My Journey with Cross-Stitch
When I was 14 years old my two older sisters had moved out of the house for college and I was the last child at home with my parents. My father called himself, my mom, and me - "the Three Musketeers" - and for the most part I enjoyed spending time with my folks. We had just relocated - AGAIN - (due to military orders) to Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, Washington from Fallon, Nevada. It was a more challenging move than the many prior moves. I was a teenager having to say "goodbye" to a good group of friends, and Washington was much different than Nevada. I had a difficult time adjusting, and I was lonely and desperate to fill the extra time on my hands.
The first week after arriving in the Pacific Northwest, we had become acquainted with my dad's new boss and his wife. They were an odd older couple with a dry sense of humor, and it was hard to get a read on their personalities. My parents were skittish around them, but I liked the pair right away and they adopted me like a granddaughter.
It was during those first days that Mrs. Peter had taken note of my moods of sadness and teenage angst. One night after dinner at their house she asked me if I had any hobbies. Did I crochet or knit? My answer was, "No, but I do enjoy watching my grandmothers sew." She made an odd facial expression and promptly pulled out a small paisley-patterned sewing bag. "Let me show you what I do," she said with a tone of both pride and mentorship.
She grabbed a hoop from inside the bag and showed me her half-finished pattern of a peaceful country scene she was stitching on a piece of linen. It was colorful and detailed and I found myself immediately drawn to the art. As I watched her stitch x's across the fabric - I was fascinated and hooked…mesmerized by this colored thread being crossed as an "x" to come together and create this “painted” picture. My grandmother's were both knitters but I had never seen anyone cross-stitch. I had never seen an antique sampler. It was all new and wonderful to me. She sensed my excitement, set me up with a pattern and fabric and floss, and I was on my way to stitching my first project. It was a Precious Moments little boy by Leisure Arts and I finished it quickly.
That was 38 years ago, and although there were several years I wasn't able to stitch due to physical confinements - this form of art has often saved my spirit. When all else seems challenged in my life - cross stitch was that steady past-time. I was born with Spina Bifida and I've been wheelchair-bound for over 30 years now. Through dozens of spinal and orthopedic surgeries, years of physical rehab, and long hours in hospitals - cross-stitching has filled those long hours, days and weeks with joy. Having the diversion of stitching has enabled me to redirect my concentration off my pain and refocus on what abilities I still have. And, I tend to pray while I stitch so that's a good pastime!
There have been countless finished pieces over the decades but this craft seems new and exciting to me every day. From the 1980's with it's country colors and wide Aida cloth to the gorgeous choices of over-dyed flosses, linens, and patterns we have today - I've loved it all.
I wish Mrs. Peter's was still alive so I could tell her what a gift she gave me. It's a gift that keeps on giving and I'm excited to share it with you!
The first week after arriving in the Pacific Northwest, we had become acquainted with my dad's new boss and his wife. They were an odd older couple with a dry sense of humor, and it was hard to get a read on their personalities. My parents were skittish around them, but I liked the pair right away and they adopted me like a granddaughter.
It was during those first days that Mrs. Peter had taken note of my moods of sadness and teenage angst. One night after dinner at their house she asked me if I had any hobbies. Did I crochet or knit? My answer was, "No, but I do enjoy watching my grandmothers sew." She made an odd facial expression and promptly pulled out a small paisley-patterned sewing bag. "Let me show you what I do," she said with a tone of both pride and mentorship.
She grabbed a hoop from inside the bag and showed me her half-finished pattern of a peaceful country scene she was stitching on a piece of linen. It was colorful and detailed and I found myself immediately drawn to the art. As I watched her stitch x's across the fabric - I was fascinated and hooked…mesmerized by this colored thread being crossed as an "x" to come together and create this “painted” picture. My grandmother's were both knitters but I had never seen anyone cross-stitch. I had never seen an antique sampler. It was all new and wonderful to me. She sensed my excitement, set me up with a pattern and fabric and floss, and I was on my way to stitching my first project. It was a Precious Moments little boy by Leisure Arts and I finished it quickly.
That was 38 years ago, and although there were several years I wasn't able to stitch due to physical confinements - this form of art has often saved my spirit. When all else seems challenged in my life - cross stitch was that steady past-time. I was born with Spina Bifida and I've been wheelchair-bound for over 30 years now. Through dozens of spinal and orthopedic surgeries, years of physical rehab, and long hours in hospitals - cross-stitching has filled those long hours, days and weeks with joy. Having the diversion of stitching has enabled me to redirect my concentration off my pain and refocus on what abilities I still have. And, I tend to pray while I stitch so that's a good pastime!
There have been countless finished pieces over the decades but this craft seems new and exciting to me every day. From the 1980's with it's country colors and wide Aida cloth to the gorgeous choices of over-dyed flosses, linens, and patterns we have today - I've loved it all.
I wish Mrs. Peter's was still alive so I could tell her what a gift she gave me. It's a gift that keeps on giving and I'm excited to share it with you!