Pictures That Tell Stories Becomes Family Treasures

This Picture of Brenda is not your average portrait.  This is a picture that tells a story with memories while showing just a little of who Brenda is.

We shall start this story with the memories.  

The Singer Sewing Machine belonged to Brenda's Great Grandmother Double.  On this sewing machine we added the little pincushion. Brenda tells the story of when her son Rob, asked her to make a sewing kit for Tina and he requested that she add the tomato (pincushion) to the box. Rob could always remember his mother using one while sewing.

Now we have the shoes sitting on the pedal of the machine.  Brenda can remember going to her grandparent Bridge's house when she was only around 6 years old.  They had a sewing machine similar to this one and her grandfather always kept his shoes on the pedals of the machine, unlaced and ready for the next day.  Brenda had just learned how to tie shoestrings so she would then go over and tie the laces on his shoes.  

The rocking chair Brenda is sitting in belonged to her mother.  This was the chair her mother would sit in while visiting Brenda.  

Even the thread has a story.  I found the old wooden spools of thread on market place and Brenda rode along with me to pick them up.While driving we talked about how our Aunt Blanch use to save the empty spools of thread for us children to play with.  They were the very earliest version of legos. LOL. 

Now we showcase what Brenda loves to do.

I do not know anyone more talented than Brenda when it comes to crafts, sewing and creating heirlooms for those she loves. She literally looks at something and then makes it.  No pattern required. So these items became a very important part of telling her story.

  Brenda loves to crochet and the items in this picture are only a small sample of what she makes.  It is not what she makes though that makes her special it is what she does with what she makes.  

The hand beaded purses are heirlooms that she makes for family, friends and loved ones as a special keepsake to remember their wedding day.  

The hand crocheted dollies are a treasure that she also gives to her friends and family, as well as to people she has met throughout her life or just wants to say thank you to.  

Brenda has made so many Afghans that she would probably not even begin to guess the total and she has given away just as many.  

So you can see the items in this picture do not only represent what Brenda loves to do but also represent the person who she is. 

The flowers represent the basket of flowers that Brenda decorates her front porch in every summer. 

Last but not least we add in the newest little family member

Meet Moses, This is Jason's (Brenda's Son) puppy. Brenda babysits this little guy while Jason is at work and I am pretty sure she is totally in love with him.  It just seemed right that Moses would be the finishing touch on this story.  We now have the past memories and the future memories all in one portrait.