 |
I’m loosely participating in a 100 day stitch book challenge. #stitchbookchallenge2026 hosted by @annwood
Ms. Ann has set the 100 day challenge to slow stitch for at least 15 minutes a day and 5 days per page. I can definitely do that! I stitch for hours most days, 15 minutes is nothing! I’m in š!!
This is a great opportunity to use the smaller pieces in my stash! Picking out page pieces was fairly easy because I figured it’s basically going to be a foundation that’s covered by stitching. Perfect for pieces that I’m not likely to choose to put into a quilt any time soon. I had all the pages cut out and ready to get started.
But I soon learned it wasn't going to be that easy.
The next day, I sat I staring at that first blank page... I had no idea what to stitch on it.
I felt like I was blank inside. nothing.
Ms. Ann Wood stitches beauty onto her pages with linens and rich earthy colors that create luscious texture. (https://www.annwoodhandmade.com/stitch-book-100-day-project/)
I don’t really have linens or hand dyed fibers in my stash.
I'm calicos and prints, a lot of bright colors. How can I make my page look like Ms. Ann Woods sample?!
Honestly, I was doubting my decision to do this challenge.
That’s when I realized that the challenge is really about getting creative flow going. It’s about embracing MY own style of stitching. It’s about STARTING...
So, I reached into a scrap bin and pulled out a piece of fabric. The words “You” and “Grow” printed on the fabric seemed serendipitous and I thought, “how appropriate!” Day 1 was simply appliquĆ©ing that one piece. I didn't trim it or shape it, just needle turned it as it was.
When I returned to it the next day, I was doubting my choice again. That single appliquƩ looked like a blob on the page. I wish I had been taking pics from the start and you could see what I mean.
How/what can I possibly add to make it flow.
I decided to use color and 3D texture.
A little bitty blue yo-yo that matched a blue in the You Grow piece and a folded hexagon.
I stitched those on and completed Day 2.
. 
The blue triangle on the left was next. Stitched raw edged with running stitches and quilting thread. Day 3.
By this time, I was really despairing. What a mishmash of shapes dropped onto my page.
Oh well. I’ve come this far… I have plenty of cut off triangles from other projects, I might as well drop more triangles onto my page. Placing the black triangle in the top corner seemed to balance the “You Grow” appliquĆ©. I stitched it on with 2 strands of varigated yellow/orange embroidery floss and a variety of embroidery stitches. Day 4 (but I think I stopped counting.)
Wanting to continue with embroidery, I stitched hearts on the folded hexagon and blanket stitched with 2 strands black floss around the yo-yo (photos shown above). And needle turn appliquƩd the pink triangle. Day 5. But before I left, I had visions of swirls and I finally felt I knew how to pull it all together. I drew them on for the next day.
It may have taken me 2 or 3 days to stitch the swirls. Two strands green embroidery floss for stem stitched vines and lazy daisy leaves. 2 strands light blue embroidery floss for pistol stitches. 2 strand red 50 wt aurifil thread for a little accent color.
I once again learned the lesson of trusting the process. Seeing that blank page and then stitching the first appliquƩ had me doubting that I could make it into something pleasing to my eye.
The thing is, I don't HAVE to know what the end will look like. The whole point is to just start! and trust that I will go somewhere. It doesn't matter where.I'll test ideas. I'll experiment. I'll discover.
