I’ve always loved to sew. My grandmother, Nanny, taught me to sew when I visited the thriving metropolis of Pinson, Tenn. (trust me, it is way, way out in the country) when I was a young girl. Pinson was full of delightful adventures for a girl who grew up in the suburbs of Memphis. You might start the day by picking strawberries from huge fields, then head home to whip up a cake from strawberries so fresh they were still warm from the sun.
Next up, lunch. No sandwiches and chips at Nanny’s. Nope, there was always a table full of vegetables from the garden out back (cooked in loads of butter and salt, but never mind the health aspect), meat fresh from my uncle’s real working farm, biscuits from scratch, and sweet iced tea.
We’d spend the afternoons hiding from the unforgiving Tennessee summer sun by sewing. You’ve never seen a woman who could sew full outfits as quickly as my Nanny. I think she outfitted entire towns of children in places where my Uncle Joe would take mission trips, like the Honduras. She was a very patient teacher, and I still get a thrill to this day when the perfect textile in just the right hue meets a well-designed pattern to form something that I made with my own hands (or really, a quick-stitching sewing machine.)
When my girls were babies, I sewed lots for fun. Then before I knew it, a business sewing purses sprung from my hobby. It was loads of fun, and lots and lots of purses were made and sold. But a few years ago I decided I better get back to writing. So I sold off most of my inventory, and my sewing machine started getting a little dusty … only getting used when a pair of pants needed hemming or someone needed a costume sewed for a school play.
I was cleaning out my sewing room this weekend, and look what I found! A few of my purses, just hanging out, waiting on someone to throw in their wallet, cell phone and sunglasses and take them out for a spin on their shoulder.
What better place to find a happy home for this little gem than right here with my blog buddies? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and you’ll be entered into the giveaway! If you sign up for my emails (over on the right column), you’ll be entered, too! (If you are on my email list and comment – you get entered twice!) St. Patrick's Day, 5 p.m. EDT is when we'll decide the winner, so be sure to weigh in before then.
Tell me … what’s your favorite memory of your grandmother?
XO – Amy Mac
7 comments:
Great story - I'm so happy I ran across your blog and joined up! As for a memory of my granny - she embroidered the most beautiful pillow cases and gave me 2 sets for my hope chest when I was about 8. And I still have them.
I would love the chance to win!! :)
thecountryblossom AT hotmail DOT com
I subscribed by email! :)
cute. I wish I knew how to sew.
My fave memory of my grandmother is sitting in her kitchen in the summer with all the windows open enjoying the Swedish summer breeze, looking out at the green fields, and watching her bake. She would often send me out to her garden to pick berries for her. She made the BEST breads, cakes and muffins.
I loved hearing your sweet memory of your grandmother. My maternal grandmother died when I was 12, so my memories are only of her teaching me to latch hook, cross stitch, and needlepoint. And that was only because I stayed a week at a time and she wanted me to stay busy. My paternal great-grandmother, now here is a good story. She was in a covered wagon at the age of 9 in the Oklahoma Land Rush. She lived in a dug out in the hills of OK, until her family had enough money to build a home and have a farm on their land. She only wanted Dr. Pepper for Christmas and never believed that NASA made it to space. "That's just in the movies, honey." I guess living in a dugout where you raced to claim land and then man landing on the moon was too much to comprehend in her 97 years. I miss see her dearly and wish so much I had acknowledged her wisdom when she was still with us.
I subscribe as carolynishis@gmail.com and i tweeted this giveaway as carolynishis.My favorite memory of my grandmother is that she kept me on her bed.She thought that i was really her baby.
I love the purse!Thank you for the chance to win.
My Gigi wasn't a seamstress, but she loved to take me shopping! She was (and still is) the hippest grandmother ever! Always in the latest fashion and wearing nice shoes even if they hurt her feet! She also let me help her in the kitchen which I loved :)
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