Notes:
I was going through my Mother’s collection of family belongings. Something I have done several times before. Only this time while looking through a green metal file box that belonged to my Grandfather (my Mother’s father), I noticed the lid was a little heavier than it should be and there was something rattling in it. Then I noticed a key hole, so I looked through the file box and found a cloth bag containing three keys. One was broke. It was most likely the original for the file box. Another key was too large for the hole. I’m curious what lock it fits? The third key was newer and very shiny. It did not completely match the broken key, but it fortunately fit the hole. It was most likely the replacement for the broken key. I was amazed when I opened this secret compartment in the lid. It contained several rolls of old coins, my Grandfather’s wallet and several envelopes. Each envelope contains photographs of my Mother’s family. Having not seen many photographs of my Mother’s family, this is an absolute gold mine for me. This layout contains some of the contents of one of the envelopes as well as the envelope itself. It was sent by a Mrs. Jenison to my Grandfather in June 1921. This date is based on the date on the letter contained in the envelope and the post mark. The two photographs I placed in the book are of my Grandparents, Lucretia and Samuel Leiper. The four photographs along the bottom are of my Grandmother. The photographs were taken at Mrs. Jenison’s home in Lansing, Michigan and the Conservatory on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. What appears to be cards with writing on them are actually the back side of some of the photographs. These were written by Mrs. Jenison. I felt these were journaling enough for this layout. The one I thought was humorous I placed on the book. It says: “Who’s the Jewess? or Hunk?” I thought it was humorous because I thought the term “hunk” was a modern day term… It just proves there’s new under the sun. The sayings on the other two photographs are: ”I always take the best picture when you can’t see what I look like” and “A chicken with a chic pose and a hen face at the Conservatory on Belle Isle, Detroit, Mich.”. The second saying was on the back side of the photograph of my Grandmother in the bottom right of the layout.
Additional Notes: When is a Quick Page not a Quick Page? It's when you want to add something to the layout and you want to place it under an element in the Quick Page. I wanted to place the photographs under the book. It required duplication of the background and then erasing everything around the book. Thus, making the book in the Quick Page it's own element. LOL!!! This was fun! Thanks Helen!!!
Credits:
Photos: Mrs. Jenison
Quick Page: Helen Weber (Retro Designs) - Scraps of Memories kit
Flower Elements: Deb Ammerman – 07 Scrapbook Day kit
Swirl Element: CAZ – Garden Party June 2006 PTP kit
Font: Edwardian Script
Software: PSCS2
Registered: August 2006 Location: Germany (originally Scotland) Posts: 3483
Sat August 9, 2008 12:34pm
Wow! Great job, Tom. What a treasure trove this is and your journaling makes fascinating reading. I´m also in awe about the trouble you went to in order to get the photos under the book! Wonderful photos and I love the addition of the envelope which contained these treasures. TFS this little masterpiece.
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scrapladyandmore Deco-Pages Creative Team Member
Registered: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3923
Sat August 9, 2008 1:06pm
You did an awesome job with the QP that's now not a QP...LOL! What an awesome find for you. Being a lover of heritage photos, I can appreciate and feel myself your excitement over finding these photos. You must document your journaling in the description section for future generations of your family!
Registered: January 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2701
Sat August 9, 2008 3:33pm
this is truly a labour of love.. the journaling, the beautiful page, the way your grandfather made sure these treasures were safe, this is an amazing page and it makes me so happy that you have this to share with your family.. how wonderful and exciting for everyone!! TFS!!
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1iceprincess Deco-Pages Sunshine Team Member
Registered: September 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1572
Sat August 9, 2008 7:37pm
Wow, what an absolutely magnificent page. Your love of family is wonderfully displayed here, and such a fantastic find of those heritage photos!
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Mom5Kids Designer & Moderator
Registered: May 2006 Location: Oahu Posts: 4706
Sun August 10, 2008 9:51pm
Great job Tom! Beautifully done!
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bthiels Deco-Pages Creative Team Member
Registered: June 2007 Posts: 387
Mon August 11, 2008 1:29am
Oh how I envy you finding such a treasure trove. You've made a wonderful, interesting, unique page. I love it!
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