Busy Hands, Happy Heart?
Waiting for my procedure...
Thank You So Much!
Many of you have written to me about my upcoming heart catheterization procedure. I may not be able to respond to everyone individually, but please know that your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement mean more to me than I can adequately express. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Serial Crafting
I tend to rotate among my crafts depending on inspiration, season, and what I need at the time.
1. Crochet
Crochet is usually the most portable craft I do—except when I’m working on amigurumi. Those projects often require a surprising amount of attention.
When I’m really stressed, though, I gravitate toward simple stitching. It becomes almost meditative: something my hands can do while my mind settles. It’s muscle memory in the best sense. Right now, I’m working on a cardigan.
2. Zentangle
Zentangle requires a stable surface. Because I am a “tiny tangler” (our industry nickname for someone who likes to draw small, controlled images), precision is demanded, and there’s nothing more frustrating than having a line wobble because someone jostled your workspace.
3. Miniatures
Miniatures are the least portable of my creative pursuits because they must be built in place. In some way, these are the most challenging of my hobbies, because I need a variety of tools—and a lot of problem-solving. This weekend, I worked mostly at my mouse house, and I finally managed to construct a carcass. (In furniture-building terms, the carcass is the shell or frame—the part everything else attaches to. At least, that’s how I understand the term. If any woodworkers are reading, feel free to correct me.)
Trends? You Betcha.
What fascinates me is how each craft moves through cycles of popularity.
Right now, hexagon cardigans and sweaters are having a moment. The concept is wonderfully simple: crochet two granny-square hexagons, continue adding rounds until they reach the desired size, then fold and seam them together. The geometry feels almost magical.
Meanwhile, in the miniature world, one trend seems to be miniature laundry rooms. Tiny laundry detergent jugs appear to be everywhere.
Which brings me to a question:
What are you working on these days? And would a miniature washer and dryer deserve a place in your tiny world? What should I add to this scene?
Mystery Mondays — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET
My guest will be Christine Knapp, author of the Modern Midwife Mysteries series. And guess what? She really is/was a midwife! How cool is that?
Location: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1602372550058785/
Deals and Steals
Purple, Blame, Game in audiobook format is ready for pre orders on Audible with a June 30 release date. Note that it shows as the original title (Thai, Die, Dead) but it’s actually Purple, Blame, Game https://www.audible.com/pd/Purple-Blame-Game-Audiobook/B0GZ4N28TZ?
Friday Night Mystery Club (the first book in the Friday Night Mystery Club series) https://www.audiobooks.com/promotions/promotedBook/812592/friday-night-mystery-club?refId=252469 is on sale for only $6 in audio! (A savings of 70%. That’s outstanding for an audiobook.)
The Friday Night Mystery Club series is a somewhat autobiographical cozy mystery series, revisiting my life in the mid-1980s. I remember dressing for success, and the idea that we could “have it all.” Do you?
That’s all for now—Lots of love, Joanna
We have a lot in common, I wrote about cozy crafting just recently! 😁
My mom had to get two stents when she was 92 and lived another six years! Without the stents she wouldn't have had those extra years. I'm sure you'll be fine. As for crafts, I do papercrafting; greeting cards, teapots, purses, little houses, gift card holders, pop-up perfume boxes, etc.