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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / creativity / craft project / Embroidery Inspiration: part I

Embroidery Inspiration: part I

December 29, 2017 · 2 Comments
Filed Under: craft project, inspiration

The dissonance that occurs when I have too many plates spinning, when I’m overly over-tired, when I feel like I can’t think past the RIGHTNOW of life is strong. Like triple shot strong (coffee joke?). However, earlier this month I found enough mental cooperation to pull myself away from the spinning plates and into that very comforting realm of creativity. I have always enjoyed embroidery projects, so one night a few weeks ago I found myself on Pinterest searching for something new.

I tried out a new mental exercise, maybe you do this too, where I search for a new creative project and then let my mind wander through a game of “how would I make that differently?” — and it totally worked! A new idea came to me, so I sent myself a text message with the details so I wouldn’t forget, and then I got started the very next morning.

The freshness of a new day paired with the confidence that I can try try new things re-charges me instantly. I don’t always have moments like these, so when I do they feel extra special to me.

My new project idea is to create an embroidery book for each of my children where I stitch their name & birthday on the front and then write a little letter on the inside, along with a few pages of stitches/illustrations. I plan to hold on to these books until they’re a little older, and then when the time feels right I’ll pass them along.

Right now, this project is a way for me to slow time my time with them as I take the time to stitch some special thoughts. It’s a way for me to mix their love of reading and drawing/coloring with my love for embroidery and textiles. It’s a way for me to sit down come evening time and think through what I really enjoyed about my day with each of them, my children, my arrows.

MY INSPIRATION //

I searched Pinterest for “embroidery stitches” and then clicked around, modifying my search as new ideas came to mind. Here are some images that really stood out to me / catapulted new ideas as I brainstormed how I would make my project differently.

I’m really loving how my first book (for Maxwell) is turning out. Having this creative project sitting in a basket, on the kitchen table or in our bedroom come evening — waiting for me to get started, is really helping to keep the cobwebs at bay.

PS. for my embroidery books I’m using a mix of fabrics: Kona, chambray, and cotton. I prefer to use cotton fabric over traditional embroidery/cross stitch textiles.

xx

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2 Comments
Filed Under: craft project, inspiration

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Comments

  1. April says

    December 29, 2017 at 9:48 am

    So glad you’re blogging again, Maggie. This is such a great idea. Also, I love that yellow chick planter. I know you’ve had it for years, as I’m a long time reader. That planter is adorable!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      December 29, 2017 at 11:09 am

      Hi April, thanks!!! I found it at goodwill ;)

      Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
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So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

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What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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