December 31, 2019

Goodbye and good luck

Goodbye and good luck

Many years ago, when I was a student at UT Austin and we had to call in (on phones, no less) to do our registration, the kindly Texan automated voice we called “Tex” would always wish us “goodbye and good luck.” I’m not sure why I think of Tex every time I say goodbye, but I feel there’s no better way to describe what I’m feeling right now!

I have been thinking for some time now that it is time to say goodbye to our Feeling Stitchy experience. It’s been such a good one! We’ve had SO MANY volunteer bloggers over the years who have helped to make this blog the positive, interesting, unique experience it was. I am in good health - so this announcement is not about that. But having cancer did help me re-evaluate the choices I’d been making in my life for years now.

As Editor, I find myself in the strange position of being the longest-running presence on the blog - my personal goal for Feeling Stitchy was to enrich the online community of stitchers and provide a positive environment where people of all skills, ages, and backgrounds feel comfortable to create, learn new things, and be inspired.

I never wanted to sell anything, or commodify this blog which is why we never placed ads. This began from a place of feeling like our entire lives we are being sold to - I wanted an ad-free place where all the learning we did came without a price tag.

Over time, however, I came to realize that everyone’s voice and time has value, and I became more and more conflicted about people volunteering their time on Feeling Stitchy. Many of our bloggers had businesses of their own, and I wanted to find a way to reward their time, but making the blog a money-making venture never felt right to me.

It became my goal to highlight crafters and small business people in our community who were selling a product - products that I found valuable, creative, interesting, and lovely. So again, without these sellers reaching out to me for publicity, I sought to highlight their patterns and stores, with nothing to gain except the enrichment of our crafty community.

I sincerely hope you’ve been inspired by anything you’ve seen here!

The craft community has changed quite a bit since I began this blog so many years ago- March 2007, to be exact. I see a lot of convergence in crafting styles, with many creators seeking to jump on trends more often than producing something unique.

But there will always be unique voices, and those are the ones I sought to spotlight.

One thing that has not changed, in my opinion, is the essential kindness and generosity of the crafting community as a whole. There are such good people here, undoubtedly! When I finally talked about my struggle with breast cancer, having had it twice, in 2015 and 2018, I was touched by the kind messages of encouragement I received. And when I lost my sweet cat Dot in October, your kind messages were a bright spot in a dark week.

But, it’s time. I look now with nostalgia at the first crafts I made over a decade ago, and realize they are now old enough to be vintage. Feeling Stitchy was always a group blog, and it doesn’t feel right for it to be anything but that. As I began to feel things winding down, I stopped asking for new volunteers, partly because of my hesitance at asking people to volunteer their time for free, and partly because I felt it was time.

This last year I blogged pretty much on my own, but it was a fun year and didn’t feel lonely, because all of you were encouraging me every step of the way. I was in a creative slump for numerous reasons before, but 2019 was outstanding for my crafty productivity.

I think that for things to be most effective in life - they must have a clear beginning and an end. When we see an end in sight, we naturally work harder, and put all our heart and energy toward that goal.

Thank you to anyone who has had the forbearance to read this far!

You will still see me (perhaps) on my personal Instagram, @nyfloresita. I will leave the posts on Feeling Stitchy where they are, from time to time doing my best to archive, but otherwise allowing this to be a living museum of our crafty times together!

I hope that in the time we have written we have shined a light on something that moved and inspired you. I hope you use that light in turn to shine on someone else. I hope you all never stop encouraging each other, and believing in yourselves.

May God bless you all, in everything you do, and may the light so shine in you, that it may draw others to be curious of that light, and share it in turn, with the world.

You are all lovely, wonderful, kind people. You make the crafting community what it is.

Goodbye, my stitching friends, and good luck!

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 30, 2019

2019: My year in review

2019 year in review by floresita for Feeling Stitchy

What a productive year this was for me! I thought I'd run through all the things I tried and learned this year, stitching and otherwise!

