When my sister and I cleaned out our parents’ home, we
had to make many decisions about what to do with all the stuff. Which things
are truly “valuable” and which have only sentiment in their favor? Should we
sell it, keep it, or throw it away? To help ensure a future for our family’s
heirlooms, I plan to leave a booklet for my daughters telling the stories of
what they will inherit one day. (Not TOO soon, I hope!) With this challenge I
begin my book of Heirlooms.
is for needlepoint pictures.
Among the numerous things Momma inherited when she and my
cousin cleaned out our aunt Violetta Davis Ryan’s home in 1990 were three
completed needlepoint projects. Well, ALMOST complete. Three sets of cotton
canvas had been worked with needlepoint yarn in the petit point style. They are
the handiwork of my grandaunt Velma Davis Woodring, Violetta’s sister.
Velma was the artsy one. She painted. She sewed. She
quilted. She did needlepoint. What her plans were for the three canvases is not
known.
The design for each is a girl in profile. One holds
flowers; one holds an umbrella.
The third? I can’t remember. The third one was missing
some stitches. Now the whole thing is missing. Maybe we actually threw
something away.
Anyway, Momma had the two cleaned and framed.
The
needlepoint pictures look girly and as such are perfect bedroom pictures. And
that’s where they hang today - in a guest bedroom.
Wendy
© 2018, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.
I love needlework. The ladies are looking might pretty!
ReplyDeleteMy Genealogy Challenges
Yes, aren't they sweet?
DeleteThey are really pretty. Glad you have them.
ReplyDeleteYes, they look nice in the bedroom.
DeleteThat's so good that these needlepoint designs were found and that your mom framed them. I inherited some of my grandmother's needlework and it is such a joy to have items she created.
ReplyDeleteAnn
https://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2018/04/hobbies-that-begin-with-n-blogging-from.html
Having someone's handiwork really makes them feel close even when they have passed on.
DeleteMy mother was a big needlework enthusiast and she left me one picture, which you've inspired me to have cleaned and remounted for hanging. You are so lucky to have these matching pieces!
ReplyDeleteGet on it!
DeleteThey are lovely and so nice that you've been able to put them on display.
ReplyDeleteThanks - they are cheerful little pieces.
DeleteI have one partially done needlework book mark my mother was making me before she died.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you kept it, finished or not. It still has a story.
DeleteApparently, my grandmother was crafty (who knew?) and she made a few of these, as well. My mother thought she bought a kit partially done (like maybe the background?) and then finished them. She also stitched a purse, although someone put it into the finished product. http://who-knew-it.blogspot.com/2014/07/she-was-crafty.html
ReplyDeleteI went back to read that post and laughed at my response because I told you about these 2 pictures. Deja vu all over again.
DeleteI've wondered if that is becoming one of those lost arts as I don't see the younger generation doing needlepoint or cross stitch. I did some, but I was never very good at it, but my mother and grandmother were.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like cross-stitch was a BIG thing in the 80s. But I agree - I don't see people doing cross stitch projects anymore. My girls certainly don't.
DeleteBoth are lovely. Petite Point is a more difficult stitch just because it is so small and requires good light and good sight to do. After finishing two, I can understand how the third one was not finished. Neat that we both chose needlepoint for our Letter N.
ReplyDeleteYes, we were definitely on the same wave length!
Delete