Simply Stitching, yep, that’s how I’ve spent the past few days.  To-Do lists hidden, appointments rescheduled, music playing in the back ground.  Slow stitching disengages my busy mind.  I focus on each stitch, the rhythmic up then down of the needle, each color selection, each pattern.  Calming, methodical and mesmerizing.

Below are some practice stitches on a scrap piece of muslin.

My inner critic told me that I was wasting time, “What good is a scrap piece of fabric with random stitches?”

I replied “You’re right!”

So I pulled out my new long denim skirt and channeled my “inner hippie child”.  “She” is not a critic but a free spirit that gives flight to ideas.

(I ordered this skirt on line through The Skirt Outlet.  They have a great selection of denim skirts and wonderful customer service.)

Chain stitch, running stitch, back stitch, Fly stitch, French knots and Bullion stitch.  I’m using a mixture of DMC six strand embroidery floss, DMC variegated and Valdani Perle cottons in size 8. All of these threads are colorfast and durable and will hold up to many wash and dry cycles.

Here is a close up of that flower.

My “inner hippie child” is very happy.  More stitching to come in the days ahead.

Keep It Simple.