Meandering Through Life
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It all began in April 2020...
Like everyone else in recent weeks during the you-know-what virus, I have been stuck at home fantasizing about when I can next wander freely in my favorite grocery store sans mask. Or hug my grandchildren! The transition from life as we knew it has been difficult. I felt myself sinking into an abyss of absolute apathy. Then I read something about Stitch Meditations… this caught my interest. Stitching on a small square of fabric with no planning allowed -- any thread, any stitch. Just sit down and do it every day. Well, I wasn't sure how the "every day" bit would go, but having shelves and shelves of fabric, plenty of thread, assorted other fun stuff, and nowhere to go, I realized doing this may possibly improve my mood.
And so it began. Almost every night I choose a four-inch square of fabric from my stash – print, solid, light or dark… anything goes. Then I gather around my little friends -- assorted threads, yarns, beads, and sparkly things -- and sit quietly for a moment. What I discovered is that my small creations are a way for me to travel without leaving home. Each four-inch square of fabric takes me on its own road trip – it leads my needle to stitch what it wants, it whispers which embellishments to add, and it guides me toward the right color thread. Each piece evolves organically, bursts of color and light, or maybe subdued and dark; sometimes lots of sparkle, or perhaps just bits of contrasting scraps and some plain stitches. No matter. My mind can wander while my fingers and fibers collaborate because there is no plan I have to follow. The stitches wander also, frequently forming spirals or meandering across the fabric. Rarely a straight line. But isn’t that how life is? And as each one is completed, I see a reflection of where I have been that day, creatively, mentally, and emotionally. And it is so comforting to know that these little gems have pulled me out of the abyss.
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Let's keep smiling! :)
Cotton fabric scraps, sequined & embroidered chiffon ribbon, ric rac, metallic yarn, embroidery thread
Embroidery thread, fun sequins
Indigo-dyed fabric scraps, cotton yarn, metallic thread, embroidery thread
Metallic yarn, embroidery thread, glass beads
Silk yarn, cotton yarn, ribbon, embroidery thread, glass beads
Chenille yarn, embroidery thread, sequins
Cotton fabric strips, embroidery thread
Cotton yarn, tulle, embroidery thread, metallic thread, sequins, glass beads
Metallic fabric scrap, batik fabric scraps, tulle, metallic yarn, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Metallic yarn, ric rac, tulle, embroidery thread, glass beads, wood beads, pearls
Cotton fabric scraps, cotton yarn, metallic thread, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Cotton fabric scraps, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Metallic yarn, cotton thread, embroidery thread
Cotton yarn, batik fabric strips, embroidery thread, glass beads
Cotton fabric scraps, organza flowers, leaf sequins, metallic thread, embroidery thread, glass beads
Cotton yarn, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Batik and cotton fabric scraps, silk yarn, embroidery thread, glass beads
Cotton fabric strips, cotton yarn, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Embroidery thread, glass beads
Ribbon, decorative trim, cotton yarn, embroidery thread, plastic and metal beads, pearls
Embroidery thread, metallic thread, sequins, glass beads
Fabric flower, ribbon, embroidery thread, beads, glass beads, sequins
Ric rac, ribbon, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Cotton batik fabric strip, ribbon, metallic yarn, metallic thread, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Cotton fabric scraps, embroidery thread, glass beads
Cotton fabric scraps, embroidery thread, metallic thread, beads and sequins
Ric rac, metallic thread, embroidery thread, beads
Metallic thread, embroidery thread, beads, sequins
Metallic thread, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
This one reminds me of the twirling teacups ride at an amusement park... dizzying!
Arizona sunset colors on a desert background. Not planned... something just always comes to mind when I look at a finished piece.
Not two colors I would normally put together but I love the effect! Makes me think of an old abandoned adobe house with some funky desert plant next to it.
Cotton fabric scraps, yarn, metallic thread, embroidery thread, glass beads
Cotton fabric scrap, decorative trim, silk yarn, metallic thread, embroidery thread
Cotton yarn, tulle, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Cotton fabric scrap, embroidery thread, and one red sequin
Embroidery thread, metallic yarn, ribbon, cloth flower, sequins, glass beads
Metallic yarn, embroidery thread, glass beads
Cotton fabric scraps, embroidery thread, metallic yarn, sequins, glass beads
Metallic yarn, embroidery thread, glass beads
Cotton batik fabric scrap, cotton yarn, embroidery thread
Cotton fabric bits, metallic yarn, embroidery thread, glass beads
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Metallic mesh, silk flower, embroidery thread, beads
Embroidery thread and beads
Cotton fabric scrap, silk yarn, cotton yarn, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Cotton batik fabric strips, tulle, ribbon, silk yarn, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
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Cotton fabric scraps, ric rac, ribbon, variegated thread, beads
Cotton fabric scraps, chenille yarn, metallic thread, embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
Stone, glass, and metal beads, sequins, gold metallic thread
Ric rac, metallic yarn, embroidery thread
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Cotton fabric scrap, embroidery thread, beads
Silk yarn, metallic thread,
embroidery thread, sequins, glass beads
My Fourth of July celebration with tiny fireworks, 13 red and white "stripes", and 50 blue beads :)
Batik fabric scrap, embellished chiffon scrap, embroidery thread
Metallic silver ribbon, embroidery thread, beads
Oh my! I see a fetus in this one! Or maybe twins! Anyone else see it? Wow!
Cotton fabric strips, embroidery thread
Cotton yarn, embroidery thread, beads
Interesting sights along the road
Too many straight lines make me nervous -- just had to through in a curve :)
Ahhh... floating along on a nice cool river in the hot summer sun
Sunset in Arizona... the oh-so-gorgeous clouds and skyline. Never fails to take my breath away.
At first I thought these looked like masks (ugh), but then I realized they are birds... flying free! How I want to be flying free right now.
The seeds find their way out and move on to grow new flowers... if only we had a bit of rain!