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This post is set to stay on top until February 29, 2012. Please join in my blogaversary celebration and win some blog candy! :-D
One year ago, on February 10, 2011, I started my blog with a post about my own Grammy, which I'm going to copy and share with you again today. But first, I want to say thanks to all my followers and blogland friends, many of whom have become especially close. I also want to let you know that I'm going to be offering blog candy and you have all the rest of this month to sign up for it.
How do you do that? No fancy rules or requirements; no need to jump on board the "follower" wagon (unless you really want to follow my blog because you've seen something you think is worthwhile); no cards or other projects to make; just leave me a comment on this posting and tell me something wonderful about your own Grammy or other person who influenced your life as a child. I'll be selecting the winner on February 29, and posting the winner's name on Saturday, March 3. Please make sure I have a way to contact you so I can get information for mailing your blog candy to you.
I don't have a picture of the candy yet (too many problems from the computer crash) but I'll edit this post when I do have one. It's going to consist of a MS border punch, a couple of small hand punches, tons of lovely ribbon, some gorgeous laces, a handful of brads and eyelets, a few swirls, and some wonderful embossing powder samples.
Edited to add the photo:
OK, here's the first thing I ever posted on my blog:
This post is set to stay on top until February 29, 2012. Please join in my blogaversary celebration and win some blog candy! :-D
One year ago, on February 10, 2011, I started my blog with a post about my own Grammy, which I'm going to copy and share with you again today. But first, I want to say thanks to all my followers and blogland friends, many of whom have become especially close. I also want to let you know that I'm going to be offering blog candy and you have all the rest of this month to sign up for it.
How do you do that? No fancy rules or requirements; no need to jump on board the "follower" wagon (unless you really want to follow my blog because you've seen something you think is worthwhile); no cards or other projects to make; just leave me a comment on this posting and tell me something wonderful about your own Grammy or other person who influenced your life as a child. I'll be selecting the winner on February 29, and posting the winner's name on Saturday, March 3. Please make sure I have a way to contact you so I can get information for mailing your blog candy to you.
I don't have a picture of the candy yet (too many problems from the computer crash) but I'll edit this post when I do have one. It's going to consist of a MS border punch, a couple of small hand punches, tons of lovely ribbon, some gorgeous laces, a handful of brads and eyelets, a few swirls, and some wonderful embossing powder samples.
Edited to add the photo:
I forgot to include the swirls in the photo but they'll be in package when it ships. :-D
OK, here's the first thing I ever posted on my blog:
A Great Beginning
My New Year's Resolution was to get a blog up and running this year and it's only February! HOORAY!! This is my first day blogging, and I want to share with you why my Blog is named "Grammy's Attic."
When I was a young child, I loved visiting my grandma. She was always baking something in the kitchen, and always had a hug for us as soon as we walked in the door. The grandkids' play area was the whole attic, up a narrow set of stairs that opened into a completely open space nearly as big as the whole house. The two best places in the attic were the 'trunk corner' and the spot right over the kitchen where we could smell the cookies baking.
The 'trunk corner' is where Grammy stored all things old and wonderful: dress up clothes, hats, a hand mirror, an old phonograph complete with records, boxes of stationary, buttons, and laces, keepsakes from her own childhood, hand carved toys, and photographs. It was a delicious array of "goodies" -- there for touching, reading, seeing, trying on, or even smelling in the case of the old perfume bottles!
Whenever I am in one of my 'crafty' modes, as I dig into my various stashes for just the right embellishment, I find myself thinking about those "attic days" of childhood.
I want to share some of my projects with fellow enthusiasts, and I hope perhaps you can get a feel for the hours of joy spent in Grammy's Attic.
Here is a card I made for a sketch challenge over at Operation Write Home. The image is from Sparkle 'n' Sprinkle. It's colored with Copic markers and I used Oval and Scalloped Oval Spellbinder's dies. The design paper and ribbon are from Gina K and they're just luscious! This card reminds me of the old hats that were in Grammy's attic. :-)
If you're not familiar with OWH (http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/ ), they're a great organization that takes handmade cards sent to them by people just like us who love to make cards, and they send them to military folks who are away from home so that they can write a few lines and then mail the cards off to their loved-ones. Since my eldest grandson serves in the Marine Corp, this is a cause near and dear to this old Nana's heart.
