Creativity is an interesting thing. Where do you think you get your creativity? I was talking with a fellow blogger, Katherine from Sew Me Something Good in an email earlier today. We both have very vivid memories of stitching with our great grandmothers.
This lovely tea towel was stitched when I was 4 in 1960. My great grandmother, Grandma Dolly lived with my grandparents and I remember when we would visit she was always stitching. One day I asked her what was she doing and she showed me. She pulled out a brand new tea towel, asked what color I liked and threaded a needle! She showed me a few stitches and then let me have a go at it.
I had always been a little afraid of her because she had thyroid disease which made her eyes bulge, that along with thick magnifying eye glasses made her look a little scary. I remember relaxing as I sat on her lap and she told me what a beautiful job I was doing. I do believe looking back, that was my entrance into all things fiber! As I got older I pulled this out and added a few more stitches here and there. I thought it was lost until my parents cleaned out their house to move and there it was in a box with embroidery floss. Memories instantly came flooding back.
Fast forward to today. I honestly think Grandma Dolly got the ball rolling for me. I can't imagine not doing something with my hands in a creative way. When I had my neck accident I didn't sew for about 6 months and I think it hindered my recovery!
I believe everyone is creative, some of us work at it, to some it comes easily and some haven't found it yet, but we all have it.
So pay attention, you never know who you may be inspiring!
Kelly
I always played with my grandmother's quilt scraps growing up. Neighbors and friends would bring her odds and ends of fabric - sometimes even old clothes from relatives who had died. She kept them in an old (and un-working) deep freezer on her enclosed back porch. However, I never really thought of taking up quilting until after she passed, although I often would flip through her quilt books and pick out the ones I liked. Who got me started creatively was my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Miller. She taught the whole class - even the boys- how to cross-stitch. I made a small project with a bunch of flowers and then stitched "Happy Aniversary" [sic] at the top. My grandmother found a frame for it, and I proudly presented it to my parents for their anniversary that year. I've done many cross-stitch projects since and given all of them away - to friends, family, and a silent auction - but I remember going up to Mrs. Miller's desk and having her thread a new skein onto a needle for me!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I don't believe I am particularly creative, just skilful at my craft! But I'll keep practising, in the meantime!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Kelly!
ReplyDeleteI love the last sentence, it is true as day and night! I am happy for you to have had that opportunity with your grandmother. I can see how you are with Maddy and what it is going to do for her future as far as creativity goes!
I love this new piece you are working on.
Exactly! "I believe everyone is creative, some of us work at it, to some it comes easily and some haven't found it yet, but we all have it."
ReplyDeleteI just know you are helping foster Maddy's creativity, Kelly and on top of that, you are also making wonderful memories together. Nothing could be more precious, in my opinion.
Aw, look what your little hands made. Such a treasure! I wonder if your great grandmother had any idea of what she started? ;o) I bet she would be thrilled to see that you're carrying on the legacy with your own grandchildren. I'm hoping to do the same (both my sons have spent time stitching with me and are following creative pursuits of their own now...). My great-grandmother would love knowing what she started all those years ago when she threaded that first needle for me. ;o)
That's a great story about your entry into sewing! And your darling Maddy is getting wonderful lessons that will absolutely stay with her for her life!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and thoughtful post Kelly, and lovely to hear where some of your creativity burst from! You are already inspiring others right here! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you still have that special piece of embroidery. I hope you attach the story to it so your great grandchildren will know your creative beginnings.
ReplyDeleteYou did do a great job stitching (well you were only4). My Mother wasn't crafty. Her Mother wasn't crafty. My Dad's Mother was very crafty and a quilter too, but I spent very little time with her. My stepfather's Mother sewed, crocheted, embroidered, and made lace edging on hankies and pillowcases. The first crafty thing I remember was summer camp (maybe 8 y/o) and doing crafts. I was in love. I learnedthe basics of knitting and crochet in high school . Latch hook rugs in college. Needlepoint and cross stitch, embroidry as a twenty something. Quilting came much later for me but better late than never. I have loved every craft. :)
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful!! I love the (Swedish) embroidery! And your color taste was just as excellent when you were a child :) My grandmothers both inspired me, and championed me, as a child and grown up, to be creative. We are blessed indeed when someone takes such a good interest in us..... (Skål = Cheers, btw, but you probably already know that from your Gram ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post! I too learned to sew by embroidering (also learned to iron because I had to iron my transfer onto the fabric). I too remember my grandmothers' giving advice and critiques. Later I would inherit all their sewing things. This post brought back so many wonderful memories, thanks Kelly! hugs, Mickie
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling Maddy is developing creativity with her talented grandmother! I would spend summers in Sweden with my grandmother. Her and & her friends would Hardanger (incredible talent with linen), knit, weave and embroider for hours. I know this is where my fiber Love developed! They are wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you still have this piece! and I love that you had a grandma named "Dolly" and that she introduced you to stitching. What a gift. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. I think you've continued the tradition with Maddy :)
ReplyDeleteHow neat to still have the embroidery work from many years ago and best of all, a grandmother who took the time to get you going in this direction! Wonderful memories I know.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. You are pretty inspiring yourself!
ReplyDeleteCreativity? I think it's in all of us, but we have to be open to the experience. You are accomplished at that and inspiring because of that.
ReplyDeleteThat is just the nicest story. You must be so thrilled to have that piece of embroidery back, pretty darn good for four. I still have a piece I did when I was 12, must have been a late starter, lol.
ReplyDelete