Practicing the Art of Hygge and Slow Stitching
Photo by Elio Santos on Unsplash (These are not my hands but they are lovely hands none the less.)
What do I mean by Hygge? According to Google, “While the notion of hygge is most central in Denmark, however, the term actually derives from a Norwegian word, hugga, which loosely means “to comfort,” and is also related to the English word “hug.” In staying true to my Norweigan heritage, it is my way of ”wintering” well. I tend to struggle a bit with low energy and sadness in the winter and I have found this practice to help. The art of cozying in for the long winter with some wonderful projects to pass the time. I tend to stay indoors beckoned by the fire in our wood stove. I have stacks of books, warm drinks, and wonderful handmade projects to inspire me and keep my mind and hands busy.
In the blustery days of Pacific Northwest weather, I am always drawn inward. It is a time for contemplation and doing things I don’t normally do for this season. It is a time to create or do projects that involve wool scrapes, yarns, threads, and needles. Recently, I created a “vision board” with all my fodder and squirreled-away treasures. Pulling all this stuff out feeds my creativity deeply and often I get going and have to pick a project because so many ideas have bubbled to the surface.
I stamped out my own lables right onto the canvas. I used a stamp set from Michaels, called Clickables Stamp Set by Recollections.
This was most welcomed after the din of the holiday and all my big kids were on their way back to their corners of the world. I got a “bee in my bonnet” and began an Embroidery Workbook. This was inspired by two sites The French General and Miss Mustardseed also here. I’m using a book I have had for years for the stitches and combinations that I need a reference for. It is called Elegant Stitches by Judith Baker Montano.
The cover is wrapped around a premade canvas cover I bought years ago.
One of my goals this year is to make an effort to use what I have this year and begin limiting my consumption in the area of “artistic fodder”. If you are a creative, like me, you know exactly what I am talking about! We all have that little addiction to art supplies in their many forms. Anyway, I digress. This is the front of a pillow I attempted to paint with French ticking lines. Alas, there was some bleed-through, but I think it adds to the charm and, I am trying to use what I have after all. It has my initials and the year I started this book with a scrape from the salvage edge that was all fringy.
This is the inside cover it already had pockets-lucky me and so I just added a fabric sample piece from my stash.
So, with antique linens and patinaed laces, canvas, and muslin, thread, and shell buttons, I have begun creating my own Embroidery Workbook and hand-sewn needle keeper. I also created a pin cushion inspired by my love for the sea, one of my favorite places. All of these things are a part of me, an expression of the well-loved things in my life.
This is my Needle Keeper with a few things pinned and ready to stitch. All made from things from my stash. Did I mention I’m a bit of a squirrel? Nest stamp from Cavallini Papers& Co. called Birds & Nests
Here is the back of the Needle Keeper
I am learning the very challenging art of letting go and keeping only the most treasured bits and bobbles, while incorporating all the ideas and stories into works of heart, a story with a legacy that should be kept and looked after. How are you feeding your soul this winter season? What are the ways you cultivate your creativity? I would love to hear your thoughts on ways you hygge during the winter.
