Me plus embroidery equals patience?

Tea, blogging and freshly baked biscuits

For a change I felt like I wanted to write a blog post that wasn't about a WIP, or something pretty too look at thought that will come during the week. I wanted to write about something that's been on my mind for a little while, the perception of embroiderers. Though I am sure there are many folks out there, including you lovely lot who regularly follow my blog (god bless you).

One thing I've heard countless times over the past six years and during my apprenticeship, is the following line 'you must be so patient'. Actually, I am really not. My friends have borne witness to this. One memory that sticks out to me, no wait two, occurred during my apprenticeship days, one where I threw my 3d embroidered box across the room having grown frustrated with it and the second was when I was equally frustrated with my coronation goldwork, I slammed it down...now I can't remember if that was onto the trestles or onto the floor but either way I was less than gentle with it. I should state in both instances neither pieces were damaged and in fact my goldwork went onto win a prize. So perhaps it was a good luck gesture?

What I would say I have oddles off is perseverance, I simply have to see something through to the end. Be that courses, classes, reading a book and especially when I am working on something. I'll admit there will be a lot of swearing and throwing of items along the way. I have a bit of a short fuse at times...

Perseverance and also determination does come at a bit of a price, you don't always see that you should have quit or taken a step back. Of course, there are moments of clarity and I do quit. A good example of this is the growing number of 'projects' that have been hidden.

I wondered then if anyone else had come across this with their own work? When I tell people I really don't have the patience of a saint, they don't quite believe it to be the case. Something's are easy for me to stitch that others might find hard so the need for patience isn't required, that gets replaced with the love of actually doing it.

I suppose this is a bit of a muddled post, I was never very good at structuring things out beyond my embroidery, but I think you get the jist. Although I hope I haven't ruined your perception of me.

Another question to ask you is would you say your easily frustrated, patient, determined....

Its a bit of a curious Sunday post.

Off the band Wagon and Musing

As many of my dear readers will know I have begun the slow process of developing my hobby/passion into a viable business. As you can imagine it's not something that happens over night, its going to for me be a long term project, years to be honest. But if that's what it takes then so be it. Need to do it properly after all. However, lately I feel as though I have fallen off the band wagon. Not sure why, well actually that's not true I know my issues surrounding whether or not to move or stay put, the usual money worries of renting and spiralling costs of living, haven't helped my focus. What kept me sane was stitching and working on other things but not reading. I tried last night to get my head back in the game, but I must confess that I read the same bit of page of this business book I have been given, probably five or six times. I still don't know what it was I was attempting to read.

How hard is it to get back into what I should be doing and not getting distracted? Very, apparently. The flat issues are settled for another year, got to love short term leases, I've got some immediate goals sorted, website, branding is getting sorted, and the hourly rate. I've even developed one embroidery design that has lasting impact, and I've got another two I'm now thinking about. I've also been researching and yet....still not reading what I should be.

It perhaps isn't helped by the fact that I am thinking about stitching new lines, and buying craft books. It's time I think for a little pep talk with my mentor.

Whilst I wait for the slap on the wrist or the poke in the head. I've gone and got myself even more distracted with new books. One surprises me more than the other, the latter is simply a blackwork reference book, this will help me with one of the other new lines I want to develop. The former, now this is interesting, those who know me well, know that I have a complete disinterest and even disdain in some instances of cross-stitch. I am sorry if you are a lover of this form of stitch but it simply doesn't do anything for me. Perhaps it's from my time working in a craft shop for a couple of years, there were some really creative kits, but generally they were swamped by some frankly god awful designs, and so insipid perhaps its me being a design snob I don't know? Anyway, I actually purchased a cross stitch book*, by god is it to die for. What is it you ask? Well its ABC textiles trompe-l'oeil au point de croix by Monique Lyonnet.

The designs are simply lush, and I can't wait to get stitching. If you find a copy, then get it. Well that is if you like letter samplers and so on. Like I said it surprises me, but then not, I think I need another little side stitching/project/hobby just for me.

Sometimes you just need to do it.

*Just another little note here, it's not my first, I have others, rather beautiful Japanese designed patterns, and a small note, don't be offended by my comments, its the stitch not the people that I have a problem with at times. I also have a problem with smocking, mainly because it gives me terrible flashbacks to a lesson at the RSN and the god awful thing I created. Me and smocking don't mix, like wasps I run for the hills. If you are a cross-stitcher, smocking person or lover of wasps. I don't have any disdain for you!