I was reading another blog and the writer said how she if she gives a cross stitched gift to someone she does it with no strings attached and without adding her ego into the gift. Boy, do I wish I could feel that way about my stitching. I'm not sure I give things with strings attached to them but I do let my ego get quite involved. When I invest a lot of time and effort and sometimes blood, sweat and tears (see China) into a piece of stitching, I would like to know that the party receiving it appreciates it. Perhaps this is why I no longer stitch for people unless 1). they have asked me to stitch a certain piece or 2). I am absolutely sure that the piece will be loved and appreciated (once again, see China). I once stitched a grandchild design for someone. I had made several phone calls to get the birth dates and the correct spelling of all the names of the grandkids. I presented it to the person and that was the end of it. Six months later I walked into their house and it was just then being hung on the wall. It reminded me of Aunt Martha's elephant foot umbrella holder that's only brought down from the attic when Aunt Martha comes to visit. I have never stitched anything else for that person. I also remember stitching a boxtop for my mother with a cat on it. She was the original cat lady with ten of them. I thought she would find it cute and useful (she had already said she didn't want anything more for her walls). When I called to see if she had received it, I was told she didn't need it cause she already had a box. To rescue the situation, my dad said he really liked it and would use it. Since Dad passed away, the box has come back to me and I am considering giving it to my daughter, another cat lover. Once again, I never stitched anything else for my parents. It makes me feel sad that people just considered what I gave them as dust catchers. On the other hand, Don is really looking forward to getting his poppies. I'm really enjoying stitching them partly because I know the person I stitching it for will appreciate them. I also stitch for my daughter. Actually I stitch for myself and if it's got a cat on it, she claims it. There's only been one cat that she has let me keep. It's a counted needlepoint piece all done in peaches and grays with a turquoise background. She really didn't care for that one so I got to keep it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wish I could be more detached about the things I stitch. But they're like my babies. Yes, I can let them go but there will always be a string or two that ties them to me.
