Friday, April 15, 2016

Long Explanation Coming...

I've got two cards today, and I thought I'd explain the sympathy card. So if you want to skip this first paragraph, I won't mind. Here we go: Several years ago, DH was approached by Professor Zane Miller about a book project. It seems he'd found a manuscript in the Wisconsin State Historical Society done by several people for the Federal Writers Project within the confines of President Roosevelt's Works Projects Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression of the 1930s. These writers were paid, in order to support themselves and their families, to write guide books about their cities. Books were written about many major cities throughout the US. Milwaukee's book never got published as the manuscript was completed just prior to the onset of World War II; it sat in the archives for over 70 years, unknown, unremembered, and unpublished. Until somehow Zane found it. He contacted my DH, and suggested an editorial collaboration to get this work finally published. Books can take a long time to get going, and after a couple of years of back and forth, Professor Miller dropped out of the project. DH had a copy of this manuscript, on yellow paper with purple mimeograph type. No program in the whole wide world would translate this for ease of editing. Yours truly spent last summer typing this 270-some page manuscript into a Word Document, correcting spelling and punctuation, with the blessing of the editor (DH). He wrote a forward, added photographs, and next month, it will be available to the public. DH, of course, sent one of the author's advance copies to Zane. He got an email back from Zane's wife; Professor Miller had passed away last month. DH was more than surprised, and asked me to make a card for Mrs. Miller. Hence, the sympathy card today. I am adding a link in case you are interested in checking out this work: Milwaukee in the 1930s: A Federal Writers Project City Guide. Thanks for sticking with me.

My card was inspired by Anita Bowden's card for Muse.


I was inspired by the colors and the design. Anita's card is really lovely isn't it?! My card looks like this: 


I tried to make my branch go up...I really did. My brain was having none of it....So it's downward facing. I used watercolor paper for all of this, as I like the texture it gives. I picked up Anita's colors with my Ziggy watercolors, and cut it out with a MB die. A gold scrap of vellum, gold embossed with a HA stamp, and a smattering of gold sequins. The branch is inlaid into an MFT pierced rectangle die.

Card number two is happier, and I'm playing along at Addicted to CAS, and AAA Cards with this little cutie pie! (I LOVE him...)





Isn't he just the sweetest little thing ever??!! WPlus9 came out with some new dies, and right away I heard them calling my name. The fox come with the ability to morph into a cat or raccoon too. The banner is from the other new WPlus9 set that I couldn't live without. I'll be using this with its accompanying bits and bobs soon. The sentiment is from SSS, the circle is an MFT die, and I added some black sequins. Other than the fox's head and the sequins, everything is inlaid. Have a great weekend, and happy dances everyone.




31 comments:

sandie said...

Sorry did miss the explanation but am in awe at the wonder of this card, fab inlaid die and I think it looks fab going down. Have a fun weekend x

Jacquie Southas said...

What a neat project for you and your husband to be involved and how sad Professor Miller didn't live to see it published, Bev! Your card is a beautiful take on the Muse.

Patti said...

Oh I agree with Jacquine it is sad the professor didn't live to see his idea come to fruition but oh so happy you and your DH forged ahead to compete this important work!! Thank you for sharing!

Your sympathy card is beautiful! I love the delicate branch you used! and your sweet little Fox is so stinking cute!! I will have to check out this WPlus9 - I have never seen their site before : ) thank you for enabling!! giggles.

Patti

Lynn said...

Such an amazing story behind the sympathy card. Give John a hug from us. How blessed he is to have you. Your cards are stunning!

Barb said...

Hello Bev, your two cards are absolutely beautiful. How sad that Zane died shortly before it was able to be published. It sounds as if you worked very hard to make it happen. I'm sure the card will be very much apppreciated.

The little fox really is so cute. I hope we'll see him as a cat and a racoon too. Barbxx

Tracey McNeely said...

Bevie I am so glad that you shared this story with us. What an amazing plight that manuscript has taken. I am happy to hear that it is being published but sad to hear that Professor Miller did not see it come to fruition. His wife will love the card. your inlaid die cut fox is very cute. Have a wonderful weekend!

Geri said...

Oh dear! So sad to hear that Zane never got to see the finished project. John must have been so saddened by the news. Your sympathy card is gorgesous. Clean, simple and the perfect amount of subtle little blings. Personally, I think the branches look perfect this way!

Sweet little foxy-loxy is seriously sweet! Love the graphic look of the image and love the sentiment that you paired with him! Showcasing the little guy within the pierced circle die looks great!

Kim Heggins said...

Wow...what an amazing under taking by both you and John and how rewarding it must feel to have it completed. So happy you shared the story with all of. Kind of sad that Zane did not live long enough to see the completed work. Your card is simply beautiful...so elegant and very classy.

Susanne Vargas said...

Congratulations on finishing the book! Yes, it is sad, that the professor won't get to see it...
Of course, the branch wanted to hang down on a sympathy card to express the sadness! It's beautiful and that fox is adorable!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Susanne

Petra Swart said...

Enjoyed your story, Bev - so sad that Prof Miller died so shortly before the book will be available to the public!!!! And your sympathy card is so beautiful - the branch is perfect facing downward - love how you've done the colours and the sentiment on the gold velum looks great!!! The little foxy on the second card is just the cutest little thing - love the wonderful CAS look of your sweet card!!!!
Have a great day!!!
Hugz

~amy~ said...

