So, a couple of you guessed correctly that it was a dreamcatcher I was working on yesterday. Let's remind ourselves where I was...
...and now I've added the backstitch:
Normally I'm not too keen on backstitch but this time around I couldn't wait to stitch it, and it was well worth it, I'd say! It's amazing, isn't it, what a bit of backstitching can do to a stitched piece! This dream catcher designed by Durene Jones can be found in the latest Cross Stitch Crazy magazine (issue 214)...
...and I fell in love with it the minute I saw it in the magazine. I love dreamcatchers, especially since I struggle a lot with my sleeping habits, so I just had to stitch it straight away. As usual I didn't have all the right threads, so yet again I had to go through my stash to try to find and match replacement colours... But I'm happy with the threads I put together and I plan to do more small designs like this one. I've already started a design with a wolf, and there's another dreamcatcher I have my eyes on...:))
This leads me on to anther subject I've been struggling with lately. I don't think I've told you too much about myself - except for that I love dogs lol. I struggle with depression, severe anxiety, social phobia and other health issues so these days I'm unable to work. I live on my own in a small little 'nook' (40 square meters) and sadly I don't have a partner or any children. I live for my three dogs who gets me out of bed during the bad days and who make my life worth living. I don't have a car and I generally don't go anywhere (except for walks with the dogs). I spend my days with my furbabies, my telly, my crafts, my three blogs and sometimes I hang out with my family or one or two very good friens. My only luxury are a few digital tv-chanels. And I'm happy with that. I've had so much stress in my life and so many difficulties in the past that now I just want to live my simple life in peace.
The one big cloud on my own horizon - and here's the whining part of this post lol - is my finances. The last few years, since I got really sick, I've had no money to spare after the bills are paid. If I didn't get housing benefit I wouldn't survive financially at all. Thus, as you can imagine, there are not much money to spare on crafty stash these days. And we love our stash, don't we?! Buying cross stitch supplies in Sweden is quite expensive and also difficult to get hold of, so I've found it cheaper to order online from England or the US. But it is still expensive by my standards. And the postage charge to Sweden can be quite steep - no free postage for me I'm afraid... And the last few months I've been desperate to order a couple of Prarie Schooler charts and some new threads for Christmas gifts - I said I'd start early this year LOL! But I just haven't had the money. First it was Christmas and Christmas bills and then it was the furbabies' booster shots etc... I'm hoping for a couple of slightly better months moneywise in the spring, but sometimes being so limited really puts me down. And that is how I've felt lately. So much so that my stitching mojo has also been affected.
But now I've decided that enough is enough! I HAVE to find the money to buy some more stash and other cross stitchy things. So yesterday I ordered a six-month-subscription of Cross Stitcher magazine which was on offer to overseas reader (£29). I know that I won't have any money left at the end of the month and I'll have to live on pasta and potatos some weeks - again - but my soul craves cross stitch! Not much can compare to the excitement I feel when I have a brand new cross stitching magazine in my hands - how sad am I lol. And next time I have ANY money to spare, I'm going to buy some PS charts before they run out. I just HAVE to...! Hm, I can see a lot of bread and pasta coming up in my near future lol! Speaking of which, you have no idea how jealous I am of those of you who live in England or the US where you can get your hands on reasonably priced cross stitch stuff...:)
Ok, so enough of the whining and my own small frustrations and back to stitchy matters!
I did manage to stitch a bit more on the Cosy cushion during the week:
Sadly (due to the above issues) I'm going to run out of threads for this one so I have no idea when I'll be able to finish it completely. Still, my plan is to complete what I can for the time being.
Oh boy, this turned into a loooong post, but I guess that can happen when a woman starts to whine...Thanks for letting me unload my frustrations!
Hope you've all had a nice weekend filled with stitches!
Annie
Congrats on the cute finish Annie. The cushion looks good. Hang in there. Things will get better. Sending hugs and happy thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Your stitching is lovely I hope things get better for you. When I was in school I made money donating plasma. I don't know if they do that in Sweden but maybe you could look into it? Or see about getting a temporary job maybe as a night custodian so you're not around people?
ReplyDeleteThe dreamcatcher piece is looking fabulous, Annie and you are entitled to a good whinge to your friends now and then! So sorry to hear about your troubles but cross stitch, your fur babies and your bloggy friends will always help you through the tough times. And I understand your pain re postage as I love in Australia and it is very expensive to order things to be sent here - you could try Creative Poppy, as they are downloadable pdfs, so no postage and handling and instant gratification! http://www.creativepoppypatterns.com/ hugs, Kaye
ReplyDeleteLovely finish, your WIP looks great too. I too search high and low for cheaper prices otherwise I let go and look for other designs. I wait and wait and wait for prices to get down until it's no longer available, oh well. I always enjoy your posts and this is a great way to have safe company, with ones who appreciate the same hobbies, we're all virtual friends! I don't have any stitching buddies in my circle.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful little finish that you have here. And you are so right about the backstitching.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your problems, Annie. Have you already seen the DMC freebie pages? They have loads of them listed, small ones and really big ones, all different styles and themes. Maybe you can find something there, too.
By the way, I have two older Prairie Schooler Santas of their yearly series that I don't need. If you want to have them, just send me an email.
That is a cute little finish. Backstitching makes a world of difference doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope you find a way to satisfy your stitchy cravings without having to live on bread and pasta. Like you, shipping to where I live is ridiculously expensive and sometimes even the patterns I want are too pricey. I resort to finding freebies online (there are loads of great ones from the designers that I love) and that way I only have to spend on threads and fabric. There are also Stash Unload groups on Facebook where you can find some really great deals. Hope that helps.