Candy and Quilting

Today, Bill and I were watching CNN as we were getting ready for work. There was an article on that talked about how the sale of candy is still strong even with these difficult economic times. (And any of you who know me, understand that I contribute heavily to these candy sales!)

But what, you are asking, does candy have to do with quilting?

I'll tell you. Both candy and quilting are done to experience pleasure. Both fulfill an urge - and sometimes a hunger. People may buy more candy during times of stress seeking a momentary "high" on sugar. Nothing wrong with that. (I believe that one of the great pleasures in life is a huge piece of chocolate-nut fudge and a gallon of cold, bubbly milk, after all.)

But the pleasure of quilting lasts far longer than the caloric-candy-high. Even though times are tough, people will always quilt and sew because creativity, craftsmanship, and the love of color cannot be crushed. People will always need to use their hands to produce what their minds can imagine, and art will always emerge the victor after hardship. Self-expression through the use of needle and thread is an age-old, long-respected skill that still runs strong in the currents of American society.

Go ahead. Eat candy. But do something far more long-lasting, and get to your sewing machine or pick up your needle. Candy might be dandy, but sewing is far sweeter.

Apparently, many of us have a "sweet tooth," and giving into that craving gives us an occasional high-caloric boost. But many of us also have "fabric fingers," and "sewing souls," that create beauty that will last until long after we're gone, way past the pleasure of chocolate, the tanginess of Sweet Tarts, the chewiness of taffy, or the luxury of licorice.