Nice collab with your hubby...such an interesting story behind it. Sorry to hear about the Prof not getting to see the finished project. Your card is beautiful. I can see how you were inspired by Anita's card.

the fox card ----> so CUTE.

Have a great weekend ♡

I Card Everyone said...

We've talked several times about your typing that manuscript, Bev - so sad that DH learned of his friends passing this way, but his widow will be helped by your beautiful card, and I'm betting she loved seeing the collaboration in print.
Enjoy the sunny weekend, Bev!
=]

Leigh Penner said...

Wonderful cards, Bev! I love the colours on your branches!

Ardyth said...

Love, love, love your clever Muse card - but how sad that Zane won't get to see the end of the project - congratulations to your DH! (And to you!) So glad you joined us at Muse this week!

Darnell said...

I remember when you were typing that huge manuscript, Bevie, so it's wonderful to hear that it has been published! You all should be so proud of your work preserving this history! I am sad that Professor Miller didn't live to see it finished. Mrs. Miller will treasure your stunning sympathy card and be so pleased to receive it.

You go to the head of the class with both of these inlaid cards, my friend! Your second one is so clean and so crisp! Really flawless in my book! I'm glad I missed the ATCAS challenge because you've got the winning gallery sewn up with either or both of these cards!! Hugs, Darnell

lostinpaper said...

More wonderful cards Bev, loving that multi coloured inlaid branch (even though it is facing downwards lol)!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

I'm in love with your Muse card - you got the CAS essence here!

Brenda said...

What a cool thing for your and hubby to be involved in! It's a shame though that the Professor didn't get to see the project completed. But his widow can, so that is good! I so love your take on Anita's beautiful card Bev! The colors are spot on and I love the inlaid look. The sympathy sentiment looks so pretty on the vellum too. Your second card is just plain adorable! That little fox just doesn't get any cuter and boy aren't they really in now?!! That banner is perfect as well and I love the black sequins and I love that everyone on the fox is inlaid except his head. He really looks dimensional. Hugs, Brenda

cm said...

What a fascinating story you've shared Bev, of this lost document being found, resurrected through John (with some heavy leg...er, finger...work on your part!), and finally, readied for publication. How sad that Professor Miller won't see the finished product, but I'm sure he sees all from his place in Heaven...and he's smiling, filled with pride and joy at this dream accomplished. His wife will treasure your beautiful card; a touching gesture from both you and John that will warm her heart. Your fox: oh my goodness! Serious cuteness! He sure deserves the starring role on the stage!
Hugs, love and misses~c

Bobby said...

I saw your posting about the book on FaceBook but am glad to read the story behind it, Bev. Kudos to you for typing it all up. I'm so sorry that Professor Miller didn't live to see it published. I'm sure his wife will appreciate your sympathy card - downward branches and all. That fox is indeed a darling and you've done a beautiful job making him the star of your card.

Jill V said...

What a wonderful story behind the sympathy card - thanks for sharing it :)
The sympathy card is beautiful and a great take on the inspiration card and the fox card is just so adorable! Thanks so much for playing along with us at AAA Cards! Jill

Marybeth said...

Both cards are wonderful! Love that adorable lititle fox!
Oh my goodness loved reading this post today . What an amazing story! You must be so proud. I remember you talking about typing it ......wow! My parents are both from Milwaukee ,born and raised. They moved to Ca the first year they got married ....we went back often for vacations.....I can't wait to share this with them. I have family all over WI.

foleysfriend said...

Love your interpretation of Anita's MUSE card; now why didn't it occur to me to use the colours on the die cut and place it on a white panel; the effect is so beautiful - need to remember this!

maria f. said...

Hey, that is a cool story. Good for you. Both. And I love your downward facing branches. Upwards they would have been trees!

Neets B said...

I love your reversed version of my card, and I think the branch looks great pointing downwards, perhaps that's the way mine should have been?! Cute little foxy too!
Thanks for playing along at Muse this week, Anita xx

Nora Noll said...

Oh WOW!! The reverse version of the MUSE card is fabulous!! I love the little fox on the second card. Wonderful design!!

TK said...

Both cards are awesome! Love the colors on the first, and the cuteness of the second!

shirley-bee said...

Beautiful interpretation of Anita's card, Bev. Such a shame that the professor didn't get to see the results of his collaboration. Love the fox card too.

Anita in France said...

Although the professor didn't see John's (and your!) finished work, Bev, what a legacy he was involved with ... his widow must've been so pleased to see the book in print. Congratulations to you both on such a mammoth and amazing project! What a beautiful, soft and delicate sympathy card ... sure to have brought comfort and caring. Wondering what the positive part of the die cut will be used for ...? Adorable little fox ... crisp and fresh and so cute! Miss you loads, my friend! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Jen Mitchell said...

That's quite a story! You are a true typing heroine to bring an obscure mimeographed manuscript to life in the 21st century. Your DH must be so proud to have been part of such an endeavor and it's truly a shame that Professor Miller didn't live to see the project come to fruition. I am sure that his widow will certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending along this beautiful card with your sympathies.

Kylie said...

Oh how sad about the Professor. I'm sure Mrs Miller will appreciate your beautiful card. (And you, my friend, are awesome to have dedicated such a long time to do the typing, etc).

I love the fox trend - and hope to jump on it myself very soon. This card just rocks!