Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bathing Beauty


Hello my friends! It's time for a Color Challenge at Ella's Pink Scrapbook! And the challenge color is PINK!!!


I missed last week's challenge, which was to make a layout celebrating motherhood, so I've sort of combined the two in this week's page. That gorgeous woman is my mother, Frieda Clark Allen. This picture was taken while she was working as a civilian for the military in the Panama Canal Zone. My mom had previously served in the Army. I think she ended up in Panama as a civilian because of an earlier marriage that ended in divorce.

I only recently found out that my mom was married twice before she married my dad... she took that secret to the grave. Well, not from my dad, but certainly from us kids...although my sister Linda later confessed that she found out by accident somewhere along the line, and so did my brother, but neither one said a word to me or our other sister Kim. Anyway, this all came up in conversation with my dad when he visited us last year and we were going through old pictures.

I'm not upset. Just sad that there were things about my mom I never knew. And the circumstances of those two marriages and why they ended was rather shocking. But I guess we all have things we don't want to talk about, especially with our children. I know I have my secrets...

Anyway, my mom and dad met while he was stationed in Panama, and that's where they married. Dad believes this picture was taken around 1955. She worked in a photo lab and was the subject of lots of pictures. And no wonder... she was amazingly photogenic. I have so many beautiful pictures of her to scrapbook. This is but the first of many to come.

Once again, I turned to my scrapbooking idol Julie Bonner for the sketch. That gorgeous DP is by Prima, as are the chipboard pieces. The lace is by Websters Pages, and the ribbon is from Papertrey Ink. And check it out... the title "bathing beauty" is the very first title I cut using my new Cricut Expressions and Gypsy, which was my Mother's Day present. Woo hoo!!! The learning curve is a bit tricky, but I'm catching on, thanks to my friend Alicia's awesome video tutorials.

I tell you, I'm loving my return to scrapbooking!!!

Why not join us this week at Ella's Pink Scrapbook? What could be easier than incorporating PINK into your page? And be sure to stop by and see what the rest of Ella's girls have created.

Have a great day!

13 comments:

♥ Kristy Woods ♥ said...

OMG Lisa this is absolutly GORGEOUS!! WOW, its poped out of my dashbooard and I knew I had to come get a closer look. Very amazing!
Kristy xx

Patti J said...

What a wonderful page you have created! Your mom was very photogenic and beautiful, indeed! My mom took secrets with her too. I've known for many years that my 'real' dad left us when I was an infant. Now that I'm getting older, I wonder what health ailments come from his family side, etc... Unfortunately, she didn't ever tell anything about him. Great page, dear friend! I should join you in scrapping - I have BOXES of pics!!!

Catherine said...

What an amazing story. Obviously, regardless of what happened before, things worked out for your mom because she went on to have a beautiful family and was blessed with a loving & lovely daughter named Lisa. ;)
Your mom was an absolute beauty and you have made such a fabulous tribute to her with this page! OMGosh, it is GORGEOUS!!!!!! I hope you continue with this project, because it is so inspiring and I can't wait to see more! What an amazingly wonderful creation!
{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Kathy Martin said...

Wow, I thought that bathing beauty was you! Great page! :)

Justine said...

Wow this is so beautiful. love the color combo and that fun bathing beauty

Fern said...

Gorgeous LO Lisa!! Your mother was beautiful and you are so lucky to have these wonderful photos of her!!! I really luv the papers you used,and the lace and ribbon!!! XXX

Fern said...

Gorgeous LO Lisa!! The photo of your mother is beautiful!! You are very lucky that have so many wonderful photos of her!! I love the papers you used, and the lace and ribbon are beautiful as well! XXXX

Sue from Oregon said...

Wonderful tribute to your Mom. And boy could I tell ya stories that came out it our family. Times were very different back in the 50's and people were "forced" to keep secrets. I don't understand the culture of that, but that was society back then! My mom's stories make my hair curl!

Beth aka BR-T said...

Lisa this is brilliant I love the retro vintage feel and if I looked that good in a bathing suit Wow! Beth

Alicia Garcia said...

*GASP* I a-d-o-r-e this layout...it's absolutley beautiful! I am SO jealous that you have such amazing photos to scrapbook; look at your stunning mother! I am hoping my grandmother will someday give me her old photos, but she thinks that scrapbooking is a waste of time-can you believe it?!

I am happy to hear you've got your new toys up and running and I SO apprecaite teh shout out, my friend! Missing you today while you are at the crop! My little choir did a rockin' job this am though and hopefully they will be just as relaxed for thier families tonight! <3

Alice said...

this is so pretty, Lisa!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Lisa,
I'm new to your blog - and this post just grabbed my heart! I, too, am "discovering" my Mom after her death - I feel the ache of wanting to ask her about this or that - I delight in finding out things I never knew!

Your layout is just beautiful (as was your Mom!) and so rich and full of detail! It's a fabulous work and I'm hoping to see more from your stash of photos!

Stamp and Smile said...

"Gorgeous" page!! Your Mom is a beautiful woman... very classy! :) Fantastic elements on your page along with the FUN color combo! SMILES form Minnesota! :)