Hello friends,
Hurray, we made it to Friday! And not only is it Friday— It’s Tasha Tudor’s birthday! Today she would have been 105 years old. I’ve gathered some summer flowers from the garden and took out my copy of Becky’s Birthday to celebrate the day. I wanted to thank you all for joining me this month as we celebrated Tasha with Tasha Tuesday posts and giveaways. And I’ll tell ya a secret, I’ve got one MORE giveaway….but more on that in a bit…
Your comments, your kinship and your own remembrances of why this artist means so much to you, or your joy in just discovering her have been to wonderful to read and I love hearing how she has inspired you. Tasha Tudor has been an inspiration to me since I first read about her life and really immersed myself in her work, and it is a joy and a privilege for me to get to talk with so many of you about her. Thanks again (SO much!) to Susan Evans McCloud for taking the time to chat with us about her special remembrances of Tasha, and all of you who also shared your own memories and inspiration. She was such a dynamic person, a skilled painted and quite simply, a visionary for creating her own true-to-herself life that I think we can all admire.
I hope these Tasha Tuesday posts have also inspired you to ‘take joy’ and to ‘live the life you have imagined’, (as Tasha was fond of quoting) no matter what that life or joy may be. We are all on our own unique path. The beauty of Tasha, for me anyway, is her unabashed joy and immersion in the things she loved. She created a family, she created a home, she created a garden, she created a career. These are all things that many of us also do, and with Tasha as a guide we can see that we can also take the path less traveled and really create something unique when it comes to our own lives. I find that so exciting, and so freeing. Tasha, in essence, shows us that the greatest joy is to be yourself, and live the life you want.
My wish to you on this day that Tasha celebrated for 92 years on this earth, is that you simply ‘take joy.’ These are uncertain, often scary times in our world. No matter where we look, there is hurt, violence, sickness, sadness and chaos. It can often feel impossible to find the light or the courage to dream our dreams when our hearts are feeling so heavy. But I also believe that this is a time for much growing, changing, improving and hopefully– healing. One of Tasha’s favorite quotes is from Fra Giovanni’s Christmas Letter– a piece we’ve talked about many times here on this blog– but is always worth repeating. The section I’m thinking of right now reads:
“No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present moment. Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy!”
And so, a very happy birthday to you, Tasha Tudor. Thank you for all the inspiration. Your influence and example have made my life better for many years, and I know will continue for many more.
And thank you all for your visits, and I hope to continue Tasha Tuesdays here on the blog when possible, as I just never seen to tire of writing them, or talking Tasha, or introducing her to new fans or finding a kindred spirit in someone who has also loved her for many years. I hope that if you’re able to, you have a little birthday treat in Tasha’s honor today, to also celebrate her birthday. Even if it’s just a simple cup of tea, I look forward to celebrating with you– and Tasha– in spirit.
And now— for our giveaway! I have another gorgeous scarf from our wonderful friends at Anokhi, this one in amazing indigo shared and a timeless floral pattern:
In celebration of Tasha, and with such generosity from Anokhi, I’d love to give away this scarf to one of YOU for Tasha’s birthday! Like usual, you just have to comment here on the blog to enter to win, and there will also be a chance to enter on instagram, where your comment will double your chances!
Thanks so much for coming by today, and I hope you come again soon! Thanks too for all the comments for Tasha Tuesday this month! I appreciate!
Now— go forth and—
Take Joy!
H
Sleightholm Folk Art 
I have a snall collection of Tasha Tudor’s children’s books. They are so lovely and touch my homey, old fashioned soul. And yet she was a woman beyond her times! I love her♥️
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Just what I needed to hear this morning… “No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present moment. Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy!”
I give to you once again my gratitude for your posts!
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Thank-you for a month of celebration of this inspirational artist! She has touched many with her art, dolls , and stories of life celebrated in a different time. It is always hard to follow your own path, especially when that dream conflicts with the cultural expectations of that time. I am sure that Tasha experienced that pushback many times herself. What inspires me most about her life is just as much her determination for what she felt was her authenticity, as her amazing and enduring art. I hope future young women will continue to learn of her life and embrace her love of the simple things that make life joyful and beautiful and available to all of us. Take Joy!
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Such an uplifting post today, thank you! I think of Joy everyday, for that’s the name of my oldest daughter 💕
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Beautifully done. Thank you for your continuing devotion for Tasha and all she inspired in we who admire her. Did you bake The cake?
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i so enjoyed your month of Tasha. you always have such fun, inspiring posts.
love & blessings
~*~
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Heather,
Over the years I have come to know many Tasha Tudor fans. I consider you to be one of the most sincere among them. You are what you portray yourself to be and are true to yourself. I am honored to call you a friend and would not have made your acquaintance without Tasha Tudor in my life. My only regret is that we did not tour Tasha’s together. 🙂
Thank you for honoring her memory in this way. You’re a gem.
LaVonne
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Lavonne, thank you so much for such kind words! I feel just the same way about you! I wish we’d been able to do our tours together, but I know we are 100% kindred Tasha spirits!
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I love following this series!
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Tasha and her life are always an inspiration. My awe of how she lived encourages me to slow down and remember what is important. It is easy to get so caught up in the world, especially when working a career that takes you out of the home and into it. This Spring, working from home, I was reminded of what was really important and though these are turbulent times, the home is the heart of our families and where our soul can (or should) be able to take a pause. Normally I would be eating lunch right now with students and/or coworkers but due to the pandemic and I am eating in my room alone (most of my classes are virtual) and I’m taking pause to spend some time with your blog and Tasha! Have a great weekend and thank you for all of your wonderful posts and art!!
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Those zinnias! What a beautiful way to celebrate Tasha and her legacy.
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Love your posts! They always inspire me and make the day more peaceful. Thanks for sharing Tasha’s porch with me 😁
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Such beautiful photos and words! Definitely one of my favorite quotes from Tasha! I agree with Brian in that you have added inspiration and peace to my days this month. Thank you sweet girl!!
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Today is my husband’s birthday too, so I pruned the lilacs and made double chocolate cheesecake and the kids picked zinnias from our back yard. 💗I like to think that Tasha would approve.
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I enjoyed the tea in the last post — maybe you can reply if one of her books has the most recipes — I like the simplicity of this one! Thank you for sharing
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Thank you so much for Tasha Tuesdays! It’s been so fun to rekindle my childhood love of Tasha Tudor.
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I have enjoyed these posts so much. Thanks for your thoughtful commentary on an amazing artist. I was recently gifted The Secret Garden illustrated by Tasha Tudor! I have enjoyed re-reading it so much.
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Hello! Found you via your Etsy store whilst searching for Scottish thistle cross stitch patterns, and now I’m here! 🙂 I have loved Tasha Tudor for as long as I can remember as my beloved Mom also loved TT so I have known about all things Tasha for over 60 years. I do love her ways and her art and her stories to this day. I know I am too late for the giveaway but just had to write to let you know how much I have enjoyed looking at your Etsy offerings, my but you are talented! Best to you, KittyAnn, Wilmington NC
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Thank you so much for finding me and coming by, Kitty Ann! 😀 It’s always fun to meet another Tasha Tudor lover! Thank you so much for your sweet comments~
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