Heart of the Home

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I was born into a creative family. My maternal grandmother, who was born in 1870, was known for her handmade quilts, embroidered tablecloths with crocheted inserts, dresser scarves and other items that adorned her house.

Her daughters remember the crochet and embroidered work on their blouses and underclothing. Even Grandmother's vegetable garden was deco­rated with a border of flowers.

Her mother, who immigrated to the United States in 1845, brought a rosebush with her to have a bit of her old home in her new yard. Roots of this rosebush have been passed down, and the roses are still blooming for many members of our family.

Grandma's creativity was passed on to my mother, who crocheted hundreds of doilies during her lifetime.

Although my dresses may have been made from feed sacks when I was a child, they were always prettier than the dresses the other girls wore. Each one was made with a coordinating fabric forming the sleeves, bodice or an insert in the skirt. One pattern could make a dozen dresses, each one looking different.

Each dress had something special about it. The one I remember most is the one Mother made when she had no other fabric to add to it. She made a secret pocket in the bodice. I loved that dress. I always carried a penny in the pocket. It made me feel special because no one else knew it was there.

In our family, handmade gifts were expected. At Christmastime, we made presents for our parents, brothers and sisters.

One year, I received a pa­jama bag that looked like a lion, and one of my sisters got a curler bag that someone had made for her.

After I got married, I crocheted vests and sweaters for my children, made afghans for weddings and baby sweaters for baby showers. I also made dolls, teddy bears and angels.

It got to the point where I didn't have anyone left to give things to, so I began designing, making and selling crafts at craft shows. I did this for almost 20 years.

Now arthritis keeps my fingers still, but my granddaughter loves to come over and look in the craft room to see what she can find to use for her own creations.

Monticello, Iowa

Art class led to fulfilling hobby

I'd never had much interest in creative arts, but when a community education program offered classes in oil painting, I signed up.

Over the years, I've taken lessons from local teachers and some well-known artists in our area. I was a frustrated artist, but my teachers were patient with me.

In the beginning, I became so attached to my creations that I didn't want to part with them. I don't have a problem with that now.

One day, I went out into a pasture to do some painting, and a donkey followed me. It watched me paint, and soon nudged me to move so it could get a closer look. It even sniffed at the flowers on the canvas.