Little Stitching, Heaps of Inspiration

My posts have been rather infrequent lately. This is because I have done very little stitching and I have nothing to show you. The thing is, I seem to be suffering from PPD - post project depression. I put so much thought and energy into my May TIF, and so enjoyed stitching it that now it is finished I miss it and so far nothing else has really grabbed my attention.

I’ve done a little bit of stitching, I’ve started another petal on Karahana (but one picture of round and round couching looks very much like another) and I’ve joined in a project on the Stitchin Fingers Needlepoint group. We are going to do the Stitch of the Month block on the American Needlepoint Guilds website. Everyone participating will choose their own colour scheme and some of those more experienced in canvas work will change some of the stitches but we will all retain the original log cabin design. For me it is an opportunity to learn some new canvas stitches. So far I have stitched the outlines for the inner square and the first round of logs which doesn't make for a very interesting picture.

I’d like to thank everyone who commented on my May TIF, I really do appreciate the lovely things you said about this piece. I’m quite good at starting projects but not so good at finishing them. Once the embroidery is done, I lose interest and start something new, but I have plans for this piece and hopefully it won’t remain a UFO for long.

Speaking of comments, back in June Marjorie of Moonsilk Stitches left a comment to say that she had given me an award. The "Arte y Pico" award was created and to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and talents, whether it be writing, artwork in all media's. When you receive this award it is considered a "special honour". Once you have received this award, you are to pass it on to at least 5 others.

Well I am honoured that Marjorie made this award and humbled by the lovely things she said about my blog.

Now for the hard part, it is so difficult to reduce the long list of blogs that I find inspirational down to just five.

I’m sure I’m not the first (nor last) to nominate SharonB of In a Minute Ago but Sharon’s TAST and now TIF have literally been the inspiration for much of the stitching you have seen here in the past 18 months. Without these challenges I would probably have been stitching something but I doubt with the same fire and enthusiasm I have been, and it is possible that I would not have been blogging but for TAST.

Link hopping from Sharon’s blog led me (directly or via another blog) to Judy’s blog, Possibilities, etc! Judy designs, stitches, and writes about needlepoint. Recently Judy has done a series of work interpreting crazy quilts in canvas work, these were the inspiration behind my May TIF.

There are not many Japanese Embroiderer’s who blog their progress. Of the few who do, Jane is probably the most prolific. I know Jane in 'real' life and am privileged to have seen her work and listen to her speak about the art form she is so passionate about. Now she has begun to share her knowledge and her beautiful work through her blog, Nuido - a Student’s Journey.

Plimoth Plantation is recreating a 17th-century embroidered jacket and The Embroiderers' Story chronicles its progress. There is so much inspiration to be found here from the beautifully written and illustrated stitch directions, the wonderfully detailed explanations of how materials and techniques have been sourced or reproduced, the obvious enthusiasm and determination of everyone involved and last but by no means least the wonderful stitching and lace making. I only wish this project were taking place in Plymouth, England so that I could join one of the stitching sessions.

And finally, a blog that I have only recently discovered (through Jane) and have found very inspirational even though it has nothing to do with stitching. Sweet Persimmon is about the Japanese tea ceremony; it is about the long process of learning and understanding the ritual of performing or attending the ceremony. Much of what the author writes about, I can relate to Nuido - the Way of Embroidery and to the idea of the Slow Cloth.

I always feel a little uncomfortable passing on Tags and awards; I don't want to burden the recipients with an obligation to pass it on, unless of course they want to. I know you have very busy lives and other concerns already. Having said that, I am delighted to share why these blogs have been a particular inspiration to me and are part of my essential reading list.