work in progress (wip) - mandala embroidery

so far a mix of stem, split, and back stitches

sometimes i get the urge to embroider.  i've never gotten terribly into it and it's so hard for me to actually finish an embroidery project i've started.  usually i get to a certain point and decide that there's puckering and/or the stitches aren't even enough and/or i'm out of that color thread i need and/or it just doesn't look good enough to finish so it gets put into the time out corner, or the textile recycling. 

nonetheless i keep coming back to it.  there's something about it that's very soothing and meditative.  i feel like it's the textile version of an adult coloring book.  you use it to create pieces that aren't functional; you create them just because they're beautiful.  there's something i like about that concept, although i usually err on the side of functional when it comes to how to spend my crafting time.

embroidery project and supplies living in my new skull project bag

whether mandalas are on trend right now or i've been looking at a lot of related imagery, it seems like mandalas have been everywhere lately and they have really been catching my eye.  so far i think it looks pretty good.  i'm just going slowly, trying to enjoy making decisions and fixing mistakes, and most importantly taking it one stitch at a time.

in case it does end up a total failure i bought a mandala coloring book.  if it goes well i have more mandalas to trace and embroider.  if it turns out horribly and i never want to embroider again i'll throw out my embroider threads and buy some markers!

just kidding, i already own all the markers.