You all will have to indulge me or forgive me, whichever you’re more inclined to do. I have fallen in love with the Birds and Vine set from Flourishes and again I want to present something Victorian. From the moment I saw these images they whispered "victorian" in my ear. It’s just plain indulgence that again I get to make something I have wanted to make for so long. The Flourishes feel is so perfectly victorian and the stamp set lends an elegance to anything it touches. If you can’t tell, I so love things with a Romantic Southern Charm or Victorian feel and I adore Early American. Not only that, I am wildy interested in the history behind objects, traditions and ettiquette as well as the early vernacular.
Here’s some interesting facts about communication using the fan in the Victorian days when a young lady would not be caught without hers. This Fan Language was registered with the US Patent office in 1879.
Holding it in the right hand…."Yes"
Holding it in the left hand…."I would like to know you"
Dropping the fan…."I would like to be your friend"
Twirling the fan…."Go away"
Twirling the fan in the left hand: You are being watched.
Opening and shutting it….."You have been unkind"
Tapping it with one finger…."My mother (or chaperone) says no"
Opening it wide…."Shall we meet later?"
Touching the fan to the cheek…."I love you"
The fan placed near the heart: You have won my love.
Half-opened fan pressed to the lips: You may kiss me.
Hiding the eyes behind an open fan: I love you.
Opening and closing the fan several time: You are cruel.
Fanning slowly: I am married.
Fanning quickly: I am engaged.
My, my, my the times have changed, haven’t they?
This was a very simple project. I used Nestabilities for the top part of the fan and used a Sizzix Original Die Cut (Tag) for the lower part of the fan. The Scroll embellishment is a Cuttlebug Die Cut. After I cut all my pieces I aged them by smudging on Antique Linen Distress Ink. The Birds and Vines stamp was embossed in gold and the insides of the leaves and flowers colored with Tombow Markers. I embossed the Birds with black embossing powder and finished the head of the fan with a Prima Flower and pearl. The final touch to draw the separate pieces together was a double tassel.
Supplies:
Stamps: Flourishes Birds and Vine Stamp Set
Paper: The Paper Company, Blonde Columns, Sage
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Black Embossing Powder, Tombow Markers, Oval Nestability, Petite Scalloped Oval Nestability, Sizzix Original Tag Die Cut, Prima Flowers, Pearls, Ribbon, Tassels
So, what’s your passion? Is there something in your craft muse that really speaks to you? I hope you take the time to listen and follow that passion! Bless you and have a lovely weekend.
Wow, your brain goes places that my brain has never thought of! What a creative and beautiful project.
Becca, you are going to be the next Martha Stewart! Love your fan…so luxurious with the gold embossing and silk tassels! Love all the facts…they intrigue me too!
WOW !!!!
Amazing work, beautiful and elegance.
You must be an ANGEL .
Thanks !!!!!!
Awesome, I enjou everything you do. So please let your mind continue to confound us .
Thanks for sharing with us!!!!!
Wow, Becca! This is so elegant!!! Love the fan facts too…didn’t know any of that! Thanks for sharing! :)
What a stunning project and how very clever of you to combine these die cuts. TFS.
Debbie/Phx AZ
Inspirational! Thanks for sharing the idea. I just may have to pick up that stamp set after all…..
Teri
Oh my, you never cease to amaze! I love Victorian stuff…my brother teases that I should have lived in that period, though if I were to teleport there now I seriously doubt my fan etiquette would pass the test. :) This is simply beautiful! I think I’ve finally talked myself into getting that stamp set. Why not…I have almost all their others! :)
Simply beautiful! Wow, Becca, you are truly amazing with your creations. Thanks for the fun fan facts. I’d probably mess up & send out the wrong signal.
Becaa you WOW me every time!! FAbulous project!!! Have a fabulous weekend.
Stunningly gorgeous!! Wonderful job!! TFS
These are gorgeous Becca!! I love the victorian look – I can only imagine what your house looks like! Thanks for the history – it’s fun to learn tidbit of info like that!!
hugs, Jami
Becca,
Fabulous!!! This is a perfect example of why you are my
most favorite blogger. You never cease to both surprise
and amaze me.
Blessings right back at you and you to have
a lovely weekend as well.
((HUGS))
~~Diane~~
Beautiful, Elegant, Gorgeous, these words and more come to my mind as I look at today’s creation. Are you going to use it as a fan, use it as decor, maybe in a shadow box frame? Just curious. I love it. I look forward to seeing what new creation you are posting each day.
Hugs back at ya, Lisa A.
Very cool, Becca!!!
You do the coolest projects, this is gorgeous.
Truly beautiful and very interesting language of the fan!
xxxxxxx
Wow, such a beautiful fan. I really enjoyed reading the “language” who. Who would have thought?
Your creativity just amazes me, this is just beautiful, I think I share your love for the same things :) love the background to these and how you added a touch of color, the history on the meaning of using the fan was very interesting, I think if people back then could see us now they would go into shock..LOL!
Your project is beautiful and thank you so much for the history of the fan. What a fabulous project to make with that set. I had to add you to my favorite blogs. I know I’ll want to be back.
Woaah!! Becca such inventiveness this is utterly stunning!
Very interesting about the language of the fan! What a beautiful piece. You certainly do have a flair for all things Victorian!
Oh my Becca, you have really WOWed me this time! What a beautiful, and very creative, project!!!
wow!! very very nice!! and I WILL indulge you anytime my dear! love the pearls and the whole fan!
Becca, these are lovely and what an absolutely brilliant idea!!!
I’ve never seen gorgeous project like this! Brilliant idea how to make it! Love the facts about the fan! Thank you, Becca, for your wonderful project!
You are amazing!! How do you come up with such beautiful and unusual ideas?! Absolutely beautiful!
How utterly elegant and yet with an air of vampishness. With that fan a woman didn’t have to speak at all……it said everything. You are indeed a very clever artistic woman and your style is on a different level. Thanks for sharing your creations.
A beautiful fan Becca, I love vintage Victorian fans!
This is awesome! Very elegant and beautiful. I love all of your creative ideas. You come up with some very unique and fabulous ideas that I don’t see other places! Thanks so much for sharing your ideas with us.
Beautiful project and lovely colors
[…] (I love Victorian Fans, I have another that I did some time ago – you can see it HERE along with my post about the language of the fan. You know you wouldn’t want to flop it […]