Thursday Threads is a reoccurring post where I share all things creative including my love of cross stitch and rug hooking. Please share your latest creations by tagging me on Instagram @summerkitchencreations and using the hashtag #SKCthursdaythreads.

What craft or stitching projects are you working on this month?
Unexpected Habits
Over the past two months, I’ve managed to get a lot of stitching and rug hooking done. Unfortunately, the amount of creativity accomplished was directly related to time spent visiting a sick family member in the hospital. Each weekend while visiting, I took a project with me on which to work. As I sat in a chair chatting for several hours I made progress. Seeing the threads and fibers create an image over several weeks delighted my sick family member. Isn’t it wonderful that stitching and hooking brings a smile to another’s face?
That extra time spent working on projects was a catalyst to working towards the finish on each project in the late evening hours. On evenings after an exhausting, long day at the office, I was intentional about making time to do stitching or hooking. After a few weeks of stitching – while listening to the news or “watching” a travel documentary on Amazon Prime – I realized how relaxed I felt at the end of the evening. I also slept more peacefully because I managed to unwind my mind from all the day’s activity. Most likely not sitting in front of a computer screen right up until bedtime helped too. Unexpectedly, I developed a habit of relaxing for the last hour before bed while working on creative projects.
Finishes!
Each project needs to be formally finished. Unfortunately, I haven’t been intentional about completing them at this point. Instead, I moved on to other projects. Do you prioritize doing the “finish” on a project over starting another design?
This is my first finish on a hooking project. I hooked a rug coaster set from Green Mountain Hooked Rugs in a sunflower design. I like the way it turned out. The colors are very happy and cheerful. I will turn both of these into coasters.
I have very specific memories of events that happened while stitching Americana by Little House Needleworks. Some of the memories are sad and tragic. Other memories are of happy times like watching a local team win the Super Bowl. Looking at this piece will remind for years to come of life events that happened during this stitching time. Do your creations remind you of specific events in your life?
Cross Stitch Samplers – Sarah Braizear
Do you enjoy stitching samplers? If so, you may be interested in a stitch-a-long of Sarah Braizear sampler recreated by Hands Across the Sea. After listening to Fiber Talk’s podcast episode with Nicola Parkman from Hands Across the Sea and their Mid-week Chat regarding the Sarah Braizear sampler I wanted to purchase the limited edition sampler pattern. Several weeks passed before the beautiful magazine-like design book arrived last week. The story of Sarah Braizear – Queen of the May – is engrossing. If you enjoy history and stitching, you are going to love the reproduction samplers published by Hands Across the Sea!
What about you, do you like to be creative as a way to unwind from your day? What is your favorite thing to work on?