Week 2 of Stitch 23 in 23 is in the books and I don’t know about you, but I’m having a B L A S T!!
If you missed week 1, click here to catch up and if you’re new to the Serendipity Needleworks family and not sure what I’m talking about, click here to read more about our fun-filled needlepoint event. 😉
Now, here’s the recap of Stitch 23 in 23 Week 2…
On Monday, January 30th, we chatted about how needlepoint is GOOD for you!
Needlepoint can be meditative and relaxing – light a scented candle, build a fire in the fireplace, make a cup of tea, listen to some soft music – and stitch your stress away.
Not only does the act of stitching slow down your heart rate, it quiets your mind, too. During the past few years, the topsy turvy state of the world has caused all of us to experience high levels of stress which means that cortisol has been coursing through our veins like C R A Z Y!! And that’s not good!!
It’s like being in a constant state of “fight or flight” – and that’s enough to make anybody feel bad. In fact, long term high cortisol levels can lead to chronic inflammation, insomnia, digestive problems, weight gain and/or weight loss, anxiety, and depression… YIKES!
When you have a needlepoint project to take your mind off of what’s going on around you, it’s like pressing the pause button on the uncertainty – and you automatically begin to decompress.
You get to choose the canvas you’ll stitch – and which threads and stitches you’ll use. Or you can opt to work the entire canvas in tent stitch. You get to stitch at your own pace – on your schedule. And creating something beautiful with your own two hands provides not only a sense of accomplishment, it also releases that feel-good brain chemical, dopamine!
Watch the video below and then tell me if you you’ve been able to carve out 23 minutes every day – or even a few days – down below in the comments. I’d love to hear from you. 😉
On Tuesday, January 31st…
I got on a plane for the first time since 2019! (I can’t believe it’s been that long since I’ve even been in an airport.)
Traveling is one of my favorite things to do! Seeing new places and experiencing different cultures lights me up. (That’s why I ❤️ our Threadventures so much… 😊)
Since this was a working trip, I only took one project with me. And I took my Super Snips to clip threads. These colorful micro scissors are super cute and they’re also small enough to pass through airport security.
Moving right along, on Wednesday, February 1st…
I shared my thoughts about how needlepoint is a visual art…
But instead of using paints and a paintbrush, we use a needle and threads to create our finished masterpieces.
And it’s super important to understand that the designs on needlepoint canvases are works of art created by painters who just happen to use mono canvas as their ground – instead of an artist’s canvas. Those designers employ the principles of art when they paint our canvases.
As a needlepoint artist, it’s not just helpful to have a basic understanding of the principles of art – it’s essential. See, when you embellish your painted canvases with decorative stitches and fancy threads, you’ll use those fundamental principles to help you create a plan that will result in a cohesive looking finished project.
We’ll talk more about how to use the elements of art and the principles of design in a workshop I have coming up later this month. If you’d like to get on the waitlist to learn more about it, click here.
And on Thursday, February 2nd…
Threads were the topic of the day!
Friday, February 3rd, was all about needle minders.
I can’t tell you how many needles I’ve lost in the recesses of my stitching chair through the years…
But now, my tapestry needles have a “nanny”. (That’s another name for a needle minder… teehee 😉)
So, what, exactly, is a needle nanny or a needle minder?
Great question… it’s a cute little magnet that you attach to your canvas so that you can park your needle when you’re finished stitching for the day. The “nanny” (or “minder”) takes care of your needle while you’re away from your project so that it doesn’t get lost between stitching sessions.
You know I LOVE all things French – and I picked up this cutie pie Evergreen Needlepoint needle minder from Magic City Needlepoint the last time I was up in Birmingham.
No more worrying about Fifi or Fluffy swallowing a renegade needle that jumped off your canvas onto the floor. And no more scowls from hubby when he steps on one of your tiny silver escapees, either. Who could ask for more?
I’m curious… how do you keep up with your needles? Do you stick them in your canvas? Do you put them in a needle tube? Or do you use a needle minder? Tell me in the comments below. 😉
And that brings us to Saturday, February 4th, when we hit the half-way mark!
I know it can be hard to squeeze something new to do into your already busy schedule, so I don’t want you to feel bad if you haven’t been able to carve out as much time as you thought you might.
