Hello friends! I want to thank everyone for all the birthday greetings you left for Lindsey last week. She had a very memorable 21st birthday which is just what we'd hoped.
I am loving all the magazines that are out now. This one tiny picture in the Romantic Homes Dec. '09 magazine is by far my favorite. Be still my heart.
I am currently scouring the antique stores and flea markets trying to find a salt box so that I can recreate this beautiful vignette.Before Christmas comes Thanksgiving and I don't want to ignore that beloved holiday. Most of you know that I collect postcards and Thanksgiving ones happen to be my favorites. Especially the ones with turkeys on them.
I'll share these two from my collection with you. Feel free to reprint these to use in your art work.
My very favorite magazine is Where Women Create. I read every word of every article. I can't say that about many other magazines. I have so much admiration for these women who make their living in a creative field. It's kind of like how I feel about visiting my friends in the blog world. I see so many wonderfully creative ideas and inspiration. I love many different kinds of blogs. The crafting ones, the decorating ones, the homemaking ones, the cooking ones, the ones from other countries. I could go on and on.
As I admire the studios of these creative women I have to remind myself of my great grandmother. She raised 14 children in this little log cabin near the banks of Cedar creek. Her husband died when she was pregnant with the last one. Two of her children didn't survive childhood. She managed to feed and clothe her family by fishing, gardening and picking polk greens and berries. I don't think she had time for crafts, but my mom remembers her making crepe paper flowers to put on her babies graves. To me, she was a creative woman, too. Just in a different world in a different time. She passed away when I was 4 years old, but I can still remember her and being a little frightened by her white hair.
True success in life has little to do with what we gain or accomplish for ourselves. It's what we do for others. - Wendy Imbornoni
Wishing you much happiness! Twyla
What a lovely tribute to your great grand mother! And that quote is sooo true, thanks for sharing. Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteLove the blog today Twyla!I took the joyful Thanksgiving art print thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteThat magazine sounds very interesting.Im like you I think these woman who take time and make things weather it be art, warm and cuddly things,jewlery etc are admired by me.Im just amazed at what some people can do.
Have a great week!
Oh I forgot,my greek grandmother had 17 kids.She had 4 sets of twins in that mix, lol.I loved them both her and my greek grandfather still wish they were alive.
ReplyDeleteI will look for that magazine. I have been in the mood to read something different. Love your postcards!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine what your grandmother went through in her life, she sounds like she was a very strong woman, and she had to be creative to keep her family with food and clothing, yet it's not the type of creativity we ourselves long for now is it? We are so blessed to live in this time. Thanks for sharing some of her life with us :)
ReplyDeleteI have a hardback book "Where Women Create" it's a beauty, but I have still to try the magazine.
Morning Twyla,
ReplyDeleteI better read my magazine...I missed that pretty salt :)
I have the book, Where Women Create and a magazine and also LOVE dreaming about my craft room :)
Your postcards are sweet :)
My Grandma had 11 kids...they sure didn't have easy lives...we are so BLESSED!!
Have a Terrific Tuesday !!
Warmly,
Deb :)
First of all, happy (LATE) birthday Lindsey!! Twyla, your words made me teary eyed when I read about your grandmother. My grandparents raised 13 grandchildren durning the Great Depression and they also lost a couple little ones. I always find studios and where other artisans create so inspriring! Loved the Thanksgiving cards! blessings,Kathleen
ReplyDeleteMe again.....I meant to say my grandparents raised 13 children, not grandchildren, in the Great Depression. My fingers got carried away typing!! Blessings,Kathleen
ReplyDeleteI like to think of the women of past generations, and wonder what their creative outlet was. Probably cooking, or making clothes for their family. Definitely quilting. I think it's so important that we all have that. And it sure would be nice to have a whole room to devote to it! My creativity is spread out all over the kitchen and dining room tables!
ReplyDeleteLoved the visit to your blog today!! So glad you visited mine!!
ReplyDeleteI think all your retro pics & Barbie etc is just pure eye-candy!!
Come back soon as I will!!
Love,
Marilyn
Another enjoyable post, Twyla. Love your postcards and you are always so nice to share them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about your great grandmother I was struck by how tough the homemakers of that era had to be. It reminded me of how much easier life is for us and for that I am thankful. I thought it was so sweet that she made crepe paper flowers to decorate her children's graves.
I like your quote today and feel it is very true.
Have a great day.
Good luck on the Salt Box Hunt! It sure will be a lovely piece to add to your home.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun to see something and begin the hunt to recreate like you are with the salt box!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your hunt
Victoria xx
Good afternoon, Twyla! Oooh! That is a pretty salt box! I want me some bottle brush trees!
