handwork grumpiness

I haven't done any piecing since February, which is just Wrong (although I piece on the machine, so that's basically a non sequitur). I'm sick of my current cross-stitch project (I don't think starting another would be a good idea at the moment), and I don't feel like hand-quilting on the two UFOs currently sitting in my sewing room. I wouldn't mind crocheting for a while except that a) I have no yarn, and b) I don't know what on earth I'd want to make (I don't get much more complicated in crochet than your standard ripple afghan).

But I'm miserable without some kind of handwork to keep by my wing chair to pick up in random moments when I need to not fidget. Help? Ideas?

Grump.

ptui

Oh, and as long as I'm grumping...

I'm in over my head again, writing-wise. Last time this happened I had to write three other manuscripts before I felt brave enough to tackle the one I was scared of. I really don't want to do that this time, 'kay?