Just set a goal for one day – and then, the next day, set the same goal for one more day. And before you know it, you will have stitched for a whole string of days… YAY YOU!!
I’m over-the-moon excited to report that I’ve actually gotten 23 minutes of stitching in every single day except one – even with my trip stuck in the middle of Stitch 23 in 23… HOORAY!!!
And I decided to make the day I missed an “oh well” moment – and I got back on track the very next day. (I’ve been working on a project that my sweet little Daddy started back when I first opened Serendipity Needleworks.)
Be sure to mark your Bingo card every time you complete a task – and when you get a “BINGO”, share a picture on our Facebook page here.
If you need the Bingo card, click here for the color version and click here for the printer friendly version.
Alrighty, my friend… that’s your recap of week 2 of Stitch 23 in 23! Be sure and check back next week for a recap of week 3 – and if you want to keep up with what’s happening every day, check the Serendipity Needleworks social media channels here and here.
Until next time, happy stitching…
XOXO!!
Ellen, still follow you to see what you have new. I always use a needle minder. Thanks for helping with a goal of 23 minutes a day. I’m in ANG and we have a thing called “Magic.” We commit in January to finish certain projects. I picked two biggies and five ones to complete. If not completed, we owe $5 per uncompleted canvas. So, I do stitch 23 minutes a day, often more. Thanks, Maureene Dubiak
So glad you’re still following along… it’s great to hear from you. 🙂 I hope you got those projects finished.
XOXO!
Ellen
My stitch time is not going as I hoped but I still am working on the 23 minutes a day goal. Love seeing something about our hobby every day. There’s just a lot going on right now that gets in the way! Our sweet 12 year-old pembroke welsh corgi, Manning, has cancer that has matastasized and he needs (and gets!) a lot of attention. His time is limited, we know, so sharing time with him is a high priority.
I’m so sorry to hear about your pup, Joyce! I know how hard it is to see a beloved fur baby decline. Sending you lots of love and a great big hug!!
XOXO!
Ellen
Dear Ellen.
I love all types of stitchers. The trouble is that I get asthma from fibers. When I cut fabrics or quilt I wash it first. It helps some. Any ideas? Does anyone else have ideas?
Hmmm, I’m afraid I don’t have any suggestions for you. You might check with an allergy specialist to see if he/she has any recommendations.
Good luck…
XOXO!
Ellen
I use a needle minder ( my favorite is a rainbow!) when I am only stopping for a few minutes. When I put my canvas in my bag for the night, I put the needle through the unpainted margin of the canvas. This is because once my needle got knocked off from the needle minder by accident. It took me a while to find it. But I do love the pretty variety of needle minders!
Hi Margy!
Thank you for sharing with us. I’ve had my needle get knocked off the needle minder, too… and now, I put the needle on the back side of my work so that it’s in the “well” created by the stretcher bars. That small action protects it so that it doesn’t get bumped around as much. Hope that helps… and happy stitching!
XOXO!
Ellen
Yes! I have stitched 23 minutes each day of the challenge.
Thanks Ellen.
So far I’ve stitched every day except one.
My favorite thread is Needlepoint Inc. Silk. It is so easy to work with and they have a great selection of colors to choose from.
I always use needle minders and sent a picture of a couple of mine the other day.
I would like to learn how to do the Damask stitch and was hoping you could show us how to do it and what would it best be used for. Also, what threads would work well with the Damask stitch.
Thank you. Marilynn Schaefer
You’re very welcome, Marilynn! And keep an eye out for the video for the Damask stitch to be added to the How-To Stitch Library in your Stitcher’s Club Member Portal within the next couple of weeks. 😉
XOXO!
Ellen
Thank you Ellen! I have not needlepointed for 25 years and used to love it! You got me going again and for me that was a wonderful gift! Thank you for sparking my creative energy!! I so look forward to every message you write or live TV you do. And now look forward to my time with needle, canvas, threads and scissors in hand. Sending you the biggest hug ever!
I only have one needle minder so I do weave the needle into the outside portion of the canvas but … that is the active WIPS. I have WIPS that are in storage (whites so always careful for where I am stitching) and the needles are stored In a different place – cloth or case.