TootsieandTink

Small things become great when done with love.

It is impossible to capture the charm and enchantment that was my grandmother. Isn’t she gorgeous and don’t you love the beehive hairdo! She sang, she crafted, she gifted, and she endured. She went by many names: Sadie, Tootsie, Tub, Ganny, Mama. Sadie was one of 10 siblings and was the glue that held the family together. She was by far the best person I have ever known at making children feel special. My dad once told me that “no one does kids better than your grandmother.”

My mom wrecked the only new car that my grandmother ever owned within a few days of its purchase. She called my grandmother and wept telling her the news. My grandmother’s response: “Don’t you ever call me again crying about something that money can fix!” Can you imagine? I  get upset when my kids spill a drink in the car – I haven’t lived up to this legacy but I will keep trying.

Of her many gifts, she was a talented crafter and gifter. She could make anything and had the most creative ideas. And this was before Pinterest, which makes it all the more impressive. I remember her making Santas out of baby food jars and filling them with M&M’s for my kindergarten class. I still have the ornament that she made out of a can of food with my baby picture on it. I’ll post a picture – its amazing – she also made the bedding and Eeyore stuffed animal in the picture. She made jewelry, headboards, stuffed animals – you name it. And Tootsie did so to make others feel special and loved.

From her, I developed a love of gifting. I love thinking for hours about the perfect gift to give someone and then making it become a reality. I have learned a few crafting skills along the way because my desire to gift often exceeds my budget. I look forward to posting about the wonderful people in my life and the small ways that I try to celebrate them.