Cross-stitch cafe 2010

Ruth_honey

Keiss_21 wrote: »

Tajke care of that back Ruth - pity you can't find your TENS machine...it'll probably turn up once your back has recovered! I have mine on daily, and have done for the past 6 months or more...couldn't do without!

I find cold works better than heat on my back and knees, it is also recommended by my physio. So if you don't have a cold pack or ice power gel/spray, go for the pack of frozen peas/sweetcorn...could work wonders!! Just don't leave it on your back for too long, if you need it in the kidney area.....:o. I find wrapping it in a tea-towel stops it being too cold on the skin, and helps to catch the drips! Take care of yourself...I agree about the air-bed not doing your back any good!

Mmmm, like Kez, I don't seem to be doing much cross-stitch atm...might get some done tonight, though I will probably knit instead...depends how cold the conservatory gets!!

Must get DH to help me set up a new image sharing site, so I can let you see what stiching I have been doing over the past few weeks.

See you later folks....and keep on stitching!

Thanks for the tips! You reminded me that I have a cold pack in the freezer, so I tried that...Brrr! It doesn't stay cold for long, so went back to the hot water bottle when I went to bed. I have some deep freeze gel for my knee, which helps for a few hours. The odd thing is, it's not my 'bad' knee that's sore (smashed up my right kneecap coming off my motorbike in 1998), but I don't know what I've done to make my other knee hurt so much. I kind of want to go swimming because I know that will help, but I'm a bit scared of going out on my own. That sounds strange, I know, but I've hardly been on my own for weeks, except in my own home, so I'm worried I'll start sobbing in the street or something.

I'll do some more stitching in a bit. Just need to figure out what DVD to put on while I stitch...

Bubbles911

Hi everyone,

its been a while since I posted and while I have had some major down days I have managed to complete three small projects from the stuff people on here sent me! I seem to be too down to stitch for days then all of a sudden I just cant stop stitching! The last few nights I have been up to 3am!

Anyway I thought I would post pics of what I have done so far so the people that helped me out can see that its going to good use.



I made this from a kit someone gave me and have turned it into a fridge magnet for something a bit different!



I made this for mothers day obviously using spare threads I was given (these have been a godsend!) I got the pattern from the most recent world of cross stitch which was in a charity shop for 50p and also got the nice sparkly material from there for £1. Money saving or what!



This is my favourite and I finished it today the flowers and the butterfly are again from wocs but were on seperate projects. I decided to merge them and add some words for my friends birthday. She is turning 84 and as I dont have grandparents and she has no kids so we adopted each other! I didnt like a few bits of the patterns so missed bits out and changed all of the colours on the butterfly but I really like it.

I hope everyone else is getting on ok.

sweetcarer

Bubbles

What wonderful pieces of work - really love the sparkly material.

I have suffered from bouts of depression over the years and found cross stitch really helps - I forget about everything when I am stitching. I get lost in a world of my own and problems disappear for that time.

Here is a link to a website that encourages cross stitch to help with depression. I don't belong to it but I have read their stuff.

Kind wishes

sweetcarer

http://www.stitchlinks.com/index.html
Our Aims

• To provide a dynamic resource for those managing long-term illness,
  their carers and medical staff.
• To provide information for those wishing to take a preventative
  approach to healthcare.
• To build a global network of supportive friends who understand.
• Through our research, to promote the use of therapeutic knitting
  and stitching.
• To combine the knowledge gained from our research with practical
  health information to help you lead a more fulfilled life.

What does Stitchlinks do?

When the seeds of Stitchlinks were sown the idea was to support those who felt isolated or lonely by circumstance or illness. But it has blossomed from there to include people who believe in preventative healthcare, carers and healthcare workers. The benefits can help everyone to find balance in life, to take control, as well as better manage illness.
The tools we use are knitting, cross stitching and crochet. A large number of people already use them to manage a range of medical conditions and you can read about Our Theories So Far here.
Friendships forged are important for giving you a sense of identity and belonging, for making you feel valued. Each member finds their own benefits for their specific situation and many do it just for fun. There’s something for everyone to enjoy so you don't have to be ill or isolated to benefit.

