Stitch 'n Dish

Tag: life lessons

  • The 3-C’s of Fiber Self-Care

    The 3-C’s of Fiber Self-Care

    The term, “self-care” emerged in the mid-20th century. It came out from the Civil Rights movement, and the Black Panthers, specifically, are credited with mainstreaming the concept. Today it remains a popular description of activities we are encouraged to engage in – or refrain from – in support of our own emotional, mental, physical and…

  • Retail manipulation (recognizing & resisting it)

    Retail manipulation (recognizing & resisting it)

    In general, I have no beef with companies that are in the business of selling goods. I adhere to the adage, “Buyer Beware” which means that as long as the sellers are complying with laws and ethical business practices, it’s up to ME to shop smart. Shopping SMART requires a couple of things, including mindfulness…

  • Love, recycled

    Love, recycled

    When I see a handmade afghan or quilt in a thrift store or yard/garage sale, I am always curious about its history. I recently found matching twin sized blankets at the local thrift shop – one of them pictured below. The photo was taken hastily and does not reflect the neatness of the rows and…

  • Life’s true meaning

    Life’s true meaning

    I hit one of those milestone birthdays last year, and it impacted me in a way no other birthday had up to that point. It was not the fact that I was now 2 generations older than the “kids” in the family, nor was it the issue of being an older female in a culture…

  • Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival: my review

    Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival: my review

    I’m still trying to figure out how it’s already nearly the middle of October, as it feels that the end of the 2024 Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival (August 23 – 25, 2024) was just a week or so ago! I have been thinking about that festival, along with many related topics. As it pertains to the festival,…

  • AI, technology & fiber arts

    AI, technology & fiber arts

    I began watching a Netflix series on Artificial Intelligence (AI) this week. In my professional world (healthcare and education), I have been dealing with and writing about AI and its impact for a while. As I sat on my couch, cat tucked in beside me and yarn in hand, I began to think about fiber arts and…

  • Healing through giving

    Healing through giving

    When I was but a kid and rock music was a never-ending stream of talent, Supertramp released the song featured in the video above. I can still sing it from memory. I was driving, pondering life and yarn (a typical daydream for me) and this song came on my Sirius radio station. It made me…

  • Joy, accessible

    Joy, accessible

    Of late, I’ve been thinking about the definition of living well. Our culture seems to have perpetuated an idea about what makes a good life. That idea is, in my opinion, distorted. It wasn’t always this way and I have to admit, a lot of the false narratives promoted are communicated on mediums that I…

  • Challenge of the STASH

    Challenge of the STASH

    In my crafting communities, a lot of the conversation of late has been around our yarn or fabric buying habits. Almost all of us shared that we have more yarn or fabric than we’ll ever use – and we are a group that includes a wide range of ages! We know that continuing to purchase…

  • For no particular reason

    For no particular reason

    Sometimes I get into a funk and wonder why I’m spending time and energy making things that don’t seem to have a specific purpose. I also sometimes get down on myself about the mountain of yarn, yards of fabric or tubs of supplies. I know I’m not alone in having an occasional moment of despair…