Introducing....The Finishing School Diary
Celebrating the beauty of creating and the importance of remembering
For as long as I can remember, I have kept a diary. As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember the first diary I ever received. I was in First Grade and the Easter Bunny blessed my basket with a coveted Lisa Frank diary with kittens on it, complete with lock and key (because no one was getting into my deepest thoughts *that* easily). I remember feeling as though receiving this diary was a right of passage - a special place for my thoughts and my thoughts alone. I know it is still at my parents’ home somewhere tucked away with other nostalgic childhood treasures…. and what I would give to read it now (and my 6 year old self’s “spelling”).
As the years marched on, I always kept a diary or journal of sorts. Did I write in said diary every single day? No.
But it is something that has always centered and calmed me. A place where my thoughts can make whatever sense I want them to (or not); a place where my deepest hopes, dreams, and fears live. What I love most, however, is the reflectiveness of a diary. Going back, reading and appreciating who I was then and how it shaped me into who I am now. Even now, as a new mother of three (!) I make it a point to write one line every night in this journal (linked here; best gift to give a mother or the traditional version for yourself, btw) because I know that future Emily will be so grateful that current Emily did.
How quickly and how easily we seem to forget some of life’s most precious pockets of time. The everyday-ness of our lives that seems mundane is truly where the real magic happens.
We all know where this is going right?
When I started needlepointing in 2020 (see: my origin story here), it felt only natural for me to also “jot down” the details of the project I was working on (thread colors, stitches, canvas name, where I purchased it from etc.) with an emphasis on “here’s what was happening in my life while I was stitching this canvas..”
When I shared this with my (non-needlepointing) sister, she immediately said I needed to turn my needlepoint diary into a blog - to shine a light on the stories behind my stitches. By the time I finally got my act together and created the blog you are reading before you, I had grown quite tired of constantly writing the same prompts in my homemade journal to record what I had stitched. It took me all but five minutes to begin dreaming up my ideal diary tailored specifically to my needlepoint and my stories.
My goal for this publication (aside from authenticity) was to tell my unique story and in doing so, to encourage others to do the same. It is so easy to get “lost in the sauce” and compare our completed work to the work of others (especially online), that we totally fail to appreciate the work that really matters…..the person behind the stitches.
#NormalNeedlepointer
I will be the first to tell you, I am a #normalneedlepointer - basketweaving my heart out, purchasing what I can when I can, savoring my stash, color swapping canvas colors, and I am as addicted to needlepoint accessories (and bags) as the next person.
BUT the one thing that separates my project from yours is also one of the things all needlepointers have in common - and that is, the story behind what we stitch. Your unique story. Your reason “why”. Your life that unfolded while you brought your canvas to life. Every single bit of it matters - because you matter.
And so after over a year of work (and pivoting and re-working), I am over the moon elated to announce that The Finishing School Diary is officially coming to life early this Spring (ETA as of today = March 2025).
My goal was to create a place for your stories to live on beautifully intertwined with your stitches, so that 40 or 50 years from now when your grandchildren, family or friends see your needlepoint they instantly feel connected to you, the stitcher and your story. There is a *big* difference between “oh I think my Nana made that ornament” and ……
“oh my Nana stitched that ornament for my Dad’s first Christmas”;
“This was the example my best friend used for a decorative stitching class she taught”;
“My sister stitched us all these mini-stockings while she went through her chemotherapy treatments”;
“My aunt stitched an ornament for me every Christmas, starting the year I was born”;
“My mom stitched a belt for my dad every year for his birthday, let me tell you the story about this one….” ;
“My godmother actually designed this canvas and then started her own needlepoint company..”
You get the gist.
And I don’t know about you, but I have worked too hard on my needlepoint pieces to leave my stories up to generational whisper-down-the-lane. Even if someday they end up at an estate sale, I want the stories to be there with them. I want to preserve my story (in my handwriting - something that is becoming more and more of a rarity in our digital world) for the people I love. I owe it to them, but most of all, I owe it to myself to preserve the most unique parts of me. I am worth the extra 10 minutes to write down my story for the people who will read it long after I am gone….and so are you.
Taking the Time To Do Something
Like many needlepointers, I appreciate the art of taking the time to do something. The appreciation of a handwritten note, a beautifully stitched pillow (bonus points if it has a cheeky saying) or even a phone call instead of a text. If there is anything we have seen during recent history, it is that the things we put online can be gone in an instant. Technology is ever-changing and evolving, but one thing that seems to always stand the test of time is the written word.
“Your needlepoint is merely the byproduct of something far greater: you. You are the true heirloom—the joy, the love, the life behind every stitch.”
Here is what you can expect from The Finishing School Diary….
But I don’t like writing and I stitch A LOT :
Chronicle as much or as little as you want, but I can assure you it is more than worth it for the projects with extra special meaning to you. And don’t worry, I have plenty of prompts already built in for you to get your creative juices flowing (should you need it).
Why “diary” and not “journal”?
Let the record show, I am equal opportunity and love journals and diaries alike BUT a diary for me always felt more personal; more deep and more meaningful. A diary is where is lay it all out - my inner most feelings, thoughts and even my junior high crush (Brendan Riley, if you are out there reading this….the secret is out).
Where and when can I purchase this?
The very answer to this question has changed dramatically over the past year but The Finishing School Diary will be available on Amazon in early March. Make sure to keep following along with The Finishing School Blog here and on Instagram to stay up to speed on its official release date.
What makes this different from other products I have seen?
Ah yes, the million dollar question. What makes one decorative stitching book different from another when they both show the same stitches? The difference is the author’s unique perspective and presentation. The same is applicable here. The foundation of The Finishing School Diary is built around one’s story - with space of course for project details (and your own #supersidenotes), but the ethos of this journal is creating meaningful margin to reflect on and preserve your story. If you take one thing away from this post, may it be this - there is room at this table for absolutely EVERYBODY. How would I know? Because this table right here, the one we are all sitting at, is the one I built and everybody has a seat here.
Do you journal?
What questions do you have about The Finishing School Diary? I would love to hear - leave them in the comments section below and as always, thank you for being here and for always showing up authentically as you are. It continuously inspires me to do the same.
I’m really incredibly excited to get this! Exactly what I envisioned for my needlepoint that my kids will have one day! Brilliant!!!
Congratulations, I bet it will be beautiful. I am a journaler, is that a word? I have never kept a journal/diary of my needlework. New perspective. I do take photos of everything.