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Holiday Gifts

It's time to take a trip down memory lane........come on now, bear with me. It may be a little sad, but it's worth it.

First off, this is a dedication to my loving mom and what she taught me. I wish I had only known sooner the impact she and her crafting adventures had on me and expressed that to her. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance because she went to be with our Lord last November. She is missed!

Now, let's travel. I remember my mom was huge into making Christmas gifts for everyone. I mean HUGE.

First, it was crochet. She was amazing with a crochet hook. She'd sit for hours after supper and play with yarn. I didnt understand it. It looked boring to me. I can't remember her not crocheting. She made blankets for babies, wedding gifts, convalescence homes, Christmas and birthdays. If there was an occasion, there was a blanket to match. I still have three blankets and a crocheted stocking. I cherish them.

Then came wood crafts. Now there's an adventure! Her boyfriend would cut them out and she would paint them. Now, as a small child, the only painting I can remember my mom doing was 'Paint By Numbers'. I remember her meticulous brush strokes and wondering how in the world she could even see the numbers to begin with (now I have bifocals and wonder even more). I have to admit, they were pretty good. However, having said that, her toll painting skills were a total different calibar. Her lines were harsh and nothing seemed to flow. But, that didn't stop her. She made swinging cows, eagles (really big ones), Santa's, snowmen, and many other entities that have escaped the recesses of my brain.

After that began to bore her, she took up Plastic Canvas art. WOW, I didn't realize so many things could be made from a piece of plastic with holes in it! She could make anything. She made baby bed tissue holders, scarecrows, Christmas ornaments, wall hangings, hot plate holders, even a tower to hold Walmart bags. Her canvas art went on and on and on. I received several pieces.

Here comes the shameful part. I only have a few pieces of any of her crafts left. I was young, dumb and to vain to realize they were made especially for me. That with every brush stroke, every stitch and every cut of plastic, she was thinking about me. She may have been thinking about where I'd put it or who I'd show it to. She may have been thinking about me passing it down to my children and then to their children. But, I didn't think about that. Clearly, I just wasn't thinking.

Now, I'm beginning my own adventures in crafting. Almost everything I create, I give away. I love giving things I've made away because.....................I think! I think about that person the whole time my hands are on the project. I realize the love that goes into it. I think about the expression on the recipients face. I guess I think about all the things my mom did as she was creating.

Sometimes, our eyes are shut too tightly as we walk this road of life. Then, in a flash, our eyes are opened fully. We see things we should have been seeing the whole time.

When you are making a home-made gift for someone, what are you thinking about....who are you thinking about? Does it make you a selective giver? It does me. I want my projects to go to people and loved ones who feel the love I have put towards that gift.

Thank you mom for opening my eyes! I love you!

Tags: Christmas, Mom, crafting, crochet, family, gifts, memories, sewing

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Comment by CoraKiceniuk on November 21, 2010 at 7:55am: Reading all your stories made me cry. I didnt grow up with my mom. I did have an aunt that did all the crafts that came along. Anyone remember the craft of making a swan out of dove soap bars. I did help her with a few of them. I mostly give everything away. Even paintings I have done. Patricia, your moms baking is also an art if you warm the hearts of others. Would be nice to share some of her recipes if you had them. Looking at the people posting, looks like we are much of the same generation of having mothers who always held to the theory that "idle hands are the devils playground". Wish I had spent less time with idle hands.

Comment by Angee Barbe on November 13, 2010 at 11:43am: Very touching Diana. It sounds like you have a very delightful family. God Bless you.

Comment by Diana Baron on November 13, 2010 at 11:09am: My mom is 87 now, and very nearly blind. Growing up in a family of 8 meant she had to have creative ways of stretching a dollar. If we couldn't buy, she would think of a way to make it! She taught me and my sisters to do the same thing. We got together just last month to have a quilting get together... Mom was there and even though she barely see, she was in there helpng us. picking up, pressing, finding lost items and making suggestions. She created a legacy for all 4 of us and we have passed it on to our daughters and now I have 2 great neices that are learning to sew and craft! Her legacy will live on long after she is gone. We love you mom!

Comment by Angee Barbe on November 12, 2010 at 5:55pm: OOps, I wrote on the wrong blog. Anway, thank you for all your stories and comments. They are blessing me. I never realized my story would impact so many of you. Memories are a wonderful thing. Let's hold onto them.

Comment by susan westwood on November 12, 2010 at 4:41pm: Lovely story Angee, i love to make things for my children in the hope that when i am no longer around they will bring back a memory of me.

Comment by Elizabeth Smith on November 12, 2010 at 3:17pm: Lovely story, reminds me of my Grandma, Mom and me. I'm happy to say the my daughters seem to be following the same path. I also have a Granddaughter who has the artistic talent of my Grandpa and my Son. I love how it goes on to the next generation.

Comment by Patricia on November 12, 2010 at 10:47am: Am afraid my mother wasn't into crafting as she was to baking. She would make breads and cookies which she would put together for family gifts. something that she had been giving to her by her mother. To this day what I remember about christmas is the baking. I haven't carried tradetion,that I have left to one of my other sisters. I love it when she does all the baking like our mother did, which means that "I" will get those tasty treats for the holidays.

Comment by Mary Lou on November 12, 2010 at 8:45am: Like you, my mom was the one who introduced me to many crafts. She too is gone now, but I like to think her legacy lives on in me.

Comment by Robbie on November 12, 2010 at 8:40am: Wow, I read this and thought, she's talking about me and my mother! My mother had boundless creativity, but I never really saw that growing up. I only saw all of her "junk" and how she seemed so caught up in what she was working on. My how the tables have turned! I too have nothing that my mom made, mostly because our tastes ran in different directions. Now I am heavy into crafts and wish I had my mom here to talk over things. She would have really appreciated my craft room! I don't have near her talents, only the desire to make something special for those I care about. Thanks for the great story! Robbie Kwasniewski

Comment by becky price on November 12, 2010 at 7:58am: Oh you bring back memories. Aren't they wonderful!

I remember Mom watercoloring with me one time when I was little She put a lot of effort into a sunrise picture on cardboard. And what was my first art quilt? A sunrise! Thanks mommy!

And I agree. Giving what I make is much more fun than making for myself!