Recovering perfectionist. Weaving in imperfection.
So. I'm making a Christmas stocking for Claire's boyfriend Shane. He has never had a homemade stocking. This is how far I got today. Cut out seven trees (only need five) and the dreaded snowflake.
With the snowflake, I did exacting cuts with new, razor-sharp, small haircutting scissors. Paid attention the angle of the blades. It took an hour. Whew!
That's paper at the top of Shane's stocking, a pattern for cutting out the white felt cuff. Will embroider Shane's name in red on a bigger piece and cut it down to fit.
Weaving in imperfection
If you look closely, I accidentally cut an inner piece of the snowflake too short. Love the Navajo rug-making tradition of weaving an imperfection into a rug, to let the spirit of the rug get out.
Artistic Help
Claire's dad is an artist. Yesterday I gave Claire an update:
"Your dad suggested a light blue mountain behind the trees on Shane's stocking. He agreed to draw it for me. It is becoming a family effort. Terry loved the trees. He called them 'organic.' High praise."
"Oh wow!!! How great! Makes my day!" Claire replied.
Will let The Artist arrange the trees. As if I don't have enough to do, I texted Claire:
"I have always felt bad about how small your 2nd Christmas stocking is. Would you like me to make a new white cuff on Rosie's stocking and embroider your name on it? It's bigger and has a gusset to fit more gifts. I think I did a great job of picturing you at age seven. Have always loved this stocking because you're on it."
"Sure Mom!!! I would love that!! Ahhh I love that stocking so much! You're so thoughtful!"
At age seven, Claire got Rosie as a kitten. Terry's older cat Diamond picked on Rosie. When Rosie got bigger, she beat up Diamond. Rosie was banned. Found a new owner.
Now I get to embroider two names. Slaps forehead
11
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11 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I had a weird reaction to this story. I lived for a year on the navajo reservation. I actually know how to make a navajo rug. I haven't in years and I would never say that I'm good at it but I can make my own loom and set it up. I think it's great that you're doing this!
Larimar
Level 8
Sep 24, 2020
1
I’m not a perfectionist....I don’t beat myself up about being a bit of a “Slack Alice” when it comes to housework!
Marionville
Level 10
Sep 24, 2020
1
Those are just wonderful. I assumed you are knitting them ( my method) until i read about the cutting out part. Wonderful work!
Spinliesel
Level 9
Sep 24, 2020
1
Thank you.
I don't think anyone is ever perfect. Recently I learned that deep down I want to be a perfectionist but let's change that and just say I like to get things right. This is why I stopped making things up (religion) and I get along soooo much better without it.
DenoPenno
Level 9
Sep 24, 2020
1
A couple of points:
- I learned, perhaps like you, to pursue excellence rather than perfection. "Compete" with yourself, not the expectations of others.
-One person's imperfection is another's beauty. I think it requires a higher-order level of thinking to appreciate beauty in the imperfect.
Mitch07102
Level 8
Sep 24, 2020
2
I'm trying to help my coworker overcome her OCD (she says that's what she has, anyway, but I suspect it's perfectionism) by convincing her that it's okay to have items sitting out on the desk that everyone uses, because, Hey, I was the one using that! Constantly cleaning up and rearranging things in a common area is bound to upset others because it disrupts their own tasks. I can see her grit her teeth when she makes herself leave the clipboard where I put it, as I go over to do something else and then come back to it. Or suppress the urge to discard my coffee cup.
Paul4747
Level 8
Sep 24, 2020
1
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is different from the tendency to be a perfectionist.
If you look closely, I accidentally cut one inner piece of the snowflake too short. I love the Navajo rug maker tradition of weaving an imperfection into a rug, to let the spirit of the rug get out.
That helps me let go of perfectionism. I let it go.
@LiterateHiker I realize. I think she's a severe perfectionist about her work area, or else it's a mild enough compulsive problem that she can work in a prison. I know she's a perfectionist about the paperwork.
@Paul4747 Persian rug weavers also put one mistake into the pattern as not to insult the deities with a perfect piece. The deities must be tender snowflakes to be insulted by perfection from humans.
Practice makes perfect, but I never practiced so I never achieved as a perfectionist.
I was also too lazy to work and too scared to steal so I became a computer programmer.
Willow_Wisp
Level 8
Sep 24, 2020
3
You sure do like challenging projects. I have challenging projects too, but nothing worthy of exhibition. If one if them turns out I'll post it.
BitFlipper
Level 8
Sep 23, 2020
1
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