Valerean

Sometimes my curiosity about artists gets the better of me, and I go in search of information on them. In this case my search was spurred by the second panel of the tote that I was making from a vintage curtain for the March edition of my calendar project. While I was embroidering the panel I saw a copyright stamp on the fabric, and later decided to do a Goodle search on Cheri Blum, the artist. Sadly she passed away in 2003 at the heart-breaking young age of 34. This is part of the reason I've always devoted my free time to my own creativity. You never know how much time you'll have in life for your art. Cheri's work lives on in the home decor industry; her art has a timeless, effortless style that I think will continue to appeal for a long time. I was certainly swayed by it to thrift the curtain I'm using for this project; it was her painting on the edges (of narcissus, as it happens, not paperwhites) that caught my eye. I decided to get my butt in g...

I'm not sure if I will finish making the March tote for my calendar project, but here's an update on my progress. I finished embroidering and hand stitching one panel. I was going to embroider all the flowers, but since I was running out of month I went with mostly lace flower appliques along with some French knots. I also ditched my original idea to have lots of word appliques and instead did one big patch with spring elements, which turned out well, I think. I'm going to spend the rest of March on the tote and see if I can get it completed. Then next month I will definitely simplify my idea for the April tote.

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, and 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. 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 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 s...

A dear friend gifted me this yarn bowl, which she said she thought looks like me. Since I'm like an albino without the pink eyes I get the resemblance. :) I've named it Happy Cat, and it will remind me to be grateful that I am blessed with a craft I can still do, along with such generous people in my life. Refusing to be depressed about what I can't do means focusing on what I can, which is crochet now. There are so many things I want to make it's like stepping into a new world. I won't give up quilting, but since I'm losing the ability to hand stitch I know it won't be my primary focus anymore. I haven't really planned anything in crochet for 2026, and for many reasons I think I'd like to keep it that way. The joy of being spontaneous and discovering new things is too delightful. I just taught myself last night how to crochet bookmarks, and now I want to learn all the free patterns there are for them online. This also keeps m...

Lately my insomnia is raging again, so I'm making an extra effort to take refuge in things that make me calm and happy. At the moment I'm working through the leftover yarn in my scrap basket and making a wrap with a very interesting repeated stitch that is turning out kind of fabulous. I'm still embroidering the March tote for my calendar project, although that's still slow going. I might embroider just one panel so I don't run out of month before I finish it. My guy planted our spring garden and things are beginning to sprout. This weekend I'll harvest the first of our scallions and use them in a stir fry.

Ten Things That Turn Me Away from Your Content Anger Issues: I watched one maker on Youtube who had what seemed like interesting pro-craft content, but they presented everything with so much annoyance and even rage over their craft, their supplies, where they sell, the competition, and basically everything involved in their business that after a couple videos the content proved too toxic for me to keep watching. If you're that angry about what you do for a living, you should really try something else. Assumptions: Making statements about something you claim are facts but have no substantiation and are actually your assumptions tell me you're not a research person. Alas, I am. Copyright Dodging: Any content that violates or skirts by the skin of its teeth copyright in any way, shape or form is not my cup of tea, thanks. Come up with something original instead of stealing from other makers, please. Dissing the Disabled: Lots of people have problems with folks w...