I am seriously thinking along those lines. My fingers are getting sore, and I really have no desire to do any projects. My walls are full and there is no one I want to make anything for. Should I wait a year, or just tote all my floss, Persian wool, crochet needles etc to the next local craft show and give it all away?
I have had more than one hiatus of over a year when I had no desire to stitch. I think I would wait a year or 2 to see if you want to again. If not, then divest yourself of your stash. JMO, Sara
first - put it up here - some one will pay postage to get it.
Second - I've left and returned to needlework a few times. And have 20 year old WIPS to show for it..
Give yourself 6 months to a year. Do something else for a hobby. Paint, knit, garden, take up glass blowing - what ever takes your fancy. While I love the finish, it the process for me.
Don't do it! Just put things away. Chances are almost certain that within a year or two that you will be ready to stitch! Or a friend or relative will want to learn, and you will be able to teach and to share your goodies. Or someone will have a baby. Or someone will be ill or disabled. And you will be able to make a perfect gift! I have on occasion put various things away, and have ALWAYS gone back to them in one capacity or another -- knitting, crochet, tatting, weaving, painting, and quilting.
I couldn't have said it better. Life is rhythmic. We go in and out, never really letting go. The same question crossed my mind. I quickly dismissed it. I'll be out of school. I'll pick up needle and thread, or knitting needles, or a crochet hook. I'll see something at just the right time and the urge will return. I've done the same with music over the years. I get passionate, it wanes, and I go back stronger than ever.
I get ya. I had to find a crochet hook recently - delved into my 30 yo stash. After all, they don't take up to much space.
It depends on whether you`re a hoarder or not - I`m afraid I am. I have boxes of stuff lurking that I don`t have a clue about - but to be honest, I think a clear-out is imminent. My one good hand seems to have developed arthritis (going to see the doctor next week) and I find it painful to hold a needle or write or even hold my cutlery to eat! If I close my fingers up too much they either lock or sort of click back into place!
Probably because the hand has done the work of two for the last 20 years, so I can`t really complain about it! To sound like Polyanna, at least it has encouraged me to get a robot vacuum cleaner, which is completely brilliant. (named "Mary-Anne") She arrived this week after we`d bought "Daisy" a couple of months ago. We were so pleased with Daisy we gave her to our daughter and bought Mary-Anne! We thought they were just a gimmick/toy but they certainly do a magnificent job and no pushing a heavy Dyson round! The Dyson has been relegated to the garage.
WE all have times we feel we can`t touch our work tools and materials , Do not give away all of it , but use the time to reorganize all you have. i have at such times gone through my books and mags , and culled out those i haven`t used nor needed for years, and put those in a box aside to be given , exchanged with other fiberartists. I am constantly sharing with others materials of all sorts, also get materials tools from others. i am trying to use up older materials in anyway possible ,, mirjam
A good question. DH & I were discussing this while driving around DC on New Year's Eve EVE... We went to visit Tom (Jefferson Memorial) - where we were married (not so doable anymore), surprisingly several groups of people wandering thru - at 11 pm. And this de-stashing came up.
I think when you just feel uninspired and like doing a project is work, gives you no joy it's definitely time for a break. Our infamously not fully unpacked rec room which is a large open space - part media, the other part my sewing/stitchin' had me doing the "what do I do with this stuff" thinking. And for me, I decided that the reality of projects which I have no desire to do - or place to put if I do them - said - start divesting. So, I've started sorting things - some going to friends I know will enjoy them, others into a pile for donations somewhere.
I haven't had the full "don't want to do anything" feeling - but I have had the stitching hiatus - a few times in the last 20 years. In the past 10, I've found myself knitting when taking time off. And then found after a while, my fingers itching to pick up my stitching - so off again.
Maybe look at what you have, and think about it - what really will you not be able to finish/do, and what may in a while intrigue you. I wouldn't dump it all too quickly - but you might winnow it down. For the sore fingers - maybe some therapy gloves, shorter times of stitching, hand massages. I've starting being more likely to do alternative finishing rather than framing. Sounds like you should at the least take a break and relax. Maybe look at the situation in a month or two, and revisit.
Regardless - think of having a happy new year with which to enjoy life.
Sorry to hear about this, Pat. Hopefully the doctor can help you with this
- my DF had terrible arthritis in his hands, and besides some meds which helped a bit, honestly his favorite thing was a Paraffin Wax tub thing - which you see used in nail salons. He'd put his hands in the wax, then sit with the special warming gloves on for about 30 min - and felt much better for an evening, and could use his hands.
Love hearing about Mary-Anne. DH thinks we should get a Dyson canister, as it's a PITA trying to do the stairs with the big Dyson. We were in a shop looking recently, and I saw the Roomba again, telling him that once we've got some things all to the base zero of clean, that we should give in and get the robot vac for the downstairs. It is honestly too much for me to keep up with - so glad to hear you've had good success.
Just curious , Pat. Is that the one made by I-Robot? I think they call it a Roomba over here. If so..thanks. I bought shares in the company about three years back.
Answering my own post. I just finished my last needlepoint project - took almost two years, of which maybe 5 months was spent stitching. I re-read all your answers and think I will whittle down the stash and get it into a smaller container.
I recently had the pleasure of viewing the Bayeux tapestry....and a little voice said, "You can duplicate that horse or boat....". I was quite surpri sed to see that the gift shop there had NO needlework kits!! ( Relieved, ki nda.) Just ff like cheesy mugs with a guy on a horse and the words "I saw the Bayeux tapestry" and an arrow pointing to the guy on the horse. What w as THAT arrow for?
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