It's funny how sometimes as a creative you'll circle back to old motifs or themes. Sometimes very old. Decades!
As a way of starting 2023 on a creative note, I decided to enter the latest Spoonflower Design Challenge: Cross Stitch. Here's some background on my key-themed cross stitch design.
My Checkered Cross-Stitched Past
I have a couple childhood memories of learning cross stitch. One is when a babysitter (and mom of a classmate) taught us how to cross stitch a little Christmas tree on a cloth napkin. I was in elementary school, maybe fourth grade? I felt so grown-up being able to use what I thought of as a "real" needle, thread, and fabric. I also remember taking a cross stitch class at a fabric or sewing store while in middle school. It speaks to the mind of a tween or teen that I cannot remember the project at all, just that one of my classmates was there and I was astounded that there was another person my age interested in this craft.
I continued with cross stitch on and off until my early 20s. I never attempted any huge designs, preferring smaller ones that I could (usually) complete before my attention wandered off. I recently found one of them in the basement as I was going through old boxes. (Yes, the needle is still threaded!)
Here's another project I completed around this same time. I remember this one because the pattern showed just the sheep. I stitched the "baaa" on my own and remember being delighted that I could just make something up without a pattern.
The inexpensive kits with all the supplies were part of the appeal of cross stitch. It was also easy to start. The old DMC brochure (pictured above with the wreath) summed up this ease as "If you can sew on a button, you can cross stitch."
I'm not sure why I stopped doing cross stitch, but I suspect part of the reason might be that it's not a particularly forgiving craft. You must be precise in counting the number of squares and placing your stitches exactly in the right place or your design will not work. With painting you can paint over a bad painting; with jewelry, you can use pliers to pull your design apart. It's harder (or maybe just more discouraging) to undo rows and rows of tight stitches without breaking threads or stretching out the fabric. Looking at my unfinished wreath design, I can see there are a few mistakes. If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I'll tell her not to worry! It's possible to create something imperfect and still find it beautiful in its own way.
Old Key Jewelry and Art
When I was brainstorming motifs for the design challenge, I thought about old keys which show up regularly in my work. There's something about a key that unlocks something (a door, a diary, a jewelry box?) that just fires up my imagination. Here are some of my past designs using keys:
This upcycled wall art was in the Waste Not, Want Not exhibition at the Commonwheel Artist's Co-op in Manitou Springs, Colorado back in 2019.
My Dear Diary necklace that I made while at Interweave featured a few small keys as a pendant. I love that the keys are loose and will swing around when the necklace is worn.
My Unlocked Treasure necklace published in Beadwork magazine features an embellished key pendant, while my Broken Heart necklace with an embellished heart-shaped key appeared in Jewelry Affaire magazine.
Cross Stitch Pattern Design
For my entry into the Spoonflower Design Challenge, I drew 16 different keys! I explored different x styles (thin, thick, beveled, straight, small, large). I also thought about the x and square combination with the very distinct weave of the Aida cloth. I tried other color combinations, but this is the one I liked best. It makes me think of the denim of childhood ... and staying true blue to yourself!