April 7, 2011

Embroidery and emotions

A Rose By Any Other Name
Stitched by Cate Anevski

I love when artists and bloggers talk about their creative process in embroidery.

From Cate, on this piece:
"I watch a lot of movies and television while working with my hands. I've tried audiobooks, but I have a hard time staying focused enough when my mind is preoccupied with handcrafts. The extra visual on the screen makes it easier for me to multitask.

I mention this because I start to embed emotions into the pieces I create while watching certain shows and movies. While stitching this piece, I finally got around to watching Toy Story 3, which I adored. Now, every time I see the piece, I remember how emotional I was about Woody and the gang. I particularly think of trying to keep my running stitches nice and even while choking back tears as the toys yet again battled against the changing times.

I'm sure I'm not the only person to do this. Creating artwork can be a very emotional process, and any extra emotions can easily get added into the mix. Anybody else have strong memories attached to a certain piece they've created?"

Well, for me - I kind of feel an emotional creation to everything I create - especially to the pictures I take. Just looking at them brings back the exact state of mind I was in, and everything I was thinking and feeling at the time. Most recently though, it was with my mom - she was recovering from a minor procedure on her eye, and I walked in to her room to see her curled up with the pillowcase I embroidered for her years ago...m
I was so overwhelmed and happy at the same time - I forget that the things we make with our hands are very special to the people we love...

Thanks, Cate, for letting me share your thoughts here, and what do you guys think? Is there an embroidery project or craft you have very strong emotions or memories attached to?

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

4 comments:

  1. I make plushies using vintage and other recycled materials. I associate a particular plushy with WHO I was with while making it. For example, my friend Denise and I crafted together and chatted while I worked on my bear plushy. I remember laughing, sharing, and having a good time together. They're fond memories of being with friends! :-)

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  2. This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart! I once knit a sweater while I was going through some really rough times in college, and I had to give it away, it was so imbued with all the emotions of that time. Although, I just saw my friend wearing it and it didn't make me feel anything, so maybe I've finally gotten over it all!

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  3. I once made a doll while listening to I am Legend on audiobook. She's a sweet little girl with a party hat, but when ever I see her I think of I am Legend. I'm glad others do that too :)

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  4. I like to listen to audiobooks when I'm doing handwork, so often when I look at a piece I've finished, I remember the specific section I was listening to when I made those stitches.

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