Wednesday, July 14

A Challenge & A Story

Last week my friend Mary at Green Paper invited everyone to an art challenge.
The rules were very simple, use all or part of a collage sheet she provided & share by today!
So here is my story of Miss Mary Hayes.

Miss Mary Hayes was secretly in love with a boy who wrote beautiful letters of the heart.
He was very romantic.
Once a week after he was paid, he would pick up a small bouquet of her favorite flowers from the corner shop. 
On their 1st anniversary he surprised her by having a charm made from one of the blooms.

She wore it around her neck until the day she died.

Miss Mary kept every trinket he ever gave her.
Little hearts, ribbons that once tied up a pretty package.
And a button that came from the last gown he saw her in.
Their relationship was very complex & veiled in secrecy.
It all came to an end when he left to fight the great war.  The last letter Mary received was on July 18, 1919.
Mary never gave up hope that her true love would return one day.
She died alone, with only her memories & some tokens of a love story.
~Lisa

51 comments:

Nancy said...

Lisa, What a beautiful piece of art work. I love how it tells a story.

Debbi said...

Terrific story! I just love it! Your art is pretty wonderful, too! Thank you so much! It's such a joy to visit blogs like yours and drink in the beautiful art. Like daily gallery visits . . . sigh . . .

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

OMG Lisa, It's 82 degrees here in our living room but I'm having goosebumps from reading this bittersweet love story! Your collage is stunning! I love the idea you had and how you transformed it into this piece of artwork! GORGEOUS!
Big hugs,
Julia

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

beautiful, simply beautiful!!

xo
becky

Ati said...

Oh, oh, I love the story you made! And the fabric collage!

Liesbeth Fidder said...

Great story...!! And how wonderful is your collage !!

peggy gatto said...

What a beautiful, intricate creation, lovely art work!!

Kathryn Dyche said...

What a beautiful story to complement the piece.

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Dang Sister Lisa Marie...
Could you have written a SADDER (is that a word???) ending?
sniff sniff.

I was hoping he returned from the war (all in one piece), surprised her on the front porch (of her Southern cottage full of mossy covered oaks) and they lived happily ever after (& had triplets)!!!!

But noooooooo, they NEVER saw each other again...

you HAD to make me cry!
You know I'm fragile right now!!!!
;)

All jokes and tears aside...
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!
(love that velvet detail)
:)

Debra@CommonGround said...

You definitely know how to tell a sweet story, tear jerker though it might be. What a gorgeous way to "frame" your art! Love your creation, Lisa, just wonderful as always!!
xo,
Debra

Mary Green said...

Oh, how beautiful, I love all the bits of flowers and lace! Thanks so much for joining in!

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Who knew you are a budding journalist? Once again, you have wowed us with your creativity and eye for beauty. Simply Stunning!
Blessings,
Susie

Netty said...

Am speechless....love how you have told the story and the beautiful work you have done, just amazing. Annette

Rebecca said...

I want to know why their relationship was veiled in secrecy... the bum was married wasn't he :)
Can you tell I am not much of a romantic (ha, blame it on 3 husbands)
But I do love the collage!!!
Say were you serious about the album - just wondering - if you are 85 bucks and it is your. Also can send pics if you want...if not that's fine too - just didn't want to ignore you.
Have a great day
Blessings
R

Unknown said...

as always..your art is so inspiring and i just LOVE the way you bring them to life with your stories..sigh...

Unknown said...

I love this I would love to know how to transfer this image to fabric as you have done. I only know the package tape transfer and that's not really suitable all the time.

This is really beautiful work

Love Dawn xx

Dorthe said...

Dear,dear Lisa, oh what a romantic girl you are -- when I read veiled in secrecy, I at once knew ,he was not to stay !!! --but that he had to die -Oh OH OOHHH.
Lisa ,it is a most beautifull, and gorgeus creation, love all the layers , especially the birds nest paper,and her collar, is so wonderfull.
Besides that you are truly a great writer, sweetie--such a lovely,-but sad story.
Do you know how wonderfull a person you are ??? I do.

Big kiss, and hugs, Dorthe

Robin said...

What a beautiful piece Lisa! The story that it tells is just wonderful, although somewhat sad.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

That is just heartbreaking. But your artwork is gorgeous, so that cheered me up.

Tina said...

A beautiful piece of art as always Lisa. I love the layers on this.
Thanks for sharing.
xo Tina

Sue@MyArtsDesire said...

Oh, Lisa...what a romantic heart you have! While the story is for sure sad at many levels, I also think it speaks to the undying love that Mary had for her fella! But I LOVE what you created! So many beautiful touches...the velvet ribbon, the layers, the adorable pendant, the way you quilted her photo...YUm, YuMMY, YUm to all of it! Xo, Sue

Linda M. said...

How romantic Lisa, beautiful.

My Creative House said...

Lisa what a fantastic piece, all these differents layers of fabroc and lace, love everything about it.
Anni

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Oh dear, I think I am going to cry...if not for the sad tale...then for the sheer beauty of your creation! Really lovely!
:)

June said...

