I was raised in a home where working with your hands was a way of providing for your family as well as making gifts for family, friends, and friends of friends. My grandfather worked with wood as well as growing one of the biggest gardens I have ever seen. He had three different spot on the farm in which he would grow vegetables that would be harvested and stored for the winter. My grandmother preserved the vegetables as well as sew and crochet clothes and other items used around the house. It was their way of life, and it was something they passed on to the next two generations.
As a young girl, I remember helping my grandparents with the garden, canning, and harvesting of the vegetables. Dink, John, and I would go up and spend most of the summer with them to help. We have many great memories of spending the summer with our grandparents. I would watch my grandmother crochet after all the work was completed. I apparently showed an interest in crocheting, and Mammaw started teaching me the art of crocheting.
After getting back home, Mom took over the teaching me how to crochet. Crocheting is an art that I am afraid is about to fade away. Technology, albeit the TV, computer, XBox, or Wii, is taking over the younger generations "free" time. I am so thankful that my grandmother and mother taught me to crochet.
Crocheting is not the only craft that I have taken an interest. I also do cross-stitching, plastic canvas, beading, and soon will try my hand at quilling! Since retiring my evenings now may be filled with me crafting instead of non-stop and never completing grading essays, daily work, and test for well over a hundred students. Ahhhhh, I do not miss that part of my job!
The following pictures are of some of my endeavors at being "crafty!"
A counted cross-stitch of a Victorian Santa . . . using 21- count fabric and beads for a "snow-effect look.
One of the first things I do is to get the materials out that I think I might use when beading!
Next, I organize the materials I finally decide to use, and then put them in my little containers.
One of my finished projects . . .
A couple more finished projects!
I crocheted some capes and hats for some little ones . . . pink ones . . .
. . . a variety of different colored hats . . .
. . . some had a scarf to go with them . . . one year for Christmas I made more than 40 sets for family and friend . . . whew . . .
. . . using cotton thread I crocheted dishcloths . . .
. . . another pink cape and hat . . .
. . . a red set . . .
. . . a white set . . .
. . . a different style of cape with a matching hat . . .
. . . and one of the easiest and fastest projects is the making of coasters and hot pads . . . one day soon, I hope to make matching place mats!
Another thing I love to do is read!!!! Many will say that is because you were a teacher . . . an English teacher of all thing . . . which is what I should love to do! I had a love for reading long before I became a teacher! I can remember going to bed with a flashlight so I could read well into the night. When Mom went to bed . . . we all were to be in bed! :):) I love reading my devotional books, and then looking the verses up in one of our Study Bibles; I also love historical fictions, and certain biographies!!
All of these are things I do when staying with Mom; having a need to keep calm; and when I want to try and make something special for the special people in my life!! I hope the recipients know that all was made with love . . . the same kind of love my grandmother and mother used when they made these special gifts!
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