I was saddened to learn early today of the passing of my friend Gina Brummett, known for her blog Threads of a Tatting Goddess. Gina passed away last night.
I first learned of Gina's blog about five years ago from my friend Denise. We were so excited to read the entries of someone so talented! Gina was so kind and encouraging. She sent us information on the springtime Lace Event put on by her lace guild. It was only an hour and a half away, so we decided to go. Denise and I were such geeks! We knit lace shawls to wear to the event... just had to show off our love of lace!
Gina must have thought we were nuts... we just gushed over the fact that we were actually meeting THE TATTING GODDESS! (We also met the amazing Battatter that day!)
Denise and I met Gina again several times, both at the Lafayette Lace Event and at the Downers Grove Lace Event. I can't tell you how excited we were that Gina remembered us! Our lace shawls made an impression!
Over the past five years, Gina encouraged me to keep up with my tatting. When we'd meet at lace events, she'd patiently show me all that she'd been working on. Imagine being able to see in person what you'd previously seen posted on a blog! She always had kind words about the pieces I'd been working on. She told me once that she didn't quite understand my love of Mary Konior's Spinning Wheel glass mat, but that seeing me post a picture of a new one always made her smile. I'm glad that Gina saw the last Spinning Wheel I made. It's nice to think that I was able to bring a smile to her face once in a while.
I think I only actually met Gina five times, but she left such a positive impression on me that I felt as if I'd known her all my life! I will miss her emails, her blog posts, and most of all I will miss her.
Rest in peace, dear friend. I will forever remember the encouragement you gave to me, and you will always be The Tatting Goddess.
Addendum ~ I just looked up Gina's first blog post... February 13, 2003. Somehow, the date of her passing seems very appropriate.
I never met Gina in person, but she always left encouraging and supportive posts on my blog. I learned so much from her blog posts. She shared her knowledge with everyone. I shall miss her.
ReplyDeleteShe was an inspiration & will be very sorely missed by all the tatting community.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I am in total shock reading this, and words escape me at the moment. Thank you for informing us. It will take quite awhile to sink in.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be difficult for us all to take this in at first.
ReplyDeleteGina was a major part of the very foundations of the entire community of Tat-Land
Fox
Very sad news. She will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI was never lucky enough to meet Gina in person, but she was such a huge influence on-line that I will miss her terribly. Every time I posed a question, whether in comments on her blog, comments on someone else's blog or on my own blog, Gina was quick to answer with an email explaining what I needed to know. I have no idea how she kept up with so many people in so many places, but she did. Her's was the blog I went to first every day to see what was going on in the tatting world. I feel like I knew her and I will miss her inspiration and encouragement so very much.
ReplyDeleteA huge shock, to read this this morning; I met Gina back in 2004, when she came to Brisbane for a holiday.We spent a couple of lovely days together, one at the big Craft Show, and the other occasion was the day John and I took her to Crochet Australia in company with Brenda Rewhorn from the Ring of Tatters who was also visiting at the time. I have photographs of them both enjoying a drink at the quaint country pub we stopped at on the way home.
ReplyDeleteGina was very kind to me when she heard the news of my son's serious illness, and has sent supportive emails to me.
I will miss her very much indeed.
I'm totally speechless, and in shock on hearing this sad news of Gina's passing. She's been a wonderful friend and mentor in tat land, and I have benefited from her encouragements and generous gifts. I will definitely miss her but I will have fond memories of her.
ReplyDeleteMay Gina rest in peace.
I only found her blog last year, I never meet her but I feel really sad at her passing.
ReplyDeleteMargaret
What? Gina passed away? I had Gina in class a couple years ago and she was such a sweetheart. I can't believe this sad news.
ReplyDeleteI looked through her blog yesterday after reading the news. I didn't pick up on her first post date being Feb 13 2003. I will miss her.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate that you were able to meet her and how generous that she shared her skills with you. May you have wonderful memories to lessen the sadness.
ReplyDeleteGina was such a sweet and giving person. I never met her but she always encouraged me with my tatting. She was such a positive person. I will miss her along with all of Tat Land.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful and talented lady. I am so saddened.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I well remember your post when you met her for the first time. You were like a giddy school girl! I am sure you brought lots of smiles to her face.
ReplyDeleteI never met her or knew about her blog until tonight when I found a very nice post that she had made about Lace Days in Downers Grove, IL. My condolences to all of you on the loss of your friend and teacher.
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