So here we are...the beginning of June already and two days post Maynia. I am still gathering my wits and enjoying a lazy and quiet morning, but thought I would pop on and ruminate.
Maynia was a complete success for Yours Truly, but not exactly in the way I anticipated. There were more days than I would have liked with no stitching at all, but I am giving myself a dispensation due to health circumstances.
That was the best Maynia outcome, by the way...the gift of learning to give myself a break. Instead of getting disappointed that I was too unwell to stitch, I allowed myself to just sit with my project and...contemplate. Or dream. Or re-work. Or plan.
I think the second best thing about the Maynia was that it re-introduced me to several old friends that I hadn't seen in a while. Some of my projects had been languishing in my stash for what feels like forever. Some are not exactly my current style, and some will be moved to the Island of Misfit Toys, but it was nice to remember who I was or what I was doing when I started the piece.
I learned that it really is possible for me to have a little routine in my life again. I feel like I used to have good routines a million years ago at Chez Spinster with Stewey and Bosco and Aunt Chrissy. Routines are what kept me somewhat sane and organized and calm and safe and happy. But I don't think I've had that feeling for quite a while here at CS2 and with the new life of being a full time patient and part time spinster. The routine of pulling and ready-ing a new project for the next day was really quite nice to look forward to each weekday evening.
The variety of forms of stitching was a surprise, because it reminded me that I do like painted canvas and counted canvas needlepoint. I haven't done very much of either in the last several months, but hopefully I will remedy that with sone Laura J Perin. I also forgot how much I like specialty stitches and pulled work, but remembered that cross stitches with silk on 28ct Picture This Plus is what really makes my heart sing.
I didn't have any finishes in May, but when I look over the last few years of my stitchy life, I realize that finishes haven't been very frequent for me at all, and I'm actually OK with that. I really am a "process stitcher" and take my enjoyment from the simple act of the stitching itself and not necessarily the end result.
There were other lessons learned, I'm sure, but my tiny little brain is still a bit foggy. I am hoping that today will be a studio day and that I can spend some time putting a June basket together. I like the idea of having several different toys to play with, and some of the Maynia pieces were so enjoyable that I might keep them out for a little while.
Other than that, the day has dawned gorgeous and sunny and nice and cool, so methinks I might head out to the balcony for coffee and the paper today. I added a couple of WalMart clearance aisle rocking chairs for Magoo and I to enjoy, and today is the perfect tine to do so!
Thank you for sharing your insights!
ReplyDeleteI love how you did Maynia this year and am very proud of you for sticking with it! I managed to stitch twice this month when I had planned to stitch every day - ugh! Love the new chairs and can't wait to see what you decide to put in your June basket :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing all your projects for the Maynia session - and seeing your progress was great. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with your insight and glad that you recognize the need for a break. Your stitching, no matter the type, is always beautiful. That is a reflection of you and your love for the art.
ReplyDeletePhew, I've just caught up with all your beautiful Maynia stitching. What lovely things. This was my first year doing it, and I thoroughly enjoyed the new starts and also pulling out the really really old things with a few or quite a lot of stitches in them. I have been in the middle of jobhunting and interviewing over May and so the stitching has also kept me from getting too anxious about all that, but it has meant that I haven't stitched every day either. I'm glad to hear that you don't feel bad about taking days away from the stitching and to hear all your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful week!
I really enjoyed all your Maynia stitching as well as your thoughts looking back on it. It's wonderful you realized how important it is to give yourself a break, and how you can also put some simple routines back in your life (and how comforting and helpful simple routines can be!) I hope you continue to remember all this as you prepare for some fun summery stitching! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteConi, your rocker looks very inviting. I enjoyed your recap and I think you learned a few things about yourself. Some of us (and that includes you) thrive on routine especially the simple ones. They bring us pleasure and true comfort. I can't wait to see what you put in your basket for June. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteI'm a process stitcher also. Eventually it will get finished but until then I enjoy the process of working on it.
ReplyDeleteOh the rocking chairs… just what a balcony can use to temper
ReplyDeletethe time and bring routine to full glory. You will not be able to give in to irrelevancy while rocking..that occasional
going with the flow will give both of you a whole new perspective....Thank you for the depth and breadth of your
Maynia endeavor... enjoyed every piece and was greatly impressed by your tenacity and what your golden hands produce.
It sounds like Maynia was just what you needed :) And I love your new rocking chairs!
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