{pinterest challenge: woolly letters}

Starting to think I'm going Pinsane? Maybe. But with 3682 pins, I couldn't stop at recreating just one. I'm hoping I can stop at five -- that seems like it should Pinough for now, right?

I fell in love with these wool-wrapped words, originally posted here. As you might remember, I've gone on about how I love capturing handwriting in stitches and stencils, and now in pipe cleaners. It's true -- the way you shape letters, even with an awkward piece of fuzzy-covered metal, takes on your personality, somehow. That, I love.

The word love, on the other hand, wasn't quite doing it for me. Not that we don't like love, or need to remind ourselves of it -- it just wasn't screaming "make me!" 

We're in the process of giving Tilly's room a bit of a makeover, and, strange as it might sound for a little girl, we're going to use a lot of grey. Grey, white, and, of course, some lovely bright red! With those colours in mind, I had a go at bending Tilly's name out of pipe cleaners, and wrapping it up nice and warm for the rare chilly weather we're enjoying.

Something else Pinished -- four pins down, 3678 to go...

Sending Out Happy Thoughts

I've had better days.

The funny thing is, when I'm by myself, I feel like I can handle Justin being away. I really do try to look on the positive side, and think about all the new experiences he'll have, and all the time I have to devote to creative things while he's away. I treat myself a bit... yes, two banana splits at 4 o'clock might have been a bit too much of a treat, but I also forgive myself! I write, I play music, I give Bella lots of attention. We're doing okay.

The hard part, it seems, is being around others. I don't really understand how that works. I was so looking forward to dinner with friends tonight, but I came out of the evening feeling so much more isolated. The whole time, I wanted to excuse myself and shake off the negativity that was settling in, but I didn't; I stayed and ate and talked, thinking that's what people are supposed to do when their spouse is away, that's what's supposed to cheer people up.

Well, apparently, it's not what cheers me up, and so I'm spending a bit of time this evening reconnecting with the positive energy I've got all by myself.

I'm writing a few little cards to send to friends, family and a few new Unraveller friends who I think might appreciate a bit of happiness in their post boxes. There's nothing like sending some happy thoughts out into the Universe to make me feel a bit better about a could-have-been-better day.

Hope your Monday's been a bit easier! xx

My Own Co-Pilot

This weekend, as Justin's going to be out of town for a while, I drove down to San Antonio to keep myself busy. It was rather a whirlwind weekend of baby shops, lunch with friends, and going through my in-laws' closets of their saved childhood lovelies!

It was also my first real road trip solo, which I'm rather proud of. Yes, last summer, when we made the eighteen-or-so hour drive from Arizona to Texas, I drove all the way in one of the cars. But all I really did was follow. I turned when Justin turned. I never had to think about routes or exits or what to do if you end up in a different city accidentally.

This trip, I was in charge of all of that!

And yes, that includes ending up in a different city! On these messy Texas highways, roads turn into other roads and then turn back again, so one missed sign meant that I drove into Austin...

Eek. Austin is not a fun place to drive. But, the man in the petrol station was very helpful, and got me back on track!

On the way home again, I was (understandably!) a little nervous about my sign-spotting ability, so I wrote myself a little note on my hand to keep me going... and it worked.

Having a happy evening relaxing before the second half of the semester of work starts up again tomorrow! Enjoy yours, too :)