Sunday, February 15, 2015

Getting into the Groove

This pattern can be found here for free.
 In my last post I talked about my difficulty in getting into my February Creative Resolution of learning hand embroidery. After a hard but fun week at school, I was able to spend my Friday night, part of Saturday and now my uninterrupted Sunday working on my project. 

I think having a little break (we have no school on Monday and I also had off from teaching at church today) in addition with a little sunshine this week gave me some extra energy. I finished embroidering the lettering and changed my mind about the embellishing for the maniturgium (maniturgia? I have seen it both ways). Initially I was going to stick with something a little more serious but then did some searching and decided on something a little more whimsical. Since the maniturgium is used to not only wrap the newly ordained priest's hands but also to wrap his mother's hands for burial, I decided this motif worked well for both things. 

I am hoping to finish it this weekend. I'm enjoying this extra embroidery so much I'm thinking of starting another little project in February.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. On Friday we celebrated at school with a little party. Parties are always a wee bit crazy but the children do so enjoy them. My co-teacher and I were surprised with a gift of roses from the class. Inserted into the roses were things the children said they loved about us. How sweet is that! Of course when coming from the 3-5 year old crowd some of the sayings were quite funny as well as sweet. 

It was a lovely end to a long week. Now we are into a cold, cold weekend but the sun is shining and I've got a little time. What could be better?

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Because of Love

February. It's a month that is very difficult for me. What is glorious about February is that it is SHORT. It is the month in which we long more than in any other month for spring. We know that spring is not so far off as it once was. I guess that is the reason there are so many celebrations: Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, and this year Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year. Well....for me as a Montessori educator, we look at all of these cultural celebrations. 

I have been struggling with my Creative New Year's Resolution for February. My resolution for this month was to learn more about embroidery. 

Deacon Don and yours truely
 I was asked by a dear friend (see above photo) who is going to take his vows as a Catholic priest in June, to make his Maniturgium. When you feel great love for someone, especially someone you know has been on an arduous journey toward something of great good, you want to serve them as best you can. Of course I was greatly honored by his request.

A Maniturgium is really just a simple linen. I wanted to make it something extra special by embroidering it. Thus, the Creative Resolution for February. I have been working on learning the stem stitch and stitching on the linen.

To be honest, I'm not enjoying this endeavor much. I think some of the problem is that I feel so busy with my teaching (at school full time and then also at church) and with the days being short and dark and cold, that I just don't have the energy to put into a creative endeavor.
Vinegar Creek Constituency

On the other hand I have had the opportunity to hear some amazing music in our fair city. I generally take my cameral wherever I go. I think it is a way for me to compensate for my introvertedness (I think I just invented this word). I feel safe behind my camera. I find I am much more interested in photography and music than I am in sewing these days. 

The problem is that I am much more proficient at sewing and quilting than I am at photography and music making!

So...I'm dedicated to continuing my embroidery resolution for February but I'm looking forward to freeing myself from this resolution and changing it for March. Stay tuned....
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