Flosstube 17: A Big Finish, StitchCon, and Four Years of Flosstubes

[@BelushiStitches]

Hi Laurel! It's soooo lovely to see you again and to have you back on Flosstube! Thank you so much for persevering with the 30 takes and putting this one up. Please know though, that you could just show one piece and say hello and I would watch and love it! I'm so please you're in a better place work wise. What a ridiculous policy to not be able to take care of yourself at the time you need to. I'm so happy you took the plunge to a new job, which sounds so wonderful. And it really is the small things that make a difference as well as the big things! I don't think I've ever left a job and thought, now's the right time.. Instead, I'm always like, yep, should have left a year ago! I still can recognise that bit when I'm in it.. Anyway, enough rambling from me, I think you're fab, and congrats one some lovely pieces. Oh, and thank you for enabling me - I'm off to buy the fox.... 🤣 Great outros! I'm gonna start saving mine from now on! 😅😂 Take care, Jo x

[@susanjones8715]

Hi I’m new and first time I’ve seen your video. Hope you keep up your flosstube videos. Your amazing 👍

[@angelahoward5352]

The university teach is better than all day 7 periods a day teaching; done both. Glad you’re back 😊 like your haircut too.

[@robinwinkle2353]

So good to see you back. Sorry to hear about your rough year. You look like you are in a good spot now. Congrats on 4 years. Happy stitching.😊

[@loriswistack4667]

First time watching and that was a great video. Beautiful stitching, love your hair! Im glad you talked about that book. Today I was trying to declutter and am overwhelmed. I will have to listen to the podcasts. Loved the outtakes just makes everything so real. can't wait to see another one.

[@katebrown3291]

Hi Laurel - I was concerned about you after your last Flosstube as you were so grieved and hurting. Thank you for sharing your update and for saying that you are feeling better and wish you could’ve told your earlier yourself that you would come through it. I hope you have an awesome time at Stitchcon and get your stitching back on track. I went to an Embroidery conference in Adelaide - an international one - six months after my father died suddenly. It really helped me emerge from the darkest time and got my stitching back on track. Congratulations on the new job.

[@sherriepaulsonmiles8461]

Hello! I am glad you are back, equally glad you’ve made a change in your career (I have an equally difficult work/life balance in my past). I have since retired and like you am growing my friendship collections and reinvigorating my hobbies. I quilt, make bags and totes, cross-stitch and knit. My current xstitch projects are: Sweet As Can Bee by Carolyn Manning, Retro Flowers by Stitchrovia, various saltbox designs by pinker n punkin quilting and Blooming Tiny Town by Heart in Hand. There are many quilting and knitting projects ongoing as well. I hope you meet kismet people at StitchCon 2024!

[@devanallen9321]

Hi Laurel! The video was great! Good job. I congratulate you on making the job change, it sounds really good. My sister is retiring from the public school also the Librarian. I can not believe the absence of Bereavement leave! You made a better choice in my opinion. It was good to see you back at it, and I am currently “still” working on the Halloween Quaker sampler. It looked amazing! 😊

[@juliehart6952]

Welcome back! We missed you! I am a retired librarian. Should have seen that in you from a mile away. Enjoy every minute.

[@juliehart6952]

Oh, and I bought the Wolf from 123.

[@shirleychase170]

I missed you, young lady...happy to see you. I am sad to hear of that school system... I am glad you are okay and you are above the surface and ready the beach. You are in the road of healing and one day, you will help someone. 💖👊💥🙏 Enjoy Stitch Con!

[@stitchinginthemuseum]

Thanks for the great video. I'm glad you are doing well and that you started a new job. Love your Halloween finish and those adorable amigurumi plushies. Aren't they so fun to make?! Hope you have a wonderful time at stitchcon. I'm sure you'll make a lot of memories. P.S. I stitched Morbs in dmc Canadian nights. It's one of their variegated colors. Very fun.

[@KayleeCrossStitch]

Hi Laurel! I'm so happy that you have a better job. I also quit teaching and got so much validation for the career choice. It breaks my heart to hear a carbon copy of my thoughts exactly about the problems with the system; I was a music teacher, and I feel like as a "specials" teacher, we are generally not appreciated or even respected. I love all your stitchings! Glad your stitchy bug is back! The retreat will help 😉

[@PiecedPineapple]

I’m so glad to see you back!! I agree that offering bereavement leave should be standard, I’m so sorry to hear you had to fight through that. I also opened my Autumn Lane Stitchery box last year to look but then let it sit until a week ago. I actually just dyed some fabric for the Witches Hallow pattern this morning. Your comments made me feel better that I wasn’t alone in the delayed enjoyment! I hope you have an excellent time at StitchCon! I’m going to Barefoot’s Beach Retreat in SC in October and will also not know anyone, but once you grab a seat your table-mates (whomever is lucky enough to sit with you) will surely become quick friends! I’m so glad you chose to take the plunge and make friends at a retreat!

