Sunday, January 1, 2023

Valentine’s Day Stitch-a-Long, part 1

Hi everyone! Welcome to 2023! Full disclosure here: I’m writing this on December 29 and getting ready to go away for the weekend. We’re going to Salt Lake City, Utah, to run an indoor half marathon: 52 laps around a speed skating rink built for the Winter Olympics. Pretty wild — but it will be the 42nd state I’ve raced a half marathon in, which I’m excited about, even if all those left turns make my hips ache a bit. But that’s not why we’re here!!!

Last time I shared that I had FINALLY finished my Great Wave piece, which was super exciting. I haven’t taken it to the framers yet, but that’s a goal to get done this month. I’ll be sure and post it when it’s done!

I struggled to decide on my next project — I had thought about a sequins-and-felt Christmas banner, and was going to start that when the wind was taken out of my sails a bit. My company laid me and 25% of the employees off in the middle of December.

I hasten to point out that I’ll be fine; as this was the 4th round of layoffs in 2022 it wasn’t exactly unexpected. Just less-than-kind timing, I suppose. So it was hard to get into any Christmas spirit. If we hadn’t put our tree up earlier in the month, I’m not sure we would have bothered. 

So I decided, for my next project, to pick something atypical for me: a Valentine’s Day cross stitch pattern that I will turn into a pillow cover. Here’s the pattern. It’s pretty cute:


I doubt I’ll finish the stitching in time (ha!) but it feels more seasonal than a Christmas banner at this point. Here’s where I am so far: 



It’s pretty relaxing; a larger-scale Aida, and not full coverage. I hope that before our next check-in I can get the next “row” stitched. Until then, check out the amazing projects my fellow stitchers are working on! Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, KathyMargaret, Heidi, JackieMegan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJCathie, LindaHelenConnieCindy, and Mary Margaret.

7 comments:

  1. I love the new project and look forward to watching your progress. Very sorry to hear about your work situation - I do hope that you can find something soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're ex-employer does have rotten timing! That's a nice SAL project with all the different sections to stitch. I hope the run goes well. Madness! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry to hear about your layoff! I'm sure you'll find something soon. Hope you are enjoying your stay in Utah. You've made great progress on your new start and I think you might get it done by valentines at this rate!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so sorry to hear that you were laid off. That sucks...especially in December. I like your new project. With the progress you have already made, you may just finish this for Valentine's Day. I wish you a better outlook for 2023.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're off to a great start on this new project. Very bad timing on the lay off. ugh! perhaps something even better is waiting for you :) Anxious to hear how you did in the race at our next posting!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a pretty and cheerful looking project, just the thing to put you in a happier state of mind. I hope you can find a nice new job soon xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. a fun project to work on. Hope you're feeling motivated to job-hunt?

    ReplyDelete