Hello! I haven't been around this forum in some time, though I still follow Krista and Avlea with great interest and gratitude. Gratitude because it was her designs and stitching which introduced me to the fiber arts, and in turn, it was the fiber arts that allowed me to get to back to writing. Currently I stitch, sew garments, knit garments, spin yarn, and have dabbled in processing raw fleece (from an actual sheep!). It is great fun, and a great source of joy. And that joy has brought back my writing. I've got a few publications coming up in the next couple months, which is exciting. One publication came out this week, and I thought I'd share it here. I should caution that it deals with intense subjects -- mental illness and pregnancy loss in particular. I feel like it is my joy in the fiber arts that allows me to tackle such subjects. https://atticusreview.org/book-of-proofs/ Krista, thank you. Your work is maybe more powerful in people's lives than you know.

You have certainly made the most of your recent mobility limitations! The book project is so exciting and I can't wait to get my hands on it next year. And that upcoming peacock design... I already know I'll love it.

This book project is so exciting. I can't wait to have it in my library.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with mobility challenges. But, I am thrilled that you're working on your book! How exciting.

Yes, sewing curtains! (And I started knitting. And spinning... I'm on a bit of a journey this year.) It did make it easier to give the cushion away knowing that I can visit it daily. Next up I'm doing a cushion for my son, who requested one for the reading chair in his room. THEN, I shall stitch one up for me and my favorite chair. Or, maybe the cross stitch cushion cover I'm working on now will be the one for me... Its all a delight.

I too am neurodivergent. Bipolar and I strongly suspect autistic as well. I guess we are a thing!

I'm still debating about the pillow insert. I may try a plain white one and see what I think, but I could always sew an insert in the color of my choice and then enjoy that color peeking through the holes... A thing to ponder while I stitch.

I included the picture of the workbag just for you! I bought it in early December, and then when it arrived gave it, box unopened, to my husband and told him it was his Christmas present to me. I was very happy to unwrap it on Christmas morning.

I keep coming back to this post, not just to gaze at your gorgeous pillows, but to admire your yellow-printed sofa fabric! So striking and beautiful.

Oh yeah, I can definitely imagine three strands with a bigger needle making for a more rustic look. Krista’ kits all call for two strands and come with a fairly slender needle

This is my... 5th surface embroidery project I think, and I started to feel satisfied with my satin stitch midway through the 3rd project, though I think it has gotten better since then. It is a deceptively simple stitch, but to make it look smooth takes lots of practice! I will say that these cushions are done on a different fabric than the smaller kits, and I've found it is easier to do a smooth satin stitch on the cotton/linen blend of the cushion kit fabric.

Thanks! And a happy new year to you too.

My backs aren't as neat and tidy as some. But when I first started they'd be full of thread snarls and such, and looked just dreadful, and that isn't true anymore. Things I have done to improve my backs are to start using the pin stitch to start and end my threads, to weave the threads under other stitches if skipping over more than 4-5 stitches while stitching, and to get better at my thread management. I don't use wax anymore, but before I start stitching with a length of thread, I "love" it between my fingers, pulling it through my fingers 8 times or so. This seems to help me to avoid tangles. I think we discussed the pin stitch on some other posts here, if you poke around and are curious to know more about that.

That dud gift sounds like something I would have loved to receive 6-7 months ago! Its hard accumulating all the tools for sewing, and how thoughtful of you to do it for her. Ah well. I put together a starter stitching kit for my 10 year old son as one of his Christmas presents. I ordered some supplies from here, some floss from elsewhere, and raided my stash to put together a nice little set up. He has a hoop, floss, needles, needleminder, fabric of various kinds, tiny little scissors, etc all wrapped up in a pretty cloth bag. I put it under the tree and he squeezed the contents and immediately said, "You made me my own stitching kit!" Hah hah. I was impressed he guessed so quickly and correctly. I'm curious to see if the gift takes or not once he's allowed to open it.

Looking good! I have that bitkit in my stash, and someday I'll stitch it up. Looking at yours makes me think it will be a fun, meditative stitch.

Well, you’ve inspired me. Surely if you can finish it in a day, I can manage it in ten? I’m going to try to have it done for my husband by Christmas.

Lovely! I'm planning to make this one for my husband soon, as his mom was of Norwegian descent and this will remind him of her. But, am I understanding right that you stitched this up in a single day?! If so, I take my hat off to you. The drawn thread hemming is really cool looking, too.

Oh yeah. When my kiddo was a toddler, I definitely wasn't doing any stitching, or any other hobby, really. I can see how having the gift deadline would take away some of the meditative pleasure of stitching, especially for a larger project. I think it helped that my two projects were both BitKits, and for the first, I just stitched it because I liked it. It was only after it was done that I decided to give it as a gift. And right now, a good portion of my stitching time is going towards my cushion project, which is most definitely to beautify my own home.

Perfect! I will definitely check it out.

That is really lovely! I can see why it is hard to give it away.