eyestrain headaches

Since coming home from our trip to Italy, I have been extremely busy with sewing. I got stuck straight into a big new project, and then after the recent retreat I taught at, I’ve been stuck into stitching the new projects for next year’s retreat.

In all, I’ve been suddenly spending a lot more time on close up work than I was before we went away. Not surprisingly, my body has been saying, “Stop!” I’ve developed headaches centred around my eyes, which seem to be there most of the time.

Yesterday I had my eyes tested by the optometrist, and yes, my prescription has changed – the old one is now too strong. (I am short sighted, so don’t actually need my glasses for my stitching.) Because it is too strong, my eyes are over focusing when I do so much close up work, and that seems to be causing my headaches.

New glasses are on their way with correct prescription. Hopefully that will help. In the mean time, I have to remember to take my glasses off when I stitch.

One of my embroidery applique projects is going extremely well. I’m really pleased with the look of the piece, and how the embroidery works with it. I still have yet to start the other one.

Next weekend I’ll be off to Canberra to teach a workshop for the ACT guild in Portuguese Whitework. I’m looking forward to that, and hopefully Canberra will put some slightly warm weather on for me. 🙂 Next week will probably mostly be class preparation, but hopefully I’ll be able to continue with some of my own stitching.