Finding Zen in the Everyday: Wrapping Up Making Zen May 2025

As the threads settle and the last stitches find their place after the Making Zen Online Retreat for May 2025, we’re taking a moment to pause, breathe, and say a big, warm thank you.

To each of you who showed up with open hearts, curious hands, and creative spirits: thank you. Whether you joined every day or popped in for just one workshop, your presence made all the difference. You helped make this retreat the joyful, soulful gathering it was.

What a Week It’s Been!

Over five beautiful days, we wandered together through colour, cloth, intuition, and imagination. We stitched stories, tried new techniques, and let our creativity lead the way.

And the things you've made? Absolutely inspiring.

“I'm probably not the only person who finds that life gets in the way, and I forget to do anything creative for a while, then find it difficult to get started again. This was the kick start I needed. I've got my creative mo-jo back, thank you!”
— Maggie Gibbons, retreat participant

Your Makes, Infused with Your Magic 

One of our favourite parts of Making Zen is seeing what you create. From tiny fabric mushrooms to bold stitched landscapes, from dye pots bubbling with colour to the soft squish of felt, your work is full of meaning, care, and connection.

Here are just a few of the beautiful images shared by participants.

1. A forager bag embellished with a Mini Stitched Landscape by Tina Hofmann
Inspired by Mini Landscapes in Fabric and Thread by Jen Strauser

2. Sweet Puzzle Pouch by Patricia Caper
Inspired by Unwritten Scrap Puzzle Pouch by Selina Ben

3. Coffee Crow by Suzen Baxter
Inspired by Stitching a Fabric Scrap Hummingbird by Ann smith 

 4. Belt Bag by Marianne Mairhofer
Inspired by Up-Cycled Belt Bag with Printed Fabric by Tiffany Smith and Phulkaris from Punjab by Saima Kaur

5. Alternative Pin Cushion by Ella Hagemann Maia
Inspired by Mindful Mountain Pin Cushion by Kate Ward

6. Spirit Owl & Intention Weaving by Frances Owl-Smith & Granddaughter
Inspired by Spirit Owl Softies by Trixi Symonds and Weaving Remnants with Intention by Lisa Agaran

7. "13 in 1" by Olga Zlotsky
Inspired by Ann Smith, Lisa Agaran, Kate Ward, Blair Stocker, Karen Turner, Embroidery Art by Nat, Erin Eggenburg, Jen Strauser, Saima Kaur, Jessica Swift, Selina Ben, Ruth Woods, and Casey Turner.
(Bag on right inspired by Jody Alexander and Trixi Symonds; rosehip pin above inspired by Mirjam Gielen)

8. A Week of Projects by Billy-Jane Gregory
Inspired by Casey Turner, Tiffany Smith, Trixi Symonds, Lisa Agaran, Selina Ben, Kate Ward, Margeaux Davis, Mirjam Gielen, Jen Strauser

I wish I could share every single photo that was shared with us - the creations are all so beautiful.

Want the chance to be featured in a future post? Just tag us on Instagram @zenstitching - or send photos to [email protected], if you prefer!

How to Keep the Inspiration Flowing

Now that the retreat has wrapped up, you might be wondering how to keep this creative momentum going. Here are a few gentle ideas to keep your creativity humming:

1. Create a Making Ritual
   Pick a time in your week to make something, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Light a candle, play your favourite music, and let it be your quiet creative time.
2. Find Your People
   If you loved the community vibe of the retreat, consider joining a local stitch group, a textile guild, or join our Sashiko Stitch Club. We’d be so happy to keep creating with you.
3. Start a Making Journal
   Capture what you're working on, what’s inspiring you, or how stitching makes you feel. It's a lovely way to reflect and grow.
4. Revisit Your Favourite Moments
   If you grabbed a VIP Pass, don’t forget you can revisit any workshop anytime. And if you caught the free versions, consider reading back through your notes - you may find that you can apply several of the methods together, or you may see some of your ideas with new eyes now that the week has concluded.
5. Share Your Creativity
   Send a stitched postcard, make a little gift, or show a friend what you’ve learned. Making is even sweeter when it’s shared!

Thank You, Truly

This retreat began in 2021 with a simple hope: to slow down, make with our hands, and reconnect with creativity. But over the years, what has really made it special is you - showing up, stitching, sharing, and creating something beautiful together.

We hope you left with more than new skills. We hope you left feeling grounded, inspired, and connected - to yourself, to your creativity, and to this wonderful community.

 And if you'd like to join us for the next one - make sure to join the waitlist here!