January
Kit: I began my first Septemberhouse calendar- Corinne creates beautiful printed fabric calendars, and it was a treat to stitch one.

Online class: I also purchased the beautiful Color Theory class by Karen Barbe on Domestika and began assembling all my materials.

Online class: As if that was not enough to keep me busy, I purchased a monthly Creativebug membership, and started filling along with Lisa Congdon's Creative Bootcamp class.

February
I finished my calendar, and began stitching samples for the Karen Barbe Color Theory class.

I bought a new DMC color card to help in my stitching projects and completed my collection of every shade of DMC embroidery floss!

March
I finished my final project for the Karen Barbe Color Theory class, and arranged all my threads in color order!

Pattern: I began the One Meaningful Word pattern by Lolli and Grace and really refined my satin stitch.

April
Pattern: I finished my One Meaningful Word project and began stitching 3 versions of the Lolli and Grace Beginner Rose pattern- 2 in blanket stitch and 1 in chain stitch.

Pattern: I began the Wisdom and Kindness Stitchalong with Beth Colletti.

Books: I discovered the beautiful world of Swedish embroidery and disappeared down a retro Swedish rabbithole, tracing dozens of patterns and buying books.

May
I finished my Beginner Roses and the Wisdom and Kindness stitchalong pattern.

Pattern: I stitched a Home pattern from the Cutesy Crafts ebook Home Sweet Home, which is filled with lovely patterns.

On a whim, I taught myself to finally use a sewing machine and learned how to quilt with hexagons.

June
Online class: I embraced my hexie quilt obsession, learning all I could with the Liza Lucy class on English Paper Piecing on Creativebug.

Books: I became quilt obsessed, putting together a small library of vintage quilting books, and discovering the beautiful All Points Patchwork book by Diane Gilleland.

Free patterns: I also discovered Mollie Johanson's wonderful EPP Jam A Month stitchalong, and stitched the first 6 little patterns.

I completed my first sewing project - 2 aprons upcycled from men's dress shirts!

July
Kit: I stitched the vintage linen kit by Linladan.

Book review: I reviewed Stunning Stitches for Crazy Quilts by Kathy Seaman Shaw and stitched some seam examples.

Online class: I discovered basic weaving with a Creativebug class.

August
This was a tough month for me in many ways and I took solace in quiet weaving projects.

Online class: I began the Stem Stitch class with Gimena Romero on Domestika.

September
I got my pattern transferred and began stitching the stem stitch project.

I became fountain pen and ink obsessed.

October
Stitched the stem stitch project and continued my ink and pen obsession.

November
Finished the stem stitch project.

Kit: I started the Owl Embroidery Kit by Jenny Blair.

Online class: Became calligraphy obsessed, thanks to the wonderful class by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls on Creativebug.

December
Finished the Owl Embroidery Kit by Jenny Blair.

Pattern: Finished some last minute stitching with the Noel embroidery pattern by Slow Evenings.

Completed a stumpwork monogram pattern from my unfinished archives.

Continued in my calligraphy obsession with books: The Gift of Calligraphy by Maybelle Imasa Stukuls, Mastering Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe and an online class with The Postman's Knock.



Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 27, 2019

Project a Month: Monogram on Cork Fabric


This project is one from the archives - let's travel way, way back to October 2017 - I had just been happily married and was busy working at a project that ultimately didn't see the light of day. It was a seasonal monogram, stitched on DMC gold flecked cork fabric, with DMC perle cotton.

The season was winter, and the letter was "D" simply because I'd stitched A for Spring, B for Summer, and C for Fall - the letter meant nothing to me personally.

I was happier than I'd ever been, married to the man of my dreams, the one I thought would never arrive, and we were just settling into our new life and new apartment together.

Monogram on Cork Fabric

That is why, in this photo you see nothing hanging on the walls, things in quiet disarray, as if recently unpacked. I'd just gotten a shiny new desk, all white, and set to work on this project.

I might have never found these photos again, had I not been looking for photos of my sweet cat Dot, after she passed away in October.

