Thursday, February 21, 2013

Mourning Rug

I went to visit my friend Kay a few weeks ago - it's always fun to see her small historic home that is filled to the brim with primitive goodies. This time she wanted to show me a rug that she had just finished. Her firstborn son died in 1960 when he was just a few days old - he never even made the trip home from the hospital. In spite of that, she still thinks of him often - and her four sons know that they have an older brother they'll get to meet someday. Because of this experience, she has always been drawn to antique mourning samplers done in cross stitch or needlepoint that commemorate the loss of a loved one.  Her husband is a wonderful artist - so she showed him pictures of what she had in mind - and he drew this rug design for her.  I think it turned out really nice - and her rugs are always special because they have meaning and significance to her life. I just wanted to share this special project.



20 comments:

Sylvia said...

I love the respect Victorians gave their loved ones who passed. I also think it is very important to remember and talk about them. Now days we think we aren't supposed to mention the loved one who is gone. What a waste of their lives not to honor them in our stories.

Beautiful tribute.

Three Sheep Studio said...

I have never heard of Antique Mourning Samplers. This is very interesting.
Her hooked piece is very special with deep meaning. And her husband put into motion her ideas for the rug.
Very special.
Rose

fabriquefantastique said...

Nice post in many ways.

Julia said...

Thanks for posting this Gayle. Your friend's rug is beautiful and I love that her son is remembered in this keepsake. She did a beautiful job and so did her husband. It's meaningful that they both contributed to the project.

I love the idea.
JB

Janet O. said...

Very special piece, Gayle. My MIL lost her youngest before bringing her home from the hospital. We have always visited her grave on her birthday and memorial day. I know my MIL misses her--She wasn't even able to attend her burial. She was still in the hospital when it took place.

Britta said...

This is a kind of sad but really heartwarming post and such a very special piece of artwork.

Bev said...

Makes me tear up...that's a beautiful piece. I hope it gives her comfort.

Bev

jennifer768 said...

Antique Mourning Samplers are new to me as well.I will have to do a bit more research on them.The rug is beautiful and such a special piece.Thanks so much for sharing it.Hugs,Jen

Sue SA said...

What a wonderful way to remember a child and to acknowledge the birth of her other children who did survive, that they had a older brother. Always difficult to loose a loved one, particularly so young and not something that we dealt with well or sensitively in the past, which caused an extra burdan on the grieving parents.

Cammie said...

Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!
~Cammie~

audrey said...

That is very special. Thanks for sharing such a meaningful piece of her art.

Karen said...

Bittersweet memories and a wonderful piece representing it.

Rugs and Pugs said...

WOW! Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Yvonne said...

Wat a special rug your friend made in honor to her eldest son. Beautifully done.

Dan said...

How beautiful and what a wonderful way to honor someone that has been taken from your life. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope you have a great weekend!

~Dan~

woolwoman said...

OMGosh - that mourning rug is so amazing - so special. thanks for sharing that and the story. Loved seeing all the rugs from your friends and the scrappy quilt is awesome. Love the v-day pieces too. Great stuff Gayle - hope you have a wonderful weekend - Melody

Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...

What a bittersweet post ~ I do love the rug and and the touching story that goes with it. Thank you for sharing other us ~

whitey said...

Sad but very sweet.

The Wool Cupboard said...

Thanks for sharing this rug and the story behind it,Gayle. I had never heard of "mourning samplers" either, but what a wonderful memory rug.

Hugs,
Linda

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Gayle,
this truly is a work of art. I had not heard of mourning samplers. This will help keep him in her heart until they meet again in heaven.
hugs,
Jann