Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Trying Something New

I finished the first of my Prairie Schooler Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments on Sunday. Number 1, Partridge, turned out just lovely. I'm very happy with the colors I've substituted and I even got a little start on the next one!


Just a little start, mind you! I've been feeling a little grouchy during my work weeks. Lately, with work, housekeeping and All That Jazz I've only been getting serious stitching time in on Sunday afternoon. That is not enough to keep me sane. Nor will it ever be sufficient to make a dent in the crapload of stash I want to stitch! I'm sure it would help matters if, when I got off work, I stayed off the Internet but your blogs keep getting updated so I must be nosy and go see! And eBay, Amazon, Netflix and OMG Google! You know how it is, next thing you know it's past bedtime?



The other night as I lay dozing before sleep I thought how it might be possible for me to make appointments with my stitching. Much like going to club meetings and such? Hmmm, how could I make this work? I'm such a terrible homebody. I like nothing better than staying in and doing nothing. Except maybe stash shopping! I decided I'd give it a try and my first appointment with my stitching was today at the public library! After work, I packed up my stitching and my ipod. I found a table at the library and stitched for a wonderful hour and a half. No phone calls, no laundry, no blogging, no computer.

Oh, and it was The Beatles on the ipod today.



See how much I got done? It was very peaceful and the tables and chairs were comfy to stitch at. I think I should have grabbed a little snack because near the end of the "meeting" my stomach started growling very loudly! I'm sure the people sitting next to me thought I was starving. I don't know how long I can keep it going but so far, this is a positive. Every one needs a little "me" time.

How do you get yours?

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox

66 comments:

L.O. said...

The library is a great place for "me" time. I use to get my "me" time by waking up at four o'clock in the morning, proping up on the couch with a cup of coffee, and stitching the first hour of my day away. Now that I am on a quest to lose some weight, the first hour of my day is spent sweating and longing for a cup of coffee. Oh how I miss the good old days. Love your stitching. It is going to be beautiful!

Lei

Tricia T said...

What a good idea to stitch at the library! I schedule an hour and a half every evening after I clean up the supper dishes. If there is a sports event on TV, I'll watch with my husband while I stitch, otherwise I go in the other room and turn on a Jane Austen movie that I've seen a million times so I can just listen and stitch. : )

SoCal Debbie said...

The library sounds like a wonderful getaway! I also have great intentions of stitching after work, but I get glued to the computer too, or start doing chores, or feeding all the animals bugging me. A library sounds like the perfect plan! Your 12 Days of Christmas will look wonderful!

Robin said...

What a clever way to dedicate time to yourself!

valerie said...

Great idea! Sometimes you really have to set aside the time to do things for yourself. I should make gym appointments. I'm going to try that next week.

Jane said...

Your partridge looks very content in its Partridge Tree!
What a great idea for 'me' time ~ I go to the Library on Fridays and have never thought to take my sewing with me and enjoy the peace and quiet, looks like tomorrow's visit will be slightly different!!!

Shari said...

great idea....may I say great minds think alike?!?!?!?!?!
I take the little boy I babysit for to preschool two mornings a week...rather than come all the way home for 2 hours, I go to the library & stitch....oh so peaceful & I get much accomplished with no phone & no internet...OK, I have my phone, but it has to be on vibrate, so I can't take calls!!!!!

pandy said...

That's a really great idea. I used to go to a little cafe near me and stitch (on really sunny days so I could see my work lol) but I haven't in awhile. I'm sort of the type that it takes a major effort for me to put on pants once I'm HOME.

I have all these great intentions for stitching a ton of things, but I get side tracked because I'm also a gamer. new games/patches/expansions come out and my stash starts getting dusty! At least this year I'm sort of on track for my bucket list. :)

Mouse said...

oooo well done on your progress and the library sounds like a good plan for you ..... or you could just nip over here ..lol :) love mouse xxxx

Berit said...

OMG, love it!

I don't have a good system for getting that me time, which is supposed to be bathtub time. :D

Friendship Crossing said...

What a great idea Sharon! I never thought of the library as a place to stitch, but how clever of you to think of it! Now I think you've started something. All the libraries will wonder why there are so many stitchers instead of readers there, LOL.

Smiles,
Tanya

CalamityJr said...

I love your planned appointments idea! I have a feeling a lot of gals are soon going to have meetings to attend, lol.

Karen said...

