UKSPF UK Government Funding West Yorkshire Combined Authority Tracy Brabin Mayor of West Yorkshire

In Memory of My Mum

by Tracy
(Barnsley, South Yorkshire)

My Sister Loves the Quilt I Made

My Sister Loves the Quilt I Made

Before she passed away, my Mum donated a lot of her precious craft stash to Crafting4Good.

She had held onto these for decades as she was an avid crafter - sewing, knitting, tatting, crochet, papercraft, card making. You name it, she did it. These things gave her happiness and comfort. She spent most of her time at home, so crafting was a huge part of her life.

Giving her things away was part of her journey of giving up and our journey of letting go. So desperately sad.

I bundled the car up with bags of assorted ‘stuff’. Adele sorted and handled it with respect, and me with quiet kindness.

Knowing Mum’s things were to be enjoyed by others gave us some comfort.

At this difficult time, I used my new hobby of quilting as a way to handle my distress and sadness.

My sister and I have also made face masks, laundry bags, head coverings and are now sewing scrubs in her memory for the Northern General, who cared for her.

Crafting seems to be in our blood. Our lives are enhanced by the things we make for each other and ourselves.

I’m only just appreciating how much a person invests in their creations, how much skill, patience, love, sadness, frustration and joy are woven into the threads.

I’m so privileged to have crafty parents who have surrounded me with beauty and kindness.

Comments for In Memory of My Mum

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May 03, 2020
We are Incredibly Grateful
by: Adele

Hi Tracy

Thank you SO much for writing such a heart-warming story and of course for the abundance of donations which helped fill our shop with fabulous stock - these have since helped many crafters find affordable supplies to enjoy some creative time.

It is very hard to let go of years and years worth of curated treasures and your mum was incredibly generous.

We do treat people's much-loved things with respect, there's a life and history behind items carefully packed inside a box. You can feel this as you open and sort it; you are very aware that you are sorting through someone's things and it hits home; it can be emotional for us too.

It's reassuring for all involved that one person's precious craft stash is going to support other people in their creative wellbeing, in many various ways.

Many thanks to you for everything you do for others, your family and of course your lovely mum.

- Adele

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