Tradition

It's another page layout... well yeah, that's what my blog has become.  This week is CCG's combo #210, using colors like, Lavish Brown, Urban Appeal, Sophisticated Amber and Wordly Goods.  To see the color challenge for yourself be sure to click HERE.   The designer's challenge this week was "Focus on Pattern" and create a project using architectural, ledger, wood-grain or geometric patterns.
I don't know about you, but when I see the word "architectural", my mind immediately turned to vintage doors, Arts & Crafts movement, Stickley, Mission, Frank Lloyd Wright...good lord this wasn't going to work.  It was going to get "difficult and timely" QUICK.. step back, refocus.  ReFOCUS.. I went back to pattern... I pulled my school ledger paper out, polka dots, florals, actual wood grain veneer paper and even a tone on tone plaid/check.  I layered, tore, inked and distressed until I came up with this.    My papers are everything, MME, EP, Crate Paper, BG, CI.  I created my own "library" book pocket to tuck some private journaling in.  One tag shares the history and tradition of Homecoming and the other a mom's thoughts to her 17 yr. old son.

Taylor & Madison shared a old "Southern" tradition that's mostly recognized only in Oklahoma and Texas.  The giving of the "Homecoming Mum, originating at college homecomings, now recognized and practiced by both colleges and high schools..  Long story short, Mum's originally where an expensive seasonal flower and to receive one was a great honor. Mum corsages use to be presented to the date or the mother of the Homecoming Queen.  But the garter version for the gentlemen was quickly adapted.  As time and supplies changed, the mum became a silk flower and the sky became the limit when it came to the size and extravagance of the corsage. The "bigger the better" is norm here in Texas, and the bigger also showed how LOVED and popular you may be.   These days Mums can weigh up to 12lbs, have LED lights and are loaded with trinkets, noise makers and can be personalized in all manners.  Taylor and Madison are, thankfully, two level headed teens, who chose taste and function over extravagance.  Each was personalized and reflected the thought and time they took to choose the "right" memento's to share.

So there you have it... the making of a layout and the story of a mum........ Happy Homecoming folks!