Tale-ing Fragments #11: Expedition log, third entry

Hi everyone, hope you're all doing well :)

I’m continuing to go through the expedition journal with two new pages and a little “find”.

You can see the making process of the pages here or on my channel

This week I delved into floriography, the language of flowers. Flowers caught the eyes and hearts of people around the world and throughout history, but this project is set in the Victorian-Edwardian eras, so I looked into the meanings attached to flowers then. And boy did I find some! I never realized just how rich Victorian flower language was, there are dictionaries for it and they’re amazing! Pretty much every flower, tree or herb you can think of had some meaning attached to it, well, at least those plants that were known to Westerners at the time

The flowers that appear in these two pages were chosen with consideration of the meaning attached to them, and – let’s be honest – what I had available :)

The left page of this week’s duo has a large iris, meant to emulate a vintage botanical painting. This page has a very simple composition, but that allows the eye to focus on the iris and all it's details.

I used a stamp set by Altenew to create a sketch-like outline (you can see how in the video), and then water-colored it. The idea was that the journal owner painted it, so I didn’t want to use a printed image. Stamps can be used for a painting effect, even when they weren’t necessarily meant for it, and it definitely saved me a lot of time with the fine details on the iris petals.

Irises are one of the cases where the meaning attached to a flower came from its name. It signifies a message, probably because the Greco-Roman goddess Iris was a messenger goddess (among other things).

So here's you're first clue to this week's find ;)

The right page has a lot more going on, but I made sure to keep its front pretty simple so it won't overwhelm the iris page. The folder cover only has some stamping details of flower related dictionary definitions, but under the ribbon knot we have a clue on what's going on inside.

When you open the folder, you get another hint of the inside right under the cover flap. This little group of images connects to post, with things like mail and telegraph labels, so the folder connects the flower and post themes of the two pages.

Inside the folder the post theme is clear, with a bunch of labels and stamps, but under it all there is a base image of the same dictionary definitions we saw on the outside of the folder and some flower images, so the flower theme is definitely still in the background (sorry, had to go for the pun...). This folder is full of little details and textures and I really like how it all came together.

In the little pocket I inserted three flower tags of pansy, sweet alyssum and stephanotis. They were inspired by Victorian pressed flower collections, but I also had the idea of them being a sort of flower swatch card collection that our guy is making. Each tag has a protective layer of vellum and the flower's name on the back. I got the idea to attach the pressed flowers with a tiny strip of paper from the flower collections that inspired this, that's how it was done before cello tape :)

The making of the pansy tag is in the video, and I also mentioned that pansies stand for "thought" or something like "you're in my thoughts". Like the iris, the meaning is connected to the name: pansy comes from the French word for thought - ‘pensée’ (I'm sure I murdered that one in the video, sorry...), which is from same Latin root as the English word ‘pensive’.

Sweet alyssum, stands for "worth beyond beauty", so... appreciation of non-superficial qualities? It's not very clear without a context, but it probably meant to suggest that the person receiving the flower has qualities like kindness and wisdom, and not just good looks. I'm not sure why sweet alyssum had this meaning, maybe because it's such a small and unassuming flower to look at, but has the most amazing fragrance.

Stephanotis (or Madagascar jasmine) was a symbol of marital happiness in Victorian times, and apparently was used quite often in bridal bouquets.

So together we have thoughts, qualities beyond beauty, marital happiness and, of course, the iris and it's "messege".

I can solve one mystery, the iris was chosen because its meaning complemented the postal theme of the right page, and the "surprise" I added to the pocket: behind the flower tags is a hidden letter:

It's torn and stained, but reads as follows:

”Dear J---

Three weeks and no word. Your work keeps you occupied, I am sure, but would you not find time to write a few lines to those who care for you? The circumstances of your departure are unfortunate, but please do not imagine they changed my affections. Will you not consider a change of heart? This cannot be what you truly desire. If -- "

The bottom of the page was torn, so no signature but it definitely raises some questions, doesn't it? This is the first real hint to the journal owner's personal life, we'll wee how things unfold in the coming weeks, hope you'll join me

Till then, take care and have a great week!
xx
Naama