[I am following Anne Brooke‘s 2021 #52tagshannemade slow stitch challenge to make a little tag every week of the year – see them all here!] Week 38’s tag challenge was to use reverse applique with five or so scraps of fabric. (We were to also keep our cut out shapes for the next week.) We are working on tiny canvases, so I wasn’t that creative on my shapes, but I did accept something: I officially have a color palette I come back to over and over again – and while this has been known, what it really means is that it is part of my previously elusive style.

Even though I was careful to get that little birdy exposed, everything shifted between cutting and stitching. Ah well.

My thoughts this week was how much more relaxed I am from teaching, now that I was finally given a TA. He is new, and maybe not the most experienced for the task, but since I crossed the mental divide of being able to let go my high standards for a job that pays so skimpily – especially with the extra work this particular class involves – I’ll let him have freedom. It helped that my Chinese friend (who lives here) told me to also let go and just have fun with it when possible.

It doesn’t pick up well in the photograph, but the teal blue fabric is a high sheen reflective one, that looks pretty neat next to the matted cottons. That top swatch is also the last of my favorite fabric that I’ve used in a lot of projects. I’m sure I might still have a teensy weensy piece stashed away somewhere, but otherwise, so long and fare well my old friend!