VEry good idea.... hope you can keep it up. Can't wait to see yoru ornaments come to life!

happy stitching....

Nancy said...

Lovely stitching! Your idea for 'Me' is a good one!

Teresa S. said...

"as I lay dozing before sleep" is when I get great ideas too! :)

Making an appt with yourself works great! I will put it in my phone calendar and that makes it "official" so I have to schedule around it.

Shari said...

ok Sharon.....you sparked my interest, so I had to go look & see if I had this pattern & yes, I DO! So....how are you planning to finish yours?!?! You have me wondering

Jenny said...

Ooooh - that is so nice, Daff! Both the stitching and your "solo stitch-club". Love the SSC idea!
I love your linen pick!!!

Cross Stitch Queen said...

When my son was in Kindergarden, I used to go to the library and stitch while I waited for him to come out.

It was wonderful since it was quiet and empty most of the time.

Your stitching is lovely as usual. You should be done in no time at all.

Have a great evening!
CSQ
betweenthestitches.blogspot.com

Norma Soulet (AZArtist) said...

Love your First Day of Christmas stitchery!
Can't wait to see all the others.
Hugs

Astrids dragon said...

At LEAST 2 hours a week while Nathan is in gymnastics or tae won do and 3 hours or so when I get together with my stitching buddy, DJ, which isn't as often as I'd like! Otherwise, I'll stitch in the evening while watching TV - that is, if I'm not on the darn computer, like now!

Carol said...

Good to see you're making good use of your public library, Sharon!! We see all sorts of interesting uses of our library each day at work :)

Love your partridge finish--looking forward to seeing the remaining eleven!

Myra said...

I am having trouble keeping up too! I haven't been getting much stitching time and that doesn't make for a happy me. I hope your plan works for you.

Unknown said...

Great stitching - love your choice of colors. The library sounds like a great idea - I never would have thought of that.

Sarah said...

Your stitching looks great, I especially love the linen colour, the marbled effect brings out the stitching beautifully!

What a good idea for me time, I love libraries in general. Not an option for me, as our local one's have been closed since September 2010 due to the ongoing earthquakes. My stitchy time is usually my study break time, I watch a 20 minute TV programme for something in the background and stitch away!

Kaisievic said...

Hi Sharon, What a fabulous idea! I try to fit in my stitching time around work and the family but I do find that checking out everyone's craft blogs takes up valuable stitching time. lol!

I love the idea of making stitching appointments.

hugs, Kaye

P.S. How do you manage to keep up with all of the blogs which you follow and your followers?

Kaisievic said...

P.S. I love your 12 days of Christmas stitchery - I am hoping that my local shop, Lazy Daisy has the pattern.

Hugs again, Kaye

Ali said...

What a fab idea stitching with no distractions - enjoy - your stitching looks lovely xx

The Outgoing Introvert said...

Your stitching looks awesome! Glad your "meeting" went so well. If I try and schedule stitching time, it just don't happen but I try and have a little time to stitch every evening. Most times I get in a least a little time, sometimes it don't happen though.

Christine said...

Your "date" with your stitching was very productive. The 12 days are going to be gorgeous

butterfly said...

Great stitching Daffycat, yes there is never enouth time for stitching if we don't find it some where.

Stitchabilities said...

I think you may of started a new trend, Libraries all over the world will be full of stitchers!!

Lesleyanne said...

A great idea to stitch at the Library. I try to make sure I get an hour or two after mealtimes in the evening but Sunday is my best day I sit in my chair and just don't move lol. A lovely finish and great new start.

CyberJulka said...

Lovely! I am waiting for your next post dear Sharon! Hugs!

Bekca said...

Congrats on your first PS finish, the second one is looking great already. I like to stitch in the evenings. After I've done all my work during the day, there is nothing nicer than settling down to some stitching and a hot chocolate. Best wishes.

DebbieSFL said...

What a great idea, and libraries have great needlework (study) tables and lighting!! Might have to mosey to mine this weekend....

cucki said...

very lovely stitching dear, and a lovely start..i also go to library for my "me"time :)
have a lovely weekend dear xxx

Patty C. said...

Great progress ;)

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I usually carve at least 30-45 minutes out of my lunch hour to stitch. It helps preserve my sanity while at work and gets me through to quitting time.

I like the idea of going to the library too. I may have to throw my iPod in my stitch bag. Hadn't thought of that.

