Peace and embroidery

Today is International Day of Peace (21st September – if it’s not that date where you are yet, it will be soon!).

Last Saturday at our church we had a fundraiser for the local women’s shelter. The idea was that the creative women of our church set up stalls of their creations for others to buy, we invited the rest of the church and the general public, and all enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea together as we browsed the stalls. There were handmade cards, bath bombs, jewellery, posies of flowers, home made food, leadlight creations, artworks and much more.

One of my friends who was one of the organisers asked me some months ago if I’d have anything to sell. No, not really… I make lots of things, but none of them are for sale. The things I sell are my kits and books etc. So we settled on me displaying my work and having books and kits to sell.

It was a really lovely afternoon, full of enjoying and celebrating each other’s creativity, and some really good food. We also heard from a volunteer from the local women’s shelter who told us how in the past two years that the shelter has been open, they’ve helped 150 women (and presumably associated children) but also had to turn away about 500. They were very grateful for our fundraising, just as I was so pleased to hear of the work they are doing.

But, on to the theme of peace…

One of the lovely ladies of our church, who has always been such an encouragement to me, and at times acted like an extra grandparent to our girls, came and stood in front of my display and drank it all in. She sighed heavily and happily, and said “It just makes me feel so peaceful, looking at your work.”

What a simply lovely thing to say. That my work, that I so love doing, can bring a feeling of peace to someone else, is simply lovely.

My work brings me peace too. How about you: does doing needlework and being creative bring you peace? I know for many of us, it is the time of stillness, of concentration, of slowing right down to work carefully and methodically that brings not only great joy and satisfaction, but also great peace.

Happy International Day of Peace. I hope you get the chance to do some embroidery today.