A Creative Boost

Hello friends. My words will be short today, with a lot of (maybe too many) photos. Truth is - I don't really have many positive things to say today and I like to keep it as happy here as possible. It is one of those days when I am questioning my life choices, my friendships, my goals, and how I want to proceed with different aspects going forward - I'm pretty sure we all have "those days" when everything is a bigger deal than it needs to be...and things are more emotional than normal. I'm learning I need to recognize and remove the negatives in my life (people and things)…and the list of negatives has been overwhelming lately. Rather than delve into the gigantic mess of me contemplating life, let's talk about the creative things that have been happening in my studio. Like I mentioned in my last post, I have been working on client orders and getting what I have on hand done and shipped out, so I can focus on my own designs and pieces that bring me joy. My finishing piles are getting somewhat manageable and I almost feel like I can breathe (and after this extremely frustrating week, I have no plans of taking on any more needlework finishing in the foreseeable future). The photos in this post are all projects I have done for clients and two gifts I created for friends (which are noted)…project bag sewing and cross stitch finishing. The cross stitch is not my stitching or my designs, just my finishing work - even though I always mention this, today a client subtly let me know that the likes and comments I receive on my photos are not based on my detailed (and many times unique) finishing work, but the original stitching and designs...ouch! If I have details on a design, I will post it with my image...oh, and I guess one of these cross stitch finishes IS actually my own stitching and design and all of the bags are finished in my own style/my own sewing pattern. I hope you enjoy this picture heavy post and are inspired to pick up your stitching, sewing or needlework finishing project...

Hands On Design - Love My Stitching
My own personal project bag pattern.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Coming to America Project Bag Panel
Heart & Hand Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
All finished in my own style.

 Country Cottage Needleworks - Snow Love

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Coming to America Project Bag Panel
Heart & Hand Project Bag Panel
Stitcher's Lingo Word Play Project Bag Panel
Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
All finished in my own style.

Glendon Place - City Sidewalks

Country Cottage Needleworks - Popsicle Cart (Snow Village 6)

Notforgotten Farm - Sewing Strawberry

Notforgotten Farm - Patriotic Strawberry

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
Finished in my own style.

Lucy Beam - Coverlet Needlebook (Outside)

Lucy Beam - Coverlet Needlebook (Inside)

Homespun Elegance - Merry Noel Sampler Santa

Blue Ribbon Designs (yes, that's me!) - Under My Wing
This is my stitching, my finishing and my pattern.
Created for a gift.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
Both finished in my own style.

Lucy Beam - Eyelet Sampler

Pineberry Lane - A Sprig of Holly

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Coming to America Project Bag Panel
Heart & Hand Project Bag Panel
Stitcher's Lingo Word Play Project Bag Panel
Winter Rose Manor Project Bag Panel
and Stitchers Rule Project Bag Panel
All finished in my own style.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Merry & Minty

Blue Ribbon Designs (yes - that's me!) - Cosmetic Bag
My own design - created for a gift.

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - Stitcher's Lingo Word Play Project Bag Panel
Finished in my own style.

Stacy Nesh - Little Redwork Pinkeep
This is a two-sided pinkeep - top of photo is front, bottom shows front and back.

The Little Stitcher - Christmas Light (free pattern)

Little House Needleworks - Merry Skater

La-D-Da - Louisa Clark

Erica Michaels - Be Well Berry, Sunshine Berry, Give More Berry

Brenda Gervais/WTNT - L. Genders 1875
Top - Bookmark Sewing Roll - Open
Bottom - Bookmark Sewing Roll - Rolled Up

I actually have more photos, but I think that is enough for today - whew! Time for a very late lunch and to give myself a much needed attitude adjustment. Thanks for visiting with me - I hope today's post sparked your creativity and gives you a boost to finish one of your creative works...happy sewing and stitching!