Sunday 1 July 2012

Sian's Storytelling Sunday - The Story of Us in Stained Glass

Happy Sunday! I usually struggle to get on here on Sunday so this post has been scheduled in advance LOL.

We had a stained glass panel made many years ago. It went into the front door of an Edwardian House. Unfortunately all the original glasses were modernised, a long time before our time! So what do you put on a stained glass panel ? The normal geometric pattern is the obvious choice. We wanted something more pictorial. The ornate painted on story panel you see in churches would be exhorbitant though.

We waited to hear what M would suggest. We told him our story, can he do something by way of a glass panel ? Yes, he said. This is what he made.


The glass panels have been replaced. We opted for geometric up top, plain coloured glass in the side panels and our story in the door. Unfortunately the hallway was not looking too presentable at this stage.


A couple of years later, we repainted the front of the house ( yes, they painted it black and white to modernise it too, the stairs lacquered black... ).

Then a few months later, A had a new job in Peterborough.  What should we do about our story panel ?  We called M back in and he made this.


We moved and took the panels with us.  Two houses later, I finally made a frame for it and now it has been installed in the conservatory. This house is not quite of the age of stained glass but at least it is now somewhere safe as opposed to a box in the garage.


What's the story ?  It depicts books and mortar board for Imperial where A&I met, Empire ( in Leicester Sq ) where A proposed ( class! ), a thistle for Scotland where we married and honeymooned, a river for the Thames that we can see from Guys ( Hospital ) where J was born and a crown for Kings ( Hospital ) where H was born.

Are you storytelling with Sian ?  If not, why not ?  Go over to her blog and read more fantastic stories.

15 comments:

Missus Wookie said...

Oh what a lovely story told in glass - there are lots of stained glass doors around here and I do love them.

Glad it has a home where it can be seen and admired daily.

Lou said...

How lovely to have your story for all to see. A great idea and glad you were able to take it with you.

debs14 said...

I love stained glass windows and love the way you have personalised yours and managed to take it with you when you moved.

Irene said...

So pleased you shared this wonderful pane of glass. What an ongoing story it has to tell. It's an original way to record your memories.

Abi said...

This is beautiful and how clever to tell your story in such a personal way. Beautiful

Becky said...

What a fantastic thing to have and I live your story to go with it :-)

Melissa said...

How wonderful to have your story preserved in stained glass - it's beautiful.

furrypig said...

that is beautiful and such a great treasure I am sure it will become a cherished family heirloom with the story it tells

Scrappi Sandi said...

I love this & have often pondered stained glass for the two panels either side of our fron door!...I am re-inspired! :D TFS

Anonymous said...

Love that you were able to take it with you. Such an nventive way of telling your story.

Unknown said...

That is beautiful!!! I am glad you were able to take it with you and put it back up on display.

Gem's Crafts said...

What a beautiful window, that is so personal to you and your family, thanks for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how M took the separate parts of your story to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. And how wonderful is it that the story of you now has it's own story as well!

Sian said...

Ifa, this is perfect! A story about a story? I love it! I'm going to scroll back up for another look because I think it's wonderful..well worth me taking a break from the unpacking for!

Mary B said...

What a lovely story and what a super panel and being able to take it to what ever house you are in is such a great idea