Keiss_21

Wow sweetcarer, that is an amazing site...really interesting. Little did I know just how much the knitting I did last year helped me to come through my bout of depression!! It does make a lot of sense though. I think I will print off the Effects in Brief pages and show them to my therapist. I think she will be interested...though she probably knows already.

Not feeling like sewing tonight, but will go and do some knitting instead...some therapy at least!

Night, night

Wow, wonderful work Bubbles!! Love the poem...might nab it for my "surrogate" granny!

spottybutterfly

Sweetcarer what an interesting link i really will look in to that more when im not so tired.

Bubble sorry to hear you've been having a few bad days, ive not been following this thread long so i didnt know you have depression.

Ive been off work 2 years now with anxiety and depression. Its not my first bout, problems begain at 12, i eventhally recovered, then had another huge dip at 16, i recovered from that, did alevels, moved across the country for uni, stayed there 4 years and graduated. But not long after comming back home the evil thing hit me again. I know i will get over this some time- ive managed to twice before, but when it will happen is harder to determine.

I find i love doing crafts, card making, cross stictch, crochet, Jewellery making and other stuff, it really helps to forget about things. Its also a good thing being able to concentrate on something, if i cant thats a sign im getting worse.

Keiss_21

:grouphug:Hugs to you spotty :grouphug:, depression is c**p, but beatable (at least for a while at a time). Keep on stitching!

ERICS_MUM

Sweetcarer, thanks or the link, it made me cry! I've suffered with quite severe depression for several years now and last Nov took early retirement due to it. It's amazingly sad to find so many other people with the same struggle - I've mentioned it on other forums and it usually results in other posters revealing their stories.

It sounds a bit dramatic but at times cross stitch has saved my life, helped me calm down and take my mind off horrendous thoughts. The only downside to this is the expense ! I can't stop looking at needlecraft websites and buying - curse the wonder of internet shopping :mad: Now when I feel a wave of depression washing over me, I just get out all my stash and wallow in the colours.

Love to all who suffer or have loved ones who suffer this horrible illness. Thanks to all of you for making this thread so warm and welcoming.

Linda :T

sweetcarer

For years I looked after my late husband - he was quite badly disabled, so as a result I was unable to leave the house and make friends. Sadly he died (I was only 33 when he died). I had then to start life over again, find a job (first time in about 8 years) and adjust to living on my own. I eventually found love again, but I am still quite shy around people.

Cross stitch helped me while I was looking after my late husband and while I was on my own. Yes there were times I abandoned it - as sometimes it brought back memories but now I am back into again and loving it. I am dedicating the floral alphabet to my first husband - as he encouraged my cross stitch and bought me all the materials for it.

Finding this forum has been great too - I feel I have a bunch of mates loving something that I love - I don't feel so alone now, yes I have hubby, but I feel I have some friendship. Thank you all for making me feel less alone in this world.

Kind wishes to all

sweetcarer

Keiss_21

:grouphug:Hugs sweetcarer:grouphug:

sammr85

Hugs to u all. I too have suffered on and off with depression, I believe I am always a depression sufferer yet the severity varies from day to day. 1 day I feel "better" this can go on for a couple of weeks even then suddenly i'm bk in the black hole! I will def have to read that link Sweetcarer. Thank u for sharing ur story.

I too find crafts theraputic, though like spotty butterfly if I'm having a "bad day" I can't concentrate on anything, I normally just sit here staring at my computer screen, bored but with no motivation for anything.

Anyway I have finally finished DS' sampler! I was posting in September how I wanted it finished by October, well I finally finished it just over a week ago!! I just need to iron it and sew on the beads.



I'm now stitching a UFO, its on my blog if anyone would like a look, the link is on my profile page