Before oct 7th I started a project where I would stitch small pieces for every Jewish holiday. They are made of intuitive stitching, where perfection has no place and where inner thought and emotions get the front seat. Images that use scrap pieces of fabric and thread are stitched together by hand.
I started with Succot and then just about managed to make the piece for Simchat Torah when the worst massacre since the Shoah occurred. I just couldn’t continue. I felt paralyzed. Later I stitched the blood stains on the piece for Simchat Torah. Pinching the fabric with despair. The beautiful, calm image of the Torah scrolls and the circles around, representing the circles we make with the scrolls on that holiday, was "ruined" with red spots, as they massacred our people on that day.
Succot
Simchat Torah when I was still working on it before October 7th
Simchat Torah with blood stains
Two years have passed and I suddenly felt the inspiration to get back to this project.
And today is Tu B’Shvat, commonly known as the New Year of the Trees. We celebrate nature and our deep and long connection to the land of Israel. It’s the beginning of spring in Israel even if we are still deep in winter here in Sweden. But we also honor the inner growth inside us. The seeds we plant in our lives for bigger changes to show later.
For this stitched piece I chose calm and earthy colors where nothing is in full bloom but where the growth starts. Where we give nature and ourselves the nourishment we need.
On the top I chose to stitch a sentence that resonates so much with me and which is a reminder that I constantly need:
סוף מעשה במחשבה תחילה
It roughly translates into: The end result is planted in the first thought.
I used eco printed and hand dyed fabric scraps, some vintage embroideries and silk thread
I encourage myself to think the thoughts about the future that will lead to the outcome I desire. And I remind myself that not all my thoughts need to be planted and believed in. That I can let all the fearful thoughts just pass, accepting them and letting them go and trusting that I will know which ones to plant and nourish.
I do struggle to accept and surrender to the unknown, to trust that the seeds I plant now will grow later into full, beautiful bloom later. That the small steps I take will lead me into the future I desire. To trust that the aligned steps we as a family take right now will grow into the life we wish for. But even if I have days or moments where I struggle to believe that it is possible and that everything will be good I always try again and again. And again. That’s how we learn and eventually create new neurological pathways.
I wish you a wonderful Tu B’Shvat and may the seeds you plant grow into something beautiful
Take care and thank you for reading and supporting my work
Lots of love,
Yael
Custom order a bag in your favourite colours. All designs available to order are listed on the website. Click on the button below to go directly there.
The Lion of Judah and the Lion of Persia – Israel and the Iranian people, united by love and shared values. We both know how devastating Islamism is, in all its forms. My version of the Lion of Judah and the Lion of Persia. SOLD We Jews feel a strong affinity with the Iranian people. Unlike most other Muslim countries, the Iranian people do not want to live under Islamist oppression. They have shown real courage in taking to the streets and protesting. They are being massacred, and we are all...
Jewish textile art As a textile artisan, maker and creative person, who likes to be in creative spaces both in real life and online, the last two years have been, in these circles, a darkness of antisemitism disguised as "criticism of Israel". I have left virtually all of these places, both physical and digital, and now spend my time almost exclusively in Jewish contexts. We Jews are a tiny minority. In Sweden, where I live, and in the world, and consequently, the Jewish textile craft world...
Behöver du ett sista minuten-tips för Alla hjärtans dag? Perfekt att maila vidare till familjen för att hinten ska bli riktigt tydlig! Slöjd, oavsett hantverk är en materialsport och tillbehör behövs alltid. Floops -stickmarkörer Stickmarkörer i söt metallburk Blockningsnålar - T- nålar Sockblockare i trä - många storlekar Stickmarkör - keramikhus Stoppnålar Flera väskor och tillbehör har nu nedsatt pris Ingen kod behövs - priset är redan justerat Väskor - rea Specialbeställ en väska i...
