Motivational Monday: Learn a new skill!

By
Real Estate Agent with California Lifestyle Realty DRE# 1780607

Motivational Monday:  Learn a new skill!

Curiosity and learning are  what keeps us young.  Learning new things stimulates your mind and enriches your experiences .  New skills can also bring new people into your life who share the same hobby or sport.

One of my goals this summer was to learn to embroider.  I have quilted

kschowe embroidery

, crocheted, and cross stitched in the past, so I have some experience with fabric and thread... but I had never embroidered. 

I started with a few sampler kits to learn the basics.  Many of the starter kits include all the materials and links to tutorial videos.  Although some of the stitches are simple- others are much easier to learn with a video. 

kschowe embroidery

kschowe embroidery

I saw an incredible embroidery gratitude journal on Instagram and it motivated me to learn how to do it.  After I've completed several of these sampler beginner kits, I think by the new year, I'll be ready to start my 2024 Embroidery Gratitude Journal!  

embroidery journal amazon

Here is a kit available on Amazon for making your own!  If you search embroidery/gratitude journal you can find all kinds of ideas! 

Now embroidery may not be your thing, maybe it's baking, bread-making, yoga, bonsai... find a new thing and learn a new skill!  Your life will be better for it! ❤️

 

 

 

 

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Kathy Schowe   760.333.8886  California LifestyleRealty  California Lifestyle RealtySchowe Properties                                           

        

                  
                                   

Comments (15)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

oh my gosh, Kathy....I'd almost forgotten that I had done some of this many years ago (probably before we were all glued to our devices.)   I made a small pillow and a few other cute things. If I remember, a small store a few doors down from my office sold needlepoint supplies and held classes.  

You are spot on though...to keep our minds active and our lives full...try something new. No one says you have to be great at it. Just try!

Sep 11, 2023 11:20 AM
Kathy Schowe

Kathy Streib - Maybe you'll want to get back into needlework- I find it so relaxing and satisfying!  K

Sep 11, 2023 12:35 PM
Kathy Streib

Kathy, I learned to crochet and knit from my grandmother and made throws for some of the children in the family. I may just try the needlework!!

Sep 11, 2023 06:32 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Quilting seems like such a heartwarming hobby.  I did a lot of embroidery work when I was younger, but somehow migrated away from it.  Perhaps, I'll resurrect it as a hobby.

Sep 11, 2023 06:55 PM
Kathy Schowe

Myrl Jeffcoat -- I bet you still have the skills-- although I need readers for threading the needle!  K

Sep 12, 2023 09:21 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Sep 11, 2023 07:17 PM
Kathy Schowe

Myrl Jeffcoat,  What are your hobbies?   I'd love to hear!  Thank you so much for the feature!!  Kathy

Sep 12, 2023 09:20 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

My mother used to embroider and we had a friend who passed away used to embroider too, not in my future plans Endre

Sep 11, 2023 10:33 PM
Kathy Schowe

Perhaps pasta or bread making for you?  K

Sep 12, 2023 09:19 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

It appears that you are already very skilled with this!  I think my Mom does it but it's not something that I want to do myself, haha.

Sep 12, 2023 07:34 AM
Kathy Schowe

Brian England ,  Maybe something like watercolor is more your speed?  Kathy :-)

Sep 12, 2023 09:19 AM
Brian England

Haha, I am more into sports, than arts & crafts

Sep 12, 2023 10:04 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Kathy, yes always good to learn new skills using our hands and minds. Embroidery offers other ways to add color and joy to life.  I joined an embroidery group on FB just to see the elaborate creations people share. Stunning stuff. Have Fun!!

Name of group--Only Hand Embroidery & Crafters 

Sep 12, 2023 08:08 AM
Kathy Schowe

Gloria Todor ,  Thank you so much for reaching out-- I will definitely

check out that facebook page!  Always seeking inspiration !  Kathy

Sep 12, 2023 09:18 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I have done a little bit of embroidery -- but it was probably 30+ years ago.  My mother is very efficient in embroidery and canvasing and knitting.  She is now in an Assisted  Living place and at almost 95 years young, she stays very active making things for all the people living there.  I believe it keeps her not only active but sharp in her thinking and awareness of her surroundings and being attentive to those in need. 

