Wednesday 13 February 2013

Passing Out ...

... no, not literally!

Hi Everyone,

No WOYWW today ... I've a busy few days in front of me and I just know I wouldn't be able to give my fellow WOYWWers the attention they deserved :( Besides, there really was nothing on my desk to show ... it's so tidy it's boring. Instead, I have this scrap page to share.

The photo in this layout shows me dressed in my 'best', No.1, uniform immediately after my Passing Out Parade in February 1966. I'd just finished the six-week initial training period at Queen Elizabeth Barracks,  Guildford, which, sadly, no longer exists. To my knowledge, this is the only photo of me in uniform still in existence - one for the Family History album, methinks :)


Choosing the papers to go with this particular photo was interesting and not just because it's black and white, the subject didn't lend itself to the obvious 'vintage' style papers.  They just didn't work with it. Unfortunately, I didn't have any swinging sixties style patterns in my stash - pop-art might have been good. I could have tried green ... the WRAC uniform was dark green - designed by no less a man than Norman Hartnell, designer to the Queen! - but that didn't appeal. I finally decided to use the very current Dear Lizzy papers because I like the aquas and teals and the stripes and triangles struck me as more appropriate than flowers/leaves/etc.

The layout is a scraplift inspired by Hayley Morris's page, entitled 'My Precious Memories' in Issue 70, Scrapbook Magazine.  For the background, I chose a dark grey SEI paper which had a tiny lighter grey dot pattern. The embellishments are a mix of ready-made stickers and die-cuts and a few I made myself, e.g the yellow stars were all made using either a die or were punched from Dear Lizzy paper and the taupe deckle-edged circles were die-cut from scraps of Kanban paper. When it came to the journaling, I almost came unstuck - where to write it was a bit of a test. I suppose I could have used a white pen on the grey background but I didn't think I could do a good job with the only white pen I own. As you can see, I went with filling in the area to the right of the photo.

Supplies used:
Papers: SEI Juliette, My Romeo patterned paper(side 2) for base; Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic paper collection; Kanban Vintage Tapestry
Embellishments: Corners from Docrafts Chronology Die-cut Toppers; My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Howdy Doody 'Lovely' stickers; Teresa Collins Fabrications 'Canvas' Die-cut sheet & Sticker Sheet; teal coloured tiny brads; teal/white baker's twine; Trimcraft Flower Riverbank Revels yellow polka dot washi tape
Titles: BoBunny letter stickers Country Garden Tiny Type; American Crafts thickers Newsprint
Tools: Docrafts X-cut nesting dies Star & Spiro Circle; X-cut star corner punch

Only a few snippets went in to the layout but I think I'll be skipping over toDi's at Pixie's Crafty Snippets. It's week 59 and I'm keen see what the others in the playground are up to :))

More background to the photo which might be of interest to some readers:  The WRAC - Women's Royal Army Corp - was disbanded in 1992 and women have since been integrated into the rest of the army. Queen Elizabeth Barracks was also known as the 'Powder Puff' barracks - all those women - and was the height of luxury compared with any other army camp I was billeted in - only four beds to a room!  Now redeveloped, it is an estate of private houses and flats, I believe.  We had two uniforms, one for 'best' and another, more practical one for everyday wear.  The best, as seen in the photo, was the least flattering ... it had a way of flattening our natural attributes :) Oh, and I loathed that cap - it had a metal band inside that was like a vice - it hurt! I much preferred the everyday beret :)

Right, I'm reliably informed that there is a pot of tea on the go, so I'm off to get a cuppa and start planning the next project on the to-do list.

Thanks for visiting, take care all and happy crafting,

19 comments:

Marie-Louise said...

Elizabeth this is marvellous. You always make me want to try scrap booking. Great way to store memories.

MagsB said...

Thank you for posting this lovely page! The geometric papers look so good - and the stars are a fab touch!

What a terrific photo of you in your Norman Hartnell outfit! You look very smart! (Mind, the hat sounds horrendous!)

Stay warm!

love Mags B x

Bubbles said...

I think you chose the perfect papers for this stunning layout!
Just popping over from Pixies Crafty Snippets :)
Bubbles #21

Cass said...

Got to comment on this! I also was at the QE2 barracks in Guildford, 1974... happy days. I think I have 3 army photos of myself. Yep remember the rooms, and the ablutions, oh and those shirts, having to iron umpteen creases into them, plus starching the collars! They did away with the metal band, I hated the beret, never suited me. Oh happy days...

Cassidy

Kezzy said...

Wow this is gorgeous and the story is amazing. I hear a lot about the army as my son who is 13 goes to cadets and wants to join up one day, he loves reading all about it and has to share with the family lol. I so love your layout, the papers are so yummy and I just love all the details you have added. Happy Woyww (well not quite for you but not forgotten and I'm sure you will join in next week) :-)
Hugs Kezzy xxx

scrappymo! said...

Oh my goodness...You look so wonderful in that uniform! What an exciting chapter of your life that must have been.
Funny that they were good about the barracks but not about making sure the outfits you had to wear fit properly!

To think the Queens own designer made that uncomfortable hat!

Your layout and choice of papers is stunning. I think that sentiment "Every picture has a story to tell" is so appropriate for this layout. The stars are a great touch to this as well...Great layout!

Thanks for the kind comments today...I was so excited to get the card and red envelope for 10 cents and I think the packets of poinsettias have 4 or even 5 flowers in them!

Alison Scott said...

Beautiful snapshot to treasure.
Wonderful layout.

debby4000 said...

Brilliant layout Elizabeth perfect colours for the photo.
Yes indeed the barracks are no more. The old part was renovated into flats but the grounds are one huge housing estate.
Luv
Debby

Di said...

Super layout Elizabeth - and the lovely photo of you along with the story really is fascinating!

Happy Valentine's Day! Hugs, Di xx

Angie said...

A perfect choice for this photo. It is funny how cetain photos are hard to match with the right papers. A great LO ...holding a great memory. ...so wish I could get back to crafting.xx

May said...

This is fabulous Elizabeth..Wonderful story behind this pic.. your choice of papers are perfect!! Hugs May x x x

Anne said...

That is lovely Elizabeth. I love the colours that you decided on. Have just been looking at the blanket that your son's partner has made it is beautiful. Sorry to be late visiting.Anne x

Sarn said...

Ahhh, how sweet . . . you passed out 2 months before I was born . . . not that I want to make you feel old or anything! LOL!

What a great photo to treasure, and I love your scraplifted layout.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Sandra H said...

Elizabeth, This is just fabulous lovely story too and what a lovely layout great picture xx

Jules said...

Hi Elizabeth

What a special layout!!!

Fabulous picture and great to hear the history behind it.

Pleased to read I am not the only busy butcher at the moment1

I hope all is good with you.

Have a good day.

Love Jules xx

Eliza said...

I never kept any of my photos at all. You are so lucky that you have this one, good for you, awesome layout.

DOD doens't even have copies of mine been down that road.

What core did you serve in?

Eliza

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Elizabeth,

What a wonderful photo! Have you scanned it so it will be around for years and years? Especially since it's the only known photo of you in uniform?

Your page looks perfect!

Hugs,
Kay

Anonymous said...

This is lovely Elizabeth, I really like the grey background, looks military like. What does the journaling say? Lol, I'm nosy. My first ever ambition was to join the RAF in Air Traffic Control, passed all the tests but they closed the trade and the waiting list for it on the day I went for the tests, so I never got in!

Hugs
Brenda

Craftychris said...

What a gorgeous page and I really enjoyed reading all about it. The papers you have chosen are perfect and I love the layout xx