ReplyDeleteAh, great grandma putting crepe paper flowers for the graves! :( So sad. That's one sorrow, I've never known.
Thanks for the tip to not let my hair grow white!
Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow! ♥
The history of your grandmother and all she endured and yet accomplished is just amazing. What a strong courageous woman! Really makes one appreciate all the help we have today to keep us going when things get difficult. Thank you for sharing this personal story!
ReplyDeleteAlso...love that magazine and your turkey cards are wonderful. I was born on Thanksgiving Day; my mother started cooking the turkey and my dad had to finish it! They loved to tell that story!
Have a great day! Hugs, Coralie
I just loved your post Twyla! It's the small things in life that bring the most happiness. What a wonderful great grandmother you had. Always cherish your memories. I like that salt box too! Hugs, Jennifer
ReplyDeleteTwyla,
ReplyDeleteWow, Your grandmother was a remarkable woman !She is an inspiration to us all. Thanks for the vintage pics , I think I may use them some how on my Thanksgiving table because I like them so much.;~)
~Myrna
Hi Twyla
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed hearing about your Grandma. She must have had such a hard life. It's wonderful you have the photo of her log home and can actually remember her.
Best Wishes
Lindsay
x
Thanks for the fun blog post. I love those vintage Thanksgiving cards. I actually used a vintage theme for the cards I am sending out this year. Fun.
ReplyDeleteI need to buy more crafting magazines. Thanks for the tip.
Good luck finding a salt box! Victoria bought me a tree like the ones in the picture a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get my Christmas decorations out, do you think it's too early?
your story about your Great Grandmother was very moving, makes you stop and count your blessings! What a strong woman she must have been.
Lots of Love
Kelly xxx
I love the art prints, and although I have seen that magazine, I have never bought it for fear I might die of envy...I wanted to say, last year a crafty blog posted how you can take the cheaper green little green brush trees and bleach them! She said it was much cheaper than buying the expensive vintage white or pink ones. I never tried it, but she posted pictures and It worked!
ReplyDeleteYour great grandmother sure went through many trials, like we all do, but life was so tough back then, thanks for sharing a bit of your families past....I am not familiar with that magazine..I will have to see if I can find it today!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Twyla! Loved everything about it--but especially about your great-grandmother. What a beautiful tribute to a resourceful and loving woman. Beautifull done! Thanks for your visit today--I always love seeing that you've been to "see" me, and your very kind words--hope you're having a glorious day!
ReplyDeleteTwyla, Thank you for this wonderful memory of your grandmother. Imagine 14 children and no TV show to support them! The crepe paper flowers are so touching to think about. Thanks for sharing your magazines! I'll be sure to check them out! Have a wonderful weekend! Elizabeth (Some of our tag group have sent too many tags, those I will include in your group - I will know to count you both the next time!)
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for stopping by my blog - I know Christmas will be very soon !!! - I love bottle brush trees and they are in Walmart for one and two dollars. Grandmothers are very special people. Have a wonderful rest of week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Twyla!
ReplyDeleteHi Twyla, I´m so moved by the story of your grandma, what an amazing woman!!!! I will quote for her a paragraph from a cuban singer: "me han estremecido mujeres de fuego, mujeres de tierra, mujeres de viento!! It´s a song that speaks about great, great women.
ReplyDeleteCariños
María Cecilia
Yes Twyla, we are meant to be for sure. I loved this post, especially about your senior living story. I work in senior living and I'm so in tuned to the life and times of those older and usually wiser than us. I found a huge box of Thanksgiving postcards yesterday ranging from $1.00-$4.00 each. I had no idea they were so neat. Here's to a grand week for us both.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your great grandmother-- what an inspiration. I've seen the magazine Where Women Create at the craft store but haven't looked at it. I think I will need to buy it. I adore the Somerset magazines, they really get my creative juices going.
ReplyDeleteHi Twyla,
ReplyDeleteI have not yet read Where Women Create, I will look for the magazine.
Your story about your Grandmother was very touching and I agree with you, it is what we can and do for others that really counts.
You are so sweet!.
And please tell Lindsey I love her new barbie, she is really a pretty one, the gown is amazing.
Enjoy your day,
Elizabeth
I love your story about your grandmother :) She sounds like an amazing woman, and the image of the little flowers makes me sad in a beautiful way...
ReplyDeleteHi Twyla! What sweet words you wrote about your Great Gram! She sounded amazing! Love that quote too! Sending a hug and a smile too! =D xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing and bittersweet post--thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDelete