Embroidery on Paper
Menu
Anne Warburton, Fibre Artist
  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Lineations
    • Lichens
    • Mixed Media, Embroidery
    • Urban Refurbishment
    • Hand Series
    • Works on Photos
    • Handmade Books
    • Coloured Pencil & Thread
  • Artist Statement
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • Media
  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Lineations
    • Lichens
    • Mixed Media, Embroidery
    • Urban Refurbishment
    • Hand Series
    • Works on Photos
    • Handmade Books
    • Coloured Pencil & Thread
  • Artist Statement
  • Bio
  • Blog
  • Media

Ever considered writing a family history or memoir?

2/27/2013

0 Comments

 
I recently took on the task of writing a history of my mother's life, an idea that started when my sister and I were pre-planning our mother's funeral - which hopefully won't be for many years - but a good idea to get most of the decisions made in advance. It was when we saw the prices charged by the funeral home for a visitor's book and for memorial books that I suggested I would make a handbound book that we could customize as we wanted.

We would include not just the story of her life, but also some photos, a family tree, and, when the time comes, the obituary and funeral program and a section for visitors to sign. The book I have since made is hardcover with a fabric cover, and bound using Japanese Stab Stitch style.

Writing her history was not as daunting as I first thought it would be, indeed the more I learned about my mother, the closer it made me feel to her. And I think it will be an interesting read for family and friends, to get to know a bit more about her, not just as an aunt or grandmother, but as the woman she is, her interests, her legacy.

I started with a mind dump of facts as I knew them, and then organized the information chronologically. Next I added more facts and dates that I found in photo albums and old scrapbooks, plus some information gleaned from a few family members. To make it read more like a story I rearranged and re-wrote some parts, at times jumping ahead a few years, then picking up again where we had left off.

The edits are almost done, I'm very pleased with how it reads. I do feel I know more about her than I did before starting this project. She has had some interesting stories throughout her life and now those are recorded for future generations. Of course her story is not over yet, and so the final version won't be put into our handmade book for some time yet.

I do want to mention one person who was of tremendous help to me during this project and that is writer Lee Ann Eckhardt Smith who was invited to my book club one evening a few months back.  When we learned she gave workshops on writing memoirs and family histories, we were hooked and arranged for her to give a workshop to our group. It was that workshop and her guidance that allowed me polish the story and make it a story that others will want to read. For more information on Lee Ann's workshops, visit her website at http://www.leeanneckhardtsmith.com/


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Awakening the heart 
    with art
      
    Artist - Anne Warburton
    Picture
    Follow my blog with Bloglovin
       
    Subscribe
    & add this blog to your RSS Reader with this link:

    RSS Feed

     
    Or email me:
    annewarburton@hotmail.com
     

    Categories

    All
    Alphabet Book Project
    Art Links
    Art Projects
    Art Projects
    Colours
    Community Art Mural
    Creativity & Inspiration
    Creativity & Inspiration
    Creativity & Inspiration
    Miscellaneous
    School Of Art


    Bookmark and Share
    Bookmark and Share
    Follow Me on Pinterest
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Picture
    2 Bags Full
    Picture
    Celtic Thistle Stitches
    Picture

    About Me

    It's taken years to discover the medium I enjoy the most. And how what I have learned before somehow fits into what I am doing now. Even when I travel my needles and threads are with me so I can continue to create while away.

    It's been wonderful being able to share my work with others and to be a part of an artistic network that continues to grow and develop.

    If you have ideas you would like to suggest, please let me know. And check back regularly to my web site for updates.


    Archives

    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    February 2015
    January 2015
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Embroidery on Paper Embroidery on Paper designs by Anne Warburton