Sep 16, 2023 09:19 AM
Kathy Schowe

Diana Dahlberg ,  Busy hands make a happy heart... at least in my case!  Have a great week!  Kathy

Sep 26, 2023 10:44 AM
Diana Dahlberg

Kathy Schowe My Grandmother was an amazing woman and she was always busy working with her hands -- knitting and crocheting and needlepoint were her giftings.  Wish I had that same talent!

Sep 26, 2023 12:18 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sep 16, 2023 07:08 PM
Kathy Schowe

Thank you Kathy Streib for the feature!  I have been out of town, and then came home with Covid!!!  So I've been laid up.  Hopefully on the mend soon!  Kathy

Sep 26, 2023 10:45 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I absolutely agree that we should all learn a new skill on a fairly regular basis. It's a wonderful thing to do for many reasons!

Sep 17, 2023 05:38 AM
Kathy Schowe

Kat Palmiotti ,Working on projects whatever they are... just makes me happy and feel productive and creative! 

Sep 26, 2023 10:45 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

How did I miss this post Kathy? I'm so glad that Kathy Streib featured it in her "Ah-Ha" moments for the week as I missed it!  I remember embroidering when my kids were little and I made lots of things. It's probably not a skill I want to pick back up but your message is loud and clear. You are so right its important to keep our minds active and our lives full...try something new!

Sep 17, 2023 07:20 AM
Kathy Schowe

Dorie Dillard Austin TX ,  Sometimes we do our projects just for us.  I often remember what I was watching, who I was with, etc. when I see the final product!  K

Sep 26, 2023 10:47 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I grew up with a Mom and Grandmother who embroidered, so of course I learned early on. Unfortunately, I never developed the skill that they had. In addition to pillow cases, tablecloths, etc, my Grandmother made several beautiful pieces that were framed. I still have a poinsettia on my wall that she embroidered about 40 years ago.

Meanwhile - you are so right. Learning a new skill is a good way to keep our minds growing and reaching. I'm thinking about yoga.

Sep 17, 2023 08:13 AM
Kathy Schowe

Marte Cliff - I think I would like yoga too!  I have a ballet background from years as a child/youth.  so many things to do and not enough time!! 

Sep 26, 2023 10:48 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Kathy, for sharing this advice and some of your personal experience.

Sep 17, 2023 10:56 AM
Kathy Schowe

Roy Kelley ,  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week!  Kathy

Sep 26, 2023 10:48 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Kathy,
How fun! I learned to sew, knit, and do needlepoint when I was a teen. As an adult, I made some nice personalized gifts for family and friends. I have lots of stories.  I'm glad I did it when I could because my arthritic fingers defy knitting or needlepoint at this stage of life.  I can still hold a golf club, though, so life is good! 😊

Sep 18, 2023 05:33 AM
Kathy Schowe

Carol Williams   Keep on swinging girl !!  Hope we can play together one of these days- Kathy

Sep 26, 2023 10:49 AM
Carol Williams

Kathy Schowe 
I hope so, too. I will be in Yuma from mid-December to mid-March, but I plan to make a trip or two to the Palm Springs area.

Sep 27, 2023 06:43 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I am so glad that Kathy Streib featured your post - I missed it before   - Learn a new skill!  I have several related to work that I need to focus on. 

Sep 19, 2023 05:46 AM
Kathy Schowe

Lise Howe ,  What are you going to try next?  K

Sep 26, 2023 10:50 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Congratulation for taking on a challenge and mastering a new skill. 

Sep 21, 2023 04:36 PM
Kathy Schowe

John Juarez ,  Thank you for stopping by!  Have a great week!  Kathy

Sep 26, 2023 10:50 AM