Driving Myself Happy

I've set aside all my crocheting to finish my March tote for the calendar project, but it's been slow going from the start. It took about 18 days just to finish one panel. I'm starting to resent how long it takes me to feather stitch, something I've never before experienced. I think that's why I've avoided the tote making for a couple days this month. Crochet is easier so it makes me feel better about myself. I need to work on that bad attitude.

Probably the first step is to curb my ambitions. I set aside this vintage crazy quilted piece for next month's tote, but because of all the embroidery I wanted to do on it that might not be the wisest choice. I need to do something fun like crochet to get my heart back into the project.

This video shows how to fuse quilting with crochet, and tempts me to try that next month.

I could also do a spin on this crochet and fabric pattern from Yarnspirations to make my April tote half crochet and half quilted.

Since childhood I've avoided what makes me unhappy by removing myself from the situation and doing something that makes me very happy, which is why I spent most of my time reading in libraries, I think -- and why I've been crocheting so much. :) My unhappiness over my increasing limitations isn't getting better, unfortunately, despite my efforts to seek happiness. As an adult I know it's better to deal with the unhappiest parts of life rather than run away from them, so I'm not giving up on my calendar project. Instead I'll find a way to make it fun again.

Image credit: the crochet and fabric bags pic came from the pattern page on Yarnspirations.

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Stuff

After finding this Caron one pound skein of lovely peach yarn in my thrifted lot I raided my stash for two cakes of Mandala in Pegasus, which matches it perfectly. For practice and hand therapy I'm going to make another Worth Street Afghan with this free pattern , but this time I'll use the yarn that was recommended for it plus the one pound skein. I'm not quite ready to do the vintage/recycled linen quilt I had planned (still a bit too nervous about the idea), so I'm going to use some color therapy and make a quilt from these thrifted green fat quarters. I considered doing another Yellow Brick road patchwork pattern, but I might go with a split rail fence like this one.

Better than Fried

I cut some chives from the kitchen garden to make garlic-chive baked fries for dinner. This is a great side dish for veggie burgers. Click here for the recipe from Taste of Home.com.

The Mercantile

If you don't mind walking 33K square feet in retail space, The Mercantile may be the vintage/arts store you'd enjoy visiting if you're ever in Orlando. I certainly did. Because it was busy I didn't take any photos in the store, but it's absolutely amazing and chock full of antiques and artisan creations, most of which were pretty reasonably priced. For $21.00 I invested in a picture of sailboats for the guest bathroom I'm redoing, and a fairy mystery jar of cool stuff. The jaw was hand-painted and decorated, and utterly charming. I think I wanted the jar more than the contents. As you can see the contents were both generous and pretty cool, too. I finally have some vintage gloves to use for my art quilter bingo challenge!

Rayen

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