I've always appreciated the Swedish traditions of needle/textile arts that came down through the women in my family. My Mom was always supportive of my creativity. There were always art supplies and tools to explore.
In this photo, from the book cover of the Bag Book, I am 20 and she is 40....it was a new beginning of sharing our ideas in the publishing of this first round of books. Our line of Design & Sew Patterns soon followed and we both enjoyed many years of working and teaching retreats together.
Our favorite joint project was the Design & Sew Book ... you know, its the one with the blue cover? The re-printed, edited, version continues to be a favorite resource for timeless techniques and ideas. It makes a great personal workbook: stapling samples to the pages and writing notes in the margins.
Mom still hangs out in the studio, inspiring all of us....in photos, books, in her collage and watercolor work...and samples I share in classes. I feel her smiling and celebrating the directions my life and the precious traditions I can share with my children.
Thanks Mom, for sharing who you are ....with all of us.
Loving you, Diane
13 comments
Thanks for the memories of your Mom, she was amazing.
i had the honor of learning from your mom when she came to boulder colorado
what an inspiration she was to all of us
scary to see the photo of those books you showed
i had all of them
especially used the design and sew as an inspirational bible
when someone dies, you dont lose them. they always take a part of you with them.
best wishes
jeanne gray
DIANE…I DO INDEED REMEMBER YOUR SMART, CREATIVE, PRETTY MOTHER (YOU DEFINITELY TAKE AFTER HER…), AND OWN SEVERAL OF THOSE EARLY BOOKS AND BOOKLETS YOU BOTH PUT OUT, AS WELL AS MANY OF THE PATTERNS . AND DIDN’T SHE HAVE SOME SORT OF NEWSLETTER THAT SHE USED TO MAIL OUT, WITH ALL KINDS OF GREAT IDEAS? I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF TAKING ONE OF YOUR CLASSES WHEN YOU CAME TO COLUMBUS, OHIO, SEVERAL YEARS AGO…I STILL HAVE A SAMPLE OF THE GREAT KNOT THAT YOU TAUGHT US USING A LENGTH OF TWISTED FABRIC. I WISH I LIVED CLOSER TO YOU (I LIVE IN WELLINGTON, FLORIDA NOW) SO THAT I COULD TAKE ANOTHER OF YOUR IN PERSON CLASSES…BUT I HAVE THE NEXT BEST THING IN ALL THE VARIOUS CREATIVE IDEAS, PATTERNS, ETC. THAT YOU AND YOUR MOM HAVE PRODUCED THROUGH THE YEARS…NOT TO MENTION YOUR ONLINE NEWSLETTER. KEEP ON KEEPING ON, DIANE…FONDLY, SUSAN RITTER