Happy New Year! We had a very quiet, peaceful evening watching some Star Wars and, on my part, beginning a new needlework project.
I've been spending some time, the last couple days, organizing my craft/sewing room. I still have boxes to unpack and am feeling slightly overwhelmed. My goodness, how did I ever amass such a huge collection of charts, fibers, fabric, class kits and sewing accoutrements??? Guilt/shame has been creeping in and I'm questioning whether I'm a closet hoarder ( and believe it or not, I got rid of a lot of stuff before the move!!!)? I'm really not that way in the rest of my life, but I'm starting to think I'm addicted to the pursuit of textile arts. And is that a BAD thing? I'm not off to the races or casinos and I have something concrete to show at the end of all my work. It fulfills me creatively, keeps me grounded and off prescription meds. I enjoy going to classes and retreats and have met many wonderful fellow stitchers who have become good friends. So, is my pursuit of this "hobby" (and that word seems a misnomer in this case since this is so much more than a "hobby"; it has come to define me) so terrible??? Okay, okay...enough of my ranting! I'm going to start talking myself down and get back to my stitching.
But before I do, I want to share my new stitch for 2017. It is Beekeeper's Cottage Etui by Carolyn Standing Webb. I have been on the hunt for this for awhile and put out a request on the Swan Sampler Guilds Yahoo page to see if anyone had one they'd be willing to part with. Someone answered my plea and sold me their complete kit. Am I a lucky girl or what??? There is a lot of blackwork on this and the charts are hand drawn, so it's a bit of a challenge to see some of the lines, but a lot is repetitive and I am figuring it all out.
So, I'm hoping to get a lot of stitching and finishing done in 2017, from my stash of course---yeah who am I kidding!!!!! I'm already planning on some beautiful, fabulously designed, must have classes this year--- uh-oh, I'm beginning to "justify" my above mentioned addiction!!! All kidding aside, I'm signed up for two Catherine Theron classes in March and two Betsy Morgan classes in June at Salty Yarns. And who knows what other opportunities may come my way!!!
Okay, so I'm feeling better about the stash overload...at least until I go up to my sewing room again!!!
Hoping you have a happy, healthy New Year with lots of calming, stitching time. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
I've been spending some time, the last couple days, organizing my craft/sewing room. I still have boxes to unpack and am feeling slightly overwhelmed. My goodness, how did I ever amass such a huge collection of charts, fibers, fabric, class kits and sewing accoutrements??? Guilt/shame has been creeping in and I'm questioning whether I'm a closet hoarder ( and believe it or not, I got rid of a lot of stuff before the move!!!)? I'm really not that way in the rest of my life, but I'm starting to think I'm addicted to the pursuit of textile arts. And is that a BAD thing? I'm not off to the races or casinos and I have something concrete to show at the end of all my work. It fulfills me creatively, keeps me grounded and off prescription meds. I enjoy going to classes and retreats and have met many wonderful fellow stitchers who have become good friends. So, is my pursuit of this "hobby" (and that word seems a misnomer in this case since this is so much more than a "hobby"; it has come to define me) so terrible??? Okay, okay...enough of my ranting! I'm going to start talking myself down and get back to my stitching.
But before I do, I want to share my new stitch for 2017. It is Beekeeper's Cottage Etui by Carolyn Standing Webb. I have been on the hunt for this for awhile and put out a request on the Swan Sampler Guilds Yahoo page to see if anyone had one they'd be willing to part with. Someone answered my plea and sold me their complete kit. Am I a lucky girl or what??? There is a lot of blackwork on this and the charts are hand drawn, so it's a bit of a challenge to see some of the lines, but a lot is repetitive and I am figuring it all out.
So, I'm hoping to get a lot of stitching and finishing done in 2017, from my stash of course---yeah who am I kidding!!!!! I'm already planning on some beautiful, fabulously designed, must have classes this year--- uh-oh, I'm beginning to "justify" my above mentioned addiction!!! All kidding aside, I'm signed up for two Catherine Theron classes in March and two Betsy Morgan classes in June at Salty Yarns. And who knows what other opportunities may come my way!!!
Okay, so I'm feeling better about the stash overload...at least until I go up to my sewing room again!!!
Hoping you have a happy, healthy New Year with lots of calming, stitching time. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
I've had the same thoughts about my stash--and then I decided I get as much pleasure from looking at projects to be stitched (as I live to be 385) as the ones I'm actually currently working on! It keeps me out of the pool halls and off the street corners, so it's all good!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing immoral or illegal about a lovely stash of textile goodies... it may not have been an inexpensive purchase, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad...LOL. I figure stitching is waaaay cheaper than therapy and you have something to show for it. We aren't drinking or gambling our money away... and we aren't spending money we can't afford on this venture, so we should have less guilt... I know easy to say... our Catholic upbringing just oozes guilt over this stuff, but it shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteI love your latest start... perfect for you! Happy New Year!
I agree Ann and Carol! I get a lot of pleasure looking over my stash, deciding what to work on next, choosing just the right fabric and fibers, etc.. So, I'm going to "let it go"....at least until I get the next attack o the "guilts".
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Stasi! I think you should 'let it go' and just enjoy your stash. Well, unless it isn't bringing you pleasure and then you could get rid of it all. No, no; keep it! I like your new start and look forward to seeing your progress on it. Hmm, taking classes and meeting other like minded people are both good things. Stitch happy, Stasi!
ReplyDeleteI'm a collector as well, and I don't worry about it. Stitching is my greatest pleasure. I have worked long and hard for a great many years. I don't buy jewelry, hell I barely buy new clothes, no furs, etc., so if this is my one addiction I say that's O.K. As you know I'm still purchasing new kits and books, etc., and I feel Sara will have a great deal of fun with you and Debbie going through it when I'm gone. And then you will have more stash....what fun. Enjoy your habit or hobby or whatever you want to call it. We've earned the right.
ReplyDelete