marriage

“Butterflies”

thegreensheep 15 Comments

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Did you take General Psych in school? Do you remember Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development? As a sociology major and then an occupational therapist, I distinctly recall studying this several times. Now that I’m, um, older, I think I’ve found a weak spot in his thinking….

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[Source: Gathan Beaga]

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Erickson observed and described FIVE stages of development

to get kids from birth to the teen years

but tossed together a measly, vaguely-depicted THREE more

to take us from the age of 18 until death.

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AH-HA-HA-HA-hahaha!

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[Source: Gathan Beaga]

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[Bear with me while I take a little license with Erikson’s model here — I know he had certain things in mind. But still, I believe my points are valid….]

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[Source: Gathan Beaga]

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Did Erikson take note of THESE milestones? — Figuring out how to live with the alien you promised your life to in marriage? Shakily acknowledging responsibility for your newborn when YOU DON”T KNOW WHAT THE HECK YOU ARE DOING? Learning from your mistakes? (Emblazoned on my memory is the time I went through the house slamming windows closed so the neighbors wouldn’t hear me scream at my 10-year-old.)

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[Source: Gathan Beaga]

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Or how about these — Discovering that raising kids to be independent is the right thing to do but hurts like the dickens? Realizing that you caused your own parents a boatload of pain and worry but they never let on? Seeing aging in a whole new light once age 50 or 60 hits? Wondering who will “go first,” you or your spouse?

And these are only the highlights. I personally think Mr. Erikson skimmed over way too much stuff.

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Erikson’s problematic schema aside, I am so thankful that we do change and learn and grow. Can you imagine how dull life might be otherwise?

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“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.” 

~Author Unknown

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Diane brought me a handful of wool sweaters from her dad’s closet not long after he passed away. Her parents had been married for 55 years and all too quickly he was suddenly gone. Talk about a new developmental stage! Diane said, “I’d love for you to make a blanket for my mom out of these sweaters of Dad’s.”

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A couple days later, Diane added: “And would you put butterflies on it?” Butterflies — to depict the unfolding days ahead for her mom, now no longer with her mate by her side, but with instead a whole realm of new possibilities.

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I used three of Diane’s dad’s sweaters:

In the photo above, 1) the brown patch that the pansies are on, and below, 2) the cream-colored stripe and 3) the “checkerboard” under the blue butterfly.

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His sweaters make a beautiful background for the new butterflies, just breaking forth now and finding their way.

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And back to Erikson — he lived until nearly age 92. Do you imagine that just MAYBE he had a couple more chapters brewing in his mind by then?

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Butterflies (Size: 57″ x 70″)

[This is a custom-ordered blanket.]


“Red and Green”

thegreensheep 8 Comments

Over a year ago, Robin saw a photo of “Roasting Chestnuts,” one of my earliest blankets, and set her heart upon it.  Of course, setting her heart on it didn’t do her any good, for it had already gone to a loving home. But I did tuck away in my mind the colors that Robin liked. Did I mention that Robin lives in a charming log cabin home? Well, she does.

I didn’t hear anything more about it … until last fall when Robin’s husband emailed and said he wanted to surprise her for Christmas with a blanket for their king-size bed in their charming log home. Did I mention Robin’s husband is my cousin? And that he’s 6’8″? Well, he is.

I said “Yes, I’d love to!” and turned to the felted sweaters I had been collecting with Robin in mind “just in case.” I needed many more sweaters than I had been stockpiling, however.  This blanket was not just to top the king-size bed, but to drape over the edge all the way to the box springs. That’s huge — double the size of most of my blankets! This was a new challenge for me.

But, as always, it was an enjoyable challenge. And how could I not be inspired by picturing those beautiful log walls as the backdrop?

My schedule and the weather did not cooperate in my slim window between finishing the blanket and delivering it –I never got a good shot of the entire thing. I’ll have to leave you to your imagination with just these snippets :)

All folded up…

…and packed for delivery.  Robin, may you enjoy your Christmas gift from your great husband!

“Red and Green” (size: 110″ x 84″)

This particular item is not available for sale.

“His and Hers”

thegreensheep 6 Comments

Recently I hinted about a wedding blanket under construction and gave a sneak peek. The wedding was at the end of August and I can now give you the full reveal :).  But most especially, congratulations to Matt and Cassady!

This gift was from the parents of the groom, so it was important that the blanket have a masculine sensibility to it but at the same time be welcoming to a very feminine bride.

So, for him: subdued, masculine colors. For her, a foliage print and the black Gap sweater with ribbon embroidery. For both, a cashmere binding to cuddle up to. (On a meaningful note, the binding is made from a sweater the groom’s dad contributed.)

May your marriage be a blessing to you both, Matt and Cassady.

“His and Hers” ( 64″ x 82″)

This blanket has already gone to a good home.


the wedding and the gift

thegreensheep 13 Comments

May 28th was an exceptional day for our family: it was the wedding day of our first child.

The day was beautiful, the ceremony meaningful, and we parents are very contented with the choices these two made in each other!

Their printed wedding program called the ceremony “a celebration of Christ, love, & community.”  It indeed turned out to be all of those things.  There was also a great reception with lots and lots of homemade cake :).

Now of course this was occasion for a gift, what with this daughter getting married and all.  And of course the idea occurred to me that I could make a keepsake blanket for this new couple that I love.  So I did, and here it is.  I named it “Home” because, at its essence, marriage gives each partner a new home — the one they find in each other.

There’s a lot of time to think while I sew, and my mind works on the meaning of each blanket as I’m involved in it.  In addition to conveying the feeling of home, this particular blanket has a couple other layers of meaning too.

First, since life together brings so many unexpected — and sometimes difficult — things, it’s good to remember how God takes care of even birds.  “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6.26).

And second, in China (and this daughter happened to be conceived in China), a pair of lovebirds given as a wedding gift is a wish for a wonderful and happy marriage.

So to my daughter and new son-in-law:  “Much happiness!”   Love, Mom.

“Home” (Size: I forgot to measure!)

This blanket has already gone to a very good home :)