A Heritage of Inspiration…

Well, I am thrilled to have my Dianne Lee Creative Design blog up and running….

My daughter asked me what inspires me…hmmm… Where do I begin…?

Yesterday, whilst looking at my first blog entry,  I noticed the date, October 25…

I felt the person who first inspired my creative side, smiling down on me was my grandmother Maree. Yesterday would have been her birthday.

She was an amazing woman and definitely my role model.

I grew up a rough and tumble tom boy and in between my grazed knees and muddy hands, she found the time and patience to teach me to knit. This was the spark that triggered those creative juices. My gran was an avid knitter…more of an addicted knitter.  We were always the ‘proud wearers’ of her knitted jerseys (sweaters) even though we lived in Durban, South Africa which is known for its heat waves.

Fast forward 15 years…. I get married and begin my family. I sure made granny proud…with knitting needles flying and inspiration soaring, I churned out jersey after jersey for my poor husband and three kids.   I have picture after picture of them “proudly” wearing my “creations”.  As adults they gently told me (well not so gently) that I had scarred them for life. Sorry guys but thank you for your valiant support. I still knit but definitely no more jerseys.

So to make a long story, short I think I was born with the creative gene, which was given wings by my wonderful grandmother and still courses through my veins. I am thankful that my skills have improved and I am able to pour my love and passion into decorating my home and into my unique vintage pieces. I fall in love which each piece I work on and hope that they will bring as much joy to whoever purchases them.

 

The pics are of my grandmother who knitted toys for the children at a Children’s Home for the Christmas of 1957.  Not only was she talented but she was compassionate and had a heart for those in need. This compassion gene has been passed on to my daughter Kate, whose life mission it is to help the orphans and downtrodden of the world. She works for an NGO called Watoto who rescue orphans in Uganda. I love that a little part of my grandmother lives within me and within my daughter.

Granny, thank you. This is a shout out for you and I know you would be very proud of the women Kate and I are….xxx