Ribbon Roses and Fish

I have been to the Embroiderers' Guild this afternoon and we learned how to do ribbon roses, they are not normally something I would make, but I managed to create an extremely goth version, which just might be more 'me'

I am working quite hard at the moment and I am really enjoying my work, I am currently doing a fish embroidery, I have done the background and I am transferring the fdesign. The background did not photograph very well because it has sheer fabric applied to it, but you will get an idea of what I am up to!

I have also been updating the Swansea Embroiderers' Guild website. Feel free to have a look to see what we are up to www.embroiderersguildswansea.com

I Really Must Blog More.....

Oh dear, it has been a month since my last blog. I really must get back into the habit!

I finished about 10 cards for my sale table, made bookmarks and thread packs which sold quite well and I will be able to sell the threads at the Embroiderers' Guild AGM which is exciting.

I still have not had a drink since the last post, my last drink was on the 8th October and it is going really wll so far.

I have changed my diet again, I am now eating steamed veg for breakfast with tofu or beans, a small but very good lunch (for example a stir fry with tofu and brown rice) and steamed veg for supper, if I get hungry, I eat a banana and it is working really well. In the last month I have lost about 3kg and I have only been grumpy from undereating once. We have a chart up on the kitchen cupboard and if we have been very good, we get to tick the box and so far in just over 2 weeks I have been very good each day! It is starting to show as although I can't see the difference in myself, I did manage to easily get into a pair of trousers that I have not worn for several years

I have just started a new style of embroidery where I am hoping to make textured, grungy backgrounds with careful stitching on top. I am having a great time doing my work at the moment, it really has given me the kick up the behind I need. I have not got any pictures at the moment, but I will keep the website updated

Cardmaking and Giving Up Drink

I have been getting on well making cards for the sale at the end of October and I have also made a few bookmarks and tags for presents. Things are definately seeming more positive.

I am reading a book at the moment called Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh and it is really helping me be mindful which basically means to be present in the moment, not to worry about things that were in the past or are coming in the future. I would highly recommend it as it is beautifully and simply written and is most inspiring.

I have also decided once again to give up alcohol. It does not do me any good and I think it is a very positive step. I have used alcohol far too much since I left collage and  it is time to stop. I am feeling very positive about it at the moment and hopefully this will continue and the urge will be overcome and not acted upon. For me I think the urge to drink either strikes when I am hungry or tired, so I can try to solve these problems and stop the urges at the same time

Getting Back to Normal

For some reason I have not been feeling very proactive recently. I have gone back to meditating and I have written a list of things I would like to achieve in my life and it seems to be helping a lot. For example I was looking at a place called Plum Village (a meditation centre in France) and I thought that it would be wonderful to go, but it would be expensive, etc etc. So I decided to create my own Plum Village in the house. We have been thinking for a while about getting rid of the bed and going for the Japanese style rolled up beds that you put away during the day, so we got rid of the bed and bought 2 duvets that we now sleep on and I am going to turn the bedroom into a meditation / quiet room. I am trying to be mindful in all that I do (much easier said than done!) and basically try to get all the things I would experience in Plum Village to come to me.

At the end of October, the Embroiderer's Guild are holding an exhibition/money raising/craft stall event and it is getting me back in gear to make things for my stall. I have already got the Inspiration Packs and I will make cards, kits, thread packs, gift tags and hopefully get some more of my books ready for sale too. I hope it goes well and I will be able to put all the extra bits on the website

Getting Over Embroiderers Block

I am still trying to get my sparkle back. I know I love embroidery, but I just can't get the enthusiasm at the moment, it just happens sometimes.

I am currently working on my cats eyes. I am not sure what I am going to do with them yet, but I just wanted to get on and start something. I will be uploading a picture to my work in progress page in a few minutes

I think everyone seems to get these uninspired times, but I would love to hear how other people get over them, I usually just have to get on and do some sewing that I know that I can do, nothing too challenging, and eventually the spark returns

Amigurumi

I have been really uninspired to work since we came back from Newcastle, so I have been crocheting a lot of gifts for people, it is called amigurumi and is so much fun.

I am stitching my cat eyes (like the eyes on HLS) to try to reignite my spark for embroidery. I am sure it will be back, it just happens occasionally.

Handmade Cards

It has been far too long since my last blog. Sorry. There are no excuses....

I have been busy finishing off my Dipper and making 23 cards that have been ordered. One day I will be able to make some to put on the website, but they are selling too fast!

I have also made my first panel for Pandora's Box and I am very pleased with it

I spent a week with a friend in Newcastle, it was very enjoyable and I am going to be a bridesmaid for the third time and James will be best man

The Power of Now

I have just read a fantastic book called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I would recommend it to anyone. The unresolved grief within me from the death of my father has been turning me into a stress filled ball of hate recently and I was really struggling to cope, but this book basically tells you to live in the moment, although I am far from perfecting the technique, it is something you can practice all the time. I still get very low sometimes, but I can keep it under control and the peace and joy you feel when you are successful is amazing.

I am currently making an appliqué dipper, he is coming on OK and I am hoping to add pictures to my Work in Progress page soon.

It was my birthday earlier in the month and I slipped a little with my 'good food'. Not that I want to admit this, but I felt really sluggish and strangely addicted to the crisps, chocolate etc., so I will try to not do it again. There is plenty of lovely fruit and veg, hummus etc. that would be really lovely instead, hopefully I will get it into my head soon! I also had a day of wheat to see if it was coincidence that I felt bad after it and that my eczema got worse; I felt fine all day but I have been suffering for about 3-4 days afterwards. Talk about a slow learning curve!

If I had been living in 'the now' like my book suggests, I wouldn't be feeling rough....

I have been learning to meditate with varying degrees of success and I love this picture. Hopefully it will make you feel as calm as it does me