Random Inspiration Challenge #4

With this month being Mother's Day, I wanted to do a challenge about mom, but with a twist. I thought there will be plenty of other challenges on scrapbooking about mom, and there's definitely lots of ideas in the May issues of scrapbooking magazines.

So....this month, make a layout about the relationship of your parents, and how it has influenced, and shaped you today as a mother, woman, partner.

I realize, many women out there were raised by a single parent, had step-parents, or guardians. No matter what your situation was, scrap about it. We learn by observation of the first relationship we witness - that of our parents. Do you relate to your partner the same way your parents do? Do you use similar phrases or communicate in a similar manner? Was your family atmosphere affectionate or more aloof? Did you have dinner together? Did your parents openly display affection or were more prim and proper? Do you share your mother's fundamental view on the opposite sex? Do you have a similar relationship with your spouse/partner?
I came about this month's inspiration by looking through some old photos. One of them completely made me stop dead in my tracks. It was a photo of my parents squatting in a field of flowers and kissing! What a shocker!!! My folks spent my entire life tearing each other down - a "Can't live with him, but can't live without him" type of relationship. I don't recall seeing them being affectionate or having any tender moments between them. I started thinking more and more about this photo every day. How love is so fragile. How it can turn from love to hate and resentment. Made me think about my own bad habits I picked up being raised in this environment. Made me want to do better, be better so that I won't reach the same fate.

The above layout I created , A Field of Broken Dreams is influenced by collage techniques (I am currently reading a book on collage). The items I chose are very symbolic of my parents' relationship. For example, the juggling clown at the bottom appears to be holding up the heart. It has a double meaning for me: One, that maintaining a strong marriage is a constant juggling art; Second, the fights and drama my parents go through, with their love becoming a sad satire. Sarcasm and satire is really the foundation of their relationship, as this clown is the foundation on which the heart rests. The regal crown on top of the page with the diamond stars represent the early stages of a relationship, when you feel like you're walking on clouds among stars. It appears that this photo captured such a blissful moment. The background paper is by Making Memories. I specifically cut out the "Certificate Cancelled" to convey that my parent's marriage was cancelled - divorced. I used felt for the heart to add it more dimension. I chose grey to symbolize a heart turning to stone, yet still bleeding from the inside
The photo is the original, not reprinted. I did not permanently attach it just in case I ever need to remove it. The 2 bottom photo turns hold it in place as well as the strip of transparency with the title on top of the photo. I attached the transparency by stitching along the edges and stapling it close to the heart so it does not pouch open.

Journaling you may read by double clicking on the layout (it did scan a large image so you can read directly from the layout if interested). I filled the entire negative space of the layout with text strips creating a sort of patterned paper. I think it becomes part of design rather just for functional, practical purpose of documentation. Wow! I did not realize how much journaling I could fit this way! Two pages of rough draft notebook, and I still needed an extra paragraph to fill the space.

OK, now I want to see others' work!