When things get complicated here in the studio and in life in general, I find it helpful to turn to a project that is just for fun, that I’ve been yearning to do but haven’t taken the time, and that gives me time to think.

I do a lot of thinking when I’m stitching – especially if I’m stitching on something that has no real obligation attached to it (yet). As long as it’s relatively uncomplicated (although sometimes, a challenge can kick me into gear on other things), I tend to get in some good contemplation that can lead to workable solutions for the Inevitable Problems of Life and of Work.

(It’s hard to call my job work, but it is work – it’s work I love, but it’s still work!)

This is a project whose parts have been hanging about in the studio for a long time. I’ve been wanting to play with it, I’ve been waiting to play with it, I’ve been willing to play with it… but Everything Else kept intervening.