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Thursday, July 16, 2015

Can your stitching bag be a good friend?

It seems like I've read several blogs and/or articles in magazines about how stitching has helped people through troubled times.

I totally believe that stitching can help you get through hard times.  It can totally de-stress you after an extremely hard day.  As we all know it's the rhythm of the stitch, whether is it just a x-stitch or something a little bit fancier.  Up and down, in and out, however you think of it, it makes you slow down and enjoy the journey.

However, I've found that for me, I don't really NEED to be stitching to get the therapeutic benefit.  I found that as long as I'm carrying my stitching with me I have a calming feeling.  I guess it's just being close to the bag that does it, in fact I keep it next to my chair in the living room.  Some days I just look at the projects in it and feel better.  Some days I look at ALL the projects in it and wonder what in the world I was thinking when I went to the dark side of having more than one project going at a time.

Right now this is my bag of choice.  I've been using it for at least 10 years.  The handles are all frayed and I'm seeing worn spots on the bottom.  But until I see another one like it, I will carry this one as long as it holds up.  I got it at a yarn store that is no longer in business, got a ball of yarn to go in it because I felt silly just buying the bag.  It has all kinds of neat pockets in it and a zipper on the top.  It fits nicely under the seat in front of me on an airplane, it can be crammed into the truck or back seat of a car and of late keeps my cat (Ms. Kitty) occupied because she loves attacking the handles.  It carries my stitching, my knitting and even my electronics at time (Kindle, I-pad, computer).

So why am I thinking about my bag today?  I'll be going to see my oldest sister soon and it will go with me, as it went with me to the hospital after she had her surgery, as it went with me when we went to chemo together, as it goes with me everywhere.  This will most likely be my last visit with my sister, I want to go while she is still in relatively good heath and we can laugh together about growing up. While she has won lots of fights along the way, she knew she wouldn't win the war.  So while I know I most likely won't take anything out while I'm with her other than to show it off, it will be close to me and I will have my strength.

So do you also find satisfaction in just knowing your stitching or other projects are close at hand like me?  Or am I the only one who carries their crafts around?

My goal in life is to accumulate enough bags that my kids can call me a bag lady.  I don't toss my retired friends away, I keep them all in my closet so I can remember the memories of all the projects that were carried in them.

Happy stitching - full moon is coming soon and I'm excited that I will actually have some progress to show off :)

Sandy

11 comments:

  1. Soo, soo sorry to read about your sister. I cannot imagine what you are going through, but I am glad that you have your beautiful bag with you on life's journey. Hope you have a most wonderful and precious time with your beloved sister.
    Hugs,
    Annie

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    1. Thank-you Annie, I'm looking forward to seeing her. My job this week and next is to call her every day while my parents and another sister are not near a phone or cell tower. She still cracks me up and makes me laugh.

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  2. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's battle and I hope you have a wonderful trip to visit her. That's a gorgeous bag. I don't take sewing with me everywhere I go but I have my blog on my smartphone and I look at pictures of my WIPs if I need strength/calming.

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    1. thanks Justine. I've always carried a project or two around with me so I could knit or stitch at a moments notice.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. Knowing you're probably going for the last time is so hard. I had to do that with my grandma who was battling cancer and I cried the whole way there and back. I lived with her so we were really close. I don't have a bag but I have my case which I take when I travel. I don't take it everywhere but I do take it to work sometimes and will be taking it when I move since we're driving cross country. I definitely feel better having it with me even though I don't know if it's therapeutic for me. But that's simply because I, luckily, haven't had anything bad happen to me since I've started stitching. I'm glad your bag helps you through the rough times it's always nice finding comfort whichever ways we can.

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    1. thanks Heather, sorry about your grandmother, I was close to mine too (born a few days before her birthday). I was lucky and she lived to 96, so my kids got to spend time with her as well. Drive safely across country, hopefully you'll get to see some of the sights and enjoy the trip.

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister but I know y'all will share lots of love and laughter while you visit. My FIL passed last month at a hospice house and my stitching was a constant comfort for me. I stitched two small pin keeps while I sat with him and will treasure them forever because they remind me of the time we had together. When I was working at a very stressful job I would crawl into my bed some nights with all my stash to relax and my hubby knew on those nights to just leave me alone.
    Donna

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    1. thanks Donna. One time I came home all stressed out, my hubby took my hand and lead me into my craft room and told me not to come out until I was feeling better. He brought me dinner too :) Sorry about your FIL, but happy that you have something to treasure for the time you spent together. I stitched with my daughter when I took her to chemo too, it helped to pass the time while she was sleeping.

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  6. Sandy, I am catching up on blog reading today a bit and just saw this now regarding the bag. I used to do this when I was a SAHM, and I stitched a lot while visiting my mom and dad's house years ago when our kids were little. (which is our house now) When I am stressed I will often times look at stitching magazines and patterns just to 'feel better'. We are fortunate to have a peaceful hobby that brings us comfort and strength. I am so sorry for your loss, life can be so difficult. I loved reading too of your husband walking you to your craft room for you to regain peace. What a gem of a husband!

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  7. Sandy, I am catching up on blog reading today a bit and just saw this now regarding the bag. I used to do this when I was a SAHM, and I stitched a lot while visiting my mom and dad's house years ago when our kids were little. (which is our house now) When I am stressed I will often times look at stitching magazines and patterns just to 'feel better'. We are fortunate to have a peaceful hobby that brings us comfort and strength. I am so sorry for your loss, life can be so difficult. I loved reading too of your husband walking you to your craft room for you to regain peace. What a gem of a husband!

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