One day we had the following conversation:
Him: What do you do for fun?
Me: I stitch.
Him: What do you mean?
Me: I make things with needle and thread.
Him: Really? That kind of surprises me. Why don't you bring some things next time to show me.
Me: Okay, I will!
The following week, I bring a couple of small, well-selected and favorite things for show and tell:
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Him: Now what would you call this?
Me: Well, this is a hardanger doily. And this is a scissors fob. You attach it to your embroidery scissors for decoration.
Him: I see.
Me: I have about 100 hours in that doily.
Him: Looks like you are finding a wonderful way to re-live your childhood.
Me: silent but thinking: WHAT?!?!?!?! Buddy, have you been listening to me AT ALL about my so-called "childhood". Why on Earth would I want to re-live it?! MAN, have YOU been a WASTE of good money. And what child do you know that can make Celtic knots in cutwork?!?!!?
I didn't visit him much after that day. I didn't break up with him though, he actually fired me because I had become too "well adjusted". Ha! I had him fooled!
But, the reason I'm sharing this exchange with you is because it really got me wondering. Is there some connection between being artsy-crafty in adulthood and having a short or non-existant childhood?
What say you? Don't be shy...
I think my crafting is definitely related to my childhood, but it has happier connotations. My ma knitted, made all my clothes, embroidered, baked and made preserves ... all my early memories are of her doing something creative. And she taught me to knit when I was 4 or 5, and I learned to sew at about the same time.
ReplyDeleteAlthough my childhood wasn't always happy - I was a sensitive and anxious child - I think that being given the tools to be creative were invaluable
Count me among those with a very short time period for child-time. Cin
ReplyDeleteI was always a very inventive child. Imaginative is a better word. My childhood was not to be remembered. I had childhood depression. I daydreamed alot to escape. My home life was quiet and calm. I had loving parents and relatives. I do not believe that the type of childhood we had is why we become artists. If so I would have become a writer. I think we all have the need for an artistic outlet. Some of us sew others of us write and others paint or work with clay. Don't let him taint your talent. You are who you are not because of some trama but because of who you were destined to become.
ReplyDeleteIn my case, I don't think it had anything to do with it. I had a terrific childhood with a creative mother and grandmother and an analytical father. I did not consider myself a “artsy-crafty” child because I couldn't "picture things in my head" and make something—still can’t. I was so much like my dad—give me a math problem any day.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until my very late 20's/early 30's that I understood that "cut and paste" could be creative. (I had become a full-time branch supervisor and part-time children's librarian—poor kids!) It wasn't until my late 30's I discovered cross-stitch and was hooked...it is very left hemisphered and structured. I have since branched out in to other types of needlework (okay, just little baby steps).
Now, I was the first child and very grown up for my age but I don't feel like I missed out or had a shortened childhood. I think that “artsy-crafty” is just another way of being creative. Just like painting, drawing, sewing a dress, or being able to beautifully organize a closet! Now that I can do!
I had a great childhood, lots of freedom outdoors interspersed with messy, making things kinda stuff. I've always been artsy-crafty and am blessed/cursed with a wonderfully vivid imagination. I can daydream like nobodies business. For me, I stitch because I love it. It's me! I am therefore I stitch :-)
ReplyDeleteSteer clear from drawing hard and fast conclusions. I'm so glad you dropped that guy...re-living childhood????
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your thoughtful comments! I kinda thought he had his head up his rear-end but glad to hear you all confirm it! Kate sums it up great when she said we are who we are destined to become. Thanks again for taking the time to comment! It means so much to me.
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