Fiber Talk Midweek Chat, 9-11-24 

Wow, this discussion hit upon numerous issues I'm struggling through. Like Beth with no kids at home, I also don't have children at home and with retirement no office computer to rush off for in the early morning. I kept up going for a nearly daily walk and eating well (or better with time to cook more) until the lockdowns when these good habits just gradually fell away. While I've resumed the decent cooking (easy to get to the store with no lines to stand in), but other good habits are having a tough time making a come-back. I need to remind myself to get off the computer and do a bit more stitching and take a walk even it's just around the house if it's raining or other bad weather. I also need to get back with other stitchers like at my LNS twice a month gathering because it's so much fun to compare projects and cheer one another on. I also get the problem about overdoing or overextending what one wants to do on a project. I'm totally guilty of adding on things especially sewing projects when it seems too simple. Or searching for that perfect fabric or thread before I start a more interesting or complicated project. Some of my best completed projects are ones where I picked out something last minute, collected whatever I had on hand, and made it in a day or a few days. One time I was actually dressed for an office Christmas party when I realized I didn't have a nice purse for evening. So, knowing my stash, I hastily put together a drawstring purse. My 20 minute quick project brought many compliments. The lesson here is even practicing small aspects of a craft/art can reap big rewards. If I had been a complete novice with my sewing machine or how sew different fabrics, I could not have done the same thing. Applying the same concept to cross stitch or surface embroidery would be like needing a gift but being able to add initials to an item or a little flower or a small spray of leaves on handkerchief. The gift receiver won't know that it only took a half hour to whip that out but it would become a treasured item because you care enough to share a bit of your talent with them. It all just takes practice which might be a good reason to get a piece of your favorite ground cloth and then make your own sampler with motifs you've always wanted to try or threads or new techniques or new stitches. It would be like your personal classroom except no final exams are required to pass.

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