I either go back to another hobby (for me that's knitting or reading) for a while, or go dig into my stash and look at some of my older stuff...sometimes that rejuvenates the stitchy bug. I remember why I started stitching and why I enjoyed it so much. I work on something that is just for me, something that I just simply enjoy and have no timetable to complete. It's okay to take a break for a while (a few weeks? months? whatever you need). Plus you've been super-busy with home and your own designs!! Just go enjoy something that makes you feel no pressure at all. :)
Go shopping! Nothing gets me out of the funk than a visit to a craft store and buying/kiting a new pattern. If funds don't allow then as McKenna suggests search through stash and find something new you were once excited about and hopefully will be again!
Hi Kate I have never lost my stitchy bug ever but if I did I would have some time looking at all my stash and I am sure it would come back quickly.Hope it comes back soon hunAmanda in the UKxxx
Oh Kate, the struggle is real. You've been on super production mode with not only stitching up your own designs ( which can be harder and more tiring on the brain) but with your harvest time. I say give yourself some permission to not stitch. I know you want to want to, but sometimes even pressuring myself to want to makes it worse. Obviously we're all different, but that's how it works for me. Take a break. Paint or something. Either way I hope your bug bites soon. xoxo
If I ever lose my stitchy bug, I simply pick up one of my other crafts. It's either my crocheting or knitting. Do a couple of quick projects(dishcloths or hats, etc) and then I'm looking for something different. Hope you find her. Give her time, she will return.
I wish I knew how to do those! I bet yours are gorgeous... Hopefully the bug comes back before xmas if time allows... Thanks for watching, and the great advice :)
If your stitching bug hasn't returned, don't force it, with the holidays stressing everyone out with all there is to do, maybe a rest from the stitching for a bit, focus on family and friends (and your animals, of course) may call to the stitching bug to return and stitching comes back as fun, relaxing and creative.
Thank you Cynthia for the kind words! Stitchy bug made a brief appearance but has been ousted by holiday chaos. I really need to get my act together lol
There are two things that have worked for me (1) organizing my stash. When I check on my thread supplies and sort beads, fabrics, kits, charts and all the bits and bobs I get eager to do something with them. (2) I also take new/current pictures of all of my WIPS - one of them will usually call to me and I am back in action. I call that my WIP check. i print a contact sheet from Picasa and it helps me choose a focus piece to finish, or fall back in love with a WIP I have forgotten.
Ooo I like that, a WIP check, brilliant! Im hoping after holidays to have a good stash go through, and get my January back on track. Thanks for watching :)
my stitchy bug usually disappears when i've finished a big piece or when i've been working on the same pieces without a new start or a finish for a while. What helps me is just looking at flosstube videos or kitting up a new project that i can get excited about or even starting something new. I also find that sometimes i don't feel like stitching a piece but then i pick it up anyway and start working on it and find myself enjoying it anyway.
I usually take inventory of the WIPs and categorize what is next to do. Then I make a list of other things that are on my to do list. Looking at the to do list I pick those that are on my mind the most and plan on stitching as a reward for their completion. Sometimes the stitchy bug is just hiding behind other priorities.
making a plan and getting organized is a great idea, and Im hoping after holiday prep to see if the bug will appear... Thank you for watching and the great advice :)
I watch FlossTube, and crochet until I have to pick up a project I'm in the middle of. Once in a while converting floss to DMC for a new project helps.
