Grandma with the red lips...

As some of you know, my paternal grandmother was a big influence in getting me interested in hand embroidery. She is now 87 years old and still makes the most beautifully stitched tea towels. For years I have treasured the two sets in my possession, using one and keeping the other in new condition. As we embarked on the incredibly long journey to visit her a few weeks ago, I had forgotten that I had asked for a new set from her a year ago. Imagine my delight at receiving this beautiful set!

Now, Grandma doesn't just whip these up. She is VERY particular about the quality of fabric, size of the towel and makes sure that the threads are pulled before hemming to ensure a straight towel. These babies are starched and pressed to perfection after washing. The stitching is exquisitely perfect in detail, as beautiful on the back as it is on the front. Grandma often muses about the times in her early life that she was in awe of her own grandmother's talent at making these towels. What an incredible history of loving care. And as I listen to her talk of times past, I'm reminded of those afternoons spent stitching with her as a young girl myself. Her kind attention and encouragement always made me want to do more. They represent a special place in her heart and in mine.

Here's to you, Grandma. And if you're curious as to how she achieved noteriety as "Grandma with the red lips," well that's thanks to my daughter who remembers this very special lady by the beautiful smile she always has. Grandma just relishes in being known by this, as she's got a tale about her very first tube of lipstick that'll make you just giggle...times were different then for sure, but this lady is timeless to me.