Hope you have yourself a grand day, and find a little bit of Grammy's Attic in your own memories. :-) NanaConnie
When I was a young child, I loved visiting my grandma. She was always baking something in the kitchen, and always had a hug for us as soon as we walked in the door. The grandkids' play area was the whole attic, up a narrow set of stairs that opened into a completely open space nearly as big as the whole house. The two best places in the attic were the 'trunk corner' and the spot right over the kitchen where we could smell the cookies baking.
The 'trunk corner' is where Grammy stored all things old and wonderful: dress up clothes, hats, a hand mirror, an old phonograph complete with records, boxes of stationary, buttons, and laces, keepsakes from her own childhood, hand carved toys, and photographs. It was a delicious array of "goodies" -- there for touching, reading, seeing, trying on, or even smelling in the case of the old perfume bottles!
Whenever I am in one of my 'crafty' modes, as I dig into my various stashes for just the right embellishment, I find myself thinking about those "attic days" of childhood.
I want to share some of my projects with fellow enthusiasts, and I hope perhaps you can get a feel for the hours of joy spent in Grammy's Attic.
Here is a card I made for a sketch challenge over at Operation Write Home. The image is from Sparkle 'n' Sprinkle. It's colored with Copic markers and I used Oval and Scalloped Oval Spellbinder's dies. The design paper and ribbon are from Gina K and they're just luscious! This card reminds me of the old hats that were in Grammy's attic. :-)
If you're not familiar with OWH (http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/ ), they're a great organization that takes handmade cards sent to them by people just like us who love to make cards, and they send them to military folks who are away from home so that they can write a few lines and then mail the cards off to their loved-ones. Since my eldest grandson serves in the Marine Corp, this is a cause near and dear to this old Nana's heart.
Hope you have yourself a grand day, and find a little bit of Grammy's Attic in your own memories. :-) NanaConnie
27 Comments that I appreciate. Thank you.:
Beautiful first blog card! and a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. Happy Blogaversary.
I never saw your first post Connie and I LOVE it - along with the pretty card! So many wonderful memories you have of your grandmother.
Congrats on your first year blog anniversary! You bring so much inspiration into my life! Loving your blog and hugs across the miles.
Lynn
Happy Blog-a-versary, NanaConnie! I'm not as frequent of a visitor as I'd like to be -- life gets crazy -- but I always enjoy it when I do get a chance to visit, and am thankful you started your blog, and inspired at the wonderful way you honor your grandmother. Even more thankful to have you as a friend. Hugs!
It's so nice to see what you started your blogging journey with, as I've only "met" you recently. What a special attic! I have only ever known one Nan as my other grandparents passed away before I was born, but Nan is soooo special. She looked after my brother and me for a year, moving house up to Scotland as my parents couldn't sell our house and had to move with work. We became so close that I think of her now as a second mum. She has a heart of gold, even though she says she doesn't, and she always has words of wisdom and encouragement for me. She's a whizz making cakes and she taught me to bake. She loves swapping recipes with me now that I'm all grown up! I love her to bits and even though I live a good couple of hours away , I still ring her pretty much every day for a natter. She can't get out of the house now which is sad. I introduced her to Create and Craft TV and she now watches the demos for ideas for me while I'm out at work. It's so sweet of her! I know lots of you are going to say the same thing about your Nan/Gran, but to me, she really is the best Nan in the world. She's helped me become who I am today.
Thanks for such a good idea to share stories about our loved ones, and for such a kind and generous candy. Happy Blogoversary and here's to another wonderful year of blogging!
P.S. Forgot to say how marvelous your card is! A wonderfully vibrant combination of colors and textures, and that image is so much fun!
Connie, WOW What a lovely story about your Grandma's attic and all the "goodies" up there brought me right back to my Grandma's house. In her house it was a spare/sewing room that had all the "goodies". Tons of hat boxes with anything and everything you could imagine in them. My memories are MANY, but one of my most precious was of me in her kitchen (where she was 95% of the time) When I was about 5 years old I would take the canned goods out of her cupboard and tell her "Nanny this cupboard is filthy and I need to wash it". ( I did this every single week-how dirty could it have been?) I would roll the cans all over the floor and she would, oh so patiently, walk over them, around them, whatever she had to do to keep on cooking and never ever got upset with me for making such a mess. I never did put the cans away, she would just do it herself. Isn't it wonderful to have so many great memories? My Grandmother was an angle on earth, as I'm sure your's was. I was lucky enough to have her for the first 40 years of my life. I can't think of a nicer tribute to your Grandmother than to have given your blog such a special name. Happy Anniversary, Connie.
