My Whimcees

My Whimcees

Friday, June 1, 2012

Hank and Sally in The Old Country

Hello!

My father and his family came to America from Denmark when he was a child. Denmark was always referred to as "The Old Country" and although I was never able to visit that beautiful country, I have always been fascinated by it and the people. They have a royal family in Denmark and I always wondered how it would be to live in a country with a King and Queen. I have read much about them and still follow the family in the media.

But the country folks were my true love - from the old photos of my father's life in Denmark, of my grandparents sitting in rocking chairs on the porch and one of the country cottage with chickens in the yard and the old style of clothing. My father wrote a biography of his life and his memories of the life in Denmark with the storks building nests on the roof, etc. and I still wish so much to have known it.

When I first saw the digital image of Mo Manning's "Introducing Oskar" I immediately fell in love with him as he so reminded me of my uncle Hank (nickname for Henry) who was one of my father's brothers. Hank was tall and lanky and always so full of fun. He married an American, as did my father, and her name was Sally (nickname for Marcella) and she was always a bit chubby and also so full of fun. They were my favorite uncle and aunt. Mo's images of "Mummu" have always reminded me of the women of the Old Country so I paired one of these with Oskar as Sally. I used the "Rustic Windowbox" digital image of Mo's for the window but I drew the door - and made them both from this wonderful birch wood grain paper. The clothing of Hank and Sally (also her shoes) is paper pieced and they are attached with dimensionals. The flowers are also paper pieced and doubled to make them 3-D. The wall of the cottage and the porch floor are also made from wood grain papers.

I had so much fun creating this scene of "Hank and Sally in the Old Country" - they are both gone now, as is my father, so it is a fantasy memory of them all. I hope that you enjoy. I am entering this poster/card in the current challenge on Mo's Challenge Blog at http://mosdigitalchallenge.blogspot.com/ I keep hoping to see more images of Oskar and hope to make another Old Country scene some day.




Thank you for stopping by today to visit my blog! Wishing you a happy weekend!

Barbara Diane

11 comments:

Cynthia said...

Holy Cow! This is a fabulous scene, Barbara. All of the paper piecing and the scene itself is gorgeous. Enjoyed your background story as well!

Linda said...

What a gorgeous card and I love to read your story about Danmark

husg Linda

Elizabeth Allan said...

Amazing card Barbara! I loved reading about your family history as my grandmother was from Denmark.

Ann said...

A nice story about your family and that card is just fantastic. You put so much detail into all the cards you make.

Duendes said...

oh my darling,
this card is wonderful and the recollections that come with it are delicious...
you're a great artist.
I wish you a happy weekend!!perhaps with inspiration for the story of our candy...

Hugs and blessings to you.

Tracy said...

This is so cool! I just love to create little scenes like this on my cards. Yours is so imaginative and obviously sentimental for you. Another amazing paper piecing job and an amazing card as a whole. Love this mucho much Barbara Diane! Hugs!

Sue from Oregon said...

oh my...I had to pin this one...awesome paper piecing and scene. Thoroughly enjoyed your family history too!

May said...

Fantastic card... O my word!!! I love it.. the design is just Great the scene is Brillant.. Love it Barbara... Hugs May x x x

Pat said...

Hi Barbara Diane. It was such fun reading about your family from the "old country"! And your card is beyond fabulous! I just love Oskar and Mummu...and the flowers are so pretty!! Thanks so much for joining us this week at Mo's! Hugs. Pat Frank

Iulia said...

Hi Barbara! This is one fabulous scene and the fact it makes you feel nostalgic about your uncle and aunt makes it even more valuable. Love the old country look and the old door with peeled off stain and all the patterns on the characters clothes, how beautifully and carefully done!
Love this!
Thanks fort playing along at Mo's and sharing with us your memories!
Hugs, Iulia

Skye said...

Congratulations on your win. This is a lovely cards and I really liked the story behind it.