Gifts of Depression

My therapist says I ought to "get out there" and meet people, put myself in the situation where contact with others  would be possible. Then, she says, I give myself a chance to meet the ones I might like, and then - who knows? - I just might find friends.
I thought about her suggestion long and hard, and instead locked myself inside. Contact with others, conversations - all this seems fairly pointless. I have come to the conclusion that I do not like most people, and contact is often painful. Not because they say mean things or intend to hurt me, mind you. It is just so painfully obvious that they don't care.
While inside, I did not waste time, though. I learned how to crochet afghan blankets - and made two for my daughters. I also made a basket of biscornu to go with it. So, here are my Gifts of Depression.
Enjoy!

I liked working on the patterns, crocheting - with its repetitive design - seems to be therapy in itself.

Have a good time, everyone, and don't let your depression and stress go to waste. As Christopher Titus said in his latest album "Neverlution", stressing and worrying is NORMAL. Worrying about rent getting paid is HOW RENT GETS PAID.
And after paying rent - get creative to commemorate the occasion. And these will be the gifts - of depression.

Reading and Beading

Yesterday I finished reading " A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. I do not know how to say what I need to say completely yet, the thoughts have not formed into words, I guess; but one thing is certain - this book has given me an experience like no other. For the first time I have come across a story unravelling during my lifetime - one of the characters was born the same year I was... Mention of the more recent events - the war in Afganistan offering a different perspective... I remember reading Russian newspapers and listening to the news during the war in Afganistan - as a Russian; then, I remember George W. Bush's speech on TV and on the radio during the 9/11 attack - from the point of view of an American, I guess... Now I have had a chance to read about it coming from the Afgani, and it brought a new understanding to the situation... or, rather, reaffirmed the old understanding: wars get started by politicians, factions and governments, while regular people on all sides involved get scared, killed and left to figure out the "basic math" of survival... But that is just one thought of it; this book has left me thinking about many things - on many levels. For the first time I was reading of timeless values using something current. Read it when you have time - it is worth it. It was recommended on one of the Russian blogs I follow - and I am grateful.
Another thing is... ah, beading. I continue working on my Lady Summer, and the stitching is almost complete, so now it's time for beading. I never thought that beading could be relaxing, but it is. Needlework and beadwork helps me concentrate and gives me a chance to reflect on what I have read... So the two - reading and beading - go one after another. The added plus is - it's turning out pretty.
All right, enough rambling. Back to - beading...

More on beading and blackwork

During the past two weeks of my - self-imposed - vacation I had time to think, to learn new embroidery techniques, to improve on the old ones, and... to work on some projects. So -

First of all, Blackwork. It is totally awesome! This is the first time when the front and the back of the stitching came out exactly the same (except for a few knots on the back). The Pears project is the example of the Blackwork technique. - By the way, the pattern is taken from the Needlework Tips and Techniques site, by Carol Leather. I find her instructions very easy and helpful.

Second technique I had a chance to improve on was beading. I am getting addicted to it. Since I first tried it on the Mandala Garden project, I have been looking for opportunities to use beads again and again. So, here's a new completed project - a headband for my daughter's fairy Barbie doll. It was created from scraps of Aida cloth leftover from the Pears project and from beads leftover from the bird. My daughter said she liked it.

Hmmm... tomorrow I am going back to work. But, I still have a Sampler project in the works - hopefully, it will be completed within the next two to three weeks.

Happy Birthday to me! And to M! And a New Beading Project

Today is my birthday. I "turned" 31, as George Carlin would say - like sour milk. My husband quickly corrects me - "More like fresh cream, " he says. That is, of course, a matter of opinion. I may be only 31, but I feel much older.

Also, in two days it's my very good friend's birthday. I thought of what to get her. Then, I thought I would make her a present - that way, she can never forget me. Ha, ha. Also, it's small and can fit anywhere. And, it's my second attempt at beading.

Happy Holidays! Happy Birthdays! May the Blue Bird of Happiness visit your home.