A little tribute to Ellen 2026

March 28th was my late grandma Ellen’s birthday so today I’m sharing something she created with you.

I got the blog name “Sum of their Stories” from a line from a poem about mothers and daughters. When I started the blog back in 2013 it was to share my enthusiasm for all things craft related and also to pass on the crafts and skills that my mum and both of my grandmas had shared with me as I grew up.

As a little way to thank and honour them, each year on what would have been their birthday I share something they made or inspired or something with a connection to them.

I’ve shared my nan’s paintings quite a few times over the years, here, here and here for example. She did lots of crafts but because she was such a prolific painter I have more of her art to share with you than anything else.

I have a very clear memory of her being inspired by some art painted on pieces of wood rather than canvas at a craft fair.

Rather than buying wood especially for her art experiments she rummaged in my grandad’s box of wood scraps in the garage and painted on what she found. This sea scape is painted on a bit of coated plywood left over from a kitchen refit, it’s still got some plastic element of the kitchen fitting attached to the back!

I’ve no idea if she gave it any kind of primer first, but the painting has lasted well.

I know my love for creativity was passed down and nurtured by my parents and grandparents but this painting reminds me that my “make do and mend” and “use what you have rather than buying more” vibes are most likely inherited too!

So today I’m remembering my grandma Ellen, an endlessly enthusiastic person in many areas of life, just not crafts and painting.

Julie

You can read more Stories behind Sum of their Stories here.