Love the stitching!

mdgtjulie said...

What a lovely idea, Sharon. I need to do something like that, lol. I get caught up in emails and blogs, and next thing I know, it's late and time for bed.

Penny said...

That's a great idea. It looks like it worked ~ you made good progress. :) I try to do most of my stitching either before everyone gets up or after everyone goes to bed.

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

I love your first 12 days of Christmas.Glad you got some time to yourself,it is not good to have stitching withdrawel symptoms.

Kathy A. said...

Nice progress on your 12 Days of Christmas. I love the idea of making an appointment for stitching. The bloody computer does keep us away doesn't it.

Sharon said...

What a great idea! I know where you're coming from in the "need to stitch" department - I get cranky if I don't put needle to fabric often enough to my liking!
The only problem I see, is that the librarians are going to see your delightful pieces and want their own "daffy's creations". LOL

staci said...

Love the way your patridge turned out! Happy Stitching!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I really like your choice of colours.

Susan said...

Great progress on your 12 Days. I like the meeting idea! I have very little time during the week for my stitching - I get home from work around 7:40 and am usually in bed around 9:00, BUT as it's just the Hubs and me, the weekends are usually free (except for that housework stuff..)

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

My computer time is limited as I share it with hubby and the large boy!
I stitch a small while cooking tea, supervising small boy's bath (a good 30 mins there!) and then between 9 and 11 is the larger project's turn.
I usually keep a small project by the sofa to steal 5 mins while the small boy is playing during the day.

Barbi said...

I love the finish and the colors are great! You know that you are going to force me to start mine..don't you! You are playing a mean mean mind game here! LOL
I actually look forward to hockey/hunting season. Hubby doesn't tend to say anything much when he is engulfed in the game..therefore I don't have to pay attention to him. LOL (gee..that sounds bad..doesn't it?)

Lynn said...

I head into my gazebo to stitch because there are no distractions there and no computer. However once winter arrives I think the library would be great too. The computer is my biggest distraction.
Love your first finish on 12 Days!

Sparky said...

ps. love to have you do a tut on anything christmas related for our comfort and joy in december at sewwequilt.com if interested please let me know ..

Delusional Knitter said...

What a fantastic idea!!

Carmen said...

lovely stitching ..i have my stitching time the saturday and sunday, in the middle, i can stitch only half hour before time bed..

Melanie said...

What a great idea!!!!!!!

Julie said...

Great first day, I like the colours too.

Definitely a good idea, I'm time tabling my time better recently, I seem to be always saying sorry to folks as time passes me by

Carolyn NC said...

Great colors - it is hard to do it all, isn't it?
Good luck with the time management. :)

Pumpkin said...

Looks great Sharon! These are going to be lovely :o)

I don't have a getaway anymore :o(

Cross Stitch Queen said...

How are the library trips going??

CSQ
betweenthestitches.blogspot.com

Cross Stitch Queen said...

The more I see it, the more like it. The more I see things that can be done with the pattern.

with yarn, it would make a great trim on a sweater. With beads it would make a wonderful beaded votive where you would put a candle in.

I really really like it. I think he is truly inspired.

Did you tell him how much we appreciate his embellishment of nature?

Wonderfully inspiring stitches...
CSQ
betweenthestitches.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Sharon,
Your start looks great. Glad you got some "ME" time in at the library with your stitching.

Linda said...

Again, thanks for inspring me on the PS piece. I am doing mine all on 1 piece of fabric.

Linda

Raven/Missy said...

Your ornie looks wonderful! You've made a good start on the second one as well.

Your idea of setting an appointment for stitching time sounds great. I hadn't thought of doing that. Like you, I am a homebody. With my disabilities however, going out is very difficult so I'd have to have my "meeting" at home. I think I'll give it a try by locking my bedroom door and hanging a sign on it "Stitching Meeting from do not disturb!". Would be nice if that would work LOL Enjoy your meetings! :)

lynda said...

I love this idea! Maybe I'll actually get some stitching done if I try it too!

MaryBeth said...

Very cute. It looks like you're using really small count fabric. Wish my eyes were still that good, lol

Lee said...

Library stitching - wonderful!

michele said...

An appointment! what a great idea....

If only my day wasn't filled chauffering children. My stitching gets done in the car line at school and other waiting rooms or events.

Susan in SC said...

What a brilliant idea!!