Connie what lovely memories you have of your grandma. I too have lovely memories of my own Grandma but I used to call her Nan. My Dad was in the Royal Marines so we were stationed all over the far east. On occasions he was stationed in the UK and we would stay with my Nan and even though my Dad taught me how to knit my Nan taught me how to knit my dollies clothes, from vest and knickers right through to coats and hats. When I was expecting my own two boys and knitting baby clothes I would remember those times sitting by my Nan in front of the fair and get a lovely warm feeling too. I still occasionally knit especially for my Granddaughter and I have just found out I am going to become a grandma again in August this year.
Happy Blogaversary Connie and may you have many more.
Hugs
Linda xxx
Wonderful memories and tribute to your grandmother. Your card is beautiful and your first post is fantastic Connie.
I too have wonderful memories of my Grandmother. Granny was always there for me, teaching me how to cook, make homemade noodles, sew and bake. She made almost all of my clothes while I was growing up and I loved them because no one else had the same thing......lol We always washed the white sheer tie back curtains in the old wringer washer, starched and put on the stretcher to dry. I was really blessed to have her in my life for 48 years until at age 99 when her loving heart gave out. She lived with us the last 4 years and each day we were blessed to have her with us. There isn't a day that goes by I don't think of her and miss her.
Happy blog anniversary Connie and here's to many more. "Hugs"
Happy Anniversary, PC! I've enjoyed your journey this past year, and miss those Granny recipes you used to post! Your Grandma sounds like a wonderful part of your life. Life contains so many blessings, and the people are the greatest part of those blessings. You are one of mine. Enjoy a fantastic week-end, and happy early Valentine's Day, Connie! xo
Happy Blogaversary my dear friend!
What a wonderful story!
I used to spend a lot of time with my grandparents as a child but the person who was the strongest character in my life was a great aunt. She was the lady who brought my Mum up as my granny was busy with two baby boys! That lady had some really strong values & always taught us right from wrong. We spent many childhood days at the dining room table going through her button box & sewing box & making all sorts of things with her! I guess that's where the crafty side came from! RIP Aunty Jean! We still miss you!
Hugs
Dawn xxx
Congratulations on your blog anniversary. I always wondered exactly where your blog name came from, i had an idea but to read your story, was marvelous. My 'mamas' have both passed away but i always remember going into the larder and pulling out everything. i used to play at shops and used to stack everything on my counter (kitchen table!)abd make everyone stand in line to buy from me! Oh, and the constant 'secret' supply of toblerone and toffees in the sideboard i could not resist either! You know, the big tin tray of tofee that used to come with a little hammer? lol Those were the days! Now, i see my son playing at my parents house and i know they feel the same as my mama did when i used to visit. it is such a blessing to have kids/grandkids and i thank God everyday for making me a Mum. i just wish i lived closer to our parents but we cant have everything can we? Thank you for your heartfelt words and for offering such a fantastic blog candy to the lucky winner. If i win, i am more than happy to pay international postage or i can give you my Uk address. Have a good day, take care, hugs,Jill x p.s thank you so much for the lovely comments you left on my blog x
The story of your grammy's attic is fantastic! I'm glad I popped in today to have a chance to read it, as I had missed the first time around.
My grandma was such a special lady to me, as well (aren't they all?!). :0) I like to tell everyone how special I am "because my grandma said so", even today. lol! ;0)
I always wonder where my crafty obsessions come from, until I remember the bedroom that my grandmother took over as her sewing room - you couldn't see that it was ever bedroom' in fact, it was difficult to tell that it was ever even a room! lol! It looked more like a fabric store had exploded within her four walls of space! I always was afraid to go into that room because I thought I might disappear......seriously.
I smile when I think of that room because now I have one of my own.......only, instead of it being a fabric explosion, it is a total paper explosion! I know grandma is smiling down at my card making......and thinking that the apple didn't fall very far from the tree. :0)
Congrats to your first year of blogging! I love your story about your Grandmother- we were recently reminiscing about days at Grandma's- her house is being torn down : ( But the memories will live on forever! I love your beautiful card- I am a follower and am currently experiencing a computer crash- I am blessed to have an older one to use- although it is really really slow! Again- Congrats!
Happy Blogaversary Nanaconnie :) Your cards are always beautiful!! My gramma used to make me these Giant I mean huge plate size sugar cookies and put little raisin faces of them. They were the best ever!! And she would make me quilts for special occasions. She passed away while working on one for the birth of my daughter. I still have that after all these years.
Bright and beautiful card for the first blogaversary. Congratulations!
droid developer
Beautiful tribute Connie,
My mother was much older when I was born. By the time I was old enough to remember grandparents, they had all passed. Yes, I feel like I missed something not having the grandmother's to do things with. I lost my mother I think too young too and wish I had the chance to do things with her and for her. (I do remember playing with all her beautiful hats she had stowed under her antique bed.) Soooo, the following is what I do and I really enjoy it..... (I'm retired now.) Their is an older couple next door and she and I will plant flowers, I will take her on special outings, sip tea and talk about the "old country" ...she and her husband escaped Germany, but both sets of parents didn't survive the holocaust. While my friends still work, I take friends' moms on errands, outings, bake cookies, drink tea and listen to their stories. It sorta gives me that chance of sharing (like with a mom or grandmother) I didn't have much time to do with my mom. No doubt my mom is with me a great deal of the time; I feel her presence. We were both lovers of the beach and I visit there as often as possible...I leave my own footprints in the sand. And, it's those needed times that God, my mom and guardian angel carry me. As a matter of fact, I am headed to the beach today due to passing of a friend and I know all 3 will be with me. I will return tomorrow and will continue listening to special stories,sipping hot tea, look through old buttons with my German neighbor ...each button has a story.(..it's amazing) and at the end of the day.....feel good.
PS.....lovely card....love the single hat...as mentioned in my last comment....I remember crawling under the bed pulling all the beautiful hat boxes out and trying on my mother's hats....HATS were THE THING back in the 50's...my mom was a hat diva and known around town for her hats and was a member of the "mad hatters" society...whatever that was. Perhaps I can pull out of picture of her in the paper at one of those meetings.
What a thought provoking post, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
My maternal Grandmother was a Romany Gypsy (not an Irish Traveller, or pikey as people like to insult them). She used to dress head to foot in black and smoke a corn cob pipe and she terrified me as a small child! She had 16 children, starting with my Uncle Bill and then 23 years later she had my Dad on the same date that Uncle Bill was born. So she started and completed her family on the same day!
Lin xx
Happy blogaversary! Your grandma sounds delightful. Some of my favorite memories of going to my grandma's are the excitement of hopping up and down on her their porch, giddy inside waiting for them to answer the doorbell. That door made a distinctive whooshing sound when it opened. Then Nanny would act so surprised and shout "Well, hug my neck!"
what a lovely grammy you had and such a wonderful relationship with her.
your card is gorgeous - reminds me of the hats one of my nanna's used to wear hugs Karen x
very lucky you have been, somehow my father could not made good relationship to his parents as well as his in-laws which affected our relations with them. My grand parents never loved us... maternal grand parents are no more but my grand mother is still alive but she does not want to meet us as my father didnt care about her :(. Today when I had my son I desperately feel like going there n meet her but not possible. I miss such people in my life..:(((((((((.
I came here for the candy as I have only 2 punches and needs them. Wish to win.
Happy one year! Making a blog is an undertaking in it's own and yours is delightful! I love seeing your cards for various challenges (I see them for Inky all the time!). It sounds like your Grandma's house was a wonderful place and that attic sounds delightful as well! I love the details in your hat card, it's so bold and fun! I look forward to many more years of your blogging creations!
Congratulations, Connie! And I loved reading your story about where you came up with the name of your blog.
I miss my Mom-mom, who sewed her own clothes, and crocheted many gifts over her lifetime. She made potholders, hanger covers, tissue box covers, bedspreads, slippers, and so much more. She was definitely crafty and creative, and most of all, she was full of love for me. I miss her so much!
Happy BLogversary! Thank you for sharing your touching story. My fondest memories of my grandma are the summers I used to spend at her house as a kid. My grandma was such a strong and determined lady who always smiled, even in her last days. We lost her to cancer when I was 16 but she has always been such a wonderful inspiration to me.
I missed your first post and have loved hearing about your Grammy. My own grandma, was a wonderful cook as well. I remember visiting her house and watching her cook. She would set me up with some raisins to snack on while I watched. She loved to crochet and I have several items tucked away in my cedar chest that she made me.
Happy Anniversary, dear friend! You have done a marvelous job of inspiring me all year long. I'm lucky to know a beautiful lady such as yourself (((big hugs))) and congratulations!
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