Stitch 'n Dish

Tag: reduce-recycle-reuse

  • In between the stitches

    In between the stitches

    Fiber arts are well-documented as supportive activities, but we must take care not to saddle ourselves with unrealistic and unnecessary expectations. I am getting better about practicing acceptance of the time issue, as well as embracing my own unique style. My wreath doesn’t look like the wreaths being modeled on social media, and that’s OK.…

  • A simple holiday gift idea

    A simple holiday gift idea

    I recently acquired a new pattern for a little fabric container, of which I’m going to make a few different versions. I’ve identified this as the prototype for a “gift bag” for the candy and gift cards that I generally give to my employees at the holidays. This is straightforward (2 squares of fabric), is…

  • A question of value

    A question of value

    While browsing social media over the weekend, I came across an ad for a Coach handbag. It piqued my interest because it looked very much like a crocheted bag. I became curious about the price of it, due to recent conversations around the VALUE of handmade items, specifically crocheted ones. The bag, pictured here, is…

  • A new pause

    A new pause

    I continue to work on managing impulses to shop for entertainment or to alleviate boredom. It’s not easy. I sometimes find myself in a store with an armful of things and then have to stop and ask myself what I’m doing, and why. The good news is that since working on being more intentional, I…

  • When the stash calls

    When the stash calls

    This week I felt the call of my stash. I had grown somewhat tired of crocheting after making multiple Dragon Egg Dice Bags. They were a lot of fun, but I was ready to do something different. I have been exploring some crochet patterns and am finishing a knitted scarf for myself but was feeling…

  • A good time to be kind

    A good time to be kind

    … as we navigate these and other challenges, it’s going to be increasingly important to be kind to each other; to have patience with those around us and to always take a step back (and a deep breath) when we want to complain about what WE want or what WE didn’t get. It’s not all…

  • I built a light box

    I built a light box

    Sometimes, we discount experiences, places, and even people, because of how they look at first glance. We sometimes judge things as “less than” because of that first impression, but we should take care to remember that beautiful end results can come from some pretty humble beginnings.

  • Another rescue

    Another rescue

    Another thrift store “find” and inspiration to try a new (to me) pattern!

  • Reflections

    Reflections

    The last time I shopped in a Joann store was more than three months ago, right before their final closures. I said goodbye to the employees I knew, wishing them well, and as I walked across that parking lot one last time, I knew I was saying goodbye to an era in my life. As…

  • A refuge in fabric

    A refuge in fabric

    I have a confession: I hide in my sewing/craft room. Sometimes this is to decompress after a stressful day at work, while other times it’s to avoid the news story of the day. Still other times it’s to distract myself when I’m worried about someone I care about. Recently, I was there for a hybrid…