i too love hand work- when i want to (get er done) i go to the machine- but i always have some sort of hand project to work on too- it gives me (quality time) with hubby- if i spend all my time hiding away in the sewing room he wonders if i'm mad about something- in the evening after dinner i generally grab what ever project i feel like working on & go sit with him in the living room- watch tv, visit & sew- currently i'm spending lots of time on that English Paper Piecing Hexagon project i've been working on but i also have a Cathedral Windows in the works, an embroidered blocks project, a locker hook rug i'm almost done with, and 2 hand wool projects- (paper cut - hawian applique style) project- and a wool crazy quilt project- so i have lots to choose from- even though those hex's have been my main focus for the past month or so- it is relaxing, and i feel like i'm accomplishing something- and still there sharing/spending time with hubby.