I’ve been absent for a few weeks due to the demands of my private practice as a mental health therapist and an unseasonable snow storm last week. We got 6-8 inches of snow which knocked our power out for hours. It unfortunately also claimed our beautiful lilac tree. Here is a pic of some of the blooms I snipped off the downed beauty. 😦
A snowstorm can feel so isolating. But thankfully, the weather cleared in a couple of days. I was able to get together with a good friend for some talk and crafting time.
Although I appreciate my solitary crafting time, it is so rewarding to share it with another creative person who shares a passion for making. Crafting and art activities have been shown to reduce cortisol (stress hormones), improve self-esteem, reduce anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure and generally improve mood.
Once a month, I get together with my friend, Starla Butler. I met Starla in about 2017 when we worked in community mental health as assessment specialists. Since then, we have both gone on to create our private practices as Licensed Mental Health Therapists. But we have stayed in touch and schedule regular time to catch up or consult on challenging cases.
Starla suggested we enrich our time together with working on our craft projects. Although she doesn’t crochet or work with fiber arts, she creates amazing miniatures. I was fortunate to receive the following from her for Christmas last year.
She had looked through all my crochet posts on Facebook and had made tiny replicas of my projects along with a replica of my favorite crochet space, my couch. I was so blown away when she gave it to me. I couldn’t stop talking about it! The lamp even lights!
I wanted to reciprocate so I found a cute crochet pattern for wicker type patio furniture which I am working on for one of her miniature houses. She thinks she can create a resin top for it. Our first collaboration!
With the times being what they are and our practices bursting due to the increased demands for mental health providers, I am thankful for my get togethers with Starla. Our mental loads are lightened when we visit.
Do you get together with family or friends to crochet or craft? If you know of any groups in SW Washington, I would love to know as I have been looking for a crochet group for awhile.
Until next time, I hope you are well and enjoying many moments of creating and friendship!
Crochet at the Lodge 