a perfect artist’s retreat: 10 days off the beaten path in utah with no reception.
each morning my travel companions would set off for a day of hiking while i stayed back at our campsite to stitch. i felt like i was hearing and feeling buzzing in my ears from the extreme silence. ten full days of slow stitching, no rushing, no news, no longings, no ‘shoulds.’ it was unbelievable.



now that i am home and surrounded by all of the things that pull me in different directions, i feel more aware of how i spend my time. i quickly move from one project to the next, distracted and very tuned in to all the noise, never far from my phone... i want to hold on to the state of my being while in the middle of nowhere on my trip, at least for a part of each day.



this week i found a quiet moment to slow stitch some mushrooms at the same moment they are emerging in the forest and in my field. my traveling sewing kit is on the ready for stitching outside in the beautiful fall sunlight, or for waiting rooms before appointments. slow stitchwork is my reminder, a tangible mantra, of my recent feelings in utah.



this traveling sewing kit is the perfect little bundle.
it is filled with my essential tools (pins and needles, threads, scissors, and a seam ripper) and i can tuck a small stitching project inside. it lends itself to quick mending as well as methodical stitch work, like the block print stitching that i am working on. i made a small batch of sewing kits for my shop. they are available in 5 colors: charcoal, green, red, terracotta, and walnut.



the DIY block print stitching kits include a hand-carved block printed image on a 5 x 7" piece of tea-dyed organic cotton/hemp fabric, [5] colors of embroidery floss, a hand sewing needle, a guide to basic stitches, and photo inspiration. the block printed image is like a page in a coloring book, and the needle and thread is like your pen. consider stitching this project without a plan, as if you are doodling. be mindful of color balance and white space, and stitch concentration. by using basic stitches, you can transform this simple image into a little work of art. the kit is available in 7 designs. i think this is the perfect slow stitching project to quiet the mind.

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halloween is right around the corner! my collection of over 50 free sewing tutorials has spooky projects for all ages. these projects are perfect for using up your own fabric stash. you can also find an assortment of plant-dyed fabrics in my shop.
happy stitching!



my collection of craft supplies includes an assortment of plant-dyed fabrics (various weights of organic cotton/hemp, organic hemp linen, and wool felt), silk ribbon, and sashiko thread.

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PS: myra thinks that plant-dyed wool felt squares make the perfect nest.