Argomenti trattati
It has been about a month since my last update, a short silence that felt longer to me because the weeks leading to Paducah were packed with nonstop work. I spent many days in marathon sessions—often 14–16 hours—assembling kits, refining written directions, making step-outs for demonstrations, and organizing everything that needed to travel with me. That level of preparation is exhausting and exhilarating at the same time: the slow accumulation of tiny decisions and stitches becomes the backbone of the display I carry to events.
Returning home allowed me space to reflect on how those efforts landed. The show itself was solid, even if it wasn’t an exact match for my highest expectations; what lingered longest were the small human moments. People stopped, looked closely, asked questions and—importantly—some returned to make purchases that support my work. Those interactions feel like the real measurement of success because they confirm that the visual choices and the time invested in presentation mattered to others.
Meaningful conversations and creative validation
What I cherish most from the floor are the conversations that revealed how my pieces fit into other people’s lives and imaginations. Customers and fellow makers remarked that my approach felt different from the usual fair offerings; hearing that my work read as distinctive was deeply rewarding. Those exchanges—about color, texture, and method—are reminders that showing work publicly is as much about listening as it is about displaying. The comments reinforced why I keep pushing for coherence across series while still allowing room for experimentation.
Paducah wasn’t without its challenges: I arrived with a stubborn head cold—or possibly allergies—that left me with congestion, a runny nose, and a persistent cough. Traveling with illness changes the pace of everything, making conversation harder and energy levels unpredictable. Since returning I’ve taken a gentler approach: more rest, lighter studio days, and prioritizing recovery so that when I do return to long stitching sessions I feel present and fully engaged with the work.
On rework and staying the course
One memorable exchange at the booth touched on the idea of doing work and then revisiting it in different ways—what some call rework. A customer noticed the recurring subject matter across my display and appreciated the various treatments I explore within the same theme. That chat reminded me of a blog post I wrote years ago titled Stay on the Bus, which argued for the value of returning to a visual idea repeatedly to discover new directions. If you haven’t read it, I invite you to take a look and share your thoughts—these conversations are fuel for the next phase of making.
Studio momentum: finishing work and testing new ideas
Despite the slowed pace after travel, I kept up my commitment to daily stitching and am pleased to report I completed my daily practice for April. In addition, I double-checked my progress and confirmed that the stitch book now contains all 21 completed pages. That milestone feels important: the pages are ready to be assembled, and I am currently designing and making the covers to bind the set in a way that feels true to the content. Completing individual pages is satisfying; bringing them together into a cohesive book is where the project takes on new meaning.
Coming back to the studio also sparked a batch of experiments. I’ve started testing a fresh method for a new suite of pages to see whether the visual results match the idea I have in my head. These trials are intentionally exploratory—some will succeed, some will guide me toward other options—but they are crucial to keeping the work evolving. At the same time, I’m turning attention toward practical planning for upcoming studio classes in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, drafting materials and imagining how the classroom conversations will influence the next series of pieces.
Looking forward
As I gather energy and inspiration in the studio, it feels good to have both finished projects to celebrate and new experiments to keep me curious. I am grateful to everyone who visited the booth, engaged in conversation, bought a piece or simply offered encouragement. Your support matters and continues to shape the work. Until the next update, I’m focusing on recovery, finishing book covers, refining class content, and making time for quiet stitching. Thank you for following along—more to share soon.