Tuesday, February 9, 2010

I've Been Stitching!

Again, it's been a long time since my last post, but I'm still here and although my updates may be few and far between I do still intend to keep up with my blog.
I had a nice surprise when I just looked at my last post which said that I'd lost 50lbs. A nice surprise because as of today I've now lost 61lbs, so another 11lbs since the start of the year, which I'm very happy with. I'm now in between clothing sizes again so all my clothes are looking a little baggy lol.
On the stitching front, my rotation came and went AGAIN! but the one great thing that January brought was the final realisation that my hobby had turned into a chore. I was so taken up with trying to get a rotation that worked and make sure that I stitched on all my WIP/UFO's that I had totally lost all enjoyment in my stitching. I felt guilty about everything that I wasn't stitching on, and felt I wasn't allowed to start new things because I hadn't finished others. I kept looking longingly at my huge stash collection, and just being frustrated because I couldn't let myself stitch on it, and so felt it was just being wasted.
So after a long chat with Sally one night, who was feeling a little the same as me, we made a pact to stop being so obsessive over our hobby, to start stitching on what projects we want, when we want, and to put away and ignore anything we've lost interest in. I realised my ufo's aren't hurting anyone, but forcing myself to stitch on them is, me, because it's taken my love of stitching away. And we also decided if we want new starts then we shall have them! lol
Since that night I feel like a totally different stitcher, almost like the person who started stitching about 15years ago. I've stitched some days, and not others, but when I have I've just enjoyed each stitch. In the past few weeks I've stitched on LK's ABC Christmas, HAED's Moon Fantasy SK (which I hadn't intended to stitch on, but called to me one day lol), L&L's Celtic Autumn and my January new start the Personalised Sampler I had designed for my family. I'm stitching this 1x1 on 25ct antique white lugana using Vikki Clayton Hand Dyed Fibers in BeWhined. I did start this on 1st January using different fabric and threads, but I didn't like how it was looking, so started it again on my birthday in this colourway and am much happier. Apologies for the shadows on the pics, but I wanted to take the chance to get some photos while the sun was out, which is a very rare sight at the moment lol.

12 comments:

Claire said...

I feel the same abut stitching it's best not to make any rulesor it takes the fun out of it.Enjoy!

Annie Bee said...

Stitching has to be a pleasure and what suits one doesn't suit another. I could not stitch without my rotation.....LOL and love it that way. I am so glad that we are all different and you have found your love of stitching, Your new projects are just beautiful.

jane said...

well done on the new relaxed attitude to your stitching - I am trying to feel the same,the way I see it I collect charts and stash and if some of those are completed, part completed or not even started then that's up to me! YOur stitching looks lovely , I especially like your personalised sampler.

Karan said...

The stitching what you fancy as & when seems to suit me better too - no point in doing it if you don't enjoy it, otherwise. Hope this way works well for you... though by the looks of those gorgeous projects it already has. :0)

Sally said...

I think our chat did us both the world of good Lisa :) Looks like you've got your stitching bug back and I'm so pleased. All your WiPs look lovely. Love the colour you finally decided on for your PS.

Brigitte said...

I think you have the best attitude towards stitching ever. I'm just the same as I pull out my WIPs when I feel like it and I start something new when I feel like it. That's what it's meant to be - fun.
Your pieces look great. Very nice progress.

Anonymous said...

What a great post! I've been feeling a little the same way recently, and working full time I know that I'm just not going to be able to finish half of what I've started over the last few years. I'm trying to take the same view as you and Sally. Thanks for sharing.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Congrats on hitting that 60lbs point! That's awesome, that's where my weight loss stopped. Urgh silly body won't let me loose any more weight, personally I wanted to hit the 70ish lbs mark. But when your body says enough, its enough.

Anonymous said...

wow beautiful stitching!

Terri said...

Congrats on the weight loss. Your stitching is great :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

All of your projects look fantastic! I'm glad you found the joy in your stitching again!

Stitchingranny said...

Its taken a long time to get back to blogland, but I am now slowly working my way through and hope to keep up a bit better this time.

I have always said that stitching is YOUR hobby and the most important thing about a hobby is to enjoy it. I have worked on a rota for many years but last year everything got put asside to do Water Tiger for my brother. At the moment I am just enjoying working with what I please when I please - who knows I may or may not go back to a rota (I have a feeling I will eventually because for me it works) but it matters to no one - even if you have a week when you do not feel like stitching anything. Live for the moment Lisa, when you get to my age you realise that life is short so enjoy every minute of what you are given.