I have not frozen solid, although it seems possible some days when temps drop below zero. The daytime high last week was minus 4 degrees, but I have enough layers and wool socks to keep me alive at the Arctic Circle. My sluggish blogging pace relates to the new coloring book craze.

I started coloring in late November, as a way to skip peacefully through the holidays when work demands are high.Yes, it worked. All the hype about the benefits of adult coloring proved true for me. Coloring promotes meditation, reduces stress, and calms the soul. I love coloring and collecting pencils, markers, felt-tip pens. However, something unexpected happened. The creative part of my brain lit up like a thousand Christmas trees.At first, the recharged creative spirit influenced my writing. Then, the urge to sew overwhelmed me. I have piles of sewing projects in a corner of my craft room so I found it easy to jump right into the middle and start sewing. Like a frantic squirrel collecting nuts for a long winter, I have worked relentlessly.  Here is what I have accomplished:

• 2 small applique pillows for living room
• 2 large pillows with vintage linen/lace for living room
• 2 regular pillow cases using vintage table-cloth
• 3 book covers from batik fabric
• Finished wall quilt for living room
• Finished 2nd wall quilt for living room (this one will be quilted by someone else)
• 3 Fabric bags for large crafting tools (sander, drill, staple gun)
• 1 Boro-style crossbody bag
• 2 Valentine placemats for my newlyweds
• 1 Quilted candle mat, 4 matching coasters
• 6 cloth napkins
• Thread collage

In progress:

• One small wall quilt for bedroom
• Indigo fabric strip piecing

Coming soon:

• Book cover for Don the Baptist
• Summer nighties from vintage sheets

Obsessive! However, I do enjoy creating things, especially when I can recycle vintage fabrics and/or use things I already have, which is true for most of the above. I rarely take the time, though. Now, I am happy, cheery, and clear-headed for work. After this binge, however, I am going to focus some of this creative urge towards writing. Imagine the possibilities if I can harness this flood for creative writing!

A few photos; more photos tomorrow. I have to adjust my camera to take smaller images but it’s time to run.

Padded bags for staple gun and heat tool. Kaffee Fassett fabrics

Long, padded batik fabric case for hack saw