As I mentioned in my previous post, last week was rather hard on the old nerves. It was actually quite dreadful and horrible. And it didn't really end with that nice dinner party with my friends. On Monday I had to conduct a telephone conversation with someone re. divorce negotiations and... well, to cut a long story short, after I had hung up I felt inspired to stitch up this:
Inspired as I was by the book Subversive Cross Stitch, which Harmien pointed out to me. After the pointing out, I remembered that I actually own this book. What I couldn't remember is why I couldn't remember, and then it dawned on me: I don't really like it. Believe you me, I have nothing against strong language. Actually, I have been known to swear like a dockhand, especially when I'm driving (but really, guys, there is so much to swear about when you're driving, don't you agree? I mean. Really. Horses on 
public roads or paths. Why? Why??? Have we no cars, no motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds, means to take us wherever we want to go without having to saddle up a bloody horse first? Are we stuck in the middle ages? And, and, and... what about organised groups of 60+ people taking HIKES or - heaven forbid - bicycle tours on public roads. You know: people dressed up in fluorescent jackets, armed with whistles to warn the rest of the group that traffic is coming. OF COURSE there's traffic coming. It's a PUBLIC ROAD, and it's there to help people in CARS get from A to B in the fastest, most efficient way possible. Or what about people (usually gray-haired and gray-vehicled) who seem to think that it's okay to enter a motorway going at a snail's pace. No, it is NOT okay to do that, especially when I'm behind you. Or people who insist on blocking the second (or third) lane by driving there at said snail's pace while there is no earthly reason for them to be there, because the first lane is going quite dangerously fast enough for them, thank you very much (and besides, they have no business on a motorway anyway, because they should be on a sidewalk somewhere WALKING)...
...I'm wondering now what the point is that I'm trying to make. Let me go back to see... Oh yes: nothing against strong language. Not at all. Using strong language is good for the soul and people who use it whilst driving are better drivers, as research has shown, because such drivers are always aware of what is going on around them (boy, am I ever).
Strong language, however, has no business in the lovely, sweet, sweet craft of cross stitching. I mean, not as far as I'm concerned. I started this sampler because I had to get something out of my system, but I should've taken the car for a spin instead, because the sampler didn't work. I felt bad about stitching words like these. It didn't feel right. If it works for you, good for you, but I think words on samplers should refer to all things floral, faunal, beautiful. And so I turned my attention to something very different, and yet and at the same time quite similar:
As you see, the colour scheme is the same as my intended 'Do not f*** with me' sampler, but the sentiments expressed on my linen are quite the reverse and more to my liking.
Also, I ordered a little Fremme kit a couple of weeks ago and it arrived yesterday. This is what happened:
Me likey.
And I can't leave you without showing you how big my little boy is getting. This pic was taken this morning, before he went to school:
Hope you're all well and in no way moved to stitch ugly words on lovely samplers :o)
26 comments:
{{{{Annemarie}}}} Sorry you had such a grotty week.
I agree with you re: Subversive Cross Stitch and the use of bad language in stitching even though I, too, swear like a trooper and DEFINITELY when driving! ;) I just think it has no place in stitching though.
Your Fremme kit is cute and Pelle is really growing up now - what a great photo!
I hope this week has been better for you.
I'm so sorry that you're going through this...Maybe next time you could carve one of your pumpkins? :o)
I likey the Fremme and the Sampler too...I wouldn't be able to stitch strong words either...I'd have to go to confession afterwards! LOL!
Oh yes the driving language! That happens to me when I get behind the wheel too!
I love your sampler with appropriate design and language - it's beautiful - and your little bird too!
Your little boy is just too precious!
Let me say, Annemarie, first off - Pelle is just too cute!!! Love that pose - he's darling. You'll have to watch him like a hawk when he hits those teen years. The girls will swoon over him.
Ah yes, the ever road rage language. Yesterday I got a speeding ticket (dag blamit) on the way to take Ben to his ballgame. I was going 45 in a 25 zoe - BAD. I swore in my head but really, it was good the cop slowed me down. I'd rather get there in one piece, you know.
I've seen stitcheries on etsy.com with the f word and frankly, it has baffled me why it's in chart form. Not my kind of thing but if you have a bad time of it, as certainly you experienced it in your post, then why not - get it out of your system. Hope today is a better day.
Tanya, who has a bad word jar in the kitchen with only 26 cents so we're doing well here!
I picked up that book in a shop once and laughed hilariously at it...and then put it back on the shelf. I don't need to stitch these words, I really need to stitch inspiring words to remind me of how I wish the world to be and or how I need to see it. May be finish your piece into a little cushion that you can abuse the next time you speak to the lawyer?
I agree with you about bad words on a pretty sampler. Just vent in your blog or email us (blogging friends) and have out with it. I see you are stitching Alter Echo which is a great sampler. I did it too and just love seeing it hang on my sampler wall.
Pelle is looking so very handsome. How is he liking school now?
Had to laugh at your examples of needing to use bad language while driving. I find it worst in my own silly neighborhood here in Amersfoort. You know the typical neighborhood where everyone thinks the rule is "Love my child...no matter what". We have actually had to molest our car horn to get people to move off the street when they are staring at you in front of your car. They give you the what do you think this road is for look and our neighbor's children think fun is jumping at the last minute in front of your car. Now I drive slow but it could still kill a child if they jump in front of my moving car. I just don't get the mentality of not wanting to accept cars in Holland. Oh well...sigh...
Hugs ~
Heidi
Lovely little boy.
Foul words belong to the instant, stitched pieces are forever... Sweet memories only.
Sorry that you are going through such an ordeal.
