Hidden Art ?

In 1971, Edith Schaeffer wrote a book called "Hidden Art". I was a teenager back then, and had recently discovered books by her husband Francis, a Christian Philosopher. Her book was completely different from his. She described how 'art' can fill every area of life, even the most mundane moments, and how we can bring grace and beauty into the everyday. "I would define 'hidden art' as the art found in the ordinary areas of everyday life. Each person has, I believe, some talent which is unfulfilled in some hidden area of his being - a talent which could be expressed and developed."

At 16, I liked some of her ideas, but much of it didn't seem terribly relevant to me- I didn't have my own home, or the opportunity to put her suggestions into practice.

A decade later, as a newlywed, I re-read the book. This time it struck a chord. I'm not sure exactly when the title was amended to "The Hidden Art of Homemaking". But in the context of building our first home together, and having a family, it was a useful resource. But I do remember one excruciating day soon after my re-reading, when we spent the day with friends on their boat. Knowing nothing about sailing, I asked if there was anything else I could do to help, and was consigned to the galley to make sandwiches. Remembering Edith's ideas, I cut the ham ones into triangles, and the cheese ones into rectangles and arranged them on a tray. [I did not cut off the crusts- that's wasteful!] When everyone assembled for lunch, someone made sniffy remarks about "Who cut up these fancy sandwiches then? It's a bit posh!" there was much sniggering. I remember blushing, and wanting the Medway to swallow me up. [nb, if you own a large boat, surely you must be more posh than me?] But I've got more thick skinned since then, and enjoy spending an extra few minutes on presentation. Maybe there are just two of us eating beans on toast - but a candle, or flowers on the meal table do make things a little more special.

But back to this week - following a hectic sewing and craft session, the Dining Room was in severe need of vacuum cleaning and there were lots of bits of thread,fabric and paper on the floor. I had to take off the Beater Bar and remove the entangled threads. Then I had this crazy idea- could I make any 'art' from my rubbish? I had a beater bar covered in thread, a screwed up piece of paper and some card and fabric trimmings

And here they are, re-arranged ready for the Tate Modern

#1 - Catching the Thread

#2 Eat Your Words

#3 Blossom Where You're Planted

I may not be as gifted as Mrs Schaeffer, but I can definitely have fun whilst I am homemaking, even if it does end up in the recycling bin later.