I made this pillowcase in the late '80's. Last week I found it in the bottom of some things packed away. I haven't been able to find its mate yet but every time I look at it on the bed it reminds me of all the crafts I have made over the years. Many of them are gone - some worn out, some lost to a hurricane or other minor disasters in my life.
The pillowcase also makes me think of my grandmother. The very first creative craft I did was embroidery. Yes I made crafty items at school and Vacation Bible School but those were done with items from kits and made exactly as directed by teachers and counselors. (I was a very obedient child :)
When I saw my grandmother embroidering pillowcases, I fell in love. I had to know how to do some for myself. She taught me a few stitches and gave me a couple of skeins of embroidery yarn and needles. At home it was all plain white pillowcases so I had an endless palette. I drew my name and initials in the fanciest script I could manage and chain stitched around them. As I got braver I learned French knots and started designing and doing flowers. The added bonus was I could do them in colors I liked. The late 60's was overtaken by yellow, avocado green and day glo orange. I hated all of them. I could make pretty stuff in my blues or greens and maybe even add a splash of pinks.
They have all fallen apart now. Back in the eighties they started coming out of the laundry in shreds. I decided it was time to make some more. In the early 80's I had become hooked on Xstitch so I bought some pre-stamped kits and planned to make them all up. I finished the set in the pic but the rest got stuffed away in my "round tuit" box. I need to do some digging but I am sure they are still here in that room full of craft goodies.
Silly, isn't it. How something so simple can bring back so many memories and also inspire. Now I suddenly find myself with a craving to create again. I look around and I have nothing of my own anymore. Nothing in this house except a couple of xstitch pics and that pillowcase proclaim that I live here. I suddenly feel a need to create some pillows, chair covers, pillowcases and more. I'd say it is time to get back to crafting:)
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