[@twotallstitchers]

Welcome back and congrats on 4 years. So glad to hear that the changes you’ve made have had such a good result for you. Love your Halloween Quaker finish!

[@TheSeattleStitcher]

So glad you’re back! Always love everything you work on.

[@patriciarobinson9787]

You are such a beautiful young lady! My daughter is a teacher. She taught🎉 10 years in Athens, GA then she relocated to Pittsburgh, PA. She is so much happier being in a teacher’s union. I completely understand why you left your public school. You are such a sweet delight. Your eyes are stunning! Stay as sweet as you are. Halloween is the best holiday.

[@catkincrossstitchbeth8562]

I’m so glad to see you’re back! Sorry you’ve had such a rough year but it sounds like things are looking up, well done for leaving a job that didn’t value you ❤ Also, love your hair changes over the years 😃

[@vickyamdal]

I’m so glad you are back! I’ve missed your flosstubes!

[@eveningstarstitches]

So happy to see you again! I have been a classroom teacher, reading teacher, substitute teacher and virtual teacher through the years so I can relate to much of what you said. It’s also been a year since I posted a Flosstube because I had my hands full with a new job. Enjoy StitchCon. I hope that fellowship with other stitchers fuels your cross stitch joy!

[@Lindaoen]

My daughter is also a teacher and after more than 10 years quit her job in a public school for many of the same reasons you have. She found a position at a charter school (maybe a California thing), but it is a school that is publicly funded but privately run. She is now running a remedial reading program and loves it. Glad you found an alternative but related career that you enjoy. You and your videos are very enjoyable. Enjoy Stitch Con!

[@seoulstitcher]

Happy 4 year flosstube anniversary!! Thank you for your vulnerability, it’s not easy to do. Love the Autumn Lane box and haul you got! The quaker finish is stunning, well done!!

[@nautastar]

I am so glad you are back!!! Please post all the things! I missed your videos since you were gone. ❤ I just finished stitching a classic Haunt by HOD twice... I plan to finish them back to back someday. Also started a little bit of hardanger and might look at stitching halloween fairy by Mirabilia... we will see. So happy to hear from you again!! Happy stitching!

[@handcraftbyguylaine]

I was so thrilled to see you posted a new flosstube. Thank you for sharing your life update and the great projects you've been working on and finished. It was a joy watching you again. Kind regards, Guylaine

[@kandy19741]

So Glad To See You Back. ❤

[@JennyFleming]

Congrats on your new job! And have a blast at Stitch Con!!

[@lorrainearmstrong327]

I was a school secretary in Idaho for years and my daughter has taught 20 years in Utah. We both have or had bereavement leave. I agree very much bereavement is a very important thing to have. I’m glad you are doing better. Life is too short not to be happy at your job. I’m sorry about your Mom. It’s so tough to lose your mom.

[@Amylovestoads]

I will be at Stitch-Con B. I would love to make a connection with you. You made such a great point about grieving. When I lost my dad it took me years and years to come out of a giant dark hole. It’s been almost 9 years and i still have dark days because he isn’t here to be in my life anymore. ~ I love your hair, btw. ~~My daughter just started a new job in one of the libraries at Howard University. ~~ It was so good to see you!!! And your stitching! Xoxo

[@fayrelightjordan2470]

I still feel the same about losing my dad. Librarian was my dream job! Ended up a stay at home mom and grandma.

[@mountainlaurelstitches]

Thank you for sharing your grief journey with me, Amy. ❤️ I'm learning to carry my mom with me and seek out the little things that remind me of her. I hope your daughter enjoys her new job - Howard University is a great school! Ah, I've just missed you - I'm at weekend A. Hopefully we can meet each other sometime in the future 😊

[@StephanieS13]

"they look like they pay taxes" 😂 Congrats on the university job! It sounds so much better. Oh! Hobby house needleworks! I've been there and ordered from there! They are great. Nice to see you again :) have a great day!

