Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts

Monday, November 10, 2025

How Needlepoint's Good for You

Not that you don't know this already, but Needlepoint.com lists five ways needlepointing is good for you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Let's Not Be Afraid to Strand

The latest newsletter from Rittenhouse Needlepoint in Philadelphia talks about Russell's stitching and how it is meditative for him.  Scroll down about half way to read what he has to say.

I'm not sure how long this newsletter will be available so I'm going to summarize what he says.  Russell loves Trio, the three ply silk/wool available from Brown Paper Packages, the company that makes Silk n Ivory for 13 count designs.  Since Russell likes to stitch in hand, if he is working on 18 count, he strands a skein of Trio before he starts to stitch so that he can enjoy the meditative scoop style stitching using tent or basketweave he likes to do.  (He can use Silk n Ivory as it comes off the skein for his 13 count projects.)

Russell says, "Simply put -- most meditative stitchers do NOT want to strand thread because it breaks the meditative rhythm of doing needlepoint."  So if you are working on 18 count, separate your thread into plies all at once, then stitch yourself into a meditative state.  

Your brain, heart and soul will thank you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 26, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, December 6, 2021

Mindfulness and Meditation with Needlepoint

Poppypointe's article about needlepoint and meditation is particularly important as the stresses of the holiday season start to pile up.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 29, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

The Great Bell Chant

Christmas and Hanukkah and other holidays this time of year are not always a happy time for folks.  Some of us don't have happy family memories, some of us have lost loved ones, some of us just don't like the commercialization of what is a time with profound religious meaning for several faiths.  So for everyone who is feeling a little down this holiday season, watch the Great Bell Chant.  It is a Buddhist chant meant to help end suffering in the world and to reveal and deepen the spiritual meaning of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j71kOClB4DA&feature=emb_logo

Our needlepoint, particularly basketweave, is a meditative journey but it is not the only one.

Here's to a healthy 2020 for us all.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 24, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

How To Explain Why You Needlepoint To That Idiot

Read this in case you need ideas on how to explain why you needlepoint to that moron who keeps asking.  Instead of beating them over the head with a stylish needlepoint tote and screaming, I mean.
http://www.tessandthorn.com/from-the-studio/2016/05/09/chapter-six-free-your-mind

DO NOT stab them with the tekobari.  I do not advocate violence, even though I am often tempted....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Stitching in the Middle of Living

Today's Thought for the Day is from Julie, who clearly leads the sort of life I lead--full of constant interruptions.
http://theshopsampler.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/february-tusal/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Ritual Objects and Creative Rituals

To many of us, needlepoint is much more than a way to relax.  My beloved godmother used needlepoint to keep busy and serene during cancer treatments for her bone cancer.  I use needlepoint to focus my creative energy and to reach out from my rather isolated location to others with similar interests.  These folks use needlepoint and other needle arts to celebrate their religion when they create ritual objects or celebrate a life cut short.
http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/63865/book-connects-threads-of-spiritual-meaning-in-fabric-arts/


No matter why you stitch, it's an important part of all our days.  Else you wouldn't be here visiting Blog.  Many hugs to you all, fellow travelers on the NP Path!


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Daily Meditation

My usual nightly routine--
Drive 45 minutes home from work, greet dogs greet spouse hand over newspapers and mail let dogs out tidy kitchen and living room change dog water dish let dogs in clean dogs feet feed dogs put dog bowls away change dog water dish start dinner start coffee pot check laundry put clean clothes in dryer fold dried clothes and put them away check on dinner tidy living room again answer questions about mail check dinner dish out dinner eat watch depressing national news clean up kitchen wash dishes change dog water dish sit in recliner and pull out needlepoint.

Cut 18 inches of DMC cotton perle #5 and carefully and deliberately basketweave background of Pet Guardian Angel Holi until thread is gone. End off.

Put dry dishes away turn on outside lights let dogs out for last night's run and keep an eye on them let dogs in and give them small treat turn off outside lights and turn on lights upstairs put last laundry load away turn on electric blanket and alarm clock brush teeth lay out clothes for work put away next dried load of laundry check washer and dryer for missed socks go back downstairs check email return computer to spouse read newspaper while watching television and talking to spouse finish newspaper and move dog beds to nighttime sleeping spot settle dogs for night.

Cut 18 inches of DMC cotton perle #5 and carefully and deliberately basketweave background of Pet Guardian Angel Holi until thread is gone. End off.

Watch television check dogs are asleep empty trash can tidy living room make thermos of coffee for spouse to finish later climb stairs fall into bed and sleep. Repeat each night Monday through Friday.

You can see why I don't get a lot of stitching done each night. And you can see why stitching a bit each night is essential to my mental health!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow