Friday, November 14, 2008

Bead Journal Project...October

I have really enjoyed working on this page other than her insisting she needed more leaves than I had started with. I've been a little hard on myself for not being done by the end of October (which has been my biggest BJP fear all along), but I decided I'm not going to rush just for the sake of getting it done by the end of the month. This project is just for me and I want to cherish all my pages at the end of the year.

I named my October page "October Glory." Every October, I always think of Nana, my maternal grandmother. I have so many wonderful memories of her. Her name was Marion, and she was born on October 31st, 1906, in Mandan, North Dakota. She married Papa on March 16th, 1931. She died March 19th, 1981, three days after their 50th Wedding Anniversary. She was a lovely person and always a "lady" in the truest sense of the word. The tree in the first picture is one of three maple trees we planted in our yard years ago. It is one of two in our front yard and it is a beautiful tree called October Glory.

The picture I chose is one of my favorite pictures of Nana when she was young. I don't have very many pictures of her, but this one was most appropriate for fall. Forgive some of my photos, as I took pictures of the original snaps I have. We had a fire in our home years ago and the heat and smoke damaged most of our older pictures. The tree is stitched with vintage brown Charlottes and 15/0 bronze and moss green seed beads. The glass pressed leaves are small, 6 x 10mm, and the pebbles in the road are stitched with smoky quartz chips.
She was a mother to a son and daughter, and a Nana to two grandchildren...my sister and I. We were always close and spent a lot of time together. We became even closer after my parents divorced when I was 12.

I REMEMBER...

* how beautiful she was inside and out
* how she lived her life with compassion, kindness, and love
* she always had a dress and apron on when Papa got home from work
* she was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain family and friends
* she loved to garden, loved roses and flowers, and was President of the Alameda Garden Club
* she was a Daughter of the Nile and volunteered time to many charities
* she loved to sew, knit, and needlepoint
* she was a wonderful wife to Papa




I REMEMBER...

* hugs and kisses
* being spoiled by her
* games (Tiddlywinks & Candy Land), story books, and color crayons
* loving her home and how it always smelled so good
* getting to spend the night
* watching Lassie, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, & The Jolson Story
* walks to the park and dime store
* baking cookies
* her candy dish and a little bird in a cage that when wound up would move and chirp
* hamburgers at Yaw's and Green River's, ice cream at Farrell's, and shopping at Lloyd Center
* loving to snoop at all the old stuff in the attic and basement
* dressing up in her clothes and jewelry
* trips to the beach



I REMEMBER...

* her unconditional love
* her being always gracious and fun
* cereal or a warm baked chicken sandwich in the evening for a snack
* two trips to Palm Desert, swimming, and long walks picking huge grapefruits & lemons
* many dinners at Ringside
* being so grateful to have both Nana & Papa at my wedding (Papa lost 40+ lbs so he could fit into his old tux and walk me down the aisle)
* Mom, Sissy, and I throwing Nana a big 70th Birthday party
* helping them move from their one and only house to an apartment in Portland
* surgery and hospital visits when Nana found out she had uterine cancer that had metastisized to her bones
* helping Nana shop and run errands when she was sick in my VW bug
* being at her home, by her side with my Mom when she left us


In reflecting, I realize these memories and her love are the legacy she left and it is something precious to me. Her strength and values ran deep. While she was beautiful on the outside, she was full of love and passion on the inside. I am grateful for the memories I treasure and the love and patience she always showed me. I loved and adored her and miss her dearly.

She is a fragment of my life that lies within my heart...

17 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

What a lovely post. The beading on your page is perfect.

You are right, this project is just for you. I have another project going, so I haven't started my page yet. I think thats because I have been thinking I am behind and go for the "easy" and haven't found just what I want to do. Thanks for reminding me that this is for me and I will not compremise.

Lovely memories of your grandmother.

Cathie said...

Lisa, this is absolutely beautiful - each stitch, each little bead, each colored leaf a testament to the love and admiration you have for your Nana.

*~tabby~* crooked heart art said...

hi lisa
your whole post is wonderful-your bjp is stunning!!!!!!!fantastic bead work
so is your new header and the pic of the colorful maple
the beautiful tribute to your nana what a beautiful woman
and i had a good laugh of your papa with the blocks on his head-my son had the same kind and we did the same thing with them we called it the 'block head' game-thanks for that wonderful memory
your post was worth the wait :)
enjoy your day
tabby :)

beadbabe49 said...

oh lisa...what a lovely tribute to your nana...and the leaves are just perfect...and yes, of course it needed so many...it's fall and the leaves are piled high, just like in your beautiful piece...
You look about 16 at your wedding (I know you were older though) and I bet your nana cried tears of happiness that day.

a2susan said...

I agree with what's been said by everyone so far - beautiful, wonderful, perfect, a lovely tribute - and you are so lucky and fortunate to have the cherished memories that you do. This is a very special piece.

Jacquie said...

What a beautiful and loving tribute! I absolutely love your piece. The leaves are spectacular on the tree and photos just add that special something to artwork. It will be a very special remembrance for you to look back on for years to come.

heidibeads said...

I feel your love for you Nana and I think the tree is beautiful tribute to her. I'm so glad that you didn't rush through just to get it done before the end of the month. Beautiful!

Marty S said...

What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing such lovely memories. The leaf beads are just right for this.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

sam said...

Your work gives me yet another choice as to how I might do next year's BJP. My first thought was "beautiful" and continues to be just that. I look forward to seeing all of your BJP....

pam T said...

absolutely gorgeous! a wonderful tribute and I'm glad for you that you decided to take your time and make the project for you instead of hurrying. that's what the BJP is all about... thank you for sharing all your memories... it does give pause to one to contemplate the things that are meaningful in one's life.

Julie said...

Oh, I just love this piece. What a beautiful way to remember your Nana. You did a very beautiful job. Julie C

Robin said...

"I rember..."

Such a fabulous way to post about your memories and feelings about Nana... And your tree/BJP page is magnificent. You nailed the tree and, by association, your Nana's strength, grace, beauty and enduring presence in your life.

This is a memorable post, Lisa... many thanks!

Robin A.

Padparadscha said...

Beautiful piece and very moving tribute. You make me really sorry that I didn't get to meet your Nana.

Anonymous said...

this is a beautiful tribute to your Grandmother. She sounds like she was amazing lady.

GraceBeading said...

Awww Lisa, I post with tears in my eyes. Such a moving tribute to your grandma. Makes me miss mine too as I share so many of your memories that are similar to mine.

That page is FANTASTIC! The beading perfect, I love the tree. Really nice work there girl, thanks so much for sharing a bit of your heart!

girlgonethreadwild said...

Liiiisa, your note just lit up my home like a TREE LIGHTING ceremony!

Thank you for your addictive enthusiasm.. always a PLEASURE to run across paths with you!

OO, I'm very eager to get hold of oyur block, to hold it in my twittering hands... !!!

Have the BEST holiday season my friend... you deserve the spoils & riches this life has to offer...

I'm sewing up a storm and LOOKING forward to sharing my doings with you SOON! Big hugs to you & yours... xo, monica :)

Dot said...

Such a beautiful and heartfelt post Lisa. Your love for your Nana shines through. The beading on your page is stunning!

You are a woman with a big heart.

Dot xx