More is just more...

Continuing with the 100 day stitch book challenge #stitchbookchallenge2026 hosted by Ann Wood.

I have a bunch of little left over triangles from another project. You know, those corners that are trimmed off and thrown in the trash. I could sew them together to make into 1" squares. Or I have dreams of stitching them to solid squares for a quilt, sort of like this quilt by Quilty Love. Of course, these would be much smaller squares than is used for that quilt, probably best for a mini quilt.

But that is sometime in the future. For now, I'll dip into the left over triange pile and use some in this little stitch book. I put as many as I could on the page. Day 6 was simply choosing colors and arranging and re-arranging the triangles onto the page and pinning in place.

On day 7, I started to stitch them down with a running stitch and black hand quilting thread. I decided about 1/2" between lines would be good.

I got a little bored stitching in the same direction. I tried a 90 degree turn, hoping to add some interest. I finished the running stitches on Day 8.  I noticed that with the stitching lines 1/2" apart, that left some of the edges flapping. I'll have to figure something out to get those stitched down.  

I forgot to take a picture on Day 9. I used the base of an Aurifil thread spool to randomly trace circles all over the surface and embroidered around each circle with different stitches with 2 strands embroidery floss. That took care of most of those loose edges I was concerned about.

To my eyes, and compared to the first page, this still looked very flat. The circles didn't pop out as much as I had imagined they would. I felt like something more was needed. But I didn't want to add fabric over the triangels, so for Day 10, I added embroidery stitches to the bottom of each triangle with 2 strands brownish embroidery floss.

It actually looks better in this picture. I can see the blue circles here, but in person they don't stand out as much. In the end, I feel like it's just a bunch of stitches. Which IS the idea of this challenge. But I think I am probably trying too hard to make it into something. I'll try to dial it back a little on the next page and let it be more organic and remind myself that more is not always better, sometimes more is just more.

Thanks for visiting and having a look at what I'm stitching on. I wish you sunshine and joy until next time!

"You Grow"

 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 👍!!

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 appliquéing 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 appliqué 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.

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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” appliqué. 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 appliquéd 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 appliqué 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.

In the process I will learn. I'll start recognizing what I like, what I don't like. 

When you work like this and trust the process... 

                

                                       "You Grow!!"

 

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me. I'll try to get better progress pics as I stitch the next page.
Wishing you happiness in whatever growing you do.
See you soon!!