Thursday, February 19, 2009

Show and Tell Friday 2/20 - Barbie's, Trinkets and Love


I just love Show and Tell! You never know what someone is going to share. Kelli is our hostess every Friday over at There is No Place like Home. Every Friday is an adventure!

I usually show glass or pottery but I decided to take a slightly different route today. Although...you know me by now...there is "some" pottery in here!

I was very blessed to know several of my great-grandparents and had all four grandparents into my 30's. My maternal grandmother was an expert seamstress. She learned to sew from her mother whom we called "Granny". That's Granny below.


My grandmother loved to sew and 2 daughters and many granddaughters kept her busy. However, she wasn't too busy to make some "fun" things like clothes for my Barbie, Midge and Skipper.

I still have a Barbie case FULL of clothes and will share some of them along. Here's a few of my favorites.




We would visit Granny in Mobile, AL. How it thrilled Granny to see those delicate little clothes made by Ma Jessie. I realize now she must have been very ill at the time but wanted to take the time for me to know her. She would put me
in bed with her and my little case of clothes. This was my first SHOW and TELL!



Granny passed away in 1962 at the age of 78. She seemed so old to me then but 78 is not that old today...especially from where I'm sitting now! Her funeral was at the church she had long attended.

After the funeral, someone handed me a turquoise carnation to keep. I took an instant dislike to the dyed flower, the smell and the carnation in general. From that day on, I hated carnations...still do. Mr. Dumpling learned pretty quickly never to give me an arrangement with carnations and I never send carnations.

Before Granny passed away, she let me choose several little keepsakes that I still treasure. One was a little kitten figurine and the other was a small chintz trinket box. Later, I would inherit her hand mirror and Hall mixing bowl from Mother.





One of the best treasures I have is a picture my cousin Vicki sent me several years ago. It is our four generations together. From left to right: Mother, me, Ma Jessie and Granny. I wouldn't take a million dollars for it!


I think Granny was a fascinating woman although she would never have thought so. Her real father was killed when she was an infant, married at the age of 12, bore 15 children...two would die in childhood, was widowed with young children at home and lived long enough to bury several of her adult children. I believe she would tell us she had a good life, a simple life and that she loved her Lord and her family...and we loved her. She taught me the gift of love...and how to do Show and Tell!


54 comments:

Jewel Sauls said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow! What a wonderful life! It is so special that you are preserving her memory like this. I'm glad you have some of her things! :D Jewel

Lorri said... Best Blogger Tips

How fortunate you were to know great grandparents. I had all of my grandparents until my 30's also. My Granny made barbie clothes for me also. I cant tell you how much I still miss her. She was an incredible woman.
Lorri

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh what a loving and special tribute to your granny and your family. I didn't have any grandparents that I can remember, they all passed away when I was small, but I love the story of yours and I'm so proud and fortunate that my mother was just the same loving grandparent to my children. They all miss her and so do I. Thanks for the beautiful story. Hugs, Marty

Blondie's Journal said... Best Blogger Tips

Judy,

This was just a lovely tribute to your grandmother. She was a wonderful (and courageous) lady. I can see how you must miss her still. I would cherish those keepsakes forever.

Thanks for such a sweet post.

xoxo
Janie

Susan B said... Best Blogger Tips

What wonderful memories of your great grandmother. The Barbie clothes are beautiful! My maternal grandmother lived until I was 30. She was a very special person in my life. Thank you for sharing all your special things, especially the picture. It's a treasure.

Secondhand Blessings said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi, I just wanted to drop in and say Hi and thank-you for visiting my blog.
It's nice to see that you still have your childhood Barbie Doll collection. when I was a child I never got into Barbie's myself. I was more into carrying around a baby doll. My cousin got into Barbie's big time. She still has all hers.
Brenda

Just Between Us Girls said... Best Blogger Tips

I love the hand miror and all the treasures you display in your blog. Such a nice presentation...really lovely. T hank you for sharing. Do stop over to my blog someday. I will love to have you visit.
Pat

SmilingSally said... Best Blogger Tips

You treasure things that your Granny gave you while alive; the carnation represents her death. I'll bet that's why carnations make you uncomfortable. They don't have a nice smell either.

Lois Christensen said... Best Blogger Tips

How talented was she to make all those little clothes!!! You must have had so much fun playing with them!! And I love all the other dishes you showed, beautiful!!! Thanks for the great pictures!

