Born 5 months before the stock market crash in 1929, my mother learned early to cherish and make do with what you have. Mom was an incredibly talented woman She could take what most people throw away and make something beautiful and useful out of it. My grandfather was a custom furniture builder. He set up his own shop in 1935 and built furniture until his death in 1969. Grandma was a quilter who used flour sacks and feed sacks she obtained from her fathers dairy. I have several she made, using the Step Around the Mountain pattern. Also 2 Grandmothers Fans, and 2 butterfly quilts. To me, they are like gold. I wouldnt take a million dollars for them. Because times were hard and money scarce, there werent many toys in Moms life growing up. You made toys from what you had. For Moms 12th Christmas, Granddaddy paid 25 cents for a composition doll for her. I still have the doll. Mom named her Rachel. No amount of money could buy her either. Dad was in the Navy, a 30 year man, we moved around a lot. It wasnt until Dad retired in 1975 and they moved back home to NC that Mom could start collecting things. Her passion? Quilting, of course... and dolls. Mom had always wanted a miniature doll house. So, what did she do? She bought a barristers cabinet that has 4 levels and began collecting pieces for it. The most fun for her though was making items for it. She wove tiny baskets, made flower arrangements, rugs, curtains and all sorts of other accessories. But what I am about to show you will amaze you. The pictured afghans are done in the Ripple pattern. Mom crocheted them from embroidery floss. Did I not tell you she could make anything? The quilt on the bed is a mini yo yo quilt with another mini Ripple afghan on top. A mini doll house would not be complete without a sewing room....... She made the heart wall quilt pictured there. And then theres the pink yo yo rug. I made that for her. The other large doll house Mom made is in my home in FL. One side of it is a hat shop. The other side is a quilt shop. It is amazing. My 11 year old grandson likes to turn the lights on it in and look around. He straightens it up if something gets out of place or knocked over. I cant post pictures of it right now as Im in NC as I write this and those pictures are on my computer at home. The tiny doll on the rocker is called a Penny Doll. She dates from the early 1930s. Moms sister used to crochet the dresses for these dolls. This is one she made. Sadly, I never knew her as she passed away when I was a baby. Anyway, I hope you will like my little bit of history and enjoy the pictures. And please, have a blessed day. Happy Quilting to all. :) God Bless.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 17:32:39 +0000