The confusion level of the last month seems to be subsiding. The sitting and staring when not shoveling or stacking wood. The wondering where I am in my life. The trying to patch the holes and ... well, contemplating the state of the world and WTF? really.
The collapse of Typepad, the old blog and the unexpected undoing of all my online classes left me wondering what to do. If anything.
I have come away with only one basic thought.
Feel Free.
As usual, I sit and stitch, or draw, when there are no words. Words come as image forms and I silently describe what I see. No agenda , just witness to my own way of going. Being in it. Loving the nature of form.
I began by seeing a beginning here. In the beginning I said to myself.
It feels like that. The freedom of another beginning.
I will be blogging over at Substack for a bit and of course sharing photos on Instagram and Facebook until I clean this place up a bit. (links to other places in the sidebar)
I will shut this site down on Monday the 12th. I will try to create a landing page so everyone knows what's happening. I will ReOpen the site in February. Wow, a plan?
I'm laughing, you know how that usually goes.
YES to the “freedom of a new beginning’! and u have the most magical starting point from which to spiral outward! to just “let it be”… for me, the best solutions seem to come “in the going”. all the puzzle pieces may not be on the table yet, as this transcendent adventure begins!,,,hi, ho! x
Everything moves on, changes. Life IS change. We either go with the flow or stop living (even if we are breathing and moving about). I am very happy that you found so many videos and will be sharing them. Thank you. I NEED to get back to stitching and you and this community have always been an inspiration.
I’m constantly reminding myself of the impermanence of everything. Things come and go, with or without our permission. It’s just the way it is. Best wishes for your new endeavors.
Wouldn’t you really rather be stitching than messing around with the internet?
It’s all become kind the same thing. Patchwork, in perspective…
So tired of the constant talking and listening about Trump and no one doing anything to cut off his ability to insite havoc on the entire world.
Only self defense is to immerse my attention into something that is factual and tangible and personally enjoyable.
I thank you for all you share and I understand that it takes a much effort to push forward. We that are always ready to hear/read your messages appreciate YOU!
I hear you. Exhausting. Let’s look to something constructive …
ordered five packets of flower seeds yesterday. that told me something very important about my true state of mind …
Perfect…
It is good that you remind me about the “bones” of this operation. In this age, if it worked, I used to take it for granted. These days, I take nothing for granted. I need to do the work. Jude, thanks for doing your share!
it’s kinda crazy really. I need simpler.
another approach. Looking forward!
Gotta keep trying…
Love you Jude and will continue to follow your posts wherever you land. 💙✌🏼take all the time you need!
hope I find enough!
What I hear is “going”. And you have taught us that “going” is positive! ✨I stopped working just after Thanksgiving. Planned but not planned. Then I was sick for 3 weeks which kinda helped with the transition to not working. Now I’m here feeling a little lost. I’ve worked since I was a teen and didn’t give enough credit to how routine shapes a day. I’m thankful that I have my knitting to focus on. It’s my work although many would say it’s just a hobby. It reminds me of who I am when all the outside identities have fallen away.
Your knitting is astounding, it will carry you forward.
Everything falling apart seems like the way things are going these days. Wishing you well in starting again. Seems like something like that will have to happen in the macrocosm, too. Deep breath 🧡
Really. Another deep breath.
Sounds like a perfect plan! You’re finding a way that will work for you. Do take care of yourself, you are a treasure to many.
My life has been in a holding pattern for the last four years. I didn’t know how long it would be and I still don’t. I only know after having to do a big move in a short time and get rid of a lot of things, I’m going to have to do it again but I don’t know when. My kids and grands are in other states. I can’t visit them because my mother can’t be left alone now ( she’s 96, it’s why I got here).
I’m trying finally to be settled, learn to like it here ( not in this house but the area) and have a life, but it’s going to end and I’ll have to move again.
96!
Yes, this is so familiar…in many ways. It’s a matter of the time it takes. We keep going… sometimes settling in happens when we are not noticing. ❤️
All best wishes, Jude, with your moving to new site and coming back here again. Substack is good. Regarding this site, the only change I’d like to see is a change in the colour of the type – Back to Black which is easier to read, than the washed-out grey colour. And perhaps the type could be a little larger but I do like the font.
Your New Year is going to be busier than ever!
Your being there is such an alive gift to us. 🙏 Yesterday I made my first playlist! Old songs to dance to for 10 maybe fifteen minutes a day. (maybe more?) Sending love ❤️
Dancing! Yes.
It could be fun… something different.
I’ve been hearing that 2026 (2+0+2+6) is a “1” year … fresh, new beginnings. Yes, to feeling free! 😁
Yay!
Glad to know you will be redoing the site, been following you on FB, Instagram. 85 last year, still healthy, no complaints all synapses working! Stay warm and healthy ❤️
👍❤️
i so admire your tenacity and thoughtfulness toward your readers.
I’m hooked on the feeling!
Jude, I think you are on the right track, go with your gut. I love the idea of having all vids live on YouTube, that could be your place for your tutorials or any insights etc, the bucketing of types of content for you would be infinite. I also think it will help your followers to have every video there. I guess its baby steps. One way you could organize your teachings would be to start on a wall, with post its of your inventory then categorize accordingly. Sometimes that helps instead of having everything digitally on a drive or in disparate places. You are a visual thinker. Thank you so much for all you do – we need your videos!
You would not believe how many there are. I love post its!
As I stitched yesterday, I found myself counting the ways I have learned from you in your many places … paperless piecing, glue stitch, split backstitch … not to mention your priceless direction to Deb Lacativa’s magical dyed threads … and last, but never least, the community of kindred spirits
☮️ Liz A
It’s going to be a trip down memory lane for sure. This community goes way back, amazing.
I did a search on my old/new again blog today and discovered many missing images. It is what it is … sad though it may be. I’m moving forward.
That said, your instructional content is priceless and I do hope you find a relatively pain-free way to salvage it.
It’ll be slow, but that’s ok.
Reinvent! Isn’t that what we all do, especially as we age? We change. We reinvent. It’s funny, but I take a million Nature photos, many quite good. And I consider the possibility of their disappearing…for some reason, that’s ok for me, as I consider the transitory nature of Nature! I look forward to your transition, Jude!
Well lots disappeared, poof. Maybe YouTube will too. Ha!
I absolutely love your content. I see you on Utube here in the vast hinterland of the western US. Dark starry nights and quiet sunny days are the palate on which I’m attempting to stitch my own life’s tapestry. Most of our lives now don’t make much sense. I absolutely understand your confusion and concerns. Thank you!
We are all in it together…
Feeling free is a good thing. I’m sorry the world moves on without us. I feel that way too. I value your contribution to the stitching community and see your name often. You Tube is a good idea. Take care and we love you.
U can make playlists bit by bit. Reorganize. 👍
Everything is in flux. What can one do but sit, be present, and allow. You are loved and supported by many… Be!
❤️