From it's first project, "Wrap them in Love" to our last, "Remember me", it has been pure joy to bring people together to create and provide beautiful, handmade items to those in need. Blankets, scarves, jewelry, backpacks and cooling scarves are just a few of the things have been able to bless those with, who might have otherwise been forgotten. YOU made this happen. YOU cared. YOU are appreciated so much.
We were able to provide 19 Fidget Quilts to seniors that are facing the deliberating disease of Alzheimer's or Dementia. The organization was so blown away and appreciative of our donation. Tears of joy!
Many of you may not have known, but a local family contacted me several years ago and donated a LARGE amount of fabric, yarn, ribbons, etc. from their mother's estate. This is one way we were able to provide materials for YOU to use, if so needed. Here is the story of her life...
Josephine C. Nunn
The quilt topper finished by the Folsom Quilters’ Guild was created by Josephine (Josie) C. Nunn (1927-2010) in the 1980’s. The topper was found in a Josie’s huge collection of fabric, yarn, and notions donated from her estate to the organization, Crafts 4 Change. The organizations director reports that “We are continuing to use these supplies to help others We have been able to provide beautiful items to local organizations using these supplies. Some of these are: blankets for babies, scarves and hats for needy and homeless families, beanbags and drawstring backpacks to children reporting abuse and others. What a blessing is has been. We are continuing to use these supplies to help others.”
In 1948, Josie married Bert Nunn, a geologist. They had 7 children, and evnetually17 grandchildren. In addition to caring for her large, busy family, she was a talented craftsperson whose work was impeccable. She sewed couture garments. Tailored suits and coats for herself and her daughters were beautiful. She crocheted bedspreads and tablecloths that looked like fine lace. She started knitting in the 1960’s and it is estimated that she knitted about 800 garments in her lifetime. She took up quilting in the 1980’s and made quilts and jackets with intricate quilted patterns. In addition, she began making dolls for her grandchildren which started with cloth dolls and developed into porcelain dolls created from raw clay into beautiful detailed works of art. She made needlepoint pillows and tapestries which graced her house. The largest needlepoint tapestries measured 2.5 feet by 4 feet.
She was a quiet person who was continually busy with her hands and creating. In the 1940’s and 50’s her mother worked as a sample sewer for Fritzi, a San Francisco based clothing company and Josie had an early interest in fashion. She began sewing for her children and she said she began knitting and needlework to keep her busy while waiting for her children at their many practises and events. She excelled at every craft she took up. The talent and attention to detail runs in her family. One of her older brothers was a national ”best of show” winner in “scratch-made” model airplanes.
These miniature replicas of old planes are one of a kind and handmade completely by the builder. Two of his planes are on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Bert, her husband, was also talented and created innovative mobile labs to monitor oil and gas wells. Their talented and creative genes have surfaced in their grandchildren: an architect, a graphic designer, a fashion designer, a video designer, an industrial designer, a restaurant designer, teachers, an engineer, and 3 dimensional artist, a cellist, and a ballet instructor.
The Nunn family is delighted that the materials Josie treasured to create her works of art are being used to help others.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Josephine, but I can only imagine how much she would have been pleased with our work. Thank you to the Nunn family for reaching out as her spirit lives on in Craft 4 Change.
I love you all for your support and friendship over the last several years. Keep helping, keep doing good. I will post from time to time when I see something interesting or that touches my heart. For now it's just "see you later".
~~~Robyne~~~
