Hello Gentle Readers. I am composing this on a very cold Monday. Yesterday snow with strong winds made for a quiet day indoors. A large flock of house finches and juncos swarmed the bird feeders all afternoon. Next Friday, the forecast is for a high temperature of 85 crazy degrees. Several days last week, strong winds encouraged wild fires in rural areas of Southeast Nebraska. March blusters on in all of its iterations.
Last week, I completed my Stitch Journal. This project began in January 2025 when I was intrigued by the 2024 stitch journal project created by Kathryn on her YouTube channel. Some pieces were inspired by her prompts and other times I went my own way. The small size was perfect for playing with fabric and embroidery thread on hand. I knew I could discard anything I didn't like but I never did that. Uneven stitches, patches, and wonky proportions added to the charm. I created for fun.
Sometimes I began with an idea I wanted to convey with cloth and thread while other times the words came to me during and after the stitching. I don't know that I'll make another stitch journal but working on this one was a delight. Journey, journal, and diary all come from the same Latin root word, diana. The pieces record seasonal changes, joyful family visits, as well as a longer-than-I-expected recovery from pelvic floor repair surgery in May. As I look back through the pages, I see the journey of this past year. At any rate here are the last three pages. This February I stitched the "heart of the matter."
The remaining two pages were completed in March. The first "nourished a (handspun) thread of hope and the second the promise of Spring.
Thinking of Spring, I copied the flower from my Mom's mug and added the sun and green landscape. I learned the Basque stitch to create the sun's rays. That stitch was "fiddly." I doubt I'll use it much but it's good to try something new now and then.
Coincidentally this week, I finished reading With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories by Nicole Nehrig. In this nonfiction work, Nehrig set out to learn more about the importance of textile work in the lives of women. I have read nonfiction regarding the history of quilting, knitting, and spinning but the inclusion of weaving and embroidery was new territory for me. Did you know that some mathematical principles may have originated in weaving designs? I appreciated the way Nehrig included needlework from around the world and art created by women from marginalized and indigenous cultures. I'm still thinking about a project created by a woman to painstakingly unpick the threads of a Confederate Flag, comparing it to the difficult work of overcoming racism in this country. Nehrig's work is well researched and her discussion nuanced. If this sort of history interests you, I recommend this book.
At some point on Wednesday, I'll link this post to Kat and the Unravelers. My husband is having the first cataract surgery on the 17th and then we have a follow-up appointment early on Wednesday. This is a routine surgery expected to go well but I may be scarce around blog-land this week as I am the designated driver and errand-runner.
Your stitch book is a wonderful life story. I hope the surgery goes well. Now that I am on the other side, I am so grateful for this amazing surgery.
ReplyDeleteYour stitch journal looks wonderful, and I always appreciate seeing the new pages and what inspired you. I think it's quite a lovely creation! I think I will check my library for With Her Own Hands. It sounds like the kind of book that I might enjoy reading bits and pieces of now and then, but I'd like to peruse it first. I hope that all went smoothly with your husband's surgery and that his recovery goes well also.
ReplyDeleteWhat a walk down memory lane your lovely pages will be! I kept an art journal during the pandemic years and found that the words flowed like a fountain. I would write in the margins when I had finished but some days my thoughts filled the entire page.
ReplyDeleteI watched The Quiet Man last night and every time I watch it I am gobsmacked by the incredibly beautiful shawls the Irish women wear. They are made on a jacquard type loom which runs off punch cards like an old IBM computer. I watched a video on them last night and I still can't get over how the human mind managed to come up with such a thing.
Sending positive thoughts for the surgery. My BIL just had it done and it went very well.
What a treasure that stitch book is! I love your cover for it. With Her Own Hands sounds like a fascinating read; thanks for putting it on my radar. I hope all went well with your husband's surgery!
ReplyDeleteHoping your husband's surgery went well and that he is on the mend. Both Fletch and I have had the surgery and all was successful. Your stitch book - such a treasure! I do a lot of embroidery, but have never heard of the Basque stitch - I will look it up.
ReplyDeleteYour stitch journal is a work of art, Jane! It is magnificent and I really like how the cover looks! I second your thoughts on With Her Own Hands... I loved it so much, I purchased a copy for my library. It is a very worthy read for anyone, but most especially for makers!
ReplyDeleteJane your stitch journal is a wonderful heirloom. I have so enjoyed watching it come together month by month, and the variety of each "page".
ReplyDeletemay your husband be well and that it is successful. We had crazy 80 degree temps, not a fan at all. love the sun stitching, I like that it is your mom's mug which will be eternal in stitching. Love the stitching journal so much.
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