A Quiet Summer Pause: Time for Reflection, Reconnection, and a Bit of Catching Up

The late July stillness is something I’ve come to welcome. After a flurry of workshops, events, and creative bursts earlier in the summer, this week feels like a gentle pause — and I’m leaning into it.

There’s a calm that settles in when there’s nothing urgent on the calendar. It gives space to breathe, reflect, and (if I’m honest) catch up on all the admin that’s quietly stacked up behind the sewing machine!

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

This week, I’ve been reviewing the projects I’ve worked on so far this year — pieces finished, ideas still brewing, experiments that didn’t quite work but taught me something anyway. It's amazing how much we do without taking time to acknowledge it.

Sometimes we’re so focused on the next deadline or workshop that we forget to step back and say, "Actually, that was a good piece of work." Or "That class really lit up the room."

Reconnecting with My Own Practice

With no sessions running this week, I’ve also taken the opportunity to reconnect with my own stitching—not planning, not prepping for classes—just stitching for the sake of it. It’s easy to lose touch with your personal practice when you’re always in teaching or admin mode. So this quiet time is gold.

If you’re a maker or teacher too, I encourage you to take a moment for yourself this week—whether it’s sorting your studio, starting that piece you keep putting off, or even just letting your mind wander over a sketchbook with a coffee.

A Gentle Nudge for You Too

If you’ve been away, distracted, or just caught in the whirlwind of summer, this is your friendly reminder: it’s okay to slow down. You don’t have to be producing all the time. Sometimes the best creative work begins in stillness.

Use this time to catch your breath, review your notes and photos, and gently pick up the threads of projects or ideas you put down earlier in the year.

Something Exciting on the Horizon

While this week is quiet, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be exhibiting with the Dropped Stitch Artists at The Marriotts Warehouse Trust in King’s Lynn this August. We’ll be there for a whole week, showcasing a collection of inspiring textile and mixed media works.

I can’t wait to display some of my recent pieces and to stand alongside such a talented group of artists. If you’re local (or fancy a summer day trip!), pop the dates in your diary—more details coming soon.

Wishing you a restful and reflective week.
If you’ve been quietly stitching or just soaking up inspiration, I’d love to hear what you’re up to. Let’s embrace this lull before the next wave of creative energy arrives.