It’s been a tough `12 months, not the least for my needlepoint life. For about three months I suffered from various health problems, now over, that left me with little energy to stitch. I started stitching again, but it was slow and difficult. And I had little motivation.
Although I resolved to stitch a bit each day, this malaise lasted for months.
Besides the health issues, we went through a major remodeling that finally finished in April. As part of this, we did a complete house clean-up and reorganization. My living room was stuffed with things to sell or donate. Half my office had things waiting to go elsewhere in the house. I could not get to the chest of WIPs and kitted projects. I couldn’t get to the drawers to put away threads. Heck, I couldn’t even get to the bags of threads not yet put away!
Is it any wonder I had stitching malaise?
This changed about a month ago when I made some decisions:
- I would wear readers when I stitched so I could find the holes more easily.
- I would stitch more on 13 mesh because it’s easier to see.
- I wouldn’t beat myself up about not seeing well, but use more light & clothes that are better colors for the current project.
- I will stitch while I watch TV and not worry about how much I accomplish.
Since I decided to do this I have finished six projects, four UFO’s and two new projects. And I’ve worked on one more UFO and started one new project. That’s more than I had done since early last November. It’s fixed my malaise and made me feel much better about stitching.
So far it’s working well. Two weeks ago my son and I cleaned up my office. I went through my stash and am sending to sell threads and canvases I won’t use. This weekend, I went through everything in the chest and got out things I won’t stitch. The pile going back into the chest is reduced by more than a third. I found two projects close to being finished which I have pulled out to do.
After a year of struggles, I now know that there is creative needlepoint I can stitch. I have to use glasses and a needle threader and be careful picking projects, but I d it.
And I thnk God for that.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Janet, You have helped me with so many of my specific questions over the years. You have also motivated all of us to happily continue to stitch. When I look at my past and current projects I smile. Thanks! Hope you have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays!
Thanks heaps! I’m making progress on all tose projects.
Keep stitching,
Janet