Dot supervises :)

All at once, the quiet, happy scene came back to me, and these photos were a time capsule of calm and our beautiful happiness before the storm set in - before either of us were sick and I stitched, and Dot supervised me from her sunlit slumber on our bed - she lay just where she could see me stitching.

I pulled out the project as I was grieving for Dot, and found it languishing in my bin of unfinished business, and all at once I saw the letter "D." D for Dot.

Monogram on Cork Fabric

Monogram on Cork Fabric

What this project meant to me is this - there is so much beauty in what is happening in this very moment, right now. All around us are lights and treasures, and beauty to be taken in and seen.

Monogram on Cork Fabric

We never realize how lucky we are until we have these moments to look back and discern our utter blessedness.

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 25, 2019

Christmas Countdown #12: Lord-a-leaping

Lord a Leaping

Well, here we are at Christmas Day, and at the end of our countdown through my ornament finishes from 2018 with Lord-a-leaping! What a fun journey this was, not just with the ornaments, but to experience all of this with you, our wonderful readers. I went through some very tough times in 2018, but this project, and your encouraging words kept me strong.

I wish you all the joy of the season on this day and many blessings this year and beyond, my friends!

This pattern, like all of the patterns in the 12 Days of Christmas ornaments were designed by the talented Larissa Holland for her store Mmmcrafts on Etsy - this pattern is Lord-a-leaping.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong 12 Lord a Leaping pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 24, 2019

Christmas Countdown #11: Lady Dancing

ld6

I had so much fun with my Lady Dancing ornament - finally nearing the end of my year of ornaments, I had found the colors and threads I loved most, gotten more comfortable with 3d elements, and enjoyed the fun of painting the little (oversized heads).

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Lady Dancing. i just love how everything came together on this one!

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:

12 Months of Chrsitmas Stitchalong 11 Lady Dancing pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 23, 2019

Christmas Countdown #10: Piper Piping

Piper piping

I had a lot of fun incorporating some sparkly Etoile threads, and his jaunty feather cap is just adorable!

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Piper Piping.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Chrsitmas Stitchalong 10 Piper Piping pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy


Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 22, 2019

Christmas Countdown #9: Drummer Drumming

Drummer drumming

Another fun stitch - I made a few changes to the pattern, one was unintentional - his head was bigger than the one called for. I think it turned out fine, although I had to stitch his hat a bit bigger to compensate. I like the bobblehead look of my finished ornaments. :)

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Drummer Drumming.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Chrsitmas Stitchalong 9 Drummer drumming pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 21, 2019

Project a Month: Noel Pattern by Slow Evenings


Stitching this lovely Noel Pattern is how I will close out my year of Projects a Month! Slow Evenings is the Etsy shop of Miriam Polak who you might know from Instagram as @slow_evenings_embroidery.

Although there were MANY patterns I'd have loved to stitch this month, I chose this pattern because it was downloadable, and with an eye for speed, frankly, as I'd love to finish before the year is done!

About the Pattern

Having a look at this pattern, I must say I am thoroughly impressed! This PDF is 23 pages - filled with all the information you could ever need, plus the pattern, a beautifully illustrated stitch guide, and 2 color guides - light and dark. There are step by step instructions for every stitch! I was very pleasantly surprised at the detail included in this pattern.

Noel pattern by Slow Evenings on Etsy, as featured by floresita on Feeling Stitchy

This pattern will give me one last time this year to work on my long and short stitch, on those big, beautiful block letters. I can't wait!

Again, this is the Noel Pattern by Slow Evenings, if you'd like to get in one last stitch before Christmas!

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

Christmas Countdown #8: Maid-a-milking

maid

This was another fun stitch - I wasn't 100% happy with my colors, but it was a lot of fun to put together. One thing I loved about these ornaments was how they helped me overcome a bit of fear about working in 3d. :)

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Maid-a-milking.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Chrsitmas Stitchalong 8 Maid a milking pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 20, 2019

Christmas Countdown #7: Swan-a-swimming

Swan a swimming

I adored my swan ornament - one of the first finishes that I was perfectly happy with! I especially liked the two-tone water I did, instead of stitching a waterline.

