ;-)

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    1. Nancy, you honor me with your comments! as I greatly look up to your work. Thank you so very much.~ This album was a joy to create and fell in place for me. No, I didn't know you were a Scrapbook shop owner! That is so cool Nancy! And French grandma's must be kind of common in MI; do you think!? ; ) LOL!
      Luv & prayers friend~ Karen

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  3. Oh Karen I am so sorry to hear that your Father was in the hospital, it is hard when one of them has to go to the hospital and they are totally dependent on the other. We had to deal with that in our family, all the girls took turns staying with my mom while my Dad had to go through surgery. They both passed away before we had to make that decision to put them in a home. May God give you all wisdom as you make decisions on what to do in the future.

    Your Album is just so stunning, such beautiful layouts, I love all the neutral coloring with it and your embellishing with your wonderfully made flowers and everything is just fantastic!! Such a beautiful tribute to your families and will be something to cherish for generations to come!! I grew up in Michigan, I miss it until winter comes and my family tells me of all the snow they are getting and then I don't miss that as much.

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    1. Oh Connie, thank you for your kindness~ We are @ a crossroad right now w/mom & dad. I know the lord will guide us.
      Thank you for checking out my album too! It was so much fun to do. I made a paper bag album for each of my daughters (2) with many of the same photo's. I appreciate you Connie. ~Karen

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  4. Dearest Karen, this album is such a jewel ,filled with beautiful memories from your and Alans family, how very beautiful, you created every page. I love all you added to every old photo, making them all so stunning.
    Dear, I`m sorry you don`t know if to blog or not, I would miss you very much if you stop here. I love your amazing creations, and I`m thankful we have become friends. I hope you received my last pm to you ?.
    Karen I`m so sad for you, your father is not doing good, and that your mother, is so much depending on him, so she can`t stay on her own. I understand your decission, of maybe soon having to ask them ,to live in another place, with more daily help , dear.
    Blessings from Dorthe

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    1. Sending hugs and love and thanks back to you Dorthe!! I am grateful for your friendship and support~ It is hard to know what to do for mom and dad right now; they are "in-between." Thank you for your concern dear Dorthe. And I appreciate your comment about my Generations album! It was so fun to create this.
      I don't see a p.m. from you recently; but I am so far behind and apologize to you. Can you re-send? : )
      Take care and I hope your Granddaughter is better? Thank you friend~ Karen

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  5. Hello, Karen...what a beautiful celebration of family! Love how you put this all together. What a great way to honor all of these special people in your life. Beautifully done! Wishing you and your family well.
    Catherine (newest follower of your blogging adventures!) :)

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    1. Oh my goodness Catherine, thank you so much! it is a blessing and honor that you chose to follow~ Have a great rest of the week! Karen

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  6. Hi Karen, Your wedding album is stunning! I love the one of your mother's parents' wedding most - and the one with the beautiful hat. You've done a gorgeous job presenting all your photos. It's a tough time when parents become fragile. Hope you can find some time for 'you' too... I'd miss your blogposts.
    Hugs,
    Jesse

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    1. Hi there Jesse~ Thanks so very much for taking time to stop in and see my Generations Album! and thanks also for all your kindnesses my friend~ Enjoy the Autumn! : ) Karen

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    1. You're a peach my friend! Appreciate your visits Connie~ Take care, Karen

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  8. Hallo Karen, Dein Generationen Album ist so schön geworden, ich habe mir es schon mehrere male ganz genau angeschaut. Ich liebe Deine Art zu gestalten und möchte noch ganz viel von Dir lernen. Bitte mach weiter so, ich habe Deinen Blog schon abonniert, damit ich keine Deiner sehr hübschen Werke verpasse! Viele liebe Grüße aus Österreich sendet Sylvia

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    1. Vielen Dank Sylvia! Ich fühle mich geehrt, dass Sie folgen. Mein Leben ist voll, aber ich tue mein Bestes zu schaffen. Haben einen gesegneten Tag! ~Karen
      Oh yes, if you go to my friends blog
      http://gabriellepollacco.blogspot.com/ she has tutorials about making flowers : ) Thank you for visiting Sylvia!

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  9. Dear Karen..
    What a beautiful and thoughtful memory book you have so lovingly created! I am in awe of it all and have looked at it many times trying to take in all of your stunning details! It's so touching and inspiring. I love how you honor the memory of your family and your love for them just shines through your words! What a treasure. You have inspired me to make something with some of my old photos. I have been afraid that I might ruin them! I'm so sorry that your father has been unwell. I hope that he's improving and even home by now. I'm so glad that you're still blogging and hope that you continue! What you share here is both beautiful and touching. I hope that you are doing well while trying to keep up with things! Hugs, prayers and blessings to you, new friend...

    Tamara

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    1. Tamara you sooo bless my heart friend! Your visits are always encouraging~ I wanted to mention that the photo's here are copies of the originals. I was afraid of the same thing! (ruining them.) This was probably my favorite project. I took my time and really enjoyed the process. Oh, my dad is home and doing better. I think we have found a way for them to be in their home for another year also! : ) We are happy for them. Blessings to you! ~Karen

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  10. Oh friend, what a precious and lovely post. Your creations never cease to amaze me!

    I love what Tamara said about you honoring the memory of your family...you have done so in a beautiful and special way.

    Have a glorious week, dear Karen! Hugs to you!

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    1. Thank you for the visit and comment Stephanie! I appreciate you friend~ PS - I was just @ your blog, enjoying some of the Tuesday entries: )! Blessings, Karen

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  11. Hi Karen, I love this post and the beauty you have created here. Your talent is over the moon and everything you touch becomes a beautiful work of art. You honor your family so lovingly!! Prayers for your parents. I understand this too well. Sending hugs your way. Blessings to you my friend. xo

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    1. Thank you dear Celeste! I appreciate your visits and encouraging comments always~ Yes, mom & dad are in 'the middle' right now; it is getting difficult, but for now it looks like we can keep them in their home~ Thanks for all your support and friendship~ Karen

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  12. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Dear Wenni Donna, I could not find an e-mail or blog for you, so I could respond to your comment. Please know I appreciate your visit! but have had trouble posting comments that include web site links~ Thank you for understanding. Karen

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  13. Oh sweetie I'm sorry to hear about your dad being in hospital. Glad to hear he's doing better now and at home again. Your album is stunnig dear! Wow! Such a beautiful tribute to your ancestors. Sending you big hugs and take care, xx

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    1. Wen you really bless my heart with your visits and encouragement! Thank you so much for looking in my friend! I think this Generations album is my very favorite project and I was blessed to have these photos~ Take care & God bless, Karen

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  14. I so enjoyed your beautiful and creative blog today. I love the magic touch you have with putting all the photos and lovely pieces together....just beautiful. And I love the mischievous grandparents from Germany, they are so cute. You come from a lovely family, I so enjoyed the photos and stories you shared.
    Have a blessed day..Shirley

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    1. Dear Shirley, Thank you so much for the visit! I feel truly honored that you took the time to stop in for a while. It had blessed me greatly~ Thank you again, and I appreciate your blog - will be back to visit : ) Hugs to you, Karen

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