4th – 9th March
(I’ve pledged to wear only clothes handmade by me this year and to sketch my daily outfits in my Fashionary. I’m calling this the paper doll project)
from left:
blue denim/chambray dress + ecru jersey scarf
white cotton top with self necktie + red floral skirt
powder blue dress + white embroidered cut-out top
blue dress
white drape-y jersey top + lime print skirt
aqua dress with wave-y welted pockets
The last few days have been up and down. More down than up, I’m afraid. We are mourning the loss of my grandmother; in a not unexpected, but still very sad conclusion to a long illness.
My grandmother right up until quite an advanced age was just like all or any one of us who love to sew for ourselves and take pride in wearing our own creations. She was a very accomplished self-seamstress and frequently made a lot of her own clothes. I inherited a lot of my enthusiasm for sewing from her excellent example. She favoured an early Jackie O silhouette, and tended to wear simple, solid colour sheath dresses with matching tailored cropped jackets and blazers when the weather permitted. In winter she lived in straight pencil skirts with solid coloured sweaters and jackets, or plain twinsets. Her tastes leant towards the unadorned. My own style is moulded on this look to some extent too… she was a big influence.
She lived a wonderful, fulfiling and very long life, so I’m not writing this here to be sad, but just to give acknowledgement. It didn’t feel right to not mention it at all, like nothing had happened.
On an up note; we’ve just attended Cassie’s graduation ceremony, and proudly watched as she received her Bachelor’s degree. She has kept her job part time and is concurrently continuing with her Master’s degree this year, just as planned.
It’s funny/strange how life’s lows can be juxtaposed against life’s highs, side by side like that. I’m just feeling … odd.
I am sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing. Yet, thank you for sharing your thoughts. i was reminded of my own wonderful grandmother and how I am so grateful to have inherited her love for sewing. Such fond memories never leave you thankfully.
So sorry to hear about your grandmother. It sounds like she had a wonderful life and was such a good mentor for you. How lucky you both are. I send my hugs through the ether to you and your family.
Sorry about the loss of your grandmother. She sounded like a very elegant lady.
Caroline, my condolences on the loss of your grandmother. It is never easy to lose a loved one. Congratulations to Cassie on her graduation, such a milestone!
Caarolyn, a loss is always a loss, and at the same time a gain, that seems to be the natural rhythym of life. It's natural to mourn and feel somewhat lost, so be kind to yourself while you ar adjusting to the loss of your grandmother – who will forever live on in your heart.
My condolences for your loss. Having someone important for a long time is a great blessing, but doesn't make it less of a grief when they go.
Sending my heartfelt condolences on your grandmother's passing… And also congratulations to Cassie 🙂
I'm so sorry about your grandmother. What wonderful memories you have, though! My last grandmother passed when I was 15 years old; however, every Christmas my mother tells the story how my grandmother used to sew through the night to outfit her girls with Christmas dresses! Carrie has grown up, hasn't she? Such an accomplished (and pretty!) young woman. Congratulations!
Not really sure what to say that hasn't been said already. Just sewing will remind you of what your grandmother was like and what an influence she has been. Congrats to Cassie too. I can understand why you feel a bit mixed up and odd.
I´m sorry about the loss of your grandmother! Reading your post, I can feel the love and respect you have for her. And concratulations to Cassie!
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. She sounds like a wonderful and stylish lady, and you obviously have lots of beautiful memories of her.
Congratulations to Cassie on her graduation.
I am sorry to read that your grandmother has died. It sounds to me like she was an inspiring and stylish lady. I too have had times where sadness and celebration collide and know just what you mean about feeling odd x
I'd love to see some of your handmade garments over on Handmaker's Factory!
So sorry to hear about your Grandmother, how wonderful that you were able to learn such a fabulous skill from her.
As my brother in Brisbane said to me last week, we have the memories! And so Carolyn, may the memories of a much -loved grandmother console and continue to inspire you.
A week of mile stones and bitter sweet. Your grandmother sounds like an amazing woman and I am sure Cassie will be too. So much to cherish from the past, so much to look forward to in the future.
My prayers are with you and your family for the loss of your grandmother, and prayers are also extended to your daughter in her drive to achieve her "dream".
Blessings!
Oh so sorry to hear about your loss. A grandmother is a loss for many people. Having a long illness and not unexpected doesn't make it any easier as you will still miss her. Condolences to all your family.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. I did not know either of mine, what a gift to have known her as you did. Congratulations on your daughter's graduation! What an awesome accomplishment.
what a gift of memories you have – I hope my grandchildren will feel the same. Best wishes to you all.
What lovely memories you have of your grandmother. Congratulations to your daughter, what a whirlwind of a week for you. Love that red floral skirt.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss if your grandmother. Strength and comfort sent to you across the ocean.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother, I am sure you spent many hours learning and being encouraged with her. You will remember her always when you make one of your stylish and classic outfits.
I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Congratulations to Cassie!
so sorry to hear, what a gift to have such an inspirational lady in your life! congrats on your daughter's graduation, best wishes to all!
I am sorry for your loss. I know how devastated I was at the loss of my own grandmother. Thirteen years later I still miss her and her huge influence on my life. I can understand your dilhemma with posting about this here, as I faced the same concern with the passing of my Father In Law in January. On the one hand, it is a personal thing but I felt that not mentioning it would actually trivialize it and I didn't want to do that either. It is such a roller coaster of a time. The day of my FIL's funeral my daughter got her exam results. They say, every cloud has a silver lining.
Well done Cassie on her degree.
So sorry to hear about your grandma!
congrats to Cassie!
Good and bad are all mixed up sometimes, I guess.
take care!
Sad about your grandmother. Mine taught me hor to sew when I was nine and I have many happy memories of both watching Nana sew and also her helping me sew on her old Singer. When a special occasion was coming up ther would be so much activity with buying fabric, cutting out (with absolutely no wastage) and then sewing, fitting with me standing on the dining room table so her back wouldn't hurt, with Mum helping and so on. It sounds like you were close to your grandmother as well. How sad for those who never have experienced those extended generation links. You will cherish your memories.
Congrats to Cassie. My son finishes up at the end of this semester. Yay!
I'm so sorry for your loss. Family is so precious and theses times aren't never easy to deal with. Congratulations to you daughter too…
Condolences for your loss from me too, but you have already expressed in this post a celebration of her life with all your wonderful memories. You must feel very proud of your daughter too, seems like she will have a very busy year or so ahead of her.
take care
Love to you and to your family Carolyn. It's lovely that everytime you make something you will be reminded of the great gift that she shared with you. Congratulations on the other big, but happy news, of the week. xxx
I'm so sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. It sounds like she was a big influence in your life, and I'm glad you paid tribute to her here on your blog. It is ironic that her passing and your daughter's graduation coincided, and I'm not surprised to hear you're feeling "odd". I hope that passes soon!
Thank you everyone for your condolences and lovely thoughts. And thank you for your congratulations too.
I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. And it's understandable that you're having mixed feelings, given the timing with Cassie's graduation. You gave her a lovely tribute here, and I'm sure she'll be remembered as you continue her legacy of sewing.
live is very odd, a bad and a goog thing in a same time….. (la vie est parfois bizarre, une mauvaise et une bone chose en même temps…..)
I like every things you do and your beautiful photos.(j'aime tout ce vous faites et vos merveilleuses photos) I'm very sorry for my bad English ! (vraiment désolé de mon mauvais anglais)
What a precious influence on your life, and I'm sorry to hear about her passing. Hope these days are filled with rich memories and comfort.
So sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing…grandmothers are precious and dear people in the eyes of their grandbabies.