So I inherited my grandmothers stash

[cairee]

My Grandmother is a stitcher and has an impressive collection of charts, having kept the origionals from every pattern she did. a few years ago she was diagnosed with alzheimers and now she is unable to stitch. She has been dividing up all the various contents of her craft room to her daughters and granddaughters who could use them, and I got her charts.
looking through them I found one on a thin yellowing paper, no picture with it just the chart and legend, written in dutch no less. the date: 1942. I found out that this was given to my grandmother when she was a little girl fleeing Amsterdam. I remember her telling me the story of recieving a chart as a parting gift, being told to be very quiet as she and her brother we smuggled on a boat heading north. it was the last time she saw her mother.
I will have to stitch this one up, carefully photocopying the origional of course, no idea the recomended size so I am thinking of using linen or evenweave and stitching over 2. thankfully while the color names are in dutch the color numbers are DMC. I will start a SAL when I get the stuff together so I can share this lovely project with all of you.

[karen4bells]

Oh my goodness, this sounds like a wonderful project and I definitely look forward to watching your updates on it!! It will be such a wonderful heirloom for you and your family to treasure for many many years to come. What an amazing inheritance!!!

[Angel]

OMG That is a truly amazing find! I would love to see what this looks like stitched, what a wonderful (heartbreaking) story to accompany it too! It's your own private bit of history!

[Squirrel]

Oh that is so wonderful and what a treasure you have in all those charts.

Good on you for going for the oh so special one first. I would have done that too. I am looking forward to seeing your updates on it.

Anyone else join me on our imaginary expandable couch to watch this oh so special one being stitched???

[Mystonique]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this one - what an amazing story to go along with what I'm sure will be a beautiful piece.

[geekishly]

Oh wow, what a great find! Sorry to hear about your grandmother's health though.

[stitchingmae]

can't wait to see this stitching come to life!

[Rose]

How fantastic is that!!!!!!! That she was able to keep this treasure all these years!!!!!!!

[felicity53]

What a lovely story. Make sure you write it and tape it to the back of the completed and framed work. ( maybe with a photo of you and your grandmother?) Future generations of stitchers should know this tale!

[wendywombat]

What a lovely story. Make sure you write it and tape it to the back of the completed and framed work. ( maybe with a photo of you and your grandmother?) Future generations of stitchers should know this tale!

Great idea Felicity! Something as memorable as this should be recorded.

What a fantastic find! I'll join Squirrel on the Magic Couch and wait to see this done.

[Oriettait]

I love this story! I will be looking forward to see this one

[crosstitcher1]

You can count me in on that couch.
I am teary eyed from reading your heart warming story. Please write down all that she has to offer in her memories.
I didn't know my grandmom long, as we moved from state to state for dad's job and when my mom was diagnoised with cancer in 1990, she gave me her phone no. to keep in touch. She passed in 1996.
My grandmom lived to be almost 99, 2 months short, and the last project she did was a knitted, as that's what she loved, wavy pattern afghan for my b/d. I had a good game site friend of mine that knits make for her 97th b/d a small square lap afghan. When she died, my aunt mailed it back to me. When I gave it to my grandmom, I took pic. of her with it. I have it framed sitting on my computer.
That's why I am teaching my grand girls my hobby, as I want them to know and enjoy the joy of creation of something of their own to be handed down to their children .
Many blessings are sent your way to keep your grandmom around to share her wealth of knowledge with her family.


HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND.

[Fljotsdale]

Oh, how wonderful! I am so green with envy!

Hm... those DMC colours from 1942 will be a bit tricky to match up though...

[rcperryls]

What a wonderful and heartrending story that is and what a beautiful gift from your grandmother. I hope you will start stitching it soon. I will be sitting on the couch with the others watching you stitch this wonderful mystery piece.

Carole

[backafteradozenyrs]

As I scrolled down to add my 2cents worth...I kept reading my thoughts post after post, so, scooch over, y'all

What an absolute TREASURE. I am looking forward to it coming alive with the rest of the group!

[megan_bright]

What an amazing story! I can't wait to watch your progress

[Mabel Figworthy]

How wonderful to have the opportunity to stitch that design -- a great tribute to your grandmother and all who had to flee to escape the occupation!

If there is any Dutch on it that needs translating, just PM me and I'd be honoured to help.

[imogenX]

What a lovely story. Make sure you write it and tape it to the back of the completed and framed work. ( maybe with a photo of you and your grandmother?) Future generations of stitchers should know this tale!

What a terrific idea. Like everyone else, I am moved by your touching story, and eagerly bouncing on the couch awaiting your SAL!

If there is any Dutch on it that needs translating, just PM me and I'd be honoured to help.

How great is this place?

[destructiveernie]

Lovely story!!

Like the others I look forward to seeing this!!!

[cairee]

well, I figured out the colors, the numbers were way out on some but that was expected. I went by description and google translate and comparing where the color was to appear on the chart where I had to. I ordered the fabric (32ct evenweave) and what colors I was missing. I will start when it arrives!
just realised I never said what the picture is, its a bouquet of flowers, mostly roses and daisies. 200 stitches wide 140 stitches high.
I will definetly have the story written on the back of the finished piece! what a fantastic idea!

and Mabel, thanks for the translation offer! I managed to get by with google translate for this one but if it fails me in the future I will keep you in mind!