I don't have to explain my art to you, Warren

We made it to the six month mark of this project! I wasn't sure I'd make it six days, so six months is amazing. Today's piece is the 181st piece (182nd blog since I did an introduction post). To answer one of the most common questions I get: I have no idea what I'm going to do with these pieces when I'm done. I could make them into something else. I could put them away and never look at them again. I could gift them to people. I have no clue, and I'm cool with that. This is why I don't finish the edges each month. They're all currently hanging in my studio...with painter's tape. It's messy and probably unprofessional, but it works for me for now.

Other than producing 181 pieces, here are a few other highlights from the last six months:

• I learned 5 new stitches: couching, woven wheel, whipped back stitch, lazy daisy, and padded satin stitch. I also did a stitch study of the fly stitch, which I knew how to do, but never actually use. 
• I've gone through at least 5 full skeins of DMC 310 (black) and two of the Sublime Stitching equivalent.
• Bernie the Bee - Bernie is by far everyone's favorite creation of the last six months. This is followed closely by the ladybug, several of the flowers, and this week's motivational "poster" of being as confident as a cat. 
• Who knew I could draw stuff? This has been my favorite part of this project - I can actually draw. I'm not saying I'm the greatest, but I'm really proud of what I've drawn for this project. From toast to a cat in a window to cat paws (and all the flowers and of course, Bernie the Bee), it's been amazing to see these designs come to life on paper and in thread.
• Abstract embroidery is amazing. Some of the pieces I've received the most compliments on are the abstract pieces. My two favorites are Mosaic and the (unintentional) Peach Death Star. This is another area I'm looking forward to continuing to explore. I've also been thinking ahead to 2022, and abstract embroidery is going to be my focus for next year's 365 project (yes, there will be a next year). 
• People don't really get "it." I don't really know what's there to get, but as A.J. tells Warren in Empire Records, "I don't have to explain my art to you, Warren." This isn't about any one thing. I want to get better at my art and craft, and this is a way to do that. 
• I've only had a few days where I didn't know what I was going to do until late in the day. It's a little scary for a Type A person like me, but this project has helped me get out of my plan everything mode all the time. That's not to say I don't plan, but I'm more comfortable if I don't have it figured out. I'll make it work.

Today's piece includes two of my favorite embroidery stitches, satin stitch and French knots, and a lot of my favorite color, orange. 

Thank you for following along so far, and I hope you continue on this journey with me until the end of the year (and beyond). I'm really excited about July; I have a theme planned. More on this tomorrow.

Details:
Stitches: satin and back stitches, French knots
Thread palette: DM C740, C444, C699, C666, C995, 4124 (all 3 strands)