i have knit and crochet all my life.... quilting came after the sewing, which was a necessity.... could not afford to "buy" nice gifts.. so i made them... I worked in a yarn shop with a wonderful woman who taught me to make my own patterns and block and finish sweaters... (that was my job until i had my first baby)....
sooooooo every night i'm knitting or crocheting... (i vary, depends on my hands).... i make American Girl Doll outfits and sell them "cheap" at our semi annula craft fair...
as for helping the "mind".. all my handwork has gotten me thru some pretty terrible times.... and now that things are great... i enjoy it even more... would love to post if people want to see some of my work...