I've Been Told I'm Crafty...

These days I’m all about projects. Anything I can do to feel focused and productive. I know there are lots of women out there who are 100% fulfilled being wives and mothers, but I am not one of them. I love my little family, but I need more. I need to be constantly moving forward, focused on a goal, and perhaps most importantly for me, coming up with new outlets for being creative.

Yup, I’m a crafty SAHM. I’m fully aware of the cliché, and I’ll thank you for not commenting.

Both my parents are creative people, but I get the full strength of my craftiness from my Mom. As far back as I can remember my Mom has always had her fingers into some form of crafting, often encouraging my brother and me to join in the fun. One of the best Christmas gifts I ever received as a child was a craft kit my Mom assembled. It was a plastic box filled with all kinds of fun odds and ends. Glittering sparkles and fuzzy pipe cleaners, google eyes of all shapes and sizes, yarn and felt and just about anything a young child could want to create and explore. I remembering being so excited. I couldn’t wait to sit down and create.

When she comes to visit we can’t wait to get to a craft store together. To be able to wander the aisles, ooo-ing and aah-ing and getting inspired. Just before Ms. Madeline was born, we took a very special trip to Joann’s Fabrics. My Mom’s current craft of choice is quilting, and I may be biased, but I think she is AMAZING! When I became pregnant, one of her first comments (after screaming in glee, through the phone, and rendering me partially deaf) was she was going to make me a baby quilt. So, when she came to visit, we took off to Joann’s to pick out the material she would use. I wanted primary colours, and wanted it to be different from your regular baby quilts. Something fun, but timeless. NO pastels, NO cartoon characters, NO baby animals.

Here is what she made.



If that’s not squeal worthy, I don’t know what is. EEK! Madeline has since outgrown it, but I think I might just hang it on the wall as art. Maybe, in my craft room where I can admire it all the time. I just LOVE looking at it. In fact, I even painted my pregnancy cast to match the quilt. See,



It was just too much fun finding ways to replicate the fabric patterns using paint and paper. Right now she is working on a Christmas tree skirt for me and I can hardly wait to see it!

I think one of things I enjoy most about crafting is the challenge. Finding a way to be unique and think outside the box. Recently, I challenged myself to come up with a fun and interesting personal calling card. Being on the search for employment, I wanted to have a card that I could give people with my contact info on it, but I wanted something more interesting then just your standard printed business card.

Here is what I came up with using paper scraps and Dymo Embossing tape.



Whatcha think? Does it make a statement or what?!?

If you’re envious and want some personal calling cards of your own email me at lulupumpkin@live.com, let me know the style you’re looking for and I’ll get back to you with some ideas and cost.

Thanking my Momma,

Mandy:)

The photos of the calling cards are by my own personal photographer, Jessica (of course).