05/04/2023
It's been a while since my last post on Little Teapots, and that was before my mother Muriel's cancer diagnosis. Sadly, she passed away on July 22, 2021. Now, as I clean out her sewing room, I'm discovering many things I didn't know about her.
I had no idea how skilled she was at watercolor painting until I came across a pile of her artwork that I'd never seen before. Despite dabbling in a wide range of crafts over the years, such as paper tole, paper making, quilling, card making, copper embossing, pottery, and even constructing models like the Eiffel Tower and a gypsy wagon out of paper using a scan and cut, she always found time to sew. She made dresses for her granddaughters, tracksuits for her grandsons, and taught me and the grandchildren how to sew, even if it was just watching the embroidery machine in action and changing thread colors from time to time.
I miss her dearly, but what I miss most are the times we spent together with my daughter, making items to sell at markets. We started the market stall to make room for all the different techniques and products we wanted to try. For instance, my mother used a special thread to embroider cats on cushions that, when brushed after embroidery, looked and felt like fur.
Sometimes, I watch my favorite quilter on YouTube, hoping to gain the courage to create something myself. My mother made so many beautiful quilts, most of which she gave away as people were not willing to pay the cost of materials. It breaks my heart to see her work and talent go unappreciated.
I'm aiming to revive this page so we can showcase my mother's work. If you know someone who might be interested in purchasing a patchwork quilt, a furry cat cushion, or a gardening apron, please share this page with them.