The treasure of Handmade

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.."
Matthew 6:21

Before I truly begin this posting I need to insert the link to this fabulous article written by Camille Curtis Anderson in a 1996 issue of a magazine that is published by my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) called the Ensign. I cam across this article just now as I was researching some quotes and scripture to add words to my feelings on the topic I wanted to discuss today. This article said exactly what has been on my heart, I could literally post this link and be finished with writing for today. No doubt, I will be quoting Camille a few time throughout this posting.
The idea of my Creativity Training courses is not just to teach how to implement traditional skills in our modern society, but to also create a home that we love, and to learn to treasure the work of our own hands.

Read the article written by Camille

You may observe that I am a lover of books and the majority of my knowledge has come from the hard and softbound texts. The internet adds to the variety and modernism of this knowledge, while the books tend to be more of historical content.
Some of the skills such as basic sewing, crochet, and even a bit of weaving were witnessed during my childhood while spending time with crafty grandmothers and aunts. My mother was also a very creative individual. She has always been very skilled at “making do”, and using the materials available to create the things needed. I know for certain that these women in my life played an important role in the development of my talents. It is clear in many of my projects how the talents of these women has influenced the way that I create. Providing training in the creative arts for women, is what Roses Bloom is all about. The time and energy that I put into this service is for you, but also for them--these women who influenced my life for the better.

The above picture shows a hand/dish towel I made this past week. It has a bit of a story to it. The blue cotton yarn that makes up the edging came from a sweater I deconstructed (unraveled) to recycle yarn. It was my first fully successful frogged sweater! The body of the towel did not begin with the intent that it would be such. Actually, I had started it thinking that this weeks topic was going to be a tutorial on how to combine needle arts with sewing to make cute curtains. This cotton yarn did not balance well with the fabric I intended to use, so like-mother-like-daughter, I did  not let my efforts go to waste but transformed it into a useful item after all. Just this afternoon it was put to work sopping up spilled peach juice from my son’s lap.

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Now you can make Grandma's Dish Towel!

Click here for FREE PATTERN & Video Tutorial!

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In speaking about pioneer ancestors and the hard labors they endured, Camille wrote:

"These domestic labors were their way of weaving discernible threads of accomplishment throughout the unrelenting elements of their world. The austere surroundings of many women moved them to create beauty with simple objects."

Creating “beauty with simple objects”, does provide a respite from the mundane. It was much more enjoyable to clean up a spill with a handmade towel. I was able to think “something I made is useful” instead of : ” <sigh> more laundry to do…”.

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My oldest daughter (15) is currently helping to bless our home with handmade items by embroidering flour sack towels. We made a goal, after our fire and the kitchen remodel, that our kitchen would be strongly influenced by the handmade arts. She has completed 3 of 13 by working on it a little here, a little there. They are beautiful and know we will treasure the completed set.

"When women have something tangible to show for their labor, it reinforces feelings of worth." -Camille

Creating a home we love to live in doesn’t have to be difficult. It is most often the simplest of items that tend to the feelings of satisfaction and happiness.
Add some handmade to your home. A little here, a little there. Made by you, someone you care about, a purchase from an artisan on Etsy or even a thrifted handmade item . It will make a difference in the atmosphere that influences your family daily, and make the day to day chores like dishes, cooking and laundry a little more enjoyable.

"There is joy that comes….to make one’s home shine. As my hands shape the environment of my family, I love even more that place in which I labor". -Camille

It is my hope that as I develop the creativity training lessons and other content on Roses Bloom, that it will bless your life. That you will be able to "shape the environment of your family" and also that you will find satisfaction and feelings of worth in your efforts.

Happy Day!
Heidi

P.S. Here is the link to Grandma's Dish Towel Pattern and the Video Tutorial one more time, just click the image below: