A little Sunday nostalgia..... and how one day can change your path and introduce you to a new passion

 Hunting for other threads led me to the needlework box.  Me thinks it's time for a clear out.  As the priority on space is reserved for fabrics and laces, the needlework box hasn't had much attention.  You can finish a blouse quicker than you can finish some of the cross stitch or needlepoint projects.  So here's a tour of the needlework box. It's actually a chronicle of how your life can change in a day. 

After moving from NYC to south Florida in the 90's, it was difficult finding work.  Most of the apparel factories were well over an hour south, through brutal traffic.  I decided to go back to NY to find a job.  I packed up, stayed with friends for a month and got to looking.  After what was 20 interviews, my friends suggested I go to Chester NJ to destress. It was a lovely little town, both sides of the street were tiny store fronts, each a mom and pop shop.  The larger buildings were antique warehouses, there was a quilt store,  hardware store, a Tavern that was serving a traditional Sunday roast, and a needlework store.  

I had finished some needlepoint, but it never really took off with me, so I went in to get out of the rain. The needlework store was breathtaking.  The walls were covered in afghans, framed cross stitch, and there were things people were doing with thread I had never seen before. They made these two Beatrix Potter booklets into afghans with prominent stitches, that looked like 3D they were gorgeous.

 I spent a lot of time just walking back and forth examining everything.  I couldn't make my mind up, what did I want first? Could I even do this, I don't know it seemed impossible?  Where to start.... the store owner delighted at my enthusiasm (this is when you find your people ;)), suggested I start small to get the feel for it, and from there I could go to more complex projects.

My first cross stitch project.... haha, you have to start somewhere.  It's about 1 1/2" x 1 3/8", it's tiny.

My second, third and forth

My fifth, this one should not be attempted unless you have really good eyes, or a magnifying glass, this was for mom. Three threads over single thread on an 18 count aida fabric.

Many more were made and gifted.... here were my project sheets, when I was tracking costs.  Something I need to start again with my quilts.

Then I designed one for my sister in law's mother who loved giraffes.  I couldn't find a nice giraffe, so designed my own, my mother made a sachet out of it, with tiny piping, and filled it with lavender.  I loved this memory because it brought us four girls together. Unfortunately I don't have a photo, only a zerox copy, because I thought I might want to make another... I really should have noted the colors used.

This was the largest and most complex project because of the size and thread changes.  It took 10 years to finish. I kept putting it away, and picking it up again.  It was finally finished during the Gulf war, I forgot to sign it, can you imagine?

So beware, today, you might walk into a place, watch a video, browse through a book that will take your breath away and start you down a new path.  You start with an owl, and end up with an angel, and where else will this lead? No spoilers.....

In the meantime, I have a needlework box that needs to be cleared out and put away again.

Have a great Sunday.