Where have I been? Weeks have past by but it is still not spring. I could not care less as I am completely into spring and absolutely denying that I am freezing cold. I also had to fight a bad cold which made me even more ignorant to cold!
But, but, but I progressed in my comfortable Hand stitched T-shirt project. The last version posted was a drapey one with one seam at the side. This drape was not very comfortable and also not tummy-friendly so I worked on a legere version, which is fun to wear and comfortable, very. Might post pics of this one later. But now I have moved away one step. This Hand stitched top is made in one piece, meaning I folded the fabric at the shoulders and cut a hole for the neckline. Consequently there are no seams on top of the arms either. This way the jersey is gently hanging on my shoulders. Again words seem not to be able to describe what I mean. Compared to a normal sleeve, the lack of seems in this area makes an enormous difference. The side seams have only a touch of batman wings. This gives more freedom of movement to the arm but also relaxes the armpit. I chose Organic Cotton/Bamboo jersey, which feels gorgeous. This prototype is short but works for layering with a tank top, but I started already a longer version.... Now to the very comfortable Hand stitched Yoga Pants. I have posted the white version earlier.
I have made the experience that wearing white only works if I feel comfortable. So I started to design my Kundalini Yoga outfit. I started with leggings, as it was winter and the need of layering required a simple cut for the pants. But now the layers are about to be reduced or vanish, so I could experiment with the shape of the pants. Saying that this drop crotch version is so comfortable that I might stop wearing leggings!!!!! I wish you could try for yourself. The no impact comfort makes such a difference. Additionally there are 4 tucks on each side, which is a nice element and again adds to the comfort. So I am switching between designing for Yoga and adapting for urban life or designing for everyday life and creating a white Yoga version...... As I did with the grey Valentine's cardigan ....there is now an off white Yoga Version. Well I am ready for spring. Actually skip spring, I am ready for summer.
Sometimes I love receiving emails. A friend informed me about her new retreat, have a look...... Villa Sophia is waiting for you! Enjoy a special week of yoga and meditation at this beautiful villa within the olive groves of Northern Cyprus.......
I do not want to blame all on my kids but it took me an incredibly long time to find a routine in my new life. Not so much caring for the kids but meeting my own needs. Sadly it included a vast amount of energy to make all the family members take their share, not sure but it might have been easier to accomplish this with female household members, saying that, my oldest son complained this morning that the kitchen has too many things lying around and it was impossible for him to get some more breakfast (being 4 and a half he is climbing everywhere to get what he wants). I never have stopped with my yoga practice but I have been drained for a long time mainly due to sleep deprivation. But combined with Aqua Running and 3 weeks on my own with the kids (where I had nothing better to do in the evening than doing yoga) I could gather a lot of stamina that I do not wish to loose again. It has been almost 100 days since I have started with The Bound Lotus. As so often I do not know how things make it into my life but there it is and I am very fond of this practice. I must mention at this point that also this practice challenges me a lot. First I had to practice the Lotus position as I have been avoiding full Lotus for the past years. So part of the warm-up set now is to stretch my legs to achieve Lotus easier. And it is working. I manage to sit without props in full Lotus. My hands are still far away from grabbing my toes (after crossing them on the back) but I think I will emphasize on this stretch from now on. Also the head does not touch the ground yet, but I approachthis while sitting in Bound Lotus, and I get closer, every day a bit more. But there is still much more stretching to do for Lotus and arms, so this might take a bit longer. As the practice only counts if you do not skip one day I had to discipline myself to start the day with Bound Lotus. So no matter what conditions I will warm-up and stretch and do the Bound Lotus before I start anything else. Because from experience I know once I have started the day there is no stopping and a day would feel wrong without Bound Lotus at the very beginning. And here I am 100 days later, happy to have found this practice as it replaces meditation for me at the moment. Because to sit still in mediation will require another quarter of a lifetime. Practice on. More about Bound Lotus here.
How to sew a Cross Stitch by hand - I can cu at work / meditation
As hard as editing in detail is as much calmness it spread in this case.
While I am sewing I am not thinking. And if a thought comes up I usually make an error. And I love this. The best results come from an empty mind just in flow with a rhythm. So in this state this movie was created and while editing I had to bring myself back to cutting and not drifting away in a cross stitch. This movies explains How to sew a Cross Stitch (Herringbone Stitch), from start to finish, involves loops, knots and continuation with a new thread.
I hope this film helps using this fantastic stitch, for mending, creating or just an eye-catcher. Thank you for watching. If you liked it, please don't forget to share it! Thanks again.
So I am switching between designing for Yoga and adapting for urban life or designing for everyday life and creating a white Yoga version......
