So I have always been a fairly crafty person. Like most American kids I did all kinds of crafts at school, it was one of my favorite things to do, (obviously math wasn't my thing). I remember to this day some of the things we did even back in grade school if not preschool. I did cross stitch, crocheting and basket weaving in elementary school. In highschool I loved my art and technical drawing classes, and at the UW decided that I would go into architecture, which sadly never happened though I didn't stray too far and went in to Community and Environmental Planning, still plenty of design, but not so technical. When I came to study in Italy I learned that I was actually a pretty good at architectural ink drawings, not technical ones but the ones that you see people doing on the side streets of European cities and villages. I was actually good enough that a tourist actually bought one from me!
But after I graduated from the UW and moved to Italy, I gave up my crafty side (unless you call cooking a craft). Then, I got PREGNANT. I started doing scrapbooking, but that was about the extent of it. Then I started making little things for Sofia's room. I started with little wooden letters for her door, then big ones above her bed. I even finished up a little shelf to hold all of her little things two days before I delivered. Then picture frames for the wall and eventually a special one for each of her three birthdays (the craft store lady here LOVES me!) When we couldn't get the electrician to come fix her bedroom light, I decorated a little lamp for her bedside table. This last year I have even gotten into making jewelry, heck if you can make exactly what you want for less than what you can buy it for why not?! Plus it is a great creative outlet. Just as long as Sofia is a school and not wanting to "help" I have also done a lot of decoupage and glass painting which have made for plenty of Christmas gifts along the way.
I learned how to make a picture board and hairclip board. And now I have learned to knit and crochet thanks to Jo. I have made who knows how many scarves and hats for Sofia but my latest accomplishment was very satisfying...I made her an afgan with the little granny squares! I am so proud of myself because I was able to actually finish this one in only about ten days!
Now I just need my very own little crafts room to keep all of this stuff in, and lots and lots of space to work. If people don't start coming to visit me soon I think that extra bedroom just may become my new Office/crafts room.
It's great the stuff you can get done without a "helper", isn't it! Congratulations on being so crafty- don't fill up that spare room yet, we still want to come!
ReplyDeleteYou have done so much Heather. Can I ask if the craft lady who loves you has a shop in Bagnoregio? I did scrapbooking in Australia, but I haven't investigated to see if the papers and all the other stuff is readily available in Italy.
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