For months now I have been haunted by the idea of the twenty-something latch hook kits lying dormant in my craft closet. I have added to their number in recent months, enjoying nothing more than a stroll through the halls of the latch hook inventory on ebay after the kids are at school, steaming cup of coffee in my hand. I am actively pursuing my hobby, current work-in-progress is an adorable bear cub climbing an aspen tree, but not at a pace that would justify my continual collection of kits. Just the other day I called a halt to the collecting, at least for the time being. The guilt continued to hang on, however. Last night, just before bed, I was completely absolved of it.
For some reason I decided that I wanted to look at my ice-skating Snoopy kit. It is a 50th anniversary of Peanuts product which I have, at times, toyed with selling. At first I could not find it in the disorganization of my 10' X 11' craft closet. When I did find it, I thrilled to the bright yarn colors, to the cheerful image of Snoopy skating along in winter garb, a line of evergreens behind him. Adorable. While I was in there, I allowed myself to touch my other treasures. I held the bag that houses "Serenity Angel"...staring at the image of the completed rug on the front. I looked at the dimensions and realized that, once I have completed this project using the richly hued yarns peeking through the plastic carrying bag the company sent it in, I will have a very large rug to brighten my bedroom even further. I opened the panda canvas, revealing what will be the image of a soulful, realistic-looking giant panda. It's mostly his beautiful head in a grove of bamboo. Someone has started this one, and I snapped it up on ebay at a bargain price. I have started pulling the yarn out. I wondered if the seller felt the way I do when I use an older kit...a sense of satisfaction that the potential beauty of the completed rug will finally be realized.
While pondering my latch hook treasures, I unfolded the "Country Road" canvas. Though the image is inked onto the material, I never go by that. I use the detailed charts that are included for a beautifully precise, detailed finish. I could see that I had gotten a good start on this one. I remember the day it came in the mail. Rich in fall hues and heart-warming with details of cottages and a country church, this one will be gorgeous in front of my fireplace on a chilly fall day. I could see this in my mind's eye. Before leaving my closet full of dreams, I spied my "Blueberry Bears" kit. No longer in production (as is the case with many of my kits), this one features a beautiful mother bear and cub surrounded by blueberries. I already know where it will hang. When it first appeared on ebay, the box looked tattered and the seller had given a very strange, half-done description. I truly thought I was throwing my money away, until the day when it appeared on my doorstep. When I realized that it was all there, my heart leapt for joy as this will be a beautiful addition to my bonus room walls, as I have plans to make that large, open space an upstairs den.
I know why I love latch hook. I love nature, and natural themes abound in the many designs. I also love color. I love the texture of yarn. Finally, I love the cozy feeling of a rug. Last, but not least, I find it therapeutic to work a craft that is, as long as you follow the pattern, pretty much "no-fail."
Last night's experience was very sweet for me. For days now I have felt stupid and guilty for having all of that potential beauty (and fun) piling up in my closet. After last night, I know that I will eventually do them all. My guilt turned to thankfulness that I have found a hobby I enjoy so much and that I have been able to get so many beautiful kits, making every single change of project transition so much fun! I found it quite easy to see a metaphor for life in my experience last night. In every single human being there is unspeakable beauty, talent, emotion, heart. It takes the love of God to draw it all out. I hope that I will continue to cooperate with God to draw out all of my potential as a human being. Not just my abilities, which are fun to discover, but my heart. The love that He wants me to show, the joy He wants me to experience. The beauty He wants me to appreciate.
For some reason I decided that I wanted to look at my ice-skating Snoopy kit. It is a 50th anniversary of Peanuts product which I have, at times, toyed with selling. At first I could not find it in the disorganization of my 10' X 11' craft closet. When I did find it, I thrilled to the bright yarn colors, to the cheerful image of Snoopy skating along in winter garb, a line of evergreens behind him. Adorable. While I was in there, I allowed myself to touch my other treasures. I held the bag that houses "Serenity Angel"...staring at the image of the completed rug on the front. I looked at the dimensions and realized that, once I have completed this project using the richly hued yarns peeking through the plastic carrying bag the company sent it in, I will have a very large rug to brighten my bedroom even further. I opened the panda canvas, revealing what will be the image of a soulful, realistic-looking giant panda. It's mostly his beautiful head in a grove of bamboo. Someone has started this one, and I snapped it up on ebay at a bargain price. I have started pulling the yarn out. I wondered if the seller felt the way I do when I use an older kit...a sense of satisfaction that the potential beauty of the completed rug will finally be realized.
While pondering my latch hook treasures, I unfolded the "Country Road" canvas. Though the image is inked onto the material, I never go by that. I use the detailed charts that are included for a beautifully precise, detailed finish. I could see that I had gotten a good start on this one. I remember the day it came in the mail. Rich in fall hues and heart-warming with details of cottages and a country church, this one will be gorgeous in front of my fireplace on a chilly fall day. I could see this in my mind's eye. Before leaving my closet full of dreams, I spied my "Blueberry Bears" kit. No longer in production (as is the case with many of my kits), this one features a beautiful mother bear and cub surrounded by blueberries. I already know where it will hang. When it first appeared on ebay, the box looked tattered and the seller had given a very strange, half-done description. I truly thought I was throwing my money away, until the day when it appeared on my doorstep. When I realized that it was all there, my heart leapt for joy as this will be a beautiful addition to my bonus room walls, as I have plans to make that large, open space an upstairs den.
I know why I love latch hook. I love nature, and natural themes abound in the many designs. I also love color. I love the texture of yarn. Finally, I love the cozy feeling of a rug. Last, but not least, I find it therapeutic to work a craft that is, as long as you follow the pattern, pretty much "no-fail."
Last night's experience was very sweet for me. For days now I have felt stupid and guilty for having all of that potential beauty (and fun) piling up in my closet. After last night, I know that I will eventually do them all. My guilt turned to thankfulness that I have found a hobby I enjoy so much and that I have been able to get so many beautiful kits, making every single change of project transition so much fun! I found it quite easy to see a metaphor for life in my experience last night. In every single human being there is unspeakable beauty, talent, emotion, heart. It takes the love of God to draw it all out. I hope that I will continue to cooperate with God to draw out all of my potential as a human being. Not just my abilities, which are fun to discover, but my heart. The love that He wants me to show, the joy He wants me to experience. The beauty He wants me to appreciate.
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