~CC Catherine said... Best Blogger Tips

Precious Judy Bug...you made me fall in love with your Grandma... ;) What a lovely box full of memories each one of these items unlock...thanks for sharing the pics of her too! ;) ~CC Catherine

{oc cottage} said... Best Blogger Tips

What treasures! My grandma used to make the most amazing Barbie clothes!!


M ^..^

Heidi Pocketbook said... Best Blogger Tips

I loved reading about your granny, seeing her treasures and talents and the 4-gen pic. How blessed you were to know all of your grandparents and even great grandparents!

I really enjoyed this post. Hope you have a good weekend ☺

Kristen said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow! What a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. The pictures are my favorite part. I love family photos. Like you, I wouldn't take any amount of money for mine either!

Designs on 47th Street said... Best Blogger Tips

Sitting here eating my bowl of oatmeal with goosebumps while reading this post. I loved reading about your grandmother. I had a g/m who made Barbie clothes for me too, not many, but I do have a Barbie wedding gown and veil she made and I cherish.

What a life your grandmother had. I loved it when you wrote she would have said it was a good life. Very nice post, Judy.

Donna

American Homemaker said... Best Blogger Tips

What a fun show & tell!

Thanks for commenting on my dishes :)

I don't really know anything about them. I just pick them up at thrift stores and yard sales when I find them for under $1.

Gattina said... Best Blogger Tips

These are the cutest Barbie dresses I have ever seen ! what a beautiful work ! Your Granny must have been a special person and what a life ! Being married at 12 !

Kelli said... Best Blogger Tips

What wonderful treasure! I love your barbies and the hand mirror is so pretty.
~Kelli

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

How lucky you were to have so many great/grandparents. My mom made clothes for our barbies - they were just as good as the "store bought" ones! I must admit, I let out a little squeal when I saw your Barbies - I had the blonde with the "bubble" hair do on the right. Our dog be-headed her - I was traumatized! I'm glad you still have yours.

Sarah said... Best Blogger Tips

My grand made me clothes for my Barbies ~ elaborate wedding type creations, and I managed to make a few myself as well! I have kept them all, of course. :-)

What a wonderful tribute to your grandparents!

Sugarplum Cottage said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my! That photo of the 4 generation is truly a real treasure. I adore the dresser set, most beautiful one I've ever seen. My most favorite thing I collect is the red/white dishes. Your dinner set takes my heart. Hugs, Rosemarie

Lori said... Best Blogger Tips

You have a wonderful heritage. Imagine having so many grands in your life till you were thirty. As a teenager I used to make Barbie clothes and sell at at Flea Market. Brought back some fun memories for me.

Lora @ my blessed life said... Best Blogger Tips

I have always loved Barbies! I actually have that one on the far right in the top Barbie picture (with the short hair). It was my aunt's when she was young and then she gave her to me. I would love to know more about her.

Becky in East Texas said... Best Blogger Tips

I just have to tell you that my sweet Grandmother Montie made me Barbie clothes for Christmas one year. She had a shoebox full for me. I think they must have used the same pattern! I still have them somewhere. Thanks for reminding me how special they are!!

Nanna said... Best Blogger Tips

what a great post Judy, I remember tryimg to make Barbie cloths for my girls Barbies when they were little< I never knew my great grandparents but my children had the joy of knowing their great grandpasrents & their great great grandmother on my husbands side, this was abeautiful show-n- tell
Helen

Glenda/MidSouth said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for sharing your story, and your wonderful memories of your Grandparents. Beautiful doll clothes. Have a great weekend.
Glenda

Elena said... Best Blogger Tips

That is such a beautiful tribute for your Granny. How wonderful to know her. The Barbie clothes are amazing. I love to hear of peoples lives and heritage and you had a wonderful one. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Heather said... Best Blogger Tips

what a great story! i love the doll clothes and the trinkets. very special treasures indeed!

P. said... Best Blogger Tips

Beautiful things.

Alfazema

Belinda said... Best Blogger Tips

I agree, your Granny was a fascinating, and talented, woman...and so pretty too! :-) How wonderful to have all of those beautiful doll's clothes...gosh, they are so intricately and beautifully made. Although I love carnations, I understand compeltely why you loathe them...and a turquoise one at that! :-( Not nice at all.

And that photo of all four generations together is truly priceless...I love it! Thanks so much for sharing some of your family's history today. :-)

Olde Dame Penniwig said... Best Blogger Tips

What a beautiful story!

Yer sitting on a gold mine with yer Barbies!

I think we are from the same neck of the woods...I graduated from LSU way back...

