Have you ever spent years on a project? The first time I undertook a long and difficult project was after I graduated from high school. My Grandmother Hill gave me some money as a graduation present because she knew that I wanted a tablecloth. The tablecloth that I wanted was not just any tablecloth. It was plain linen; however, it wouldn’t stay that way for long. It came stamped with a border and center motif already on the cloth.
My plan was to hand embroider the entire tablecloth. For as long as my eighteen year-old self could remember, I had wanted to hand embroider a tablecloth all on my own. This was quite a lofty goal and it took me several years to bring this project to completion. The finished product was a beautiful white linen embellished with taupe scrollwork. I even embroidered matching napkins to complement it. I was delighted to later find a gorgeous set of Lennox lace point dishes that matched the tablecloth. That pattern of dishes was only produced for two years, so they were quite a find. The tablecloth, napkins, and dishes all combined to make a tablescape that I am still proud of to this day. The process of embroidering took years, but I learned a lot about patience and discipline in order to complete the project.
If you have never undertaken an especially labor-intensive project, I highly recommend it. Though it may seem daunting at first, you are capable of far more than you think, once you discipline yourself. Even if it takes you years to complete, it will be worth it in the end.
Have you ever taken on such a labor-intensive project?
