Earlier on this year I decided that instead of making a series of resolutions, I will make just one: to try new activities, new hobbies and classes.
For a long time I had been thinking about trying out cross stitching. I learned a little bit in school many years ago, and never really got to do any more.
For Christmas, my sister got me a kit to get started! I was so excited! This very thoughtful present was quite challenging and advanced for a beginner so I decided to take it slow. It did get me excited about this hobby though and I have been buying magazines since. It turns out that a few magazines come with a little project to stitch!
Last week I had to travel by plane. While waiting at the airport I bought one of the magazines. And if you saw my previous post on sewing you will find a common theme, russian dolls. The project was a matrioshka keyring! So I had to buy it.
It was a great hobby to keep me busy and help me relax after long days of work and dinners with colleagues. It gave me the mental space and inner peace so needed on such an intense week. I think I even started to understand what people mean when they talk about mindfulness, as I was fully in the present moment and enjoying it!
The progress:
This weekend I sat down to finish it, but after breaking 3 needles I had to put it aside just so close to finishing. Now I have a mission, I need to find a shop that sells cross stitch needles!
The result:
Pattern and materials from the March issue of Cross Stitcher:
http://crossstitchermag.co.uk
Thank you for reading. I post about hobbies and how they help with mental health.
Nice post. It's great to see new people on steemit.
Creativity is soul food! I love to try new things too... This year I'm knitting a patchwork blanket and hope to have it finished by Christmas! You're right, cross-stitch is therapeutic and I think if more busy/stressed people had hobbies like this surely there would be less need for drugs to alliviate mood!??? Good post :-)
Thanks! I knit as well :) will have to share some of it here soon. I will look forward to seeing your blanket as well, sounds like a big project.