a couple of years ago I made up a series of 10 aceo collages and put them in my etsy shop
They were all based on a paper clipping I had of '10 rules for a happy marriage'.
Anyway, as with all things and the creation of art, I procrastinated about producing them as a set of 10, and I wasn't keen on making collage after collage of the same images (besides my collages all use scraps of images and papers and my goodness - where would I get all the same bits and pieces??!) and I wanted it to be 'just right', so with some help from Photoshop I finally got the 'just right' right - and got around to printing my set last month and -
Voila!
1) Always Tell the Truth
so they turned
to each other and whispered lovingly 'I will always love you forever and
ever..'.
2) Love,
goodwill, wisdom and understanding are absolutely required
so they put the
kettle on and make a lovely pot of tea. Priceless likes his tea black with a
red flower and Evdokia prefers a touch of milk with a red flower. Together they
share their hearts and minds.
3) A sense of
humour is quite necessary
In bed that night Priceless felt a pea under the
quilts then noticed Evdokia’s head pop up! Good grief he laughed – I thought
you were a pea. Evdokia quietly whispered – my darling, don’t you mean a peach!
4) Respect each
other and each other’s desire for privacy
On day 1 of their Swiss honeymoon they spent a relaxing
afternoon frolicking amid the wild flowers. Priceless realized that Evdokia had
disappeared when suddenly her beautiful face poked thru a hay stack. I shall
just be a minute, she smiled, I have matters to attend.
5) Be tolerant
– outward appearances are often deceptive
At dinner that night in the exclusive 5 star hotel Priceless had
to bite his tongue. Evdokia, looking resplendent in her reindeer sweater and
pearls, suddenly brought out a bib - and before you knew it, jumped into the
middle of the salad and proceeded to stuff her face! my, my!
6) Be patient:
it is foolish to fuss about small things
Evdokia had been watching the seconds fly past, tapping her hind
leg impatiently, wondering where Priceless was. A few minutes later, exhausted,
she was fast asleep. When Priceless came in he smiled lovingly at his princess,
he saw she had been fussing! He quietly slipped a small velvet jewelry box
under her pillow then carried her over to bed.
7) Never let
the sun set on your anger, no matter what may happen during the day: never
forget the goodnight kiss
Priceless pulled Evdokia close then kissed her nose, eyelashes,
whiskers, chin and furry pink mouth. Sleep well, he whispered, and forget about
the slug in the salad, we saw it just in time and in future I’ll wash the
leaves more thoroughly. Yes, she replied, not cross at all now.
8) Avoid
self-consciousness and false pride. Both are stumbling
blocks on the road to married happiness
Priceless was in a daze, transfixed by the sparkly jewels around
him, making his appearance even more attractive (he thought). Suddenly he
looked up and saw something far more beautiful than anything he had ever seen –
his wife Evdokia!
9) Remember
that marriage is a game that must be played on a 50-50 basis: in other words,
give and take, bear and forbear
Evdokia was following the rules better and making sure not to
use 5th gear but she had already burnt out the handbrake. Thank
goodness Priceless was finally catching up! This driving slow was proving very
hard for a natural like her and she wanted him to at least win once.
10) Always be
companionable and do not forget to smile – this is of vital importance
After their long bicycle trip from Switzerland to Paris (they
were reducing their carbon pawprint as much as possible), their bums ached and
ached! However, the photos will be in the album for ever and always so they
both managed to squeeze a wry smile each! Such is love!
The Rules were written by Rev. Louis A. Ewart, vicar of Earls Barton in Northamptonshire one month before Queen Elizabeth II was married. How appropriate, and sweet!
Perhaps he never thought that two small rabbits would be following his words of advice?
On the back of every postcard I have printed the rabbits conversation, so if they are being popped in the posted individually to your honey, then the discourse on the back will bring a warm smile
Plus each postcard is done in an 'over-size' stamp sort of style (the edges don't all line up and are not perfect, but then again, all my art is made just the way I like it - as not-perfect :)
and if you are giving them as a gift in a set, then the recipient will receive them in this lovely thick cream coloured envelope with my cut outs of Priceless and Evdokia adhered to the front along with a scrap of paper announcing the Rules.
and inside will be ...
the 10 cards and the 10 scrap bits of paper with the rules and the rabbits conversations, plus a bit on the back leaf about it all
and the nice thing about giving the pack is that the happy couple can display the cards and words where ever they please, how ever they please, to suit their home decor and sensibilities
(framed ornately? cork board? left under the pillow to bring a smile? with breakfast in bed? on the fridge? in your journal? ...the possibilities are mind boggling!)
- and as long as they look at them and abide by the pertinent advice
they will indeed have a happy marriage
I am pretty pleased with the set, it turned out really well and the buns look real neat!
plus I love these rules. There is love, respect and equality in them.
I reckon all happy relationships, whether sealed with a metal band or not, need those qualities to survive, thrive and prosper.
But if I had to choose just one rule - it would be no2 - LOVE is absolutely required, and essential :)
~ so, not just for newly weds, wedders-to-be, or dreamers, but also for those reaffirming their love to each other and those who need only love to bond them to each other
*sigh* all so romantic!
Rules of Happy Marriage - here :)
and so I am without the most absolutely essential cannot-do-without accessory for normal day to day living in today's modern world - nope - not lipstick or my credit card but -
