Itchy Fingers: Back to Stitching

After a short hiatus from stitching this summer, I am back to work!  I have pulled out a languishing project that was meant for someone a year ago.  It's rarely a matter of not being in the mood to stitch but more an issue with free time.  Limited free time and too much I want to accomplish--that's my problem.  I have yet to find a really happy balance, so I just squeeze in the things I want to do (and enjoy doing) amongst all the things I need to do (and that I probably don't much enjoy doing--we all know how that goes!). 

So this first photo is only a teaser.  I am mostly working on this project.  As it is something I am making for a friend (and hopefully it will be in the mail before the first official day of fall), it is the project I spend most of my stitching time on.  I had planned on finishing it quite some time ago, but I think the season simply passed and I couldn't get the enthusiasm going to complete it.  Now that I am looking forward to fall, and it is the perfect project for the moment.  I look forward to working on it each day with renewed interest!  Sorry for the poor quality of the photo, but I had to get close in order to just show a small section of an already small project.  Once it is finished (and sewn together) and in the hands of the recipient I will share the whole design here.

I've not made a lot of progress on my bee sampler, but there are a few new additions since last time.  The border is nearly finished.  I've added another letter "B" and Mr. Bird is coming along nicely.  There is no rush as it is just for me, and as I am enjoying stitching it I might as well take my time, right?

But here is something new.  I don't think I ever shared my Quaker Heart with you.  I stitched this pattern once before (a freebie I got from PieceWork Magazine).  It is something I thoroughly enjoyed working on ("finishing" included) so much I have long wanted to make another one.  The first redwork pincushion I made also has my old initials and now that I have reverted to my maiden name, I wanted to make it again with everything up to date.  The floss is overdyed and the color is called "India".  What do you think, does it look like what you might imagine India would be color-wise?  It is warm and bright and energetic and I think it is very evocative.  I will finish it slightly differently this second time around.   

I need to get back to  my Halloween project, too, since the holiday is just around the corner.  It will make for good "mood stitching" with RIP reading beginning next month (and my reading list growing . . . ).  I plan on taking some stitching projects along with me to Colorado in a few weeks time.  I am not sure if I can stitch while sitting in a car (eight hours to fill in with books or stitching--going and coming), but I am sure there will be some extra time in the evenings to do a little stitching.  Something to look forward to.  Hopefully not so much time will pass until my next needlework update and I will have a few finishes (or maybe new projects) to share.

Comments

[Margaret Stedman]

Lovely. I enjoy reports of your progress. What with book recommendations and needlework inspiration I find your blog "dangerous" to visit ;-)

[Danielle]

I'm a terrible enabler, aren't I? Am always too happy to tempt others with books and needlework! I only wish I had more to report back on when it comes to my needlework, but maybe now I can get back into a stitching routine!

[vicki (skiourophile / bibliolathas)]

Gorgeous colours in that pin cushion - I think it has a lovely 'sari' colour look about it.

[Elizabeth]

Your stitching is gorgeous!
Yes, very difficult to find time to do all the amazing projects one had lined up.
I think it's possible to knit and read - but not stitch and read....!

[Joan Kyler]

You make me feel so guilty! You have a full-time job and still find time to read and stitch. I'm essentially retired and can never find time to do needlepoint or practice the piano or draw - or do any of the tons of things I think I'd like to do. I know it's partly that I'm lazy and reading is so much easier.

I love the bee sampler. You reminded me that I have a few of the Halloween projects, too. Plus, I haven't finished even one of the three birth samplers I'd like to do for my grandnieces!

[Stefanie]

Your bees are coming along! And I do love the colors for the heart! I like orange and pink/purple together, they are colors you don't think should work but they really do make a striking combination.

[Danielle]

I love the colors too and was looking for some project that I could use the floss on specifically. I like the idea of a sari--maybe I should look for some gold thread to use in the finishing-that might be kind of cool.

[Danielle]

There really is not enough time at all--I agree. I can listen to audio books while stitching and half watch half listen to a movie on TV, but alas--no reading while stitching. Thanks for the kind words.

[Danielle]

Don't feel guilty at all! Strangely I get more done when I am busy working than when I am on vacation. I get 'lazy' too. But when I am working I can fit in reading and stitching at odd times--on the bus or the half hour before I start work, on my break. Whenever I have a nice span of vacation and lots of free time I never manage to do half what I would like to do. I go in phases where it is all reading and sometimes mostly reading with a bit of needlework thrown in on the side. There was a time when I mostly stitched, but it's been ages since I devoted that much time to needlework alone. Maybe you could set aside twenty minutes a day--you would be amazed by how much you can accomplish in a little steady stitching time. I can't wait to finish the bee project and get back to my Halloween sampler!

[Danielle]

Slowly but surely I am getting close to finishing! I like pink and orange together, too. I have an orange tee shirt that I like to wear with a pink sweater--I like it anyway. There is something warm and summery about the combination!

[Joan Kyler]

I think setting aside twenty minutes to a half and hour sounds like a good idea. Slow and steady wins the race?

[Caroline]

I like that Quaker heart. And the bee sampler, of course. I think you made very good progress.

[Danielle]

It really works. You would be amazed at how much you can accomplish that way. And the nice thing, too, is when you begin seeing progress and how much your sampler grows it makes you even more determined to get more finished. At least that is how I am feeling--I am nearly finished with the top design--which is just one half (it has a front and back) and today I spent a little time looking for inspiration on how to finish it. So I am hoping it will really be done before I go on vacation!

[Danielle]

I like it, too. The back has motifs as well. And the bee sampler is coming along nicely (even if a little slowly). If I had a nice chunk of time I think I could finish it in just a couple of sittings, so I am near the end!