Grandma's Apron

This is a book honoring my grandmother who
passed away in 1958. She always wore an apron.
Both photos on the cover are her, but in the lower
photo (shown with her sister) is how I will always
remember her--wearing an apron.

The photos in this book are real, but all the "apron
pocket" treasures are from local flea markets. I don't
really have anything that was hers. I built the book
around a poem I found on the internet. The author
was listed as unknown, so if you recognize this poem
and the author, please let me know so I can give
credit where it belongs.

A close-up of page 2 shows earlier photos of my
grandmother & grandfather. In the black frame
on the pocket I included a little history about my
grandmother.

Page 3 close-up: The apron pocket holds a picture
of her children, with my mother on the far left. The
first paragraph of the poem reads:

"Stored in a trunk in the attic
Forgotten for many a year,
I found Grandma's big checkered apron,
So familiar to me and so dear."

Pages 4 and 5.

Close-up of page 4. The apron pocket holds photos
of my grandparents. I hand stitiched around the
pocket and apron tabs with embroidery floss.

I included a little of my granfather's history on the tag
with his photo. On the back of the other tag is the names
of their children, when they were born, and where.

Close-up of page 5. The apron pocket holds a photo
of canned peaches, a peach preserves recipe, and a
handwritten one I found in an old book. The old jar
ring was found in a flea market by my friend Lynn.
The 2nd paragraph of the poem reads:

"I still see her sitting and peeling
The peaches and pears that she canned,
Then screwing the lids on the glass jars
with a corner of it in her hand."

Pages 6 and 7.

A close up of page 6 is about 2 of her sons that
served in World War II. I found a page from an
old torn up songbook titled: Song of the Soldier.
The matchbook is another flea market find.

Page 7 close-up: Pocket holds some vintage
buttons and an ad advertising "Fancy Gingham
Aprons." The 3rd paragraph of the poem reads:

"Made from a square of checked cotton,
Practical, simple and plain,
It was handy on many occasions
And served her again and again."

Pages 8 and 9.

A close-up of page 9: The apron pocket holds
a hair net and hair pins (grandma always used
hair pins like that to keep her hair up), a cookie
cutter and some recipes. The poem goes on to
read:

"Not only while cooking and cleaning,
But also for carrying things
Such as apples or kindling, or kittens.
Or flowers that summertime brings."

Pages 10 and 11 features more photos of Grandma's family.

Close-up of page 10.

Close-up of page 11. The poem reads:
"Or gathering eggs from the henhouse,
Shooing away a mad bee,
Flicking the crumbs from the table,
Or shining an apple for me."

Pages 12 and 13.

This is a close-up of page 12. It displays some
photos of my mom an dad when they were first
married. I stitched a big heart on mom's photo.

Close-up of the tags in the pocket on page 12.

Page 13 close-up. The poem continues with:

"And two of its comforting functions
Were drying a crying child's eyes
And wrapping him up in it's vastness
While she cuddled away his hurt sighs."

Pages 14 and 15.

Close-up of page 14 displays the most current photo
I have of Grandma and her family. I found another
page from the torn songbook titled: My Saviour First
of all and included it in the apron pocket. Both of my
grandparents loved God and served Him with all their
hearts.

Page 15 close-up. The end at last! I hand-stitched
the pockets. I found an old greeting card and cut
around the flower for this page. The flower opens
up (see photo below). I thought it was perfect for
the last page of this book honoring my Grandmother.
The last paragraph of the poem reads:

"Now back it will go where I found it,
It's edges all neatly aligned.

But the memories stored in it's sweet folds
Will endure for all time in my mind."