Crafts
A Family That Crafts Together
July 17, 2017
It all began many, many years ago on a cold blustery day in Idaho. There were even rumors circulating that a major blizzard was about to hit and that there would be snow drifts too high to make it to Margie's Quilting Bee.
But this group of crafting ladies were not about to let a snow storm or snow drift deter them.
The quilting needles, thimbles, batting and colorful fabric had been carefully selected and assembled in advance. Even a spot had been made in the corner of the living room where the tired yellow and red velvet floral sofa had been pushed aside to make way for the quilting frames.
A flock of chattering Ladies composed of varying sizes and shapes had arrived despite weather adversity. They perched on the sofa like eager birds on a telephone wire, all ready to begin the art of quilting after the refreshments had been served.
Red jello jiggled in multi- faceted glass dessert cups, while a glorious pot of coffee percolated, giving a heavy sigh as it wheezed out one last drop. The delicious scent of fresh brewed coffee combined with the sweet intoxicating fragrance of homemade sugar cookies dotted the winter afternoon air.
This group of rural women not only valued their craft, they treasured their friendships.
My Fabulous Mother, who was part of this generation of makers, has passed this gene down to me and mine.
A crafting gene that has been entwined around all of our DNA from generation to generation and there is no denying it.
We are a crafting family, so it is pretty much the norm that when we get together we either craft or present a craft as a gift.
From the youngest to oldest we are of the mindset that no craft is too small or too big and hope prevails as long as we can create.
Today I would love to introduce you to a granddaughter that is designing and selling Glam Sticks.
I know she'd be so thrilled for you to drop by her blog!
You can see her in the second picture on the right, selling her Glam Sticks and carrying on our family crafting tradition.
Crafting, making, creating, DIY whatever you want to call it is more than just about the product it is about ourselves, life, friendships, family, inspiration, joy, and the journey of discovery.
Want to know a secret??
There are no failures in crafting only experiences and you can always create something!
Crafting knows no boundaries!
You might just be amazed at what you discover and what you can accomplish.
Today I am happy to be able to share two simple and delightful crafts with you!
Our first project began one day back in May while I was visiting our children in Puerto Rico.
Amanda and I had walked, talked and solved many world problems as the grandchildren scurried by our side.
Wyatt was filled with questions has he swatted the overgrowth of the encroaching rain forest while picking up ginormous snails and little Avery was toddling along.
Finding treasures while on a walk about is fun, and Amanda and I happened across some
Sea Grape Leaves, they are quite huge!
We gathered many of them up, took them home then turned them into Coasters.
So much potential here for all shapes of leaves and themes.
Amanda is a very talented gal and is designing and selling handmade cards in Puerto Rico.
She is new to Instagram at Coffee and Coconuts, just message her for more info on her cards.
Here is why we love this Sea Grape Leaf crafting project and the supplies which you will need.
1. Simple
2. Quite Earth friendly
3. Perfect for all ages (blunt tip scissors for the youngsters)
4. Safe
Supplies For Modge Podge Leaf Coasters:
1. Modge Podge
2. Scissors
3. Dried Leaves
4. Paint Brush
Our second project for today are these fun, colorful and easy Jazzed-Up flip flops.
As the days of Summer grow warmer and more afternoons are spent indoors, how about adding this little Jazz up your Flip Flop crafting to your agenda. Our daughter in North Carolina made this craft with her girls and you can too!
Here is why we really like these Jazzed Up - Flip Flops crafting project and the supplies that you will need.
1. Super Kid friendly craft.
2. Practical and purposeful.
3. Economical.
4. Supplies easy to find.
Supplies & Instructions For Jazzed-Up Flip Flops:
1. Flip Flops ( many are on sale this time of the year)
2. Bandanna (craft store, Walmart)
3. Scissors
4. Cut bandanna and tie on straps of flip-flop
5. Adult supervision and age appropriate scissors.
(Children can cut themselves.)
Thank you for taking time out of your day to join me, and Happy Crafting!
xo
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First, I love that you linked to the word percolated so all the young'uns will know what that is!! :)
ReplyDeleteCrafting is definitely something that brings people together. You are making such wonderful memories with your grands.
Good Morning!
ReplyDeleteI had just about forgotten about the trusty percolator! It seemed magical way back then, so if I had sort of forgotten about it, I knew I'd better include a link:)
Crafting is wonderful, we need a craft day real soon over a cup of coffee!
