Sidetracked

I was ready to start my peacock embroidery when I read a call for submissions for the Mad Tea Towel Party.


I've had this tea towel stashed for years, and the call inspired me to clear my work table and design a new piece. My mom, who has an excellent eye for the supplies and ephemera that I love best, but who doesn't sew or craft herself, gave me this Irish linen towel. The roses inspired me at first to do another Madonna, but after looking for images on the web, I chose instead an image of St. Therese of Lisieux, who you can read about here, here, and here.

I transfered the image to a vintage hankie, which will be attached to the top of the tea towel.

I'm really happy at the way the image is overlapped by some of the flowers.

Because linen wrinkles so badly, I'm going to embroider the towel and some of the hankie separately, and then join them together.
Of course there will be embroidery and embellishments. St. Therese's mother was a lace maker, so there will also be lace.
Using a household item like a towel and a personal object like a hankie for St. Therese's icon is consistent with her view that there is grace in the simple and the everyday. I am also happy that the roses in both objects are objects associated with her designation as "the little flower."

Here is a quote from her writings that seems to fit this composition especially well:

"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."