My complaint about Subversive Stitching is that it relies purely on shock value and doesn't give us a good design to work with. IMHO subversive should be subtle. F#/$ embroidered large is not subtle; it is crass and coarse--all the things that are anti-stitching. And speaking from the other side: many years ago I went through an unpleasant divorce and stitched through my pain and wet the fabric with my tears, and I still have those samplers. I would not like to have the bad words on them, however crude my language can be IRL.
I feel bad that you had such a horrid week.
I hope it will only get better.
I have to agree that the words don't need to be written with stitches...we probably all have said, and know them and use them as we need them.
Stitching lasts forever.
Your sampler [with the lovely words] is stunning.
I love the new little one as well.
And as for your young man ...he is a cutie..sorry Handsome.
Groetjes uit Canada, Beatrice
Dutch drivers totally crack me up. You guys are SO mild mannered at almost all other times, but put a Dutchie behind the wheel ... and look out! LOL!!!
Pelle looks SO handsome, Annemarie. My good gosh, but he's growing up!
Oh doesn't Pelle look gorgeous, I love the pose he has there too.
I had to smile about your road rage and bad language - all I can say is don't get in the car ever with Mark he swears like a trouper all the time and gets really mad on our gentle country roads at grey haired grey car drivers who he reckons are a liability on the roads especially in the Lake District where 'visitors' spend moer time looking at the view than the road they are driving on LOL!!
Oh, An! Pelle is growing up so fast! What a handsome little man. :)
Many people think of me as quite mild mannered, and that may be true much of the time; however, they come to quite another conclusion once they've driven with me. :D Swearing isn't usually my problem, but I do frequently resort to a lot of name-calling!
On the other hand, I've also tracked down a teenaged driver who passed me (!) on my neighborhood street. He was going at least twice the posted speed limit, endangering all the kids who live nearby. I don't think he'll forget that encounter! I blame the postpartum hormones. :D
Sorry that the road has been rough and rocky. And by all means deserving of some subversive language. I've looked at that book and honestly didn't "get" it. There's already so much negativity in the world, the last thing I want to do is stitch something negative!!! {{hugs}}
LOL - thx for being you & for sharing. I love to read your posts as you type out as you think. What a breath of fresh air.
A friend of mine told me she prays while driving. I asked her if she closed her eyes ... and after a big chuckle, she said she did the rosary while driving.
And, of course, the reason why is to pray instead of curse : )
All the joys. Love your post - love your projects : )
Stitch well my friend.
Sometimes you just need to put that word out there :-). Maybe in 6 months, a year, or five when you've put the worst of it behind you, you be able to pull that piece out and smile a tiny bit. The pain and sadness won't the thing that is front and center in your life like it is now. Personally, I got a giggle out of your post :-).
Pelle is a gorgeous boy, he's getting so big!
Pelle looks so precious, An. I love his scarf and outfit! He's just a darling boy.
I think I might stitch the small naughty piece for encouragement right now...stick it in your closet or drawer and rip it to pieces when all's said and done. Sometimes we need to feel mean and strong in the face of looming danger...just like Harry Potter. But, he always came back to himself in the end. I say someplace in you was in need of a strong word this week! It has nothing to do with stitching a sampler in the norm like we normally stitch. Harmien is right! Just MHO. Hugs,Deb
Annemarie, I just saw your post with all the beautiful frames - wow! They look awesome. I finished Birdsong this year too, just love that piece.
I agree with you, I think needlework is truly a gentle art, and that is reflected in the personalities of all our fellow stitchers. We are diverse and different, but kind souls. I hope you things will be better for you this week.
Your son is a cutie - I like little boys when they are that age (speaking as the mother of two boys!).
Subversive cross-stitch makes me laugh, but the only one I've stitched is the Truthiness one - for my sister 2 years ago (we are both big Stephen Colbert fans.)
I hope things are looking a little brighter for you by now.
Mary Eman
Sorry you had such a rotten week. Sometimes words help, I totally agree with you on the driving part, but like you I'm not sure I'd want to put them into my stitching. Your sampler is looking so pretty, I love the soft colors. Your new Fremme kit is looking so cute too, what fun birds.
Your earlier post of your finished framed pieces looked wonderful. I love seeing different pieces and the frames and things people pick. They all looked beautiful, especially Birdsong, my favorite. Wow, Pelle sures seems to be growing fast, great pictures of him too. He looks quite happy and healthy, glad he's over his illness earlier this month.
Sue
It's almost impossible to combine the loveliness of linens and floss with these words... but you can still feel them!
I have to say I'm very calm behind the wheel. But I know now that when I'm seeing someone else really upset in my mirror, it might be you... ;-)
Love the picture of Pelle. He looks great in his schooloutfit.
anneke
I love your subversive sampler there - LOL! Great pic of Pelle! Wow, he sure is growing!
Eeek! Wow someone has actually stitched one of those designs now lol!! You must be the first surely?? Well like you said it didn't really work for you. Tell you what works for me... I get a little book and I write down everything I have in my head that I would say to the person who is bothering/annoying me. I let it all out on the paper - every angry, nasty, sarcastic word right to their face and yet not to their face. It leaves me feeling quite peaceful lol. Try it and stop desecrating that beautiful fabric lol. xx
AMEN sister!!!!!! Strong language for driving - it makes Rico crazy when I am almost hanging out of the window and yelling, where do these bad drivers come from??? I can't be me?!! But for cross stitch - ... I got the Subversive book as a gift from a friend who knows I cross stitch - I think it is great - and have had a hoot reading it - but do not think I could put needle to linen and do one -
Where did you get that kit?! That looks like something I need :)
I for one love your subversive sampler...and how appropos to stitch it at a time like this. But, I also get that at a time like this it is also nice to be comforted by one's stitching and to create and bring beauty into your life. My stitching totally helped me through my divorce.
I love your wonderful sampler there :)
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