something to hold onto I think . . .

Luke has been going through boxes that he has had stored in our garage.  He found this the other day.  It was stitched by an old  girlfriend of his.  This friend showed up at our house a few years ago (about three years after they broke up) . . . she was pregnant, homeless, and in trouble with the law.  She lived with us for 6 months until the baby was born . . . she gave the baby up for adoption and I have seen her only one time since then.  To be honest - it was not the easiest 6 months of my life . . . but I do believe it was what was best for that unborn baby. 

 I remember her working on this that winter.  She also did a lot of scrap booking.  I remember watching her stitch one evening and being reminded of the song -  "One of These Things Doesn't Belong" from Sesame Street . . . 

cross-stitch, scrap booking, drugs (one of these things just doesn't belong . . . )

She left our house the week before the baby was born.  I am sad to say that her choices have not improved her life at all.  It is heartbreaking what drugs can do to an otherwise smart, talented, creative young woman, who if had made other choices . . . would have a very different life.  I am thankful she made the right choice regarding her baby.  I have heard that he has wonderful adoptive parents and is happy and healthy.  

So I look at this with mixed feelings.  It is beautifully done, It makes me smile . . . it makes me think of her and her quirky personality . . . and her wild, dyed hair . . . and her intelligence and creativity - and then I get mad.  I get mad at her for not fighting harder . . . for not realizing that there were people who loved her and supported her and wanted to help her - yet she still made the wrong choices.

Then I feel sad . . . for what addiction does to people.  Not just the addict, but also to the people that love them.  I think I will hang onto this . . . frame it and hang it up somewhere where I can see it and be reminded . . . not only of her and what her life could have been, but that it is OK to care and help and reach out even when things . . . and people seem hopeless.  

"No matter how hard the past, 

you can always begin again."

~ Buddha

Yes . . . even more stuff

Some of my grandma's old sheet music.  I used to love to sit next to her on the piano bench when she played.  I think I have taken for granted what a talented woman my grandma was. 

I remember her playing these two the most. 

I really need to look into getting a piano.  I like to play and would probably play all the time if I had a piano in the house. 

Some more vintage embroidery patterns.  I like embroidered dish towels . . . I have a couple that my grandma made and a set the Richard's grandma made.  It used to be something everyone seemed to have, but not something people spend time on now - unless they like that kind of thing.   I may have to make a set - just because.  I have these bird transfers and I think I also have some Raggedy Ann transfers somewhere.  There I go again . . . more projects I want to start . . . and still the same number of hours in a day.  :)

There are quite a few separate transfers as well . . . odds and end stuff that mom must have used on different things. 

I'm not sure why she had this set of astrology signs.  Maybe she picked them up at a yard sale or something . . . sort of cute.

I had to laugh when Mom pulled this out.  I am not sure why she kept this pattern.  She made me this when I was in high school.  The jumpsuit was a light turquoise and the jacket was a very pretty flowered print . . . it seems like it was sort of a Japanese looking print.  Flashback to the 70's.  LOL!

Embroidery and Lace

Still more keepsakes from mom.  This sampler I embroidered years ago.  It was actually a gift for my ex mother-in-law.  She ended up giving it back to my mom years later thinking that I might like to have it.

I embroidered this for my grandma . . . I can't remember when.  My mom had it after that - she thought since I was now a grandma she should pass it back to me. 

I mentioned in an earlier post that my grandma taught me how to embroidery when I was young.  This was the first thing I ever stitched.  You can see where Gramma drew lines to help keep my stitches straight.   I don't remember how old I was, just that I stitched it to earn a Girl Scout badge . . . and how patient she was teaching me.

Some vintage embroidery transfers . . .

. . . and pieces of wonderful old lace and eyelet that I can use for my dolls. 

"Grandma Bed"

I decided to use my "grandma" quilts and afghans rather than just have them stashed away in a closet.  For some time I had this quilt on a quilt shelf that hung in my house.  I was concerned that it was getting dirty so decided to store it away.  I decided it really needed to me enjoyed - rather than be stuck away where I never see it.  This quilt was made by my grandma years ago.  It was on my bed when I was very young.

It really is beautiful - and all hand quilted.  I think of her hands working when I look at it.

I have another quilt that she made later - that I now have on the bottom of my bed.  I will have to post a picture of that one sometime.  I believe it is called a cathedral window quilt and each piece is a different fabric.

The pillow cases were embroidered by my mom.  They also were on my bed when I was little.  I remember my room had pink wallpaper with kittens in it. 

The darker wool quilt was made by Richard's grandma and the granny square afghan was crocheted by my mom.  I can remember laying underneath it when I was young.  I loved to use it in the winter when it was cold - because it was really heavy.  I used to pile the blankets during those cold Iowa winters to the point that I could hardly move underneath them.

I will have to see what else I have to add to my "grandma" bed . . . maybe add something that I have made.   Nothing spectacular - but a whole lot of love and memories in this handwork.  It is much more fun to curl up here and read than it was with the store bought comforter that I had on the bed before.  Maybe it's my age . . . but I feel the need to enjoy and use the things that I think are beautiful and mean something to me.  I also find myself telling the kids who made what and the stories behind different items that have been in my family for years.  I like to think that it isn't because I am getting older (although - I am) - but also because they are starting lives of their own and getting to the age where it means something to them too.  I remember sleeping under a quilt that my grandma had made (it was a sun bonnet baby quilt).  My grandma used to get it out when I spent the night with her.  I hope Lily and Charlotte will enjoy sleeping under the "grandma" quilts one day. 

Missing my grandma today . . . .

Mom's shirt . . .

My mother sent me this shirt a few weeks ago.  She was getting rid of some of her things after moving . . . and knew I would like this.  She kept it in her cedar chest - and I always loved looking at the things she kept in there.  She embroidered this shirt in 1947. 

 

I love this shirt.  I can just picture her sitting as a young woman - embroidering all the names and sayings. Marshall - is one of her brothers.

Huba . . . Huba . . . Huba

Toots, Leo, and Tub

I believe Toots was a friend of hers.  I remember her always talking about her.

This has to be my Aunt Sue.  : )

My great aunt and uncle.

Tic Tac Toe . . . you win!

You and Me?  I don't think she had met my dad yet - since I don't see his name on it.  They were married 2-3 years later.

I think this may be my great uncle.  Not sure . . . his name was Melbert - but I think he may have gone by Mike.  I have to ask Mom about that.  He was shot down over the Pacific a year before . . . so this could be another Mike.

"Gimmee a Little Kiss Will Ya Ha"

Again . . . one of the photos that I can't get to rotate for some reason.  I am pretty sure that my Grandma drew this face for mom to embroidery.  She would draw this face for as long as I can remember.  I have a pencil drawing that she drew me somewhere . . . I am going to have to find that.

I love that she kept it for over 60 years . . . I love to think of my mother at 17 working on this shirt - so young with her whole life ahead of her . . . I think it is the image of her working on it that makes it special to me.