Timeless Treasures

My friend J and I are taking an embroidery class at the local quilt shop. We are stitching lovely floral patterns on cream colored wool. The preparation for the stitchery was a bit tedious as we carefully traced designs, cut patterns, and transferred the patterns onto the wool. But I have been enjoying the process of doing the embroidery work. The needle slides so easily through the wool as I do the stem stitches, French knots, and lazy daisy stitches. It is very relaxing to sit and stitch, especially on these cold and snowy days here in upstate New York.

I thought that I would create an image in order to capture the enjoyment I find when stitching. So, I used vintage buttons and thread against a fabric background. I was looking for an old-fashioned look to show the timelessness of embroidery.

I view this photo and think about how embroidery is like life. Oliver Wendall Holmes wrote, "Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. "

Photography reminds me of working on embroidery projects. It takes time and patience to get a photo just right, but I find the editing processes to be relaxing. And the results can lead to timeless images that capture the imagination. "A photograph is memory in the raw. " (Carrie Latat) And so I cherish these photographic memories just as I do a piece of heirloom embroidery.