Do you remember a time before credit was freely available? A time without IKEA? A time when people would (quite often but not always) make things for themselves instead of buying them?
Does it feel that long ago? Perhaps just 12 or 15 years or so, cheaper clothes and furnishings were only just entering the UK marketplace.
What were you doing then? I was finishing school, starting Uni and actually clubbing (now that feels a long time ago).
For the purpose of this post however, that time doesn't feel that long ago, although so much has changed since. We can buy THINGS to suit our homes, lifestyle and interiors relatively easily and cheaply.
However, what about the special things, things of enormous sentimental value? Are we likely to hold onto bought 'things' as much as we are own-made?
My mum recently gave me these beautiful napkins, embroidered by my grandmother* about 80 years ago. 80 years! I cannot imagine store bought napkins being kept and treasured for that long.
In 80 years, will my grandchildren say;
"Granny bought these out of Asda when she was just 22! A pack of six for just £3 - just look at the detailing..."
Possibly not.
Now, I'm not a Crafter. I'm really not - as mentioned in a previous post, I just don't have enough perfectionism in me to be impressed with what I make.
Having said that, what makes these napkins even more special is that my grandmother made them before entering the competitive, creative world of the WI. Consequently, they are not as 'perfect' as her later creations.
The tiny imperfections make the napkins seem more real in some regard - something that I will bear in mind when trying to make something which turns out a little (ahem) less than perfect.
Will it be worth the effort, considerable swearing and moodiness? Who knows, yet.
I will try though. There is something so very lovely about having something that someone of importance to you has made. It can't really be said the same for Asda napkins, can it?
Watch this space. Or come back in a few weeks to see some properly paltry evidence of crafting.
*My grandmother passed away 10 years ago this year, and was very curious about what the internet was for and what it could do. It pleases me greatly that her handiwork is now on it.
 | This post has been brought to you by Kateonthinice's Grooving mums initiative, where she encourages women to take on new challenges and add a bit of oomph to their lives. As crafting is way outside my comfort zone, this is a big one for me. Oh heck. |
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