The case

Here is my layout for a challenge over at Pixels and Paper challenge blog:
The challenge was to be inspired by the following photo and the criteria was Vintage Style. 
APRIL inspiration
Of course I was inspired by the suitcase in the inspiration image.
About my photos - several years ago my Uncle George (Dad's brother) passed away and his wife gave us this suitcase full of photographs and memories.  Well, what a find it turned out to be.  My Dad was still alive at this time and he could identify some of the photographs inside.  I have subsequently made several layouts showcasing some of the photos - more still to be done.   It was an eye-opener to my maternal Grandmother's side of the family.  My father's parents were travelers (is this where I got my travel spirit from?) they would travel by coach, train and car to places within Australia and kept notes, postcards, photos and brochures etc from their trips.  It is family folklore that they did write for the NRMA magazine but I have never been able to verify this. 
One day I would like to be able to document this - a family travelling story.
My layout seems busy but I wanted it to feel vintage and distressed and inked to match the condition of the suitcase - leather handles that have worn, rusty key holes etc.  I distressed my photos as well.
Who remembers Walnut Ink?  Long before the sprays of today this is what we would use - so out it came for this layout. I raised the main long suitcase photo and it seems to "pop" right out of the page - I love it - it was not intentional but hey most "ahah" moments are unintentional.
I searched my stash for vintage type papers/items as I wanted to feel as I was peering into the case for the first time.   Here is a close up of some of the embellishments.
I included the "Thanks" brad as without the case I (and indeed my brother and sister) would not have known as much about our ancestors.  The Karen Foster Heritage Treasures metal I have had for years (it shows 2004).
Wise words.   And I would say to anyone reading this make sure you write on the back of your photos what it is - it will help memory keepers in years to come.
To finish off a Kaisercraft Antique Bazaar die cut - Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow.
Thank you for looking,   Margaret :)

Comments

This is a fabulous page. I love your use of ephemera and the wise sayings you have chosen. The story behind your layout is wonderful. It is all all too true of many families that much information of our heritage is lost. In the case of photos I've been given, it is unfortunately too late to identify the 'who, where and when' for many of them. Thank you for playing along at Pixels and Paper. Cheers, Di
Jane said…
What a treasure Margaret and you were so lucky to be able to put at least a few of these photographs into context. I inherited a similar box but unfortunately many of faces and places are meaningless to me. Anyway a terrific page and many thanks for sharing it with us on Pixels and Paper.
Phillis Walrath said…
Love how you made your page some alive with the open trunk. Your page sure does scream vinatge. Thanks for playing with us at Pixels and Paper
KarenB said…
What an amazing treasure! Thank you for sharing your layout and the story behind the photos.
Lynne J said…
what a wonderful vintage page and love the story behind it-you are blessed to have these special photos! Glad you played along with us at Pixels and Paper this month!
Rebecca rande said…
what a fabulous story!!! such wonderful treasures to find in such a case!! thank you for playing along with Pixels and Paper!!

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