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Ebb & Flow, Motion & Action all Wrapped Up in Lace

Over recent weeks we’ve talked a lot about contrasts. Ebb and flow; motion and action – these are all things that happen in life at various times. Our articles have prompted several of you to write in with stories about your own experiences of these different seasons that affect all of us at different times.

Linda Andersson shared with us that her life is currently in the middle of a ‘flow’ period as she moves into a new phase. For a while now, she has been considering moving into a senior living community. A number of changes in her life, including some health issues, led her to make the decision to move. Although she was a little reticent, she remembered her 24-year-old self who used to say that one day, when she was independently wealthy, she would have a cook and a chauffeur.

‘Well, that is available to me now and I don’t have to be independently wealthy!’

With the decision made, a bit of apprehension set in along with a lot of excitement for the change. But then came a serious consideration – what to do with Linda’s voluminous and varied stitching stash!? The move means there will no longer be a craft/stash room available.

But Linda, in a wonderfully philosophical way, prefers not to refer to it as ‘downsizing’. Rather, she is ‘releasing her resources to the universe’. Her stitching group got first refusal, then it went to the Friends of the Library, the local school, the local community centre and even the YMCA Gardening group!

The ‘release’ has brought new friends and new opportunities and has added to the happy change of circumstances.

Motion vs Action

In relation to our thoughts on Motion v Action, which we wrote about in All Stitched Up! issue #327, Ann Baseden admitted that she finds the motion part of a project more enjoyable than the action. In fact, sometimes she never actually gets around to the action! When Ann was a weaver, she would love planning, finding the right yarns, calculating how much she would need etc. However, when it came to the actual weaving, she’d get bored with the repetition and often abandoned the project after a short while. Eventually she gave up the craft.

Now, she loves collecting varied stash items that complement each other. She keeps them together, adding to them whenever she wishes. When the time comes to create something, she’ll take out a batch and spend ages just looking at it. Sometimes, inspiration takes hold and she’ll create something. Other times, she puts everything back into its bag and lets it wait until another time.

Jenny’s ‘Crazy Birds’

Jenny Robson found the article on Motion v Action brought back happy memories of her dad. His favourite comment to her when she was dithering over a decision was:

‘Going around in circles and getting nowhere fast.’

At a recent workshop, Jenny couldn’t decide how to use the technique she was learning – shadow embroidery – to address the theme of ‘birds’ that she was focussing on. She remembered her Dad’s advice and decided to just go for it. The result was ‘Crazy Birds’, which she’s really pleased with.

Tatted bookmark ‘Filigree’ by Lynne Winter from Inspirations #47

Across All Stitched Up! issue #324 and #326 we wrote about different kinds of lace. We received some wonderful feedback on that series. Ann wanted to remind everyone that Irish crochet lace isn’t the only kind of lace produced in that country. Carrickmacross, which could be described as needlelace as it uses needle and thread, is actually appliquéd muslin on net. There is also Limerick lace, which is worked with a tambour hook on net, although there is also a version made with a needle.

Kay Dennis wanted to alert us to a group in the UK whose purpose is to keep the art of tatting going. They’re called The Ring of Tatters and they have all sorts of resources available online as well as groups and demonstrations.

Pam Hawes also wanted to share a recommendation for anyone who might be in Western Australia or planning on visiting in the future. There is a lace museum at Wave Rock that she says is worth the visit as it is filled with drawers and drawers of historical lace dating back as far as the 1500’s.

Finally, Frances Tornese wrote telling us that she is a bobbin lace maker as well as an embroiderer and she always has a piece of lace in progress on her lace pillow. Here is a picture of her latest piece that she’s making for her granddaughter. We think you’ll all agree that it is simply exquisite.

Whether you are in the midst of an ebb or a flow, or whether you’re in motion or in action, we’re glad that you always have your needlework to accompany you and a little bit of inspiration from All Stitched Up! and our wonderful, generous community.