Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Grandma

I've told you a little bit about my Grandma, but today I'll make it a real Show and Tell. S and I are visiting her for a few days, so I raided her basement for a few things to photograph. Sorry for the lack of styling; S has been cranky and is ready to return home, I think. She says she misses the cat. So we just laid everything on the carpet and took care of business as quickly as we could.


Grandma studied fashion design in college and worked for a dress manufacturer in Chicago until she got married. She's done a bit of everything: had a radio show, made jewelry, taught crafts on a weekly television program, and travelled all over the world to teach needle arts.

Here is a pillow Grandma wove. And this, by the way, is why someday I will be a weaver. I must make things like this. Must:


In the 1950's, Grandma taught a new project on her television program every week. This is a picnic-type placement, with pockets for utensils. I can't imagine preparing and explaining a project like this so frequently. And I love how this basic concept is still being used in craft books and magazines even today. Nothing like a timeless idea, even if aesthetic tastes change a bit over time, hmm?


Here is a towel for wiping your dog's feet when he comes inside, also from the TV show:

This wasn't from the T.V. program. She purchased an unfinished wood box and made into this fantastic box for playing cards. She distressed it (yes, I really can spell, folks!) by putting it into a bag or box with nails and hardware so it developed this weathered patina. And even the inside of the box is beautifully finished. Don't you love the stained glass on the top? My sister and I have always admired this; it's been the only item on Grandma's coffee table for as long as I can remember.



Shall I show you more? I'll try to take more photos tomorrow; her house if full of amazing hand-made projects that I'd love to share with you.

15 comments:

  1. Good you keep all those things.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your grandmother's home looks like a real treasure trove! More more more!

    ReplyDelete
  3. All of those things have so much life in them, how special that you can talk to your grandmother about them!

    ReplyDelete
  4. do you think we inherit some of our love, or skills, or whatever from our ancestors? my grandmother was a seamstress, and although my mom taught me to sew, she said gramma was superb. my mom's sisters all knitted or quilted or crafted. we're so fortunate to have had them in our lives, loving us, leaving us such legacies.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8:23 AM

    What a cool Grandma you have! It's clear that talent is in the genes.

    I love all of the items you showcased. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes! More, more!

    I'm totally going to steal your grandma's idea for the doggie mat. My mom (and her dog) would love one!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the woven pillow. Love the colors, love the weaving, love it all.

    Alexis from "http://www.knotsewcrafty.typepad.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. How special, Liesl... the tangible things of memory to capture the intangible of the heart ~ relationships to grandmothers (especially sewing ones!) is after my own heart.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Creating is in your blood. What lovely things to have and cherrish that your grandmother made. Luck you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yes please! More!

    ReplyDelete
  11. how wonderful that you have your grandmother and her lovely creations. Enjoy your time with her.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You're grandmother is a treasure!!! What wonderful goodies!

    As a cross stitcher from back in the day and a former cross stitch shop owner, I LOVED the newspaper article!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love that pillow! I took weaving in college for fun, then bought a loom that semester and have been weaving ever since. It is a wonderful craft, so fulfilling with all the steps to just get the yarn on the loom and threaded, much less the fancy loop technique from Grandma.
    I LOVE this blog (I've come out of lurkdome for my first post). I love talking weaving if you ever want to!

    ReplyDelete
  14. A while back didn't you show a small and absolutely wonderful piece of macrame your grandmother made? I still think about it covetously.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your grandmother sounds like one cool chick.

    ReplyDelete