Craft-y Every Day

I used to always post about my crafting efforts. For some odd reason, I got away from it. But I never stopped crafting. Not a day goes by that I am not working on one project or another. 

Sometimes it is something for our senior mobile home community’s charity crafting group. We crochet and knit things for the local needy - hats, scarves, fingerless gloves for the homeless; baby blankies, caps and more for needy new moms; and prayer shawls and lap covers for patients. We sometimes get donations of supplies - yarn. But we are very stubborn about keeping that yarn only for the charity crafting work. I’m so proud of my team for being so good about this.

Other times it is something for a gift. Because of the financial mess I am dealing with, buying gifts is out of the question. But I’ve been blessed with supplies. Some are from a dear friend who lived here with me until she passed away in ’09. Some are mine from the days when I could buy in bulk, or on sale, when I saw a deal. And other supplies are things left from my DM’s stash even though she passed on in ’94. Last week, my sister-in-law sent me 2 huge bags of yarn for my own use - a neighbor had passed on and the family was clearing the house and gave it to her. So, I always have supplies and can make something with my hands and heart for gifts.

Often I add to a small stash I save for quickie gifts or token “thank you’s” - things I like to have at the spur of the moment for when someone does something special for me and I am nearby enough to give them one of these things. This includes everything from hanging towels, crocheted slippers, angels of all sorts, and more.

Also, I get orders off and on, and work on those. I try to put something into my Etsy shop on a regular basis.

So I am always working on something or other. Most of the other ladies (and men) I know who make things with their hands are the same. Everyone has something they are always working on.

Over the weekend, at our park wide yard sale, I finished 3 hats and 3 pairs of fingerless gloves for the local homeless. Today, I finished a pair of slippers, a sort of gift for a neighbor who needs them badly, and I managed to cut ribbon for some button-faced angels and plastic canvas satin-ribbon crosses I want to work on tomorrow.

It’s a happy way to feel productive, feel needed, and enjoy life, even when life is difficult.