Quite difficult

Do you know how difficult it is to find a poem I want to embroider? Quite! And do you know how difficult it is not to get sick every other week? Very, very!!

I've been thinking my immune system took a break and it is somewhere in the Caribbean getting all soaked up and relaxed. I'm not sure which island it is at exactly or when it will be back. I just hope (fingers crossed) that it doesn't like it too much over there, and decides to join me soon.

It hasn't been fun having one thing after another, week after week, and month after month.

Crafting, embroidering, even reading has been a struggle, but somehow some days I find a bit of strength, like magic, and I get to do the things I like.

I haven't wanted to complain or talk about it here on the blog, because it is nothing serious, and I know that there are much bigger issues than this one, but it has been what has been going on in my life. Like this embroidered handkerchief that took a long time in the making and eventually found its way out, I'm pretty sure I will too.

It amuses me that I decided on a poem that is called Prayer, and whose first line says; "God give me the strength to lead a double life." One where I get to craft, and another where I get to be sick without being annoyed that I'm sick.

Without knowing it back then, this was exactly what I needed. Even though this poem is about something else, I like what the part I embroidered means to me.

I think with some things, I have to learn to take it slow and allow the process to unfold itself, without forcing it, and without getting impatient. I really need to work hard on that issue (and of course so many others as well).

I'm trying to accept that there is a process to everything and that even if I want things to work out quickly and the way I want them to, they simply won't because they must take their time.

I hope all is well on your side, and if you want to share with me some of the things you do to take it slow, I would love to hear them.

Wishing you a great beginning into the month of June,
Giova

Another Embroidered Handkerchief

It has been one of those weeks. Many things that can be pin pointed, but what would be the point in dwelling really? Such is life and things happen whether we want to or not. All we can do is find the best way to deal with them.

Which is exactly what I've been trying to do. Keeping my mind and hands busy.

With the help Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice which I've found quite calming, and of course embroidering which has been quite soothing.

It wasn't until I finished that I realized there was a letter missing. So much for spell check, huh?
Well, now that the letter is neatly tucked in there, everything seems to be falling in its place.

I wish you a happy weekend. May you find the time to do what you most love!
Giova

P.S: I love, LOVE this part that I embroidered (so modern). It makes me quite happy, which was my intention all along. And I think Mansfield Park is next!

Embroidered Poem

I read this poem of Yeats and thought to myself; "Wouldn't I love to spend almost a month embroidering a poem just for the sake of embroidering one?"

I didn't really think all that before hand. I just thought it would look amazing embroidered on this old handkerchief that I got in France (I did get 40 handkerchiefs after all). That was about as far as my mind took the entire thing.

The days passed and I advanced at the speed of a snail (a really, really slow snail).

Finally the embroidering of the words was done, but I felt the terrible urge to add more things here and there, so it is still a work in progress.

I loved doing this. I love embroidering words. Something inside of me has found its purpose and it is completely blissful and calm (two virtues that evade me completely).

All my best wishes to you.
Giova