it's nice to be back...

the interesting thing about a hobby is how it changes and grows with you. these past few months as i slowly dusted off my needles and quickly realized how much i missed it, it hit me how much this little hobby of mine has grown with me the past few years. 

i always loved needlepointing: the minute i took that first beginner's class, there was no turning back. when i moved to new orleans, i found myself with tons of time to devote to my newfound hobby because at the time, i was married to someone who had to study for school so much. it was great! i could spend so many hours adding to my stash, picking out thread, working on projects...and i got so much completed! stockings, a belt, ornaments, gifts, a giant sampler, all within 2 years. but as my marriage slowly disintegrated and we started living 2 separate lives (because we were 2 different people), i retreated into my hobby. i used it as a way to escape the pain i was dealing with and instead channeled it into projects.

and then when i finally found the courage to change my circumstances, i decided to change my habits too. i didn't want to escape into my needlepoint hobby and i didn't want to use it as an excuse not to go out and live my life. so i took a much-needed break, and it was exactly what i needed. i took time to focus on me and the things that are truly important to me. i explored the extremely daunting world of dating again and ended up finding someone truly special. someone who recently encouraged me to revisit my hobby. and i was scared. what if it became another escape? what if i let it consume me?

but that's just not the case. and i realize now that because i'm different, needlepointing is different. i'm happy, content and fulfilled in my personal life, and because of that, my hobby is just that: a hobby. i find myself in a healthy relationship where we love spending time together, but also enjoy spending time apart exploring our own interests. there is a balance. i'll stop myself before this gets all sappy, but i wanted you to know that i'm in a really great place. the best.

so that brings us to the most important question of the past year...what have i been working on? when last we left off i believe i had finished this holiday cross stitch

and this cute little petei santa

i had also started working on my next petei santa, which i am happy to say, i finished!

obviously i haven't trimmed the fur yet, but i always wait until it comes back from the finisher before i "manscape."

i have more goodies to share, so check back soon!