A few years ago, an elderly relative passed away. Among her possessions were these three scrapbooks. (No, that isn’t dust.)
Each one contains old newspaper clippings of wedding announcements of couples in our local area.
The earliest ones date to 1948. As I looked through these, I recognized the names of several of my former classmates’ parents. I knew my classmates would appreciate having copies of the articles.
The first one I decided to share was that of Donna’s parents. Although I’d never made one before, I created a shadowbox for her, featuring her parents’ wedding announcement.
Since it was impossible to get a good picture of it in the frame (I had reflections of light no matter what I did), I took this photo of the items assembled, but unframed.
I found the pearl necklace and old glove at an antique shop, along with the little heart-shaped pin. The tatting was some that I had in my sewing box and was exactly the right length. Because I make my own greeting cards using rubber stamps, I had the word “love” in my supplies, as well as the fabric flowers.
The snippet of paper to the right was also in my card-making supplies and has this message:
“Love has nothing to do with what you’re expected to get; it’s what you are expected to give – which is everything.”
It doesn’t show up well in the picture, but the little torn slip of paper at the top is the definition of “marriage” from an old tattered dictionary.
Because January 26 was the date her parents were married, I really wanted to give this to Donna last week. So we met for lunch on Thursday. She knew I had something for her, but had no idea what it was.
When she saw the shadowbox, she gasped, then she cried. Then she hugged me. And cried some more.
One of her relatives, who’s also a friend of mine, told me that Donna was very close to her parents, both of whom are now gone. Giving this to her was so special for me; made even more so by the fact that she’d never seen this picture of her Mother before.
And now, my search for vintage bridal accessories continues: I have several more shadowboxes to make.
these days of mine 
What a special gift and friend you are.
What an incredibly beautiful way to create a very unique and special gift for your friends. Certainly the scrapbooks are a treasure trove of information and inspiration but YOUR creativity and eye for detail made that shadowbox a one-of-a-kind heirloom for your friend to keep, share and treasure always. You are SO talented!!
Pam
I agree with Pam…..you are so talented as I’ve told you before. I knew Donna would love it. I think anyone would.
June
What a wonderful quest! To see one’s history just given to you in such a beautiful way would make anyone emotional. One shadowbox at a time, one card at a time, one post every day, you make this world a better place. Your heart is full, Dianna.
Aw, Georgette, you’re so sweet!! Thanks for the compliments!
What a lovely idea and gift Dianna. I agree with June, anyone would love to have one of those. Such a sweet memory!
WOW! You know I love this! What a significant, special use of your special talent!!!
What a special and lovely gift. Your friends are lucky to have you.
What a beautiful gift and you are so talented 🙂 Have a wonderful Monday xx00xx
Mollie and Alfie
What a great keepsake! When my grandmother passed away in the late 80’s, my Aunt made a similar shadowbox for me using my grandmother’s sewing box contents with some of her doilies, white Sunday gloves and a few pieces of her costume jewelry. She made one for each of the grandchildren girls in the family. It’s such a great way to remember loved ones. I love it!
Dianna what a wonderful gift for all of us! As one of the Warthan siblings I can vouch for all of us when I say we indeed loved and miss our parents very much so it is a very special thing that you did. Donna is lucky to have a friend such as yourself!
Terri Warthan
I saw this on Thursday! It’s so perfect!! Thank you Dianna.
Such a lovely gift and so thoughtful. You know how to do it up right.
Dianna, words can hardly express the joy and flash of memories of my beautiful Mother when I saw the shadow box! Even in the picture of you and I (and the wonderful love box), you can still see the happy tears in my eyes. The time it took, the loving care and thought put into putting the box together (everyone especially loves the sweet old gloves), I (and my family) will always hold you close to our heart. It was a beautiful thing you did and i am eternally grateful to have a friend like you.
Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.
Donna Warthan
What a beautiful gift.
Gorgeous! What a wonderful random act of kindness and senseless act of beauty!
YOU ROCK!
WoW…what a wonderful, thoughtful gift!! it’s just gorgeous!!
I can’t even imagine the joy Donna must have felt.
Just one of the coolest things ever Dianna! Looks like lots of creative fun.
~d.
What a wonderful idea and such a precious memory that you’re making. So thoughtful and kind of you!
the most thoughtful, personal of gifts. a piece of history given back…
There is no better gift to give than of your time and talents and you gave both!
Diane:
You are such an exceptional and inspiring woman. Your kindness to others is so rare and precious in these crazy times. So lucky to be Motor Man’s and your friend! You guys are the best!!
-Lisap
This gave me goosebumps! How incredibly thoughtful and talented you are. I might need to pick your brain about how to display something that is old and special to me. Next time we get together with Patti, I’ll bring it, assuming I even remember this!
Oooh….I’d love to see it! We’ll have to plan a get-together soon!
An amazing idea! I’m glad I had a chance to see it that morning before you delivered it… and as soon as I saw it, I knew she’d love it .. Keep on ‘shadowboxing’ 😉
You were so very thoughful, I bet they were thrilled. I love making shadow box’s too.
You have such a beautiful heart. What a wonderful gift that you’ve given. I know she’ll treasure it forever. I know the other classmates will love theirs too. This is so sweet. 🙂
The shadowbox came out beautiful. I have such a talented aunt! I look forward to seeing you for my birthday lunch!
Oh my goodness, what an absolutely lovely thing to do! A gift like that is one to be treasured for a lifetime. And what a neat idea for those old clippings. My mom also kept scrapbooks just like the ones you have with weddings and engagements in them. When she passed away, my sisters and I went through them and gave away clippings to children and grandchildren of the wedding couples portrayed. But I never once thought of doing something special like this with them. Your sweet and caring heart shines through your actions, Dianna! You are a treasure.
Oh wow! How fantastic! That’s probably the best gift anyone could ever receive. Your friend is very lucky to have you. =^.^= Bisous Bailey
“then she cried. Then she hugged me. And cried some more”
and then WE CRIED!
What a beautiful, thoughtful gift. What a special friend and lady you are.
🙂 MJ
You, yourself, are a special gift to your friends Dianna! And these gifts of memories you make for others will be cherished.
I love this and love both of you:) Donna hasn’t changed a bit – still as beautiful as ever and this is a such great picture of you two! Dianna, you are so creative and talented, but most of all you are a wonderful friend. Anyone who knows you is very fortunate. L/M
This was such a beautiful thing to make and share Dianne!
What a beautiful and thoughtful gift! You are so creative!
What a sweet thing to do! I know this beautiful gift will be treasured always.
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You are simply the sweetest and most thoughtful friend a girl could have, Dianna! Blessings all over you today!
What a lovely, thoughtful gift, Dianna! You are a treasure.
I knew you would create a beautiful shadowbox with the clipping…I could see the wheels turning in your head whenI saw the clipping, and I was 100% certain Donna would cry! Ruth & Marvin Warthan were great parents, lots of fun, and all five of their children were very close to them. So did I. I can visualize very clearly Ruth Warthan sitting at the kitchen table with her shoulder-shaking laugh
What a lovely act of love you gave Donna. There are many angels on earth Dianna and you just prove that point to me more and more!
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So heartwarming, what a precious gift! To have your friendship Diana is a true blessing<3
Beautifully sweet and charming!