Being Artistic

     I have to admit I’m jealous of my husband’s knitting skills. He can knit a fair isle pattern that is amazing! I made myself a couple of sweaters, a cardigan and some hats. I even started knitting my husband a sweater but then he finished something he was working on, I got intimidated and stopped halfway through his sweater. (Believe me, my mother’s voice admonishing me for not finishing what I’d started played in my head for weeks.) Don’t misunderstand, I am very proud that he knits and crochets and doesn’t feel it’s unmanly. He enjoys it, is self-taught for the most part and has made some amazing things from hats and gloves to Amigurumi stuffed toys. It’s a wonderful creative outlet for him and I love that he does it. I just wish I could.

     As you might imagine (or have experienced), it bothered me that I couldn’t knit as well. Then I realized, “Hey, I have skills”. When I was much younger, I made most of my clothes. I made dresses, skirts and jackets. I even made a kilt once. Being able to sew saved my life when I started to work in an office and needed professional outfits to wear. Plus, it let me use the money I saved to buy Shoes❣️

     There’s a lot to be gained being “crafty”. I’ve started sorting out and throwing away some of the Christmas decorations we’ve accumulated over the past twenty-five years. Believe me, there’s way too much “stuff” to be called sane. It’s not quite hoarding status yet but it’s getting close. For many years there wasn’t a Santa, snowman or reindeer decoration I could pass up. I’ve made Christmas wreaths, ornaments, stockings and wall-hangings. Decorations for outdoors, decorations for indoors. Every year I decorate the front window like it’s Barney’s in New York City, replete with lights, snowmen, snow and anything else that is festive.

     I find when I’m working on a project, I sort of go into a meditative state. Crafting relaxes me. There have been times when my projects didn’t turn out like I thought they would. Some only appeal to me for one season so instead of packing them away in yet another box, I’m actually tossing them out. There is so much satisfaction to be had in working on something and seeing it through to completion. I take pride in using the decorations I make during the holidays. I love the work involved designing a layout for the garden, researching what plants to use, imagining how they will look as the garden matures. It boosts my self-esteem to learn new cooking skills, to try new recipes then plan the perfect dinner for my husband and me.

     I think we all need a creative outlet for our general well-being. I always try to do at least one project when the holidays start. I like to give friends and family something homemade. One year I made loaves of eggnog bread, another time I made caramel popcorn from scratch. I love getting homemade things so much more than something from a department store. To me, it feels more personal and special. I’m afraid many of the skills I learned growing up; sewing, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting and crocheting, are becoming a lost art. People today are so busy they don’t have time to learn a craft. It’s sad because there’s a lot of satisfaction and joy in making something wonderful. I’m learning to make shower melts with essential oils right now. I don’t have it mastered yet but even the failures smell great and make for some lovely morning showers. Guess you never are too old to learn something new. At least the shower bombs will melt away and I won’t have to worry about throwing the rejects away😉.