Bessie Ida

Can you imagine your grandmother as a young woman?  What was she like?  What girlish ways did she have?  How was her character and her priorities carried into succeeding generations?

Stacy Clinton explored all of these things at Rocky Mountain Memories in the creation of her memory box.  With Cherri Robb's guidance, Stacy created a collage of ephemera and photographs that became a tribute to Bessie Ida Babcock Cunningham, her grandmother.

RMM:  Stacy, did you know your grandmother?  Was she still alive when you were a child?
Stacy:  No, she died a month after my mother was born.  My mother never even knew her.

RMM:  What are some of the items you included in your memory box?
Stacy:  Four pictures of Bessie, hand tatted lace that was made by great aunt, a handkerchief that was with the lace, I don't know who made that.  I also included a copy of her college diploma.

RMM:  Why did you choose Bessie Ida as the subject of your altered box?
Stacy:  To get to know her.  I have a photo album from her college days.
RMM:  Did it work?
Staci: Yes, it did.

RMM:  Where will you keep this art you have created?
Stacy:  Sitting on a bookcase in front of my craft table, eye level!



Stacy & Cherri in close collaberation!!

The cover of Stacy's Memory Box; a beautiful peony with a lion clasp.

Left inside featuring photos of Bessie Ida and a copy of her college diploma!

Right inside.  Bessie Ida, looking sharp posing with an umbrella and hand tatted heirloom lace from Stacy's family.

A treasure and a tribute to a woman who died too soon, but loved and remembered.