I am Lily - stitcher and part time bookseller. Mother to my gorgeous girl, Abigail and wife to Julian. I make time each day to let my imagination potter and add quirky prettiness and handmade comfort to our home and lives. You can email me at lily(at)blockaday(dot)com
handmade sunday
Abby chose. I stitched. Julian twisted (silver that is). And all was ready for a birthday party.
A mushroom take-along, lined in orange, trimmed with pink. A pair of mushroom earrings. A wee ladybug card . Happy Birthday Caroline!
And we didn’t have to go birthday present shopping - everything was found in the stash - put together with fun and care - just how we like it.
This really strikes a chord with me. As I look about my family and my home, I see more and more signs that we are kind of opting out of the constant consuming that pervades our society. That’s not to say we don’t go shopping - all those craft supplies have to come from somewhere, and we enjoy a silly afternoon at the mall every now and then - but I’m just over the whole blindly following what I’m told I need and must have this season. Ick! I want my family to behave like, look like, sound like US. Not an ensemble that could be plucked out of a catalogue and held up as “Yes, this collection represents the average family in 2009″.
Just this evening I was reading Faythe Levine’s (Handmade Nation) thoughts on craft being political …
” My personal belief is that if you are making something by hand than that act itself is a political act. We are living in a disposable society and we have so much being thrown at us of how we’re supposed to live, and how our house is supposed to look and what we’re supposed to wear, and so when you are stepping away from that, and taking control over your life to make something yourself, I believe that it’s a very quiet political act.”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
And it’s such a community spirited act too, isn’t it? When I pick up a needle and thread, I make a quilter’s knot like Sue showed me. When I pull out my fabrics, I’m inspired by the colourful energy and beauty of Amy and Nanette and Jessica and Kaffe and Jennifer and Heather and so many more wonderful quilters and artists who have become part of my life over the last 18 months. When I cast on a new knitting project, I use the cable cast on that a dear old lady taught me at the knitting shop many years ago (I didn’t know I did this until last night, when I was reading a pattern for hand warmers and thought “Cable cast on? What on earth is that?”). When I think about what Abby and I will do after school, I am reminded of Amanda’s energy and commitment to her children. When I choose to make more time for dinner and its preparations, I turn to the women and mothers on my shelves - Nigella, Jessica, Tamasin, Jane - and use their experience to give our meals - and my family - my best.
And then I find this (ooooh- aaaah, this animation is something else!) and this and this (perservere with this one - the dancing will fill you with smiles) - and they are so delightful and wonderful and add more sparkle to everything I touch and dream of.
Every day I dip into this community of artists and find that it lights my way with such energy and beauty. Aren’t we so blessed to share this world with people of such great generosity and passion. No wonder I’m oblivious to what the “must-haves” are this winter.
Me with my fabric and yarn, Julian with his old bicycles, Abby with her cheerful love of all that we make for her and give her. We are busy making a handmade Boot family and sharing it with our family and friends. That makes my heart sing.
28 June, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Lily,
Both are so very pretty you made me wish I had made them myself. Thank You! For the encouragement to keep leaning toward making things for gifts.
You know I have always been frugal and when I fall into shopping to much I find I am unhappy with what I bought. I get discouraged but when I make gifts I feel creative and happy about what I’m giving.
28 June, 2009 at 1:42 pm
What a beautiful post. We are lucky to have young friends who truly appreciate handmade gifts (and whose parents appreciate them too) for their uniqueness and for the care that goes into their making. So refreshing! I’m going to keep your gorgeous post in mind as the next season of gift-giving comes around. And thank you for including me!!! This community of sharing continues to inspire, delight and motivate me. Yours is one of the blogs that I can always count on for a feast for the eyes and mind. Thank YOU, Lily!
28 June, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Well done for your handmade present Lily! Did you make the mushroom earrings? We make lots of things at home, but it’s the sad reality of a “disposable society” that we as a family try not to conform to, and try hard to have an environmentally responsible lifestyle.
28 June, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Totally with you here. As much as I love to get something new, I seem to derive far more pleasure from giving something I’ve made, or that someone else has made, or something that can be used to make something else. And most of my favourite clothes are no longer new, they’re a few years old. My very favourite dress is from 2004, I know because it says so on the selvedge, and it has seen me through several summer weddings, trips out, smart lunches and days when I just want to look a bit smarter than usual. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t cheap - but by being a little more expensive I treasure it, and I can’t see it being discarded until it falls apart (and then it’ll be refashioned into something else)
28 June, 2009 at 3:15 pm
That’s such a lovely gift. And I agree with you, handmade is so much better - except when you encounter those who think we make because we can’t afford to buy…
Oh well, most people appreciate our efforts and that makes it worth it. I too, am so grateful for this sharing community we are all part of, constantly giving inspiration and support and sharing their skills. Thank you for taking the time to share some of your inspration too. I have had to watch that first animation twice already :-)
28 June, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Handmade gifts are the best and are one of a kind. It’s a lovely post. You mke me think, like your blog alway does.
28 June, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Amen sista…I am singing your praises…great post…our society is losing so much of it’s creativity, not just with the arts but with solving problems creatively and even in our daily diction. You are ringing the bell!
29 June, 2009 at 1:06 am
I love to give handmade gifts. I put more thought into them, think more of the recipient than I do when I dive into the shops to make a hurried purchase.
Your handmade family is an inspiration to me.
29 June, 2009 at 1:25 am
I heart you Lily! You are the best of virtual friends…you words ring sew (hee hee) true. A quiet revolution perhaps, but full of color, of love, of hope. Lead on sister!
29 June, 2009 at 2:04 am
Lily … these concepts are simple & true .
It needs to be said & you have said it so well.
Thank you .
Very cute gifts BTW
29 June, 2009 at 6:07 am
So lovely presents you´ve made! All you wrote is so true also in our family! There is always your heart and love with those handmade presents!
29 June, 2009 at 10:54 am
This is so true. I was just thinking along these lines yesterday. Ever since my daughters turned teenagers, we’ve given them money for their birthdays. This year, I am making them each an apron (and giving them some money).