Sometimes I forget to truly enjoy my slow stitching time. At times it seems like I am in such a rush to finish this project or tackle another. Yesterday I sat down and worked on "The Garden is My Home" embroidery. I shared this little doodle way back in July of 2025.
Here and there I have been working on it a little at a time. As I worked on pulling the floss colors for the flowers, I realized that I am really enjoying taking my "own sweet time" with this stitch. I still have a few motifs to work on . I believe I will add French knots to the center of the flowers.
One of my favorite "artist" Youtubers that I like to watch each day is Janet Nash. Janet works on a variety of projects like gentle journaling, slow stitching, painting and embroidery. She is a joy to watch and so inspiring. She truly seems to enjoy the process of creating. If you have a chance, pop over and visit her. Like Janet, another joy that I indulge in is journaling.
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| Clippings from pamphlets ready to be pasted into my journal |
I try to journal every day, but that is not always possible.
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| I use maps and pamphlets and lots of "junk" in my journals. |
My journals are not pretty like Janet's but they are filled with writings, clippings and doodles. They are a pleasure to work on especially if I can take the time to "really enjoy the cut and paste process".
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| Working on arranging a page. |
So tell me .Do you sometimes forget to slow down and enjoy the simple joys of creating?
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| I fold decorative papers over the journal page edges. |
As Always...
Happy Stitching and Quilting,
y'all
Melisa
"If you hear a voice inside you say 'you cannot paint' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. "- Vincent van Gogh
Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤
Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy. I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo.
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🌞A Spooky Parade - Halloween freebies up to October 4, 2025. More Halloween pieces followed this date.
🌞Turkey Struttin' Thanksgiving Parade 2025- Thanksgiving freebies up to the date of November 3, 2025. More Thanksgiving freebies followed this date.
🌞Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Parade Of Previous Freebies- 2025- A Parade of Christmas Freebies up to the date of November 15, 2025. More Christmas Freebies followed this date.
🌞A Chilly Parade of Winter Stitches 2025- A parade of Winter themed freebies up to the date of Dec. 21, 2025
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I've always wanted to journal. Thanks for sharing. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI keep several art journals at the same time: one with quotes, another with clippings and collages, and another just for painting flowers.
ReplyDeleteI also keep a travel journal for every trip... that's why I don't have time for anything!!! 😂😂😂
I'm glad you're enjoying slow sewing.
When I turned 50, I decided I would only do things that truly made me happy (well, work aside 😂😂😂)
Hugs from Spain
I keep a daily (organizational--I tend to forget things!) journal--just a little book for appts etc. then I have my writing journal which tends to be "whenever" things overflow and I need to get them out; and of course my gluebooks for fun;))) Every single day for me takes the "joy" out of anything. The only thing I loved doing every day was my piano practicing--but now with old Mr. Arthur Itis in force, I no longer can do that..but it leaves time for my crafts--so one door closes but another opens, right??? I do watch Janet and love her videos--she is a wonderful fearless crafter. Hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI used to journal, and now I can't seem to get back into it. :( Like you I cut out bits and dabs of things and pasted them and wrote on the pages. They were so enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI have a garden journal that I update when I change the plants or design of my garden. . I have a photo “journal” on my phone for cross stitching - on the day I start a pattern I take a picture of the pattern and the work completed that day and when I finish the cross stitching I take another photo. I take a third picture when the project is made into a pillow or framed. I also keep a monthly note each year on my phone to list projects I want to complete and check them off when completed. At the end of the month projects I have not completed are either moved to another month or moved to next year. There are so many projects and patterns I want to complete that it can become stressful at times, so I focus on the current projects and put the others out of sight. This has helped me enjoy my stitching. Alicia
ReplyDeleteThat's a sweet stitch and makes me even more ready for spring, Melisa! I'm glad you are enjoying your creative process and slowing down. I've never tried journaling but I may check out her video. Thanks for sharing that! I hope you have a mahvelous week, dahling! Hugs, B
ReplyDeleteI do journal regularly, but just boring writing and mostly complaining!
ReplyDeleteYour hand stitching project reminds me of sun filled days. I am looking forward to those! I am thankful for each day I get to stitch. I feel it is a gift to stitch. Creating whether it is in the kitchen or the studio is more fun when I can share and play with friends.--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute embroidery piece. I'm ready for warmer temps and some gardening. There is so much I want to do creatively that I feel like I am always in a rush. Slowing down and enjoying the process is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't do journaling but I do go to a monthly writing group, in fact today is the first meeting of the year, I write short stories of my life and this time, I was inspired by the news item of a breach on the Pontcysylite Canal in the UK. Robin and I did a week long trip on this canal some years ago on our friends narrow boat which was a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteI journal in the old fashioned sense, writing down what happened during my days. Not every day but several times a week. These newer style journals are so pretty but I have never considered doing it. Loved the quote you chose for today. Van Gogh was really somethin', wasn't he? I love so many of his paintings. Have you ever seen the movie Mona Lisa Smile with Julia Roberts? There is a part in there about his Sunflowers painting that I love.
ReplyDeleteI love journaling also and follow Janet Nash....LOVE her blog and her style of working. I find it very refreshing, although I am very slow as I have many things I am juggling at the moment. I have a journal that I keep mementos in. that is my speed right now. thank you so much for your adventure tidbits and freebies.....love reading them all. vivian
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have some fun journals and that's what counts. Pretty is a subjective thing. I did some digital journaling when I was working, I just didn't have time or room to do the paper thing. It is hard sometimes to just slow down and enjoy the process. Hope you get to do lots of that in the future.
ReplyDeleteOh Melisa! I love your journals! What a great idea to use up things we might throw away! I like the idea of covering the edge of the pages with decorative paper. It gives it a little more body and is a finishing touch. I love all your inspiration.
ReplyDelete