Monday 14 April 2014

GIIGU and a review..what value!

Well now, this review is overdue.  Not because I was asked to do it, but because the process I went through was made so easy and my contacts so friendly that I decided that I would tell you about it.  And then what happened?  the world turned, the product became a very useful one and every time I thought to photo it, it was in use and not really photogenic!
It's a tea towel.


There's a back story...my sweet and beloved Mother is fading away from us through a haze of Dementia.  Otherwise, she is well and happy and  this isn't a maudlin post. One of the things that I've noticed over the last year has been Mama's handwriting; it's not at all what it was.  I have shed loads - shed loads of her recipes, but because of her life's work as a really good and efficient Secretary and PA, she has typed nearly every one of them.  So, when I found a hand written one, I decided to do more than just scan and save it.  I searched about and found The Fabric Press.  An English company who will print your designs on short runs of fabric.  Well, colour me excited..they have a package that was for three tea towels.  Which is what I wanted.  I was going to have a 3 metre length printed, and make them myself, but no need!  Proper cotton, properly hemmed and BONUS...a hanging tag!  So, I got the Important G to do the toppest quality scanning for me, (the recipe and Ma's signature from a birthday card),  filled in the online form, emailed the scans and held my breath.  The Fabric Press were wonderful...wanted to know my preference for ink colour, got back to me really quickly, kept me up to date and turned the lot around in about 10 days flat.  The result made me cry!  I fiddled about and put some cotton crochet edging on the top and bottom, and my sisters and I now have one each.  Important, not really.  Sentimental - oh you bet. But also, as Ma would like - useful as well.  And I do use it, because that's the whole point of a GIIGU.  It's a Good Idea In Good Use.


And the recipe? It's from a BBC Radio 2 cookery programme, now about 40 years old.  And really....not great.  I make a better 'chuck it all in the pot' soup.  But that's not the point. As a tea towel - it's the best!

33 comments:

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Oh, that's lovely Julia, it really is. I didn't know there was already a company in the UK that would print fabric to your own design. I recently backed a Kickstarter project, for what I thought would be the first of its kind, outside of the US.

Scrapcat 1 said...

What a wonderful idea, oh I can see some presents being made with this, your story shows just how important it is to keep things like this for later.

shazsilverwolf said...

Julia, what a fabulous idea.A wonderful way to preserve memories without them being stuffed in a drawer somewhere, or having to be dusted!I have a similar sort of thing, from one of my Grandkids schools, printed with pictures they all drew of themselves. when they were about 7. Maybe the same company, I don't know for sure. Hugs, Shaz xxx

Carmen said...

That really is wonderful and I love the crochet you added to it too. Gorgeous x

fairy thoughts said...

Like Fiona I sponsered the kickstarter project but didn't know about this one the tea towels are a brilliant idea. I will investigate. Good old Mum
Janet

Kirsty.A said...

What a fab idea. Sorry about your Mum. I am jus starting down that road myself with my Dad. So sad

Laura said...

What a genius idea and what a useful everyday treasure. :)

Krisha said...

What a touching story, and a wonderful idea.

Jackie said...

What a great story and I love the idea of the tea towel ..... You've got me thinking now ........... Jackie

Sue said...

What a lovely thing.

My mum passed last october after almost 9 years with dementia, so appreciate how things can be so precious.

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

What a lovely idea and I know how much it means to you. I have a stamp made by a very special lady (you can probably guess who) of a cartoon that Geoff used to draw for the children, and, fortunately, Rebecca had got one copy hidden away among her box of treasure and Geoff had actually handwritten the words that went with it. I will bring it down to the crop with me. Then the family got together and had that lovely silver pendant made from it for my Christmas present. I haven't seen Mum's recipe book recently, but I am sure it will surface as I work through the house. Enjoy your treasure. xx Maggie

Helen said...

What a wonderful, wonderful idea - I have lots of Mum's recipes (handwritten too) or at least my SIL does, these would make fabulous presents... must make a note of them. Thank you!!

Kyla said...

Fabulous idea. Handwriting is so precious.
Kyla

ally fiddy said...

Such a lovely idea, so glad you got it done x

ally fiddy said...

Such a lovely idea, so glad you got it done x

Chrysalis said...

Julia - that was such a brilliant idea. So glad you and your sisters have got these lovely keepsakes. Hugs, Chris xx

Grollibot said...

I cried too on Christmas morning when I opened it, but (and this will drive you demented) I am scared to use it xxx
Loves xx

Laura said...

Awesome!

voodoo vixen said...

What a wonderful idea... that I am blatantly stealing as of now!! :)

Debbie Frost said...

What a wonderful idea you're not the only one with tears in your eyes x

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You and your acronyms. LOVE THIS GIIGU and the way you presented it. Nicely done and the memories will be there forever. How wonderful (and thoughtful) you could share that with your sisters, too.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You and your acronyms. LOVE THIS GIIGU and the way you presented it. Nicely done and the memories will be there forever. How wonderful (and thoughtful) you could share that with your sisters, too.

Darnell said...

Now there is someone who had a brilliant idea!! It brought tears to my eyes as well. You could get several to pass down new ones to future generations. I just think this is fabulous. Thanks for sharing, Julia. Hugs, Darnell

misteejay said...

What a lovely item to treasure but use too. Great idea.

Toni xx

Kate said...

Beautiful idea. Could you sew long tabs to the top and make a little apron? Still useful but might not wear out as quickly.
~Kate~

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What a wonderful and heartfelt idea! and I like that you are using it and not just stashing it away as a keepsake. It is too special to be stashed away.

Robyn said...

Wonderful keepsake. this speaks to me more than a scrapbook page!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

OH what a treasure. My mother has the same, now no interest in doing much, just kinda fidgeity, but I have a lot of things she wrote down as little notes, quips, quotes and tender love notes. I'd love to have this done for my nieces and sisters. Thanks for sharing a tender spot with us.

Unknown said...

What a fantastic idea!! Julia this is wonderfully creative useful sentimental way to remember those that we love! :-). Mu Mum would love this, thanks for sharing!

Ginny Maxam said...

Hi Julia, I so enjoyed reading your post!! Great idea of the GIIGU, you may have started another wave on the internet - Of GIIGU'S. The tea towel is lovely and a wonderful idea to preserve a bit of your Mum!
Hugs,
Ginny

Claire Grantham said...

Just seen this Julia. I love The Fabric Press, they helped me recreate a piece of fabric that meant a lot to my Ma and I..amazing company. Great idea to create a t-towel. Cx

RosA said...

That's a lovely/fabulous idea! I might have to borrow it!

HeARTworks said...

How wonderful! I wish there was a business like that here. But then I'm the type who will KEEP the towel and not use it for fear it would fade! Or maybe I shall frame it!:^) patsy