CARE

I already shared how much I enjoyed the Dropcloth Samplers @dropcloth Advent calendar. But today, I want to share a little more about the word of the year patch that was our gift on the final day.

Never before have I publicly shared a Word of the Year. Privately, I've chosen one a time or two, and I still have them written down to mull over now and then. But with this cute little sampler, I decided to go ahead and choose a word and stitch it and share it. To get started, I basted a border of fabric on the sampler to allow it to fit into my new Nurge embroidery hoop, backed it with a piece of Essex, and gathered all the threads I had received in my Advent calendar.

The word I chose is CARE. For some reason, it came to mind one day, and wouldn't leave. First, I think, was the thought of self-care, as I'm hoping to do a bit more of that this year. But also, there's being open to folks I come into contact with day to day. Active listening and sharing words of affirmation with those I care about. Reaching out to friends I haven't been in touch with in a while. Being aware of and responding to what's going on around me. Slowing down a bit in my creative practice and infusing more meaning into it. That's all a lot, but that's what I'm mulling over when I think about care.

So in stitching the sampler, I didn't end up using that variegated floss shown up above. But I did use the other threads, and added in more from my stash. I want to note that I was trying that blue Sparkly Sky Sparkle Pearl Cotton by Valdani Inc. @valdani_threads for the first time, and I'm definitely a fan. It stitched as nicely as any other metallic thread I've tried, and I'll definitely be using it again. Meanwhile, I used it for my focus word and enjoyed that very much.

I framed the sampler with fabric, layered it with thin batting and a backing, and then quilted it with Aurifil 12wt thread.

I designed it as a little quilted hanger, and finished, it measures nearly 5.5" square. I hung it up in my studio so I'll see it often. Just a little reminder to be intentional with showing care.