Gifts for New Great Granddaughter

I'm somewhat—but not compulsive—about the things of my forefathers and foremothers. I mean if I have something my grandmother gave me, I cherish it, but I certainly would never, ever fight my siblings over something. It just isn't worth the time, trouble or negative feelings you get from those disputations with family.

My parents were divorced after about 38 years of marriage and each remarried. They're both deceased now but my father had a pocket watch from my mother's father. It never stated in any will that it was his—my brother's—so it went to his widow. My brother laments to this day over a pocket watch our grandfather told him would be his. It's been 40 years! I inherited nothing from either parent and I have never, ever—not for one second—given it any thought. Those are just "things" and I have wonderful memories. Those I can hold and savor and take with me to the next life. But my brother has let it wear him down for all these years over things that "could have been." I don't think I've ever done that.

I have a corduroy quilt my grandmother made for me. (That's it in the pictures below.) She made it out of scraps from jumpers she made me when I was a young child. She gave it to me when I got married almost 49 years ago. I used to snuggle under it when I was very cold because it is heavy. When you get under it you'd better be in the position you want because it is so heavy you can't move once it's on top of you! But that quilt will go to Washington state with us next week to be in our great granddaughter's room, and she'll know it came from her great great great grandmother. It sounds so ancient when put that way but it's only 60+ years old.


Our granddaughter and her hubby haven't decided on a name yet but so far they've liked the name Violet or Anastasia. Mandy's favorite colors are lavender, violet and purple and I think she likes pink but her house isn't decorated in those colors. Mostly she used beiges and darker colors but her office has lavender walls. She was going to put the baby in the office and work there when she wasn't at her office at Microsoft. Her hubby's office is downstairs in a big room but since he has so much computer equipment in there it wouldn't hold her office equipment. He does a lot of work at home also since he works for MS XBox as a designer and...well, you can just imagine what that room looks like. But guess what?! All her office stuff has been moved out and it is now officially a little girls room! Gee, what being pregnant can do to a professional chick. *Wink* She's told us we can do lavender, pink and soft greens.

Now, I do not plan on spoiling that girl; I'll leave it to her grandmother, my daughter. That's a grandmother's prerogative. I'm talking about clothes, nursery furniture, etc. But I do plan on making her as much frilly and froufrou-y stuff as I can. The birdhouse below is the first thing I've actually made since learning of her imminent birth and confirmation of her gender. I have a box full of stuff that is going over to Washington with us and so far I have a lamp I made, a crown, the quilt, another doll quilt my grandmother made that I think she'll enjoy having knowing its sentimental value and various other things I think Mandy might want from me. I've already given her my original wedding rings and some jewelry. I think she should enjoy them now and not wait until I'm dead! I want to see the sparkle in her eyes when she is wearing something that came from me.


These pictures were before I finished it with the bow, added a few minor touches and Love Bunny put the screwy thing on top so it can be hung from the ceiling.

This little crown I made last year and was for sale on my selling blog. She'll love this in her bedroom. Fit for a princess, which she is.

In her later years my grandmother had to live in a nursing home but she made these little doll quilts to keep her hands busy and to give to indigent families. This one came to me. She always thought of me and told me I was her favorite granddaughter. I believe it to this day. I think I was.

Another little lamp I made but never sold. It's hers now also. I'm glad it didn't sell. ;-)

I made this a few months ago and it was meant to be a giveaway. It will now go to her and I'll do another one for a giveaway soon.

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