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Last Month

To kick off 2025 I got the first of my calendar project mini-quilts done. Yes, there's a lot of beading, but this year got off to a rough start, so I needed some extra sparkle and happiness.

I finished my first art quilt of the year.

That also allowed me to check off the "add words" space on my bingo card.

Crocheted a basket from some of the yarns I thrifted this month.

My second mini-quilt of January featured a needle-turned applique rabbit and the words "love yourself" embroidered in Korean.

I made two new throw pillows for my home office sofa out of dollar store plush fat quarters.

My third mini-quilt was a beach abstract made from three of my favorite things: ribbons, holographic thread, and tiny pearls.

For my fourth mini-quilt I did some experimenting with thread, cut outs and buttons.

I did not finish my Ocean Tranquility crocheted blanket, but I got about halfway through the throw size from the free pattern. I think this is an easy project for a beginner, as the stitches look harder than they are, and work up quite pretty.

I thought I did okay in January, considering. I've been having near-constant flare ups of my arthritis in my hands, neck and back; two of my fingers seem to be permanently in trigger finger mode so I have to wear splints much of the time. The crochet project is helping work out the stiffness, and only having to sew and quilt small things like the mini-quilts is better for me right now. Having something to do that I can finish in a week is also good for my spirits, which have been on the blue side, especially with the death of our brother-in-law.

Staying happy and busy helps me cope with the depressing things happening of late. I don't want to believe that our world is doomed like so many people say, but I'm not seeing anything that gives me hope right now. It's all gotten beyond toxic. Anyway, let's move on to February, and hopefully it will be a little less stressful.

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