Peaceful Moments

            It’s a new year and lists of resolutions are being made – from weight lost to exercising, from organizing your space to improving finances.  There are special promotions and sales galore (which may slow down the improving finances).  How about a resolution that costs very little time, effort and money but can greatly improve your daily life with peace and creativity??

            Hand stitching is the answer!! Basic supplies are an 8” embroidery hoop ($1, maybe less), packet of embroidery needles (assorted sizes) ($2), mechanical pencils ($1.49 for package of 6), needle threaders ($1 for package of 3) and a pair of small, sharp scissors ($4). Use a gallon size Ziploc bag from your kitchen for storage of your supplies and for $9.49, you have created a supply kit for peace and creativity.  Then you select add a pattern ($8), a fat quarter of fabric ($3) and couple of skeins of embroidery floss ($.59 per skein – estimate 3 different colors for pattern) for project total of $12.77.  Added to the $9.49 for your supply kit (which you’ll use for future projects) and for a total of $22.26 you now have the making for some creative moments of peace and relaxation!!! 

            After transferring the pattern onto the fabric, you put all of your supplies into the Ziploc bag and place it where you can readily access it – in your purse, your briefcase, next to your favorite chair or at your bedside.  When you find you have a little time here and there, pull out the kit, place your fabric in the hoop and start stitching.  I can be found stitching at lunch in between bites of my sandwich, while waiting for an appointment at the doctors and at the end of the day as a way to relax so I may sleep well. You can easily stop and pick up later when you need to. I have a couple of suggestions you may find useful.  As a matter of practice, I do not leave the project piece in the hoop for extended time as it may stretch the fabric (or create a difficult crease) and put undue stress on the hoop. I also put a protective cover on my scissors to prevent getting unpleasantly poked or damaging the points. I like to use the rubber protectors that knitters use on the end of their knitting needles as a protector.  Again, only a couple of dollars or you could use a cork from a wine bottle.

            Hand stitching is very portable, quite affordable and can give you peace and great joy while being creative.  Does life get better than that??

Until next time, keep (or start) stitching!

Lynn