In the loop with Lizzy
Our new columnist, Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean from Stitch People, tries a little mindful stitching…
Sum me r time is here and may I just tell you how excited I am to so akin everything summer has to offer? For me, summer means sunshine, swimming in lakes, hiking in the mountains and po king around outside in my mediocre, little excuse for a garden .( I’ m determined to develop my inner‘ green thumb '!)
I’ m Lizzy Dabczynsk i-Bean, owner and designer of Stitch People, and I’m so thrilled to be a new contributor for Cross Stitch er Magazine!
For those of you who maybe unfamiliar with Stitch People, you can head on over to stitch people. co ma nd explore our products that focus primarily on customised cross-stitched family portraits. We’ ve created patterns and instructions to help you put together heir loom-quality family portraits to commemorate important moments and memories in your life.
For those of you unfamiliar with me, I give you a warm “Hello !”
I’ m currently a ‘Utah’ n ’– soontobe ‘Californian’– with a top-notch husband, Spencer, and three rescue dogs; Lucy, Pepper, and Nubby (she was born with three and a half legs ). I’m optimistic by nature and I consider myself an extroverted introvert. I love spending time with friends and family but I also really dig my alone time. My wonderful parents have always said I move too fast and spread myself too thin–and it’ s true. I’m a jack-of-all-trades type who enjoys everything from cross stitching to home renovation projects to performing in musical theatre to weight-lifting. And gardening, hopefully, someday.
I also consider myself to be a spiritual person. All that jack-of-all-trades stuff leaves me stressed and overwhelmed, a lot. So, while I am religious, I do consider‘ religion’ and‘ spirituality’ to be distinctly different and I’ m trying to embrace the latter more in my life. ‘Spirituality’ tome, means ‘connectedness ’. This connectedness can be within myself, those around me, the earth, and‘ the great beyond ’( or
My latest Chakra Mandala designs are inspired my personal effort to be more mindful and spiritual
whatever you want to call it, be it God, theuniverse, heaven, etc.) Getting connected helps me slow down and get focused which is really wonderful!
The reason I bring this up is because I want to share with you a bit about the latest set of designs I’ ve released that are inspired by my personal effort to be more mindful and spiritual. I’ve created a book of seven cross stitch patterns called Chak ra Mandalas by Stitch People. These simple, round, geometric designs (mandalas) are themed around the energy pathways in the body, or chakras, as defined by Eastern traditions (pronounced cha-kreh). These pretty cross stitch patterns aren’ t overly time-consuming, and they ultimately become a physical manifestation of your meditative process, if you choose to stitch the min a mindful way.
You can read more about the new patterns online at: stitchpeople.com/ chakras.
To get your thoughts flowing, here are some ideas on how you can stitch mindfully, whether on your own projects, or on the Chak ra Mandalas.
Set aside specific time to work on your stitching: make it intentional. Turn off your phone: reduce distractions. Turn on some relaxing music to focus and/or relax. Treat yourself to your favourite beverage: tea, anyone? Light a candle nearby: for ambiance. Put a few drops of essential oils on your wrists: aromatherapy will work for you as you stitch, moving your hands and arms. Breathe deeply as you stitch: think breathe in’ and breathe out’ with each time you pull your needle through the fabric. Repeat positive thoughts (or mantras) to yourself out loud or in your mind as you stitch. Think about yourself, your life, your relationships, and anything that you may need to process.
The pattern I’ve designed to accompany this article is the first in a series of geometric inspiration! I designed this pattern to represent the summer sun and the happy, bright colours of summer time. But for some reason it also reminds me of pin wheels, eating ice cream outside, and of the way trees reflect into lake sat noon time on a hot day. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope it reminds you of your favourite summer memories and traditions.
If you stitch up this beauty, please tag me on social media so I can see your beautiful work( and so we can be pals !)
Cheers to a lovely summer, my new stitching friends!