Thursday, February 23, 2012

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Lee says, "February's SBQ is about break-ups.  Is there anything in your stash that you are ready to end your relationship with?" I am. I am done with these napkin rings. Well, this napkin ring. I'm not really a hardanger person. I'm not really a napkin ring person. And you don't even have to look that closely at the edging to see that I've done a lousy job keeping the tension even. Plus if you do look closely, you will see little red flecks on the white fabric. No idea what that is.


I think I held onto this project for so long--I started it at a Spirit of Cross-Stitch Festival in 1996--for two reasons. First is that the designer, Stella Bjerg, a Dane (?) came out to do an internship at my LNS (the now-defunct Rose Cottage) in California. (Smart cookie!) It was nice to meet someone who was studying needlework seriously. But once her internship was over, she went back home. The next time I saw her was when I showed up for this class! It was a delightful surprise. The other reason is that I took this class with my broken finger in a splint. Anyway, the projects seemed like a real accomplishment and a souvenir of a friend. 


But what kind of a reminder is it if I couldn't even finish after 16 years? I'll remember Stella for other reasons. (I can pretend my dog is named for her.) And frankly I don't need napkin rings to remind me of the time I went to SOXS with a broken finger. You don't forget that kind of thing easily.

8 comments:

Beth said...

I agree - let it go - I have a stocking in white Aida that is never never never going to get finished.

xeyedmary said...

You need to excuse the tension problem with the broken finger, silly!
Hey- I popped a card for Maggie in the mail yesterday- are other people sending multiple cards? Please let us know in time if you're running short of your goal- I'd be glad to send more.

Jennifer H said...

I also put a card for Maggie in the mail today! :) Looking forward to see the tally get up there...

Hugs and Love,
Jennifer

barbara said...

Good for you, just TRYING hardanger!

Giving up on a project does bring a welcome sense of relief, don't you agree? I had a couple that I was making for Max that I held on to for years ... and it felt fabulous to say goodbye to them when we moved to Maine.

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

I have a 18 year old Afghan that I need to finish. It is a gift I was to stitch for a baby shower 18 years ago.. The girl is going to college this Fall!! Maybe.. just maybe!! lol

Anonymous said...

last week I went through the plastic container I use for all my cross stitch trying to sort things out ( oh to have a craft room! ) I came a cross an Egyptian cross stitch I had started for a friend of mine many years ago. We kinda "broke up" and I quit working on it, even though it was gorgeous. I finally decided to throw it away.

Boy did that feel good.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I've dumped lots of projects (and lots of men too) over the years. Once the love is gone, it's gone. Move on.

doris said...

So will you keep it around the crafty room, or send it on its way?