I doubt you have actually lost your stitchy bug, you just think you have because you have had so many things on your plate lately. I go thru this often when I have had a lot of other things to deal with, then I look at my Stitching and think nah. I find I just have to make myself sit down and pick up a project usually what ever is easy to to just pick up and work on without to much organising involved. After an hour or two, I'm back in the groove and planning out what I am going to do next, be it more stitching on the wip I have in front of me or a different wip. Just pick it up and start believe me in no time you will be all excited about it again. Good Luck
It's been awhile, and I hope that you are right :). The bug was back for a brief visit but holiday chaos chased him off again lol. Thanks for watching and the kind words
How about... you look at... all Passione Ricamo's wonderful designs, because this little lady is gearing up for a January 1st Passione Ricamo start and I'd LOVE to do that SAL with you :) :) :) I hope that helps... ;-) xx
I totally understand the loss of our stitchy bug. Yours will return when you least expect it. You have been on overload (it appears) for months. I got sidelined for about 8 years when I had a mild stroke. With depression, anxiety, and eye sight issues, it has finally come back with shear hurricane force. You are somewhat like me, you have a creative side and multiple talents at creating. Perhaps switching from stitching to something else until the call returns. Creating charts/patterns and stitching samples of the same is stressful. Perhaps try stitching on something that you used to enjoy, that's not your creation, and allow yourself to find your bug. I assume that now that Fall is here, perhaps you will have more time for yourself to work on stitchy projects without the additional stresses. Hope this helps find your "bug". If this doesn't work, go talk to your horses. They are awesome listeners I have found to be somewhat helpful. You will find your bug again!
Im so glad yours is back with hurricane force! I did get a brief visit from the bug but holiday prep seems to have chased him off, but I hope that once things settle it'll come back... Thanks for watching :)
hi, for me its a combination of watching past posts of flosstube (usually @coffeestitcher) while sorting through stash, that usually does the job!!! hope you get your groove back!!
proactively doing a different craft, crochet, sewing, finish any projects that may need turning into a pillow or frame them. hunting new designs or even just pretty hand dyed fabric
I do other crafts. Rest. Then watch RU-vid or read forums and pick something small up. Once I see real progress again, it usually comes back. Was gone for 3 years after I had 2 kids in 3 years. Life got in the way.
Life is a beautiful hot mess sometimes aint it ;). I hope to get caught up on Flosstube after holiday madness ebbs... Thank you for watching and the kind words
I find that working on multiple projects reduces the onset of this problem. I also know that if I have committed to having a project completed by a certain date I manage to power through the loss. Is there someone who would appreciate a special Christmas ornament or card? Something unique and creative? I know you could do that with one hand tied behind your back.
woohoo, my favorite! That did bring the bug back for a day, but holiday chaos chased him off again... Poor bug! Thank you for watching, and the pearl of wisdom :)
Hi, This is my RULE, whenever I don't feel like stitching, I just pick up one of my WIPS, the one that calls me the most, cut a 36 inch thread, thread a needle with it , fold in half to make it into an18 inch long and stitch away. And that'd be my stitching for the day. Believe it or not, sometimes I end up stitching more than expected, but I never force myself stitching beyond my set RULE. At times I take the weekend off and start fresh on Monday. This tactic or strategy has been working for me for a very long time.
Been there, know that echo that comes from looking for "it" and in the mean time, "it's" going "neiner neiner neiner!!" - like others have mentioned, try a different hobby for a bit, don't panic, maybe just do nothing creative until "it" comes home again - or one thing you could try is something that helps kick-start me and that is finding a small project to do for someone else - an exchange of some sort? Give yourself permission to "rest" for awhile....you are way too creative for you to lose "it" permanently - you've given so much of yourself of late that maybe you need to recharge your batteries and do for you for a change! I know all that sounds opposite of each other but when you're ready, you'll know :)
"permission", that is a wonderful point that you've made, and thank you for the kind words.Hopefully the bug shows up before xmas once all the prep for it is done. Ever optimistic! Thanks for watching!
Hi Kate, I find I rejuvenate when I'm with people, so what about a skype stitching session? I do that with Stitchin Mae sometimes when she stays up all night Friday night for her sleep patterns to adjust to working all night on the weekend. We skype and stitch and talk and stitch and talk. If you want to try that, we could set a time that is good for you and spend some time visiting. You may just want to go through some of your stash and talk awhile or perhaps planning on something to stitch while we talk might make it a bit more fun.
How about... you look at... all Passione Ricamo's wonderful designs, because this little lady is gearing up for a January 1st Passione Ricamo start and I'd LOVE to do that SAL with you :) :) :) I hope that helps... ;-) xx
