She is the most creative person I know. Truly. She creates the most beautiful interesting things. She is an original "green" artist without even really knowing it as she is constantly making beyond creative things by reusing everyday materials. She is always ALWAYS creating - whether it be designing a necklace, painting a beautiful watercoloring, making a lovely angel, sewing a table runner, or whatever...always something...and if she's not creating, she's reading a novel or doing a crossword puzzle!
When I was a little girl the excitement that would come over me when we went to her and Grandpa's house is beyond explanation! There are SO many interesting books, SO many beautiful paintings (mostly all done by my Gramma or her sisters), SO many interesting pieces of old furniture, and just SO many of my Gramma's crafty creations! I still love it just as much, if not more actually, because I have a greater appreciation for it all now. Yesterday I just walked around her house looking and studying things, getting inspired, and seeing things for the first time that have probably been there forever but had just noticed. I constantly ask "Gramma, did you make this?"...and the answer is most often "Oh...why yes, I did", and then an interesting story normally ensues.
She created this adorable sock doll for Lovebug and gave it to her yesterday, along with a fabric book one of her friends made. I particularly love the doll (as does Lovebug) because she made one just like it when I was little, except with brown eyes and dark hair :), which I still have in fact.
As a little girl I went over to her house for a weekend here and there and we would go to the fabric store to pick out a pattern or two and some fabric, and would sew them all up that weekend - her teaching and leading me through it all. She is an AMAZING seamstress and has been making nearly all her own clothes since she was a teenager (OH and she fixed my sewing machine - yea!). She also is the one who initially led me into watercoloring as we had many weekends at her house painting as well as quite a few afternoons at our favorite Texas beach doing that together. Within more recent years she has become quite the jewelry designer as well and before Lovebug was born we had a fun-filled weekend of making a few necklaces. She's made me and my sisters many chic necklaces over the years which I always love getting because people always comment on them and I love saying "my Gramma made it"!
When all of us grandchildren would come over she always had a craft project for us to work on - always - and I hope it's the same when Lovebug is old enough to craft. It would make my heart so happy to see her create with her Great-Gramma, just as her Mama did! Just as she did me, I know she has inspired many of my siblings and cousins, most of whom use their creative talents in some shape or form, either monetarily or personally.
She's SO giving of her time too and is one of the busiest bees I know! Not only is she incredibly active at her church, she is constantly hosting this or that at her house for different ladies' groups, as well as teaching craft lessons at a local nursing home, amongst many other activities and responsibilities. Every year for as long as I can remember she and some of her artistic friends hosted this craft show/bazaar during the holiday season that I always loved going to with my Mom and sisters. As soon as the holidays were over she would get busy busy busy designing and creating for next year! Unfortunately she stopped a couple years back, but started it back up this year and I cannot wait to attend, support her, and be inspired by all of the wonderful artisans that have been crafting and creating since way before I was even born.
She is the one who introduced me to the wonderful world of coffee :) and has encouraged me to read as much as possible ever since I was a little girl, and I did and TRY to still do. She gave me my prized whole collection of Nancy Drew's that I love love love and could read over and over again, and we share a love of many of the same classic novels and authors. She always has a great new joke to share and is always open to talk religion or politics but will surely have a pretty educated opinion on whatever the topic is. She's the kindest, most outspoken, well-read, intelligent, and creative gal around, and I just love and adore her. I have always been inspired by her and continue to be constantly. We need more people like her in this world and I cannot even begin to imagine my life without her.
WOW, this turned out pretty long...obviously I think my Gramma is a special gal! Thanks for listening (er, reading:). Have a great weekend!
4 comments:
Grandmas are great! Thanks for sharing yours for a few moments.
You obviously love your grandma alot. She sounds like a wonderful woman and you are very lucky to have her (but from the sounds of it you know that)
So special! My Grandma just turned 101 years old!!! She lived with us when I was growing up so I have so many special memories with her...from teaching me to sew & crochet to having her french braid my hair before school! Those days are priceless!!
Aww, the doll looks like the one grandma made for me!! I love it!
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