A Gift that will last...

Today, I am going to be a touch mushy and real. I want to share about a gift I was given by my late Grandmama, one that is very dear to my heart.

She is the reason I know how to create, anything. She taught my Mom and my Mom taught me. But I was always heading to her "feet" to learn more. She was a sassy women who didn't put up with much guff. I miss her dearly. Before her death, among the days of me sitting at her feet learning sewing or joining her for afternoon coffee, she handed me a bin of "baby" supplies. I remember excepting the bin thinking, "What am I suppose to do with this?" I didn't speak that thought but a genuine "Thank you." She smiled and patted my hand, "I'm done making babies, it's your turn." Little did I know the treasure she handed me at the time. 

Shortly after her death, I dug into that bin, knowing the "baby" making was now my responsibility. In that bin she had all of her paper patterns for all of her doll creations. Grandmama was a very talented seamstress. She sewed slip covers for furniture, clothing, fashion re-makes, curtains, quilts, and every kind of doll you could imagine. From big and long to itty bitty. Her talents were limitless. And she supported her eight children by staying home and sewing.

The pattern above is her main doll pattern. The pieces are hand drawn and labeled in her own script. People do not know how to write anymore. Look at how beautiful the cursive writing is. Priceless. I, now, have the privilege to work with this pattern. I was not taught her doll making secrets, drat. She could have given me a few pointers at least. (hahaha ☺) But I am going to put forth my best effort to learn doll making. And do what I can to create lovable "babies".

Here is the second one I made from her pattern. I changed the way the doll was put together to make the pattern "my own". I can't cannot copy my Grandmama, I am not her, but I can continue to make the dolls she so loved to create.

This pattern was among the patterns and wasn't even cut out. But I cut it out and decided that this pattern would become one of my main dolls I hope to create.

Above is my second attempt, and I am very pleased with how she turned out. Little Miss is so excited for me to make one of her own. Which I will be doing. This pattern was enjoyable to make, I will be making more of this style. ☺

I miss Grandmama every day. But in that 'gift', within that bin, contains the connection I never realized I would need. I pull out the pattern lay it on fabric to pin and cut out pieces and I feel her beside me. I sit at my sewing machine to sew the 'baby' together to feel her watching over my shoulder. In today's world, we are so busy that we can miss out on the greatest gifts. They may be small or large. My greatest gift is the love of sewing that was instilled in me by my Mom and Grandmama and hand-drawn pattern pieces. What is your greatest gift that you have been given? Leave me a comment! I'd love to know! ☺

♥Kelly

p.s. The new Kiser Krafts Doll line will be added to kiserkrafts.storenvy.com soon! 

A Crafting Queen has retired...

A princess and the Queen.

 

 

This is my late Grandmama. She was a tower of strength and endurance. She was born August 8, 1928 and passed away from natural causes December 13, 2013. 

I do apologize for going a bit quiet on all of my social medias, store, and here on the blog. This news hit me hard...it is still hard. She was the 'go-to' crafting adviser for when my Mom did not know. Grandmama taught my Mother, and my Mother taught me...and one day I plan on teaching my Little Miss as much as I can. 

She married her sweetheart and crafted through all of her years.

 

She had a sewing business where she specialized in slip covers for furniture but I know her for her doll making. She was a wonderful doll maker. And I have many of her creations.

She made me my own family...they are tiny tiny dolls with tiny tiny hand stitches. So much love went into this gift for one of my birthdays.

 

She created so many dolls for so many family and friends. And the fun part was many of her patterns she created. Other then my marriage papers, I never thought slips of paper could mean so much. She gave me all of her hand-written, manufactured, and published doll patterns. What a priceless gift. 

I am so excited to buy supplies and give doll making a try. It is an honor to be given so many great gifts from my Grandmama. She was full of sass and words of wisdom. 

I love you and miss you already Grandmama. Thank you for being the 'crafting' guide I needed. 

♥Kelly

 

The following is the published obiturary: 

 

In Loving Memory Carol Patricia Culver 8/8/1928 - 12/13/2013

Carol Patricia Culver, 85,
formerly of Durand died at 2:35 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2013 in Fair Oaks
Nursing home from natural causes.

Born August 8, 1928 in Dekalb, IL
to Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Mary (Knudtson) Joslin. Lived 14 years in the Durand
area. Married to Howard G. Culver in Plainfield, IL on November 17, 1951.
Member of Bible Baptist Church of Harrison. Owned and operated her own sewing
business for 25 years specializing in slip covers. Enjoyed reading; especially
murder mysteries, and crafting. Carol loved spending time with her children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Survivors include sons, Tim
(Wendy) Culver of Johnston City, Tom (Ann) Culver of Wheaton; daughters, Terri
(Garry) Patton of Depue, Tracy Culver of Minooka, Tamara (Dennis) McCorkle of
South Beloit, Tina (Delmar) Butt of South Beloit; sons, Ted (Diana) Culver of
Broadview, Toren (Regina) Culver of Earlville; adopted daughter, Char Ward of
Minooka; 20 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; sisters, Louise, Rosemary,
Irene, Anna; brother, Russell; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded by
parents; husband; 2 infant children; and brother, Tom.

Funeral ceremonies will be held at
12:00 p.m. Tuesday December 17, 2013 in McCorkle Funeral Home, 767 N. Blackhawk
Blvd. Rockton, with Pastor Phillip Willard of Bible Baptist Church of Harrison
officiating. A visitation will be held in the funeral home from 10 to time of
service Tuesday. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Dekalb at a later date. Memorials
may be given to Bible Baptist Church of Harrison, 11878 Genesee Street,
Harrison,IL (source:http://funeralhomeweb.us/restinpeacePT.aspx?MemberId=128606&MName=Carol%20Patricia%20Culver&FLVId=)