I love to do crafts. I dabble in lots of different mediums: paint, paper, wood crafts, jewelry, and more! I have enough craft supplies to support a hundreds of projects. When I go into a Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, I’ll go down the aisles looking for something new to try. I’ll even look at material and yarn although I cannot sew or knit. In the world of crafts, there’s always something new to learn.
I love to look through Pinterest, the online idea collective. I’ve spent many happy hours collecting ideas to boards on the site. Before Pinterest, I would cut ideas out of magazines and dream of the magnificent things I’d make or build.
Unfortunately, I’m more of a dreamer and mess maker than a crafter of skill. Nothing I do turns out quite like I anticipated, but I do have a wonderful time playing around. I’m grateful for friends who proudly display my feeble attempts and seem pleased when receiving something handmade.
Mother was a creative soul, too. She liked to paint and burn etchings into wood. At some point after moving to Clarkesville, she took a wood working class at North Georgia Tech and there are several of her cut and stained pieces around the house. She was an amazing seamstress as I’ve written before. Read that article here. In most other crafty endeavors, she was like this daughter – more enthusiastic than talented!
My current infatuation is a paper crafted magnet with a quote of some sort. I’ve been collecting witty comments like “My work here is so top-secret even I don’t know what I’m doing” and similarly inclined thoughts. I’ve been trying to find particular phrases to match with certain friends and I’ve had lots of fun.
Today, quite by accident, I found statements of encouragement. I followed the thread down the rabbit hole and ended up quite moved by some of the thoughts. Although I intend for my crafts to bring a bit of silliness and joy, I think some of these thoughts would bring light and love when posted on the refrigerator or mirror of those who, like me, spend many hours caring for someone. I have no ownership nor do I mean to steal anyone else’s ideas, but perhaps these thoughts will reach out to you today!
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the things which you think you cannot do.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.” – Emory Austin
“God gave burdens; he also gave shoulders.” – Yiddish Proverb
“It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.” – Mother Theresa
Sometimes we have to speak power and encouragement into our own lives. Get paper and pen and write down your own quotes. If you are feeling crafty, decorate and let your inner artist free!
