Celebrating the Life of an Inspirational Nana

Hello to you all and welcome to something a little bit different today.


I was hunting through my big blanket box which houses all my mini books the other day when I came across this little mini book I made about three years ago for a Textile Challenge here in Shetland. I have not shared it here on my blog and had actually forgotten that I had made it! So it was a lovely surprise to find it.

I had started with a piece of white furry fabric which I backed with a long piece of lace and some vintage ruler ribbon on the front. I had intended that this would wind around a bobbin to make a pull out mini book. However, by the time I had glued my photographs and other ephemera on it would not roll ! so I came up with the idea of this rather long and thin book.





The covers of the book measure 8 3/4" by 1 1/2" which I have decorated with some of my then favourite Prima papers. When extended the fabric book measures 22" (and impossible to photograph!)



The book celebrates the life of my paternal grandmother (Nana R) who was widowed in 1930 aged just 35 with three very young children (my father was only two years old, his sister four and his younger brother just a few months).



She was an outstandingly brave, hardworking, strong and powerful woman (in a soft and gentle way) who managed to work in order to continue the purchase of her own home and look after her young children.





She has been an incredible inspiration to all of us in the family.





I love that I managed to find some wonderful dictionary pages to describe her. I was very fortunate in being able to spend a lot of time with her as a teenager and before I was married. She was a wonderful passenger in my little mini after I passed my driving test and we travelled all over Suffolk visiting old family haunts.

I am so pleased that I found this little book and able to share it with you. 

I would like to enter my little textile book into this month's Mini Album Makers Challenge. If you are an avid mini book maker this is a challenge for you! Do hop on over and have a look at the wonderful DT creations - so much fabulous inspiration.



Thank you for joining me today and I hope you manage to find some crafting fun.


Jennie x




Comments

Redanne said…
What a wonderful find Jennie, your mini album is beautiful! Your Grandmother sounds like a very inspiration lady and this is such a wonderful tribute to her. I can see the family resemblance too!

Thanks so much for joining in our December challenge at Mini Album Makers. Hugs, Anne xx
Marci said…
So nice to honor her memory. Pretty album!
Astrid Maclean said…
This is so lovely Jennie and such a woderful tribute, - so glad you found it! Isn't it funny how we just frget what we make in years gone bye... happens to me all the time, - we must be getting old. Anyway this is so lovely and thanks of course for adding it to our MAM challenge!
What an unusual format - I love that it was dictated by the fabric itself! Such a perfect shabby chic aesthetic with wonderful layers and ephemera. I especially love the dictionary definitions celebrating your grandmother - she sounds like an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing this wonderful celebration of a strong woman with us at Mini Album Makers.
Alison x
Candy C said…
Jennie...this is such a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. She sounds like an amazing role model and strong woman! Love the fabrics and laces you used. The sweet little flowers add even more of a feminine touch. I also love the dictionary additions. That gives it such a vintage, heirloom feeling. A beautiful mini book! I also wanted to thank you for the sweet comments you left on my blog! You are a very dear person.
SewPaperPaint said…
Oh Jennie! This elongated style is sooooo eye catching! It really allows you to play with the layout and repeat images, which you've done so beautifully. What a found treasure indeed! We are so glad you shared with us at Mini Album Makers. Merry Christmas, Autumn
Pamellia said…
Oh what a fun thing, to find something you forgot about! Like putting on your winter jacket from last year and finding a 20 dollar bill in the pocket! lol. Such a wonderful album and such a lovely tribute to your Grandmother! Love the unique shape! hugs :)
Jackie PN said…
What a fabulous treasure Jennie!!
I am so happy you found it and shared! Your Nana sounds like quite a remarkable woman given those times were not always kind to women.
Wonderful that you were able to spend much time with her and have such fond memories...again, I am sp pleased you shared this treasure with us!
hugs,Jackie xx
Julia Aston said…
what a beautiful little 'long' book honoring your grandmother - a lovely place to save these memories - I enjoyed your story about her! Julia xx
Gloria Stengel said…
What a unique size of mini! I adore the vintage style of it! Thanks for joining us at Mini Album Makers Challenge!
Art By Wanda said…
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!
Inna Bronnikova said…

What a beautiful long book! Wonderful memories! Thanks for joining us at Mini Album Makers Challenge!
Scrapmate said…
What a beautiful album Jennie and congratulations on winning the Mini Album Makers challenge prize.