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said... Best Blogger Tips

I enjoyed seeing your Barbies. I have quite a few of the same dolls. I sometimes am tempted to sell them but then the memories come back and I just can't!

Jean said... Best Blogger Tips

You are very fortunate to have all your Grandparents for so long. Nice tribute to your Grandmother. Jean

Karen said... Best Blogger Tips

I loved reading this lovely tribute to your grandmother, and seeing all of your wonderful pictures!
Karen

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Suche special treasures and I loved seeing your barbies and their clothes too

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

You were so fortunate to have all of your grandparents for as long as you did.

Nola said... Best Blogger Tips

How precious, those little doll clothes. You are lucky to still have your Barbie and friends; I kept mine for years, but they disappeared during a move about 15 years ago. You have a rich and wonderful memory of the ladies in your family, how blessed you are!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Lovely memories and treasures you have shared.

Love your irish look to your blog.

Greetings from N Ireland.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said... Best Blogger Tips

What wonderful memories you shared. I love the doll clothes she made, and I'm so glad you kept them. This was such a touching post. Thank you for sharing part of the story of an obviously courageous woman with us. laurie

Sue said... Best Blogger Tips

what did grandmothers do before there were Barbie dolls?? Lovely post about these special women in your life....I only knew one grandmother but she was special also.....Sue.

Karen Sherrill said... Best Blogger Tips

Married at 12...WOW. Thank you for sharing the life of this wonderful woman... the keepsakes are all very pretty ;o).

Karen

Cass @ That Old House said... Best Blogger Tips

What a beautiful and touching tribute to all the generations of loving and strong women in your family. You are lucky to have known them all.

Cass

Kathy said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, Judy, I love your beautiful pictures. What a treasure the one of four generations is! Your trinket box, hand mirror, figurine, and mixing bowl are all real treasures. And those doll clothes - incredible. You're blessed to have these lovely reminders of cherished family.
Kathy

playsdolls said... Best Blogger Tips

What wonderful memories you have of your grandmother,such a touching show and tell.Love the pictures of your grandmother and 4th generation.I have a 5th generation picture with my grandmother and I treasure it because she is gone from us now.

Elizabeth-Plain and Simple said... Best Blogger Tips

What a wonderful story about a wonderful woman. Thanks for sharing it.

I love the hand mirror.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Lisa Cobler said... Best Blogger Tips

You were so lucky to know your great grandparents. What beautiful memories and keepsakes.

Jane said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you for sharing your story along with the treasures that belonged to your Granny. The mirror is beautiful.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Judy Bug! What an interesting Show and Tell ~ I have the same Barbie, Skipper and Midge dolls :). The pictures of your family are precious ~ such a treasure that you have them.

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your comment!

Linda C said... Best Blogger Tips

I enjoyed so much reading about your sweet memories of your grandmother and great grandmother.

I had a Barbie and Skipper too!:) I've always been amazed at women who could sew those tiny clothes. My aunt made some for my Barbie one Christmas.

Your mirror and other treasures are so pretty and to have a 4 generation picture is priceless!

Thanks for sharing these with us:)

Linda C

Yellow Rose Arbor said... Best Blogger Tips

Great Show and Tell! What a life your Granny had! Her keepsakes to you are very pretty!

My mother made lots of clothes for her seven granddaughters' Barbie dolls, they called her Granny too! I wish I had kept those doll clothes, but they were very worn! She designed and made satin wedding gowns, ETC!

Thanks for sharing!

Katherine

Susie Homemaker said... Best Blogger Tips

What a truly beautiful post...thank you so much for sharing your stories...

Blessings,
Susie

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi, I love your Hall's bowl you got from your Granny, what size is it, I have the small and Medium size in that set. Would love to find the large to finish out the stack set. I know you cherish it.I also have a Hall's bowl that my Hubby's Mom had, but it is in the Morning Glory pattern. I love Hall's.
I haven't visited Magnolia in years need to go down that way one day.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Molly

The Old Parsonage said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow, that photo is priceless and so are your memories.

Beth at Aunties said... Best Blogger Tips

I so enjoyed your show and tell and the four generation photo. These are priceless memeories and the doll clothes were precious as are the her treasures of love.
I am loving your blog!


Beth

Alice said... Best Blogger Tips

what wonderful memories! i love the photo of you all together. i'm glad that you have it to help remember with. your Barbies are great. mom used to make clothes for mine. i wish i had kept them now. your "trinkets" are wonderful also. great memories! thanks for sharing them.

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