She’s a crafty little SOB

Fiance and I were discussing childhood past times the other day, and I realized how very crafty I’ve been throughout the years. Crafty as in conniving and mischievous, yes, but also crafty as in crafts. Y. Crafts-y. As an only child, my mother very smartly exposed me to a wide array of art projects and hobbies, and as is my nature I would immerse myself in whatever the flavor of the month happened to be. From a very early age I found in me a limitless reserve of focus and the ability to spend hours and hours in the singular pursuit of one great…thing. The revelation that I could make things that slack-jawed yokels bought in stores was earth shattering, and not only did such an epiphany allow me to be creative, it also caused me to look with suspicion at the value of every item for sale. “I could make that,” I’d often say to myself, and pass the object by with a smug sense of satisfaction. Whether I actually did go home and make it was another story.

On the other hand, the amount of carefully crafted Jtal-brand crap that my parents must have stashed away is likely…well, quite…an amount. Quite. I mean really, you name it, I’ve had an it phase. Needlepoint, cross-stitch, hook and latch, ceramic painting (oh the gnomes I’ve known), soap making, candle making (in the solid wax, wax beads AND gel varieties), coin collecting, coin cleaning, mug collecting, bookmark collecting, rock collecting (I still can’t help myself on the beach), fossil hunting, gold mining, rocket making, sewing, clothes modificationing, knitting (but not crocheting. Fuck crochet), clay modeling, drawing, painting, film photography, film processing, photo essaying, scrapbooking, origami origamying, video directing, video editing, creative writing, antiquing, friendship bracelet making (but who didn’t get sucked into this, really), magic trick learning, jigsaw puzzling, cosmetology…doing, lion taming, UFO sighting, vampiring, fixed-wing aircraft piloting, dragon slaying, bedazzling. Ok, now I’m just seeing if you were paying attention.

I don’t really remember what the point of this rant was. Something about having creative outlets. They’re important. Turns you into more of a well-rounded person. Lets some of the crazy out in a constructive (often constructing) fashion. Can you tell I don’t have any projects going on right now? You can? YOU CAN? That’s funny.

If you’re itching for a new hobby, just give me a ring. I caught them all. But let me just warn you, there’s no tincture for that kind of rash. That’s right, I could have said ointment or salve, but I didn’t. Because I’m crafty even with the English language.

I’ve recently been inspired by the sewing projects of my friends Aubrey (www.adventuresinaubreyland.com) and Jessica (whatiwore.tumblr.com–who is not a friend in real life, but she lives in my town and has a crafty prowess), and will therefore take on some sewing projects over Spring Break. Woo! Spring Break!

Here are some recent (non-sewing) crafty projects for your inspection.

Magnificent IU-themed Fair Isles knitted scarf

I may have made this scarf too awesome to actually be worn by humans, but Charlie can handle it.

Long charm necklace I assembled. That box opens and contains TREATS.

Any crafts or hobbies I’ve missed out on?