I'm with Laura here! What a sad story and a gorgeous creation in memory of it. I like Jodie's ending better...but Lisa, it's your tale.
Oh girl when you gonna quit making me WISH I were an artist like you????
hugs

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Oh no! I need a tissue. Why did it have to end this way, couldn't he have returned to her???
Seriously Lisa, you have written and illustrated a lovely love story. Your art is above and over the top. You rock Girl!

hugs
Sissie

Kateyed said...

Beautiful...beautiful writing, beautiful collage.

There are some incredible pieces of lace in there, too,
Lisa!

Jan Thomason said...

This piece w/ story is gorgeous.
You have such a gift and are such an inspiration to me!!

i'm following you and will try to keep up with the inspiration you so freely give.

and, a question....what were the two fabrics we used in the tag class at paper cowgirl?? i can't remember:(


fondly, jan

FILIGREE MOON said...

Lisa, your creation is lovely! Love the details and layers. ~ Angela

Sue said...

Lisa, Mary's story is heartbreakingly wonderful, as is the beautiful collage piece you created.

Sue:)

Anne Lorys said...

Absolutely magical, Lisa!
Perfect on every level.
I wanna be you when I grow up. :-)

Kat's World said...

Oh so beautiful! Everything about it is wonderful. Thanks for the story also.

sugar Creek said...

Thank you for your comment on my art! I love your! Love the colors and the wonderful story that goes with it!

The Feathered Nest said...

oh.my.goodness.....LISA! This artwork is absolutely breathtaking and the STORY????? It makes it even MORE wonderful girl....just beautiful!!!! hug and love

Beth Leintz said...

Wow- its kind of spooky how we were on the same page with Mary Hayes- your collage is incredible- I really think I got my idea for a story after I read your story about Neelie.

Susan said...

Lovely fabric collage and story!
Susan

BellaRosa said...

Oh My Stars.....Lisa amor, I am so glad I talked to you this morning and got the forewarning from you on this ever so heartbreakingly beautiful story! Your art work that you created is just GORGEOUS....Although I agree with Jodi (so sad, wanted a happy ever after) and Rebecca (he was married huh & probaby had a whole gaggle of rugrats :)....Lawd makes me wanna fall in love again in a wickedly tragic love story kinda way......shhh don't tell Chris though cause then he might get some crazy idea lol Hope your having a wonderful week amor, get some rest & stay outta the heat at 8 pm here was still 84 :( Besos & much love...you remember me your ugly step your not the boss of me child, Rose :) ti amo :)

ps...remember when I told you about that crazy sign in word for Julia...well guess what it is tonight here for you amor??? COVEN....lol

Diana said...

Hi Lisa, What beautiful art and poignant,tragic love story. It made me teary eyed. You are so talented. Keep up the awesome work. Oh I heard he did come back from the war. There were lost letters. They got married and had kids and lived happily ever after. The End.
Hugs,
Diana

Joanna said...

Oh no, now you've made me cry for them, and they don't even really exist(sorry, is that like saying Father Christmas isn't real?!). What a great story teller you are and your artwork is so beautiful and perfect for their story. Even down to the button. Perfect.

Anonymous said...

Lisa, every single person participating in this has shown their own true style so amazingly!
Yours is beautiful, soft and touching. Don't you love it when someone comes up with an inspiration like this with just a few elements!
Beautiful results!
Blessings,
Diane

Susan said...

Beautiful job....Susan

KatHreN said...

HI, I LOVE LOVE your work. The story is beautiful. I am a collector of antiques and love the victorian look and I just have to say you capture it beautifully.
ToOdlEs,
Kathren
http://codyskeepsakes.blogspot.com/

Myrna said...

Oh-so-lovely!! And beautiful story along with it!

Candylei said...

A wonderful feminine work of art. It makes me want to go buy lace! (or I should say more lace who doesn't have lace?)

I must try the next challenge if I can. I found your lovely blog through the fadedcharmcottage. Links are super tools to find loveliness!

xoxo, Candylei

DeeDee said...

wow..I never have crafted a story before...this is lovely....

Cottage Rose said...

OH Lisa; If I did not know this was a made up love story,,, I would have thought it was a real one,,, I just love the story of Miss Mary,,, and the collage you made,,,, what a very talented lady you are,,, and such a story teller... I so enjoyed it.... it looks so lovely...

Hugs;
Alaura

At Home in English Valley said...

Your take on Miss Mary Hayes broke my heart. Such a sad story, such a beautiful work of art!

Terri said...

Absolutely beautiful, all your little details as well as your back story!
Hugs,
Terri

The Rustic Victorian said...

Lovely work and story!!!
Just wonderful!
Love
Marcie

Lisa said...

sweet art and story! I adore the way you free stitched around the image of Mary.. it makes the piece!

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Lisa,
Oooooh, what a wonderful story and
gorgeous art work.Just love it.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
Hugs,
Marie