josie's garden

My maternal grandmother was Josie - also known as Jo and Sarah Josephine and Nana and Gramma Jo. I've written about her before and loved re-reading that post again just now. It's true - I often think of her when I'm sewing. She grew up on a farm, became a nurse (graduated in the same room at Washington University where the Palin-Biden debate took place), married a doctor and raised a family. She was gentle, practical, smart and self-reliant, and she was gifted in ways that made her so special to us though not necessarily noticed by others. 

When I visited her as a little girl, I remember a spindly garden of colorful indoor plants blooming on the window sill. This stitch project I've been working on is from that distant memory.

It's another silkscreened design and I worked it the first time in stitches. I'm going back to put an initial in that open vase. Just have to decide which letter. It should be J. Maybe SJ.

And then I worked it again with bits of wool and scraps from my felt basket, using the print lines like a vague map. I love using up tiny pieces that are too little for most projects. I like the way the fair isle sweater felts mimic banded vases, the felt shapes like Colorforms, my favorite childhood toy.

Got out the precious jar of covered buttons too.

It was fun both ways. Nana would have liked it either way I think. She'd be happy that I'm using my hands to be busy and practicing some of the things she taught me. 

Sarah Josephine Hagenbusch O'Keefe. A lovely woman with a knack for sewing, home-keeping and happy children. I wish she could see everything that came after. That little bit of love she shared grew into so much more.

Comments

[mary engelbreit]

SO cute, Charlotte! It makes me want to get out all my stuff and stitch. But I won't. But you did make me think about it!
Love, Mary

[Lorrie]

Oh I do love them both, but I'm partial to the stitched one. Stitching stories - love them.

[meleen]

you know i'm a fan of the double first name, but i'm thinking one single initial would look better...maybe call the project Sarah Josephine's garden....either way, it's just beautiful!!!

meleen

[Corrine]

Both versions are fantastic, with personalities of their own. I suspect Grandma Jo would be pleased as punch with her granddaughter. xox Corrine

[Jen@thecottagenest]

Charlotte,
Your work always makes me smile. Always.

[Cathy Wegner]

I love your stitching! I use to do embroidery, crewel and cross stitch. I need to get back to it. It is so relaxing.

[Laura @ 52 FLEA]

Charlotte,
You have brought me back to my own wonderful memories of my Nana...her sewing sitting by the window at the farm. Her gardens were outside but she always had cut flowers and things rooting in vases at the window. I love both examples pf stitching and only wish I had the patience! Do you know that Colorforms were also a favorite of mine?... and truly I haven't thought of them for years! Thanks for the memory jog...I wonder if your Nana, Sarah Jo would have been friends with my Nana, Grace Mildred...had they been neighbors.
I bet so! :)

[LindaSonia]

My gosh... this is tooo adorable for words! Love anything flower related. Wish you were my mom, so I could say 'can I have that... pleeeeeze?' LOL

[Roben-Marie]

Such beautiful work! Thanks for sharing!

[Linda Thiltgen]

simply beautiful. so inspiring. thanks charlotte!

[Gabriela]

Hello Charlotte,

I also get inspired by the women in my life when I create...especially my Mom...she was very talented...always sewing...making things...

This project is so pretty! Love it!

~ Gabriela ~

[Linda Richter]

What a blessing she was...and you are now. Thank you for sharing that with us. Her name is special!

[Barbara H.]

I had been wanting a white wreath this year and was delighted to see the one you designed in Amy Powers' Inspired Ideas Christmas magazine. I just made my version and posted about it here: http://barbarah.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/fridays-fave-five-90/

Thanks so much!

[april]

Hi Charlotte,
My grandmothers on both sides taught me to sew and embroider--so fun, and such memories I have of sitting quietly in their company, stitching. This project really reminded me of my Mom's mother, Henrie--that was her NAME, not shortened from Henrietta--she always had something growing, and she allowed me to play in her button box. I have a piece I made at 8 that involved embroidery and buttons. . . need to go look for it and show MY daughters. Thanks for the nostalgia this morning.
:)

[kl]

such a lovely story and tribute char. and i adore the felt version, such a great idea!
xo

[jone]

love it - them - ALL of it!
you are my inspiration....truly!
xo

[Dawn]

Love your work.
Like the rest, I am wanting to get out the stash and start working.
However, I am knee deep in projects to finish for the grands for Christmas.

January is sounding like a stitching month...

[tea time and roses]

Lovely Charlotte, just lovely. Reading your story of your grandma reminded me of my very own. Lovely post indeed.

Happy weekend to you.

Smiles♥

Beverly

[Beth]

Sooo beautiful!

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Such a beautiful memory, Charlotte. I love how you've put this memory in your incredible stitching. I don't have many memories of my grandmothers as they were very far away, but I do have a warm memory of my grade five teacher who had a whole windowsill in the class of pots of spindly flowers (I really loved how she cared for them every day and how they looked...) :)

[Cherie Wilson]

Such a thoughtful post of your heart and soul......Your Nana:) Loved mine too. Had two amazing ones who shaped my world and beyond. I treasure your words that echo my own memories:) So very fun that I own this snippet of silkscreen design you offered Dear Charlotte! Not yet started, but it beckons me just about every day..........I'm saving it for a movie and couch time Christmas night!! I will think of Nana's....ahhhhhh.

[Karen B]

Both are beautiful!

[Laura Anne Heller]

oh I LOVE the little felt and button design!! :)

[Kristin Nicholas]

This is totally lovely. Love both versions.