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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / creativity / “Will you embroider my sister’s home?”

“Will you embroider my sister’s home?”

January 27, 2021 · 11 Comments
Filed Under: creativity, embroidery

Once upon a time there was a young woman named Jordan who was in need of a special gift. Jordan asked me, “Will you embroider my sister and brother-in-law’s home? This would make the perfect Christmas gift as they recently bought it and are so excited to live there.”

Jordan sent me a few photos, I sent her back a few sketches of the design. What came to fruition was a detailed outline of the new home, scattered with brickwork, pitched rooflines, shrubs growing tall and flowers filling in. Oh, and plenty of windows. All of this was stitched under a canopy of trees in the background; a nature-filled embrace around their new home.

How could I not work on this embroidery project? From day one I loved the idea of creating something unique for Jordan’s sister and her husband, especially because embroidering is a treasured way to spend a stretch of time.

The different colors of floss, the different stitch types, the sound of the needle coming through the backside of the fabric with a strand of color trailing behind — it’s simply wonderful.

Embroidering reminds me a bit of motherhood; there are so many tiny details. Tiny moments of caring and crying; planning and designing, hopeful of the outcome, nearly spent in anticipation as we watch the bigger picture come into focus the longer we dedicate our time to it.

The frontside of an embroidery hoop is pretty, perfect and meticulously planned, while the backside is messy with color and long stretches of floss. A chaotic combination of necessity; hope and reality mixed. Just like a motherhood. 

Another favored project was when I embroidered Madeline’s house. Madeline is one of my favorite childhood stories, and both of my daughters love the books too. How about you?

I never regret the time I spend creating, though the mediums I use create with change with time. If things never change, would we enjoy them as much as we do? Whether the memory of what was or the reality of what is, both markings of time are valuable.

xx, Maggie

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11 Comments
Filed Under: creativity, embroidery

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Comments

  1. Wiebke says

    January 28, 2021 at 2:26 am

    Dear Maggie, this is so beautiful. I love the analogy. So true: “Timy moments of caring and crying,.planning and designing, hopeful of the outcome….” Thank you for this Inspiration. I might try this myself of our country home in which moved last year.
    Lots of Love, Wiebke

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 28, 2021 at 7:24 am

      Thank you, Wiebke. I also thought watercolor or clay would be beautiful variances for recording the design of your country home. xx

      Reply
  2. Valarie says

    January 28, 2021 at 4:43 am

    Love this! Embroider my 100 year old farmhouse next?!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 28, 2021 at 7:24 am

      Dare you send me a photo…? ;)

      Reply
  3. Kelly Taylor says

    January 28, 2021 at 9:34 am

    This is beautiful!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 28, 2021 at 9:50 am

      thanks Kelly! xoxo

      Reply
  4. Hubbs says

    January 28, 2021 at 9:58 am

    This is a beautiful post Maggs. I love those bricks.

    Reply
  5. Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista says

    January 28, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    What a sweet gift…and such a wonderful take on motherhood! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 28, 2021 at 7:06 pm

      Thank you Ashley! How are you? xx

      Reply
  6. Mom W. says

    January 30, 2021 at 10:29 pm

    Maggie, This is so sweet. Your attention to detail is amazing, it is no surprise, as you shine in every task you put your mind to. Thank you for sharing this story and your talents with us all. Xo Mom W.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 31, 2021 at 7:51 am

      Your comment means a great deal to me— thank you, Mom! :)

      Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008.
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