I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Wishing For More Stitching

As most of you know, my hand work has slowed down due to me now working a full time job. I still do my embroidery..................but not as much...............and not as quick............as I used to.
I have just enjoyed reading ..............and looking........through the new July/August issue of Victoria Magazine http://www.victoriamag.com
On page 62, a lady is profiled with her mail order business, where she imports beautiful kits and supplies from all over France to the USA, for all of us stitchers to be able to order. What inspired me with her article is that she stated that women in France are just as busy as we are, however, they make time to stitch.

How this struck a cord with me. I glance over at my work basket with the still unfinished ...................morning glories waiting to bloom on towels...........a set of pillowcases underneath........................ with butterflies waiting to take flight..............
I still want to design....................to stitch................to feel the needle and thimble on my fingertips.............
I have time...................I just need to use it for stitching. I don't feel complete unless I am stitching on something and there are so many things I want to create.............
How about you? Have you let your career, your " life's activities" get in the way of what you long to do? Have you found a way to make time for you to " create"? I would love to hear!


11 comments:

Grammyof13 said...

You sure are taking things in stride. I wondered how you were handling your work, and all the things about the farm you enjoy. There has to be a balance that must be accomplished or it would drive you crazy. I'm proud of you and the drive you have to sew. I think the only real drive I have is to write, and often other things gets in my way as well.

Blessings.
Doris

staci said...

I do some type of needlework every day. I definitely feel that something is amiss if I don't...it shows in my mood too ;) It's a need for me; much like food and water for the body, I need needlwork for my mind and soul.

I hope that you are able to balance things out so that you have time for the things you love :)

GardenOfDaisies said...

We all just do the best we can with the hours we have... It is hard to get everything in after a 50 hour work week. Read, stitch, garden, spend time with DH and my kids, care for aging parents, shop for groceries, prepare meals, laundry, keep the house sorta clean, etc... And hope to get a few hours of sleep! Seriously there need to be more hours in the day, cuz I can't get it all done. Something has to give.

peggy said...

I think we need it because it is something that belongs to only us, and when everything crowds it out, we feel like something is slipping away. Guess this doesn't make sense but I know how you feel, like staci says it's your soul food. I was glad to hear from you.

Gina E. said...

There have never been enough hours in the day for me, Kathleen - not even when I was a kid. There were always books to be read,dolls to dress, games to play... I really resented having to go to work five days a week for the last 20 years of my working life (full time work ended for me when I turned 50). I had so much craft stuff I wanted to do - embroidery and calligraphy first, but there was a whole world of ideas out there and I wanted to try everything!
Now at the age of 62, I wake up every morning with a feeling of happy anticipation. What I do each day depends partly on who I spend the day with - each of my friends have different hobbies, and we all like to share in each other's fun!
Not only is there not enough time in the day for me, there will not be enough time in this life!!

Pat / Silver Thimble Quilt Co. said...

I am trying to stitch more. I spend my days designing, sewing, writing patterns. I am trying to spend my evening stitching doing some "Just for Me and My home"...right now I'm so dang tired at the end of the day I still don't stitch enough! PHOOEY.

Pat

PatsyAnne said...

I noticed that your morning glory towels have a print pattern on them... did you do that yourself or did you purchase the towels with the pattern already on them? I'd love to get a set for my daughter's home and work on them over the summer... BUT I need a pattern on the material to work with... Thanks ever so much - I LOVE your blog - you make me so jealous with all the work you manage to get down and the quality of your work is amazing...
PatsyAnne

papel1 said...

Kathleen, now I know why I haven't heard from you in awhile. A full time job. Well that gives you more money to buy stitchery supplies. It is going to be very hot today so I think I will curl up and do some embroidery.
Judy

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

How fun to be part of a book club! Hi, I found your sweet comment on here on my embroidery blog.... You asked about the pattern with the morning glories? While I do some of my designs, this design is one of Aunt Martha's hot iron designs. It's pretty old, but I am sure you can go to their website and order the transfer. Underneath the pink morning glory is the word "Mine" and underneath the blue morning glory is the work " Yours". I have always loved the Mr and Mrs designs that Aunt Martha has, and this one with Mine and Yours is just the different kind of thing I was looking for. I hope this helps. {: Please stop back by to visit...........you can find a link to both of my blogs on each blog side bar. blessings,Kathleen

seanymph said...

When I was working I found it hard to stitch too. Getting back to work after being home exhausted me. Eventually tho I started to build up my endurance again and would sit at nite after dinner while watching tv. Thats when I do most of my stitching anyway. Its just that when I was working I was too tired to see to stitch often.

The Eveningstitcher said...

I work full-time also, and have for the past 26 years. Although it is a necessity, I really do resent it..I would much rather be at home & am counting the days to my retirement (I feel like I am wishing my life away!). I, too, stitch in the evening either in front of the TV or sitting quietly in my sewing room. Stitching is a peaceful blessing that guides me through some very stressful days.