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Swan-a-swimming.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong 7 Swan a swimming pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy


Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 19, 2019

Project a Month: Jenny Blair Kit finish

Project a Month October Jenny Blair Owl Embroidery Kit as Featured by floresita on Feeling Stitchy

I've finished my lovely Jenny Blair Owl kit in record time! When I last left you, I was about to stitch the final full moon in padded satin stitch...

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

Here's how I began, scattering seed stitch across the moon. I then followed up with 2 strands of thread satin stitch, at times doubling up where the fabric peeked through.

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

Next I started on the owl details, once again using stem stitch for the top of the owl's wing...

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

Then I did satin stitch for the curved upper part of the wing - I loved the smooth texture...

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

Then more satin stitch in the opposite direction, on the lower parts of the wing.

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

Here's how it stood before adding the french knots... admittedly my satin stitch was a bit clumsy, I always struggle with satin stitch on perfectly circular shapes. I also thought the owl wing needed something more...

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

So I added a few metallic highlights on the bottom of the wing, like so...

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

And here it is, finished - all in all, it's a lovely kit, and I'm glad I was able to fit this into my end of year stitching! I love the texture effect of the stem stitch, I'll have to remember to revisit stem stitch often in the future.

Owl embroidery kit by Jenny Blair

I had plenty of thread left over when I was finished! The only thread that I almost used up was the metallic thread (seen in the lower part of the photo), so do be careful with that if you order this kit, there isn't enough to make mistakes. :) I used 3 strands throughout, except for satin stitch, where I used 2 strands. I used the needle Jenny provided in the kit for my stitching - it was thin and very sharp - I did poke myself a few times, so be careful of that as well!

This kit is just wonderful for the price - the materials and design are just beautiful, I'm so glad I stitched it, and highly recommend Jenny's Etsy store, Jenny Blair Kits. I hope you enjoyed my quick progress on this project as much as I did!

Previous Posts

First post: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-jenny-blair-owl-kit.html
Second post: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-jenny-blair-kit-progress.html

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

Christmas Countdown #6: Goose a Laying

Goose a laying

Here is Goose a Laying - although I wasn't super happy about my color choices - I finished these in the midst of my first weeks of chemotherapy - and the strongest rounds, at that! So, another free pass. :)

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Goose-a-Laying.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong 6 Goose a Laying pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 18, 2019

Wonderful Wednesday #79: Lily Adelaide Upton


Well, my year of stitching one project a month is almost over, and I admit, if I only had more time, THIS Christmas Beetle Kit would have been my December project! Isn't it lovely? I know some people are not fans of bugs, but I adore insects, and I love this twist on a simple wreath.

Lily offers this pattern in 3 versions in her Etsy store, if you'd like to stitch this:

As a kit:

As a digital tutorial with detailed stitch directions:

As a PDF pattern:

The kit looks gorgeous, so I'd lean towards that, but if you already have fabric and threads ready, the other two options would work well too!

Follow Lily @lilyadleaideupton on Instagram for more loveliness!

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

Christmas Countdown #5: Golden Ring

ring11

Here is the Golden Ring - I loved the 3d elements of this design - it was such fun to put together!

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Gold Ring.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong 5 Gold Ring pattern by Larissa Holland as stitched by floresita for Feeling Stitchy

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

December 17, 2019

Christmas Countdown #4: Colly Bird

2018-05-11_09-21-30

Here is Colly Bird - I never liked my finished stitching on this one very much, and my photos didn't help either. But still it was progress, so I'll cut myself some slack on this one. :)

All these patterns are available in the Mmmcrafts Etsy store - this is Colly Bird.

Here's a link to my post for details on how I stitched this up:
12 Months of Christmas Stitchalong 4 Colly Bird, a feature by floresita on Feeling Stitchy

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

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