We have moved all of our framed needlework pieces to one wall, instead of hanging them all around the house. Even since taking these photos Sadie has added a new framed piece. So exciting! I have dated and named them all on the back. Some are mine, some are the girls', and the stunner floral crewelwork was done by my aunt. She gave it to my mom probably 30 years ago, and two years ago my mom had it framed and gave it to me, knowing how much I have always loved it. It's one my most favorite things. Liddy is working with plastic canvas, but recently has started her first knitting project and her variegated yarn is so pleasing—stripes without the work! We have been doing all this while listening to Percy Jackson, the audio book, which has been really fun, and then I get to do some needlework, too. They told Pete he should start knitting, which I think is a great idea.
Needlework has a special place in my heart because it's the only thing I have been doing recently that is non-utilitarian. I can get all brain-busy when I make things for a purpose—like garment sewing or knitting clothes, because I can usually make it for less money, or for a specific need, or whatever. It's fun but it's not exactly artistic for me, although it is creative for me. Only when I make things that I can't use do I feel—that feeling. Maybe it's that feeling of doing something artistic and working through any guilt that I could (should) be doing something more useful, like sewing for the girls or knitting a sweater for someone. I fall into a trap thinking I need to be able to use what I make, or if i can't use it, at least sell it, for it to be worth doing and this is not what I really think at all, but it's how I behave. It wasn't until I started doing needlework just for fun and wondering why it felt so different that I start to think about why it felt different.
