I had this nice long post on how I was so very sorry that I haven’t posted in ages and that I would try to be better. as I was reading through it I started to feel guilty and ashamed, then I realized this was my blog! I often seem to end up needing to take month long(or several months long) breaks and I should be okay with that no one needs me to be in here blogging when I don’t want to be.
I’m still sick spending a lot of time in bed wishing I could breathe a bit better, my head didn’t feel so groggy or I could just open my eyes. It sucks to have my battle of the mind and depression under control only to have a body that is completely unwilling.
I’ve been slowly winding skeins for the yarn club and orders but I can only get about two skeins wound before I just about collapse so everything is continually going slower than I hope. I have been doing some stitching but not as much as you would expect from someone who is bed/sofa bound 5 out of 7 days. I will have to show you all what I have been up to while I was away!
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This supposedly had posted two weeks ago but there is NO sign of it ANYWHERE on my blog so I’m reposting it now!
I like to think that one of the things you all like about this blog (when it’s being written in that is) is that I have always been open and frank with you. I have talked about my dark days and rough times.
I have been sick since the 20th of March, not your normal cold or flu but something that just drains ALL of my energy. I also get headaches and general aches and pains. There have been times when I can barely move with the pain, or times when it keeps me up at night. This has been dreadful, and degrading, I spend 5 out of 7 days barely able to move and the others I’m playing frantic catch-up. This is extremely rare occurrence for me because I usually have a very naturally high immune system, very rarely get sick and when I do it’s for a mater of days compared to other peoples weeks.
This only makes my depression worse no matter what medications I’m on, It makes me feel useless and pathetic, and like I’m incapable of doing the simplest things. Unfortunately this is a cycle the sicker I get the more I get depressed. I have to just get up and say NO I’m not pathetic, or useless just because I’m sick, everyone gets sick.
I just hope I get better… soon.
I met Wendy through the Wellington Embroiderer’s Guild, we joined at the same time. We talked often at the meetings and at the monthly social stitch-ins. Looking at us besides embroidery people might not have seen a lot in common, but I think at times we felt that we had more in common than others. We were both part of a group that at times could be cold and stand-offish especially if you didn’t fit into their rigid mold. We didn’t fit.
Wendy was not only and amazing embroiderer, but and outspoken activist for people who have mental illnesses something we both struggle with. I had read many articles about her speaking out, and we had several conversations about the work that needs to be done.
Wendy had an amazing eye for colour and a unique style that so very often reminded me of Mexican day of the dead celebrations. Wendy was celebrating life instead. I remember when and how I found out Wendy was sick, it was from her. She had told me she had cancer and was dying with maybe a year to live. She then went back to stitching her piece like she had just told me it was raining and that’s all.
Yesterday Wendy lost her battle with cancer at 4pm.
I wish that I could have told Wendy how much I admired her strength and courage. How much I loved her wall hangings. how much the brooch that she gave me for my birthday meant to me. How much her style of embroidery and the things she made pushed my boundaries and inspired me.
I kept meaning to go see Wendy, take her some flowers, talk to her, be there. I let my life get in the way, and I regret that, I know though that Wendy wouldn’t want me to sit here and beat myself up. She would want me to sit down and try something new stitch something different and enjoy life.
So today, Wendy, I stitch for you!
I fully took advantage of the public holiday and stitched all day(as I plan on doing all weekend) and wow I finished a bunch of things…
First off I did the construction of the needle book not because I was particularly excited about it. In fact the construction stage is usually where all of my crafts go from WIP to UFO’s, this is something I’m trying to work on. For the needle book tho it was pure need that propelled me further. Since the discovery of a rust spot from a needle in my wedding sampler(something I think I can fix) I have seend the need for a book to atleast put the needles of my current projects… so I cranked this out and am very very happy with it!
With that completed and needing something to do in my hands while I watched telly I sought a project to do. Yes I know I have 8 million knitting UFO’s but I just couldn’t get into my knitting I wanted to do some stitching. Then I had an idea (I know a scary thing around this house, my husband practically cringes when I say I have an idea. Not because my idea’s are dumb, or even out right crazy, just usually very very complicated, bizarre or next to impossible feats that I imagine I can accomplish, usually in a short period of time).
Since I have been wearing more Victorian clothing lately I have wished I could wear my great-great-grandmothers cameo brooch of her mother as a young lady that was made for when she sailed over to the states from england in 1879. But the hand carved bone is so delicate it was sheer to begin with in nearly 150 years has not been good to it. What if, I copied it in stumpwork? What if? Hmmm I’ve never done stumpwork before. It’s okay tho I have a book on it! So I sat down with my husband and season 2 of Battlestar Galactica (we have just started to watch this series) and stitched away. a couple hours later I had this. Am i completely happy with it YES! Is it perfect hmm not really but pretty darn good for a first try.
So that was done and we still had more BSG to watch, what is a girl to do? I know I might as well work on my wedding sampler. I know I put this aside for more interesting techniques but simple one colour cross stitch can be really fun. seeing the design come to life before your eyes. Although I think I might unpick that bird on the ground just a bit crowded for my taste. I’ll be adding more green in to the sampler in the future.
Well that’s it for me everyone enjoy the long weekend. Next post I’ll talk about the mystery project that I have needed all the appliqué practice for! As for now I might go do some knitting or stitch more on that wedding sampler who knows!
Posted in Blog, Busy, Craft, Creativity, Cross Stitch, Embroidery, Our Past, Quilting, Stumpwork, Wedding, applique
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Sheesh it’s been a while. I keep trying to post but have been having a hard time actually getting around to it…. What have I been up to? Rather a lot actually! I have been taking a bunch of business classes and thus trying to grow my business sense, and my business. I’ve been playing with dyeing embroidery threads and silks some more, and in general having fun!
As for actual crafts well I finished my sample socks which really need a new name :-)
I started to work on a small quilt. I’m fairly new to quilting in fact this is my first machine pieced quilt and first appliqué project. The quilt is only 27inches square and is a project for the local hospital. It’s a mothers day gift for a mother who baby was either stillborn or died shortly after birth. I’ve really enjoyed making it. The appliqué was good practice.
I plan on doing some more embroidery along this project but so far I’m happy!
I felt I needed more practice doing some appliqué and I loved that pansy sooo very much that I started a little needle book… I’m really happy with how this is turning out!
Now what’s all this appliqué practice for? You’ll just have to wait and see!!