[@melodyanderson3694]

Thank you for coming back to let us know how you are, love listening to you about your life and what you are doing. As for teaching I am glad you decided you were worth more than a bureaucracy that runs so many parts of everyone's life. God bless you and glad you are still moving forward . LOVE your beautiful work and Have a wonderful time at Stitch Con.

[@PriviesandPrimsNeedlecrafts]

Welcome back! I'm going to try and get into Stitch Con next year.

[@RosieintheRockies]

So glad you're back, so glad you found a better job, and so glad your stitching bug bit you again!

[@KEBStudioCreations]

I'm glad you're happier in your new job. I enjoyed seeing all the crafty stuff you've been working on. I hope you have a great time at Stitch Con

[@FrizzyLizzieStitches]

Congrats on 4 years! I loved your outtakes 😂 I cannot wait to meet you in a couple weeks! 😍

[@craftingontheplains]

I was so excited to see you had posted another video! Thank you so much for the book and podcast recommendation, I'm definitely going to check it out.

[@stephanieburke3372]

It is wonderful to see you on KZbin. Putting yourself is the most important thing you can do. Sounds like you are doing good things for yourself

[@EmmettPuppyMom]

I'm so glad you're back on Flosstube!! Congratulations on 4 years and on your new job in Higher Ed! I am fairly new to Higher Ed too. I work for a university foundation/alumni center. You have a beautiful soul, Laurel! Thank you for opening my eyes about teachers and lack of bereavement leave and I love what you said about multi-generational friendships.Some of my closest friends are 20 years older than me. I have also lost my mom. I was just short of 20 when she passed. I'm now 51. Wish I could give you a big hug. I hope you continue to make videos. I love seeing your projects. Your Ralph and Howard...SO cute!! I'm currently stitching A Stitchers Alphabet by The Scarlett House.

[@CornhuskerStateStitchers]

Welcome back, you've been missed!!

[@mitzibud6908]

I have missed you! Another awesome video!! Thank you!! I hope StitchCon is fulfilling!!

[@angelchadwell6656]

So glad to see another video from you! Quaker Halloween and Morbs look great! Hope you have a great time at StitchCon. Happy 4 years of FlossTube!

[@triciaj038]

So good to see you again! Your stitching and crocheting is so nice, so pretty. Please make more videos as you do such a wonderful job on them.

[@craftylibrarian5709]

I’m so glad you posted the video. So happy you are enjoying your job and are taking care of yourself. Enjoy your time at Stitch Con. Hopefully you will leave rejuvenated and ready to post another Flosstube for us to enjoy! You have been missed!

[@vickiinkansas1399]

So glad you posted a new video. I hope you have a great time at Stitch Con. Walking into the room will be hard, but I’m sure you will find your tribe in no time. Teaching is so stressful and it’s so easy to get disheartened with the system. I enjoyed the outtakes, especially the progression to your cute, shorter haircut!

[@stevebuckwalter3592]

I have a brother who used to be in education... totally get it. Good to see you again, finger guns back at you😄

[@Felice-hc2dh]

So nice to see you post a video. Enjoyed seeing you stitched finishes,and as always, love your book reviews. I hope stitch Con brings you a little stitchy happiness to your life! Take care.

[@jeanjeanes1824]

Glad to see you back. Enjoy Stitch Con you will make lots of friends.

[@The20MinuteStitcher]

So wonderful to spend time with you again. I’m so happy to hear that life has brought you to a better place despite the struggles and sorrow. Your Halloween Quaker finish is gorgeous. If you’re going to Weekend B of Stitch-Con, I will look forward to meeting you!

[@mountainlaurelstitches]

Thank you ❤️ Ah... I'm at Weekend A! Perhaps next year!

[@pugsnstitches7226]

Hi Laurel! So glad to see you! I hope you are better. Grieving is difficult. I wasnt able to make it to StitchCon this year. Hoping for next year. Would love to sit with you. How is the progress on the Owl? Love that one!

[@daniellemcmickle2315]

I am also going to Stitch-Con! Are you attending weekend A or weekend B? I'm attending weekend B.

[@mountainlaurelstitches]

Ah! I'm at Weekend A ☹️ I hope you have a great time nonetheless! ❤️

[@rjp_crafts]

What weekend will you be attending stitch con? I’m going to weekend a for the first time. I hope I get to meet you I think we have lots in common and would get on x

[@mountainlaurelstitches]

Hi, I'm going to Weekend A too. Looking forward to meeting you!

[@sammonicuslux]

We are a backwards nation. I am so sorry you had to go threw all of this.