Flosstube # 20 Where I forgot what date it is))

[@stitchingbytheriver8666]

I liked the framed summer pieces so much. The different size frames with similiar matting will add visual interest when displayed. All your stitching is so beautiful. I wish we could find more kits like they used to make...the shells in a wreath has beautiful color shading in it. I could see it when you held it close to the camera. Thanks for sharing and happy stitching:)

[@pnwstitcher4108]

Thank you for watching!🌸🌸🌸

[@stychaddict4499]

Hi Olga. I have about 17 WIPs and not all are active. All are big though. I seem to have given up on a rotation, and am finishing them one at a time at present. I've decided I'm more comfortable with just one or two WIPs on the go. Your finished framed pieces look wonderful!

[@pnwstitcher4108]

Thank you Sarah! I think I have something around 16 wips, and just 2-3 of them usually are active. Maybe it is a good quantity for having a good progress in them.

[@jenniferhannah4424]

Hey Olga! Your FFO Cosmos is wonderful with the Blackberries. Thank you for sharing the Matboard Store. I like to frame pieces myself as inexpensively as possible, too, and this will come in handy. The Lanarte sal project is pretty. I think of all your new purchases/gifts this time my favorite is Love and Light. It just makes me smile. But the Watermelon Crawl is so stinkin' cute too! And the animals in clothes. Oh they're all wonderful! I have lots of kits and patterns I've kitted up myself waiting to be stitched. I love them all and want to stitch them all but I also know I have limited time. I stitch with flexible goals and try not to make it a rule that I need to stitch a certain amount of time/stitches per day or it becomes a chore and not enjoyable. I have 3 active wips at a time. My yearly piece that is comprised of 12 parts, one stitched per month. My big project that I start at the beginning of the year to be finished by the end of the year, stitching as much as I want when I want each month. My 3rd wip is whatever my heart desires, a new start or old wip being worked to completion. My advice is to do what you can without overwhelming yourself. You may like to work on more wips per month or maybe fewer. Stitch with the intent of enjoyment and knowing that they will eventually get finished with consistent attention. This hobby shouldn't be stressful. I hope you have a wonderful beginning of summer and I'll see you in two weeks!

[@pnwstitcher4108]

Thank you for sharing your rotation Jennifer! I’m inclined to stitching 3-4 wips a month, rotating them when and how I want. You are absolutely right about hobby becoming some sort of a chore if we create some strict rules for it. I did that in the past and regretted it. My ideal time to stitch a project is 5-6 days. Thinking about doing that with all my projects. “Love and light” is my favorite too) will start it soon)

[@HKExpat50]

You have such a great array of finishes and projects. It’s awesome. I love the shells. Good luck finding the frame maker. It’s a cool frame! I have 4 WIPS going. It makes me a bit anxious. 😂. I just work on what calls me. Take care. Kate.

[@pnwstitcher4108]

Thank you Kate! I think 4 is a great quality for the wips, it is comfortable and not boring

[@tammyvickery6748]

Love the finishes! The diner piece is coming along nicely. I understand your dilemma about reading and cross stitching. I love to do both also I live very close to our library and love real books too. I have about 8 wips and put them on my wipgo board with a goal of 5 days that leaves me plenty of time for stitching what I want. See ya soon.

[@pnwstitcher4108]

Thank you for sharing Tammy! I think that 5 days is an ideal time frame for the project to have a great progress on it or even a finish) i never tried wipGo maybe I will next year.

[@RhubarbPatchStudio]

Hi Olga! 🤗 You are so cute when you talk about animals in clothes. 😁 I love when you are chatty and I really enjoyed this update! Yes, not having time for other hobbies is a big problem. I started listening to audiobooks when I became obsessed with stitching and I was so proud of myself for accomplishing two hobbies at once. 😄 Libby app will give you access to all your local library audio books for free. I do have some advice about managing hobby time, because this is how I started reading and stitching. If you are feeling dissatisfied with how your time is spent or feel you don’t have enough time for something, you should take an inventory of your hours. How many hours sleep, stitching, housework, reading, scrolling IG or Etsy, etc. Also notice which activities start to make you feel agitated. Then you will see where you have room to cut one activity and fill with another. I deleted all my phone games to make time for reading, then I stopped logging into Facebook to make time for stitching. I have done other things here and there too but taking inventory is always the best place to start. 😊 Another thought: when you want a new start is it because you also want to finish it or are starting and finishing two separate things? For me I enjoy the WIP more than I enjoy the start or finish so my trouble is that my WIP pile grows and grows. If you feel torn about wanting to finish at a fast pace and wanting to start more, maybe you can try making categories and limit the number of allowed WIPs in each category. And maybe you take one day of the week where you don’t stitch at all but only read books. I don’t know, but I love to strategize so I hope these ideas are helpful or inspiring! Happy stitching! -Leah

[@pnwstitcher4108]

Hi Leah! Thank you for sharing your experience! Unfortunately I couldn’t listen audiobooks because I’m a visual person and need to look at letters to completely understand the context. So I’m working on my time-management through the day to find some time for reading. It is a good idea about social media and games! I have one on my tablet and it is very time consuming! I started to manage my screen time and going to have a “no-screen weekends”, will see how it will go)) I’m more a result stitcher, but I like the process too. The one thing I don’t like are actually starts. I make a new start just to have something on my fabric when I will touch it next time. My husband calls it “the empty fabric fob is”)) Thank you for your ideas! I’m not so good in strategy so I really appreciate it! Will think how to use them in my stitching/reading routine!

[@yvonnedavidoff136]

Hi from Colorado! I feel the same way as you...i have many things started and still want to have new starts!! I blame the designers....if the patterns weren't so good...we would have less to stitch and not so many wips!!! Ha! Love your new kits. The flamingo is great since i am a birder and love stitching birds. It is all about balance. I wanted to do some blackwork and embroidery this year to try new things but havent yet and it's July! This year is going too fast for me. Thanks for keeping me company tonight while my husband is out of town. Happy stitching!

[@pnwstitcher4108]

Thank you Yvonne! I agree, the designers just keep releasing all the amazing new things and I couldn’t keep up with all of them))