Sewing, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting… they are all mindful techniques that can create a deep sense of relaxed concentration that becomes something of a state of Zen. Truly!
I’ve recently been trying long-stitch, and I’m often surprised at how much I get ‘lost in the moment’ and ‘time flies’. It is the perfect combination of repetition and attention. You have to concentrate on what you’re doing, but not in a way that you feel overwhelmed or stressed, you sink into ‘the zone’.
It reminds me a little bit of when I used to swim laps (when I was training for a trek in Nepal (decades ago)). You follow a line, this way that, over and over, back and forth. The little embroideries I’m making however, are far less taxing on my body, and I don’t have to wash my hair when I’m done!
The new hobby came about when our local department store was having a super-sale. The store tends to have all the latest and greatest fads, keeping everyone happy for the month that painting is ‘in’, or ‘make your own sushi’ is all the rage. Then, in a heartbeat, the world has moved on from that arts-and-crafty-cooking-thing, and whatever is left on the shelf has to be sold at a mega discount to make room for the next month’s latest and greatest thing. So it was; I noticed a batch of little timber hoops with pre-printed patterns on canvas sheets and enough thread to finish them off. The packet assured me they were straight forward, so I took a few home.
Next school holiday I pulled a couple out and everyone in the family had a go. One daughter made the wing of a galah, my husband made a leaf for birdie’s branch, whilst the other daughter was putting petals on a waratah flower (one of our national emblems). By the end of the long weekend, we’d made two little hoops, and by and large, everyone had had enough. But there were more hoops to make… so slowly over time, my eldest daughter and I kept working on a parrot and a butterfly, and more recently, I did my best on some texts:
When I finish my ‘LOVE’ panel, I think I’m going to see if I can find some blank canvas and a timber hoop and make my own design. Something short and pithy and appropriate to my holistic healing journey. Here’s a couple of ideas I’ve had (it’s much easier to make things in pretend than sew them… but you never know):
I’m leaning towards “IFFY” as the most achievable. Care to vote on which one I should try? Or maybe you have a different (short) saying that could work? Don’t hold your breath for a finished result – but I’ll try to be done by Christmas… 2025!
Until then, take care and as the hoop says; “BE KIND”.
Linda xox
The Mindful Migraine 
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