The Stamper's Stitches

Welcome, 2022!

I only worked on one thing during this first week of 2022, my Frosty Forest piece by Country Cottage Needleworks.  I finished the church block, which I pulled from the "Let Us Adore Him" ornament and sort of adjusted to fit the square.  Totally not my idea - I got it from Angela at Happy Little Stitch Shop and thought it was brilliant!  

I am looking at all the stitched ornaments on my tree, my stitched stockings, and my stitched advent calendar and realizing again what a big part cross stitch has always had in my life.  I haven't been able to concentrate on it for long periods of time since my mom died and then my husband had brain surgery and then I got a concussion, but even then it's always been there and I'm thankful for it.

I finished a number of things this year - and even finish finished one - which is amazing for me.   This Lizzie Kate ABC's of Faith hangs next to my bed and I look at it every morning.  It's one of two pieces I have that I actually had professionally framed.  I finished it during online "Cross Stitch Camp" which was really a good challenge for me. 

 Hello friends!

I bought myself a fun stitch after Christmas with some of my Christmas money.  When I was decorating I saw all the stockings and smalls and gifts and ornaments that I had made and received years ago - even though "years ago" seems like yesterday in my mind - and I decided I was going to encourage myself to stitch for fun this year.  Maybe it will jumpstart my mojo! 

My current project is a stocking for someone special.  I have been having trouble for the past year or so just sitting down and stitching for long stretches, so I've been doing "just one length of thread"each time I sit down with this project.  Who was it that did that?  Butterfly??  Whoever it was, thank you for the idea!!

This hasn't been a great morning.  Today was my Mom's birthday and I realized only after I had made a sympathy card for my husband to take to the funeral of his ex-boss.  Putting the two together made me sad.  And maybe a little sorry for myself.  And irritated that I was sorry for myself.  And upset that I was irritated.  But then my eyes were drawn to the jar of colored pencils on my desk and I saw the rainbow of colors that were there.  They wouldn't be nearly as pretty if they were all the same color.  It is the different colors that make them beautiful as a group.  I've had that experience when I was stitching, too.  I might be stitching along thinking "This really isn't pretty!", but then I add in another color and everything pops.  I think that my emotions are like that.  Each day brings different emotions - Some days are red angry days, some are blue and sad, others I am sunny yellow happy, or growing in a vibrant green.  I've had black days which transitioned into dark brown and then lighter brown, and I've had mixtures and shades of the colors as well.  And as a whole they make my life what it is... a beautiful unfinished tapestry being stitched by a Master Designer.  I am so blessed.

I was able to stitch for just a few minutes last night, so I started a Pine Mountain May pillow.  It has bluebirds on it which make me happy. :)

I'm pretty sure that there is no one still following this blog, and that's ok.  It's been 2, well, basically 3, years since I posted last and those years have been the hardest of my life as I have worked through the symptoms of acute anxiety and depression.  God has worked in my life in so many ways through this time and one of the things He has shown me is that, for those who love Him, His character doesn't include or cause fear, but love; it doesn't make you sad, but joyful; it doesn't cause anxiety, but brings peace.  His life in me because of Christ allows me to be patient and kind.  It is gentle and makes me gentle.  It is good and loves what is right and good.  It is faithful and helps me to be able to fulfill my commitments.  And it helps me to be moderate and not be overwhelmed with wants and wishes, but makes me grateful for what I have and helps me to enjoy using the gifts He has provided.

I've had a hard time cross stitching the past two years.  I think that all together I only completed 2 1/2 pages on my Heaven & Earth Designs Nativity in that time.  But it's always been there.  And lately I've enjoyed crocheting as well.  Nothing big... I have a lap throw a little over half done and I've made a few dishcloths, both knitting and crocheting.  I have a few things I would like to work on though.

So, anyway, I am going to make today a new start.  I'm working full time now, so it is going to be harder to do this, but I am going to pick 10 projects and post a picture of them - kind of like I did in 2013.  I am going to commit to working on those 10 projects for the rest of the year and see what kind of progress I can make.  I want to choose projects that make me think of all the characteristics above.  That make me happy, that encourage me toward peace, that give me a chance to practice faithfulness in working on them each day - even if it's only 15 minutes at a time, and that allow me to actually use what I have and be grateful for it.  I know that I might need to buy a few things for the projects - some floss or fabric - and I know that I have one new pattern I would like to buy - "Live your Dreams" by Silver Creek Samplers...

Hello!!  It's been WAY too long since I've updated here.  I will try to do better!  I've been working non-stop on my Heaven and Earth Designs project and have made a LOT of progress.  Here's a picture of my last page finish, and I'll have another page finish to share soon! :)