Hi.

I hope this blog inspires you to be both beauty creators and beauty appreciators.

Something to Keep

Something to Keep

One of the things that inadvertently happens with crafts such as knitting, embroidery, and baking is that most of the time, the end results are shared or given away. It gives me great joy to do so, but my husband remarked to me awhile ago that I don’t seem to keep many of the things I make. I sat with this for awhile.

I think there’s a part of me that feels it a bit extravagant to be creative sometimes. Perhaps a bit indulgent. Which, of course, is nonsense. I’d never think the same of another person pursuing those fleeting moments within a busy life to affirm and exercise creative desires and muscles. So I catch myself rationalizing the hours spent knitting a scarf or hat with “it’s for his birthday” or baking an intricate dessert with “it’ll be shared with the neighbors anyway.” But there is no need for rationalizing or excuses.

So for my latest project, I started it with the intention of creating something just for myself. Something I would love making and then enjoy keeping. I would choose the medium, pattern, colors, deadline, everything…it would be for me.

I ended up creating this:

IMG_4438.jpeg

Here are some close-up shots of the pattern and stitches:

I really enjoyed making this embroidery hoop, and I found the perfect frame for it at StitchLifeStudio on Etsy. I stitched it 25 minutes at a time in the mornings, with a cup of coffee by my side and the sounds of my husband and son playing in the next room. It became part of my morning ritual, something that really helped center me and setup the day. And as usual, I learned a lot.

Throughout the process of choosing colors and stitches and such, I was able to really ask myself, “What do I want? What does my gut say about this?” Whenever I made a mistake, I had to decide, do I keep going or do I stop and fix this? And if I do decide to fix and re-do, what will I say to myself in the process? Will I be critical, judgmental, and shake my head at how I could have done this, or…will I speak kindly to myself, being gentle and understanding that everyone makes mistakes? And besides, this is all for fun anyway.

The finished embroidery hoop is now in the breakfast nook of our kitchen, leaning against the window. I look at it every day, and I try to remember every day as well.

First Winter

First Winter