Industrious & crafty group! I love it! Cute ideas!
ReplyDeleteCrafting is in our blood and I remember crafting with you too! Girl Scouts and Glitter all the way!
DeleteMy children and I spent many a happy hour making things. Love the simpleness of these crafts and all. Those coasters are so cool and the flip flops are so much fun! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSome of the sweetest memories ever! Crafting brings us all great joy, doesn't it my friend...
DeleteThose are just about the cutest flip flops I've ever seen! How nice that you're passing on your love of crafting Jemma, and it's especially nice that your grandchildren are truly interested and will probably continue to share this love for future generations.
ReplyDeletexxx
Cute and easy Doreen! These girls were having fun!
DeleteVery sweet post Jemma, crafting is such a fun activity and so rewarding. So special your girls are crafting too. A family tradition for sure. Love seeing all of thes projects. Happy crafting and happy summer. Thank you for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It. Xo
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing your precious grands. How special to have crafting in common and passing that on to the new generation. Your kids are far away just like mine.
ReplyDeleteI admire your crafting but I loved your introduction, too. You have a gift for writing. You could write stories and more for sure.
What fun. I miss the days of crafting with my girls. We always had a project going. The flip flops remind me of ones my girls made tying water balloons on them. So fun. They were the envy of the pool that summer.
ReplyDeleteMy love of crafting came from my beloved aunt...who always had coffee percolating in the kitchen. Yum. I can still smell it...
ReplyDeleteAwwwww this is so awesome. Loved the flip flops so so cute.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Week.
Kris
I love that you and your daughter and grandkids all craft together! I am now following Amanda on IG. The link for the glam sticks is not working, however. Unless the problem is on my end/with my computer. Have a lovely week, Jemma!
ReplyDeleteMelanie,
DeleteWe do have a good time together and the crafting part is the icing on the cake.
Thank you for letting me know about the link, I appreciate it and it is fixed!
J.
Such a sweet post! My family has been blessed with the creativity gene too. There were lots of handmade gifts and crafting with my kids and now I treasure crafting with my grandson ;) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love creating in company with others, whether they are young or old. This looks like such fun and you are lucky to have this creative time with your own!
ReplyDeleteJemma, those coasters are so cool. I thought it was a store-bought coaster beneath your coffee when I first saw it. These projects are so fun, and the flip flops look like something so easy that children can work on. You really remind me of myself, as me and the girls have always done crafts together, and Jemma, you wouldn't believe the projects my mother worked on in her own home. I look back now and marvel at all that she did. Those sea grape leaves are huge, and how clever that you both made them into coasters. They look like something from Puerto Rico, very pretty. I'm off to check out the handmade cards Amanda designed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all this inspiration from three lovely women and their daughters.
love, ~Sheri
Jemma dearest, I am late; I stayed off of social media yesterday, but I'm back and glad ONLY to see you here.
ReplyDeleteI must say, your narrative has won me over. You have sparked an idea that had been brewing in my mind yesterday, or rather, an ideal for which I was lamenting over, an ideal that in my world, is long gone.
I love your description of the women chattering like birds on a phone line. Your writing has always been special, but what I see here is the beginning of a series of stories to not only reminisce but to BRING BACK the sense of community art creating. Quilting bee, call it what you will, but this reminds me that WE CANNOT BE ALONE and must have connections, but TRUE physical connections to stay mentally healthy and spiritually active.
Whatever the craft or art project final product, it's our hearts and hands together that is the true art. BRAVO!
You have the cutest grandkids!! Love that you all make time to create together. They will treasure those crafts and the time spent with you.
ReplyDeleteAwe, so awesome that you all craft . I love the story about your mama too and the perculator! My middle daughter loves doing things like that especially if it involves glitter . Coasters so cute . I like to craft but I take it by spells . My grandmother had her finger in every kind of craft she could come up . She told me that crafting was a way to use your brain and your hands and then when project was finished you have also used your heart . I've never forgot that . Hugs and blessings , Cindy
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing..
ReplyDeleteThe leaf to coaster is brilliant. I am always trying to introduce my kiddos to art and a more creative way to life.. hoping some of it rubs off on them.
Such cute kiddos doing crafts! I know you enjoy them to the fullest. Your grands will have fond memories of crafting with you forever. My faves are the flip-flops. Adorable!
ReplyDelete