Victorian Fan ala Flourishes

 

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.