I finished Beltane, the last in my set of Sabbat cross stitch patterns. There were a couple odd color mistakes in the pattern–first I figured out one of the symbols was used for two different shades of yellow, then I found the same problem with two different shades of red. I just sort of chose the shade I thought would work and I’m mostly satisfied with the results.
The background fabric looks a bit brown in the photo but in real life it’s more of a light sherbet orange suitable for a spring theme. Someday I’ll invest in some good lighting and learn to take proper photos, but not today.
With this, I’m technically done with the Sabbat series, but my Yule piece still bothers me. I’ve decided to try it again on a darker fabric so the moon and winter snowflakes will really stand out. My first attempt is nice enough to give to friends for the holiday, so my efforts won’t be wasted.
With autumn well underway, it’s also knitting season. I bought yarn a few weeks ago to make sweaters with and I’m just now winding it up to start the Dock and Cabin pattern. It looks complicated, with lots of cables and a sort of windowpane pattern on the back, but the pattern comes with nice clear charts so I should be okay.
Alongside these smaller projects, I’m still working on the much larger project of trying to work ritual and rhythm into my life. I’m starting small, just writing down everything I spend time on and looking at what I could add or subtract or just do in a better way. I can feel my perfectionism creeping in already, pushing me to work more and push myself harder. I’m not sure what to do about that, but I know hard-driving perfection is the opposite of what I’m looking for here. If you have suggestions for taming that inner critic I’m all ears.
Oddly Cultured 
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