Over the year, ok generations, the women in my family have been serious crafters. My post today is not about paper crafting but about the crafting gene handed down to me and then to my daughters and hopefully granddaughters. In other words, the Crafting Tradition.
My grandmother
The crafting tradition started with my grandmother. She has long since passed away but I remember her working on many items through the years; knitting, needlepoint, sewing, painting. She made a living as a professional seamstress, sewing clothing for others. There is no doubt she was a very talented woman. My favorite item of hers though is hanging in my living room, a tapestry needlepoint she made.
The date she stitched at the bottom is 1961. Isn’t it beautiful? The colors are even more stunning in person. Here is a close-up….
The intricacy of the colors is what always amazes me. Now, here is the really amazing part. She didn’t make this from a kit. Nope. No Kit, no instructions, not even the yarn to use. My amazing grandmother made this by copying a postcard. The actual postcard she used is pinned to the back of the piece. Don’t believe me….
The postcard is about 4 x 6 or so. You can see the grid lines she drew to help her with spacing. She would start her needlework in one corner and work down and across to the opposite corner. I’m humbled by her work every time I look at it. She started a second needlepoint after this one that I remember clearly her working on. Unfortunately, she passed away before she could finish it, but my brother has had it mounted and framed, with all the tails of wool showing in the unfinished corner, a masterpiece for sure.
My Mother
My mother also inherited the crafting tradition gene. She was a wonderful seamstress as well and when I was young, most all my clothes were made by her. I appreciated that because I had very long legs and store-bought pants were always too short. She also knitted and painted and there is a beautiful painting she created, copying a famous painting hanging in my daughter’s home.
About 20 some years ago I was hot and heavy into Cross Stitch. My mother had never done cross-stitch but after getting her started she has never stopped. She makes all the Christmas stockings for the Grands and Great Grands, pillows, and framed art. Her work is also beautiful. Here is my favorite piece of hers, hanging in my home.
And here is a closer look….
My Traditions
My crafting traditions have changed over the years. My mother once called me a serial crafter and that about sums it up. I did a lot of cross stitch for many years, I’ve painted and knitted, and many other crafts. Paper crafting has certainly held one of the longest appeals for me making it into a business and teaching others, even this blog. But, I can’t papercraft all day. I’m not that kind of paper crafter. So when I’m not paper crafting, I’m very often crocheting, especially in the colder months. This year, to avoid the global shipping issues, I’ve decided to crochet all my Holiday gifts. Seems I can get yarn shipped no problem. Here are some of my recent creations.
I’ve also made a sweater, some slippers, a baby blanket, and another gnome (cause who doesn’t love gnomes). There are more on my list to complete before Dec 25th but I’ll get there. Gifts made from the heart, whether they are crochet, paper, or food are always most meaningful to the recipient and I’m sure these will be treasured for many years to come.
I’m also proud to say my daughters, both grown with homes of their own also share the crafting tradition gene through crochet, interior design, painting, cross stitch, and many more.
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Lynn
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I loved reading about your Grandma’s and your Mother’s talents. I used to do crewel work and my daughter does counted cross stitch. I have a number of her works framed and hung around the house. My favorite is a beautiful, large doily that my Mom made years (and years) ago. Mom made table cloths, doilies, and even handkerchief box covers and countless other things. She tried to teach me to crochet, but other than a straight line, I could never pick that up. When I was in my 30’s and 40′ I was into genealogy. I have traced my father’s side back to Schleswig/Holstein. My aunt wrote a book on my Mom’s side already, so all I did was update that line. On my husband’s side, I have traced both the maternal and paternal side back4 generation in Germany. That was/is so interesting and I enjoyed doing it so much. I did do scrapbooking and all of my 5 grandchildren have 4-5 books detailing their histories. After they graduation high school I quit scrapbooking. By then I got into SU and love to make all kinds of cards! Card making is my love now!
Thank you Bette. Did your mother Tat? My grandmother did and it was always something I wanted to learn.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your family history
L.
Thank you for sharing this post. I also inherited a love of crafts. My mother crocheted, quilled, and baked. I, like you, am a serial crafter. My daughter sews, bakes, makes jewelry, gardens and is raising 4 boys 8 and under. Thank you again for sharing the beautiful pictures of the wonderful craftsmanship in your family.
Thanks for sharing Gloria. I’m sure the boys will also be creative in some way. My brothers do beautiful woodworking. It’s amazing what two hands can do.
L.
Such a treasure of a tradition! I just love that you’re in at least your 4th generation of such beautiful art work💜 It will be such fun sharing the tradition with your grands as well, Lynn!