I’m not sure if there is or should be a support group for people like me, but I guess it’s time to take the first step. Hello, my name is Cara and I collect crafting supplies. Sometimes I create lovely things, and sometimes the project flops or goes unfinished. I’m easily swayed in the “how hard can it be” camp. Now let me defend this just a little, it is over the course of my 27-year marriage. Okay, it’s probably longer than that since I am being honest. I think it began when I was little, and my grandmother taught me how to embroider flowers. She also told me to save the left-over floss because I could always use it in another project. If I looked hard enough, I think I still have that floss tucked away, just in case I absolutely need that perfect shade of blue. My mom always had a knitting project, or cute needlepoint coasters to occupy our evenings while watching television. For the longest time, I focused on cross-stitching. I’ve even made Christmas sweatshirts. But while I’m being honest, perhaps it’s less of a problem and more of just what makes me me. Perhaps my hobby is learning new crafts. I am a journalist who prides myself in knowing a little about a lot of things, just enough to ask questions. Maybe that’s my addiction to learning new crafts. Just follow the directions, how hard can it really be?
Pretty hard in some cases, let’s start with the sewing machine I absolutely needed and wanted so I could make my own clothes. Except I fail at sewing a straight line, and I don’t think I paid well enough attention in home-ec class in seventh grade. Or maybe I don’t really read the directions all the way through. Maybe cutting straight is the problem? I have had some sewing successes just to defend that I’m not a total loss.
When my youngest turned two, she had had it with diapers, and pull-ups were too big because she only weighed 24 pounds. I made her underwear. I was so proud I carried an extra pair around just to show people. I do have a collection of elastic because I wasn’t quite sure which kind to buy so I bought several yards. I guess I can say I have added it as part of my collection of crafting supplies. And then there was the veil. When my oldest two daughters each got engaged to their high school sweethearts and asked if we’d mind if their weddings would be six weeks apart. It was time to get crafty. I just couldn’t spend hundreds of dollars on a decorated piece of tulle. The two brides agreed they would wear the same veil. Except they wanted it just right with silver stitching and beading down the side. I’m proud of how it turned out. I have extra beads and silver thread to make probably three more veils. Maybe over buying is my problem?
Speaking of beading, yes, I have all the tools for that too. My neighbor invited a bunch of us over to teach un how to make jewelry. I made bracelets for the softball moms, earrings just for fun, and even treasured bracelets for my family out of my grandmother’s costume jewelry. (and even bracelets for the brides out of my wedding necklace). I have supplies for cake decorating – it looks so easy – but not a strength of mine. Also, there’s plenty downstairs to make floral arrangements, and the kit to imprint letters in metal, and stamping supplies to make cards. It is a secret wish of mine to start my own greeting card business. Another friend taught me how to crochet a border on some fleece to make blankets. I have lots of yarn. And fleece. Did you know fleece is good for new puppies to chew on? I started making braided toys for my grand pup Lincoln. I have tools I bought to make a cage for my pet rabbit back in the day. I really can envision and design in my head such wonderful things. I know what I need. I probably already have most of it.
And now, there’s the Cricut. I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without one. And yes, we bought it and all the supplies to make wedding invitations. I now know why they cost so much. Time is valuable. But we can honestly say the invitations were made with love. So are the shirts, and glasses we give as gifts. And don’t forget the cards it can make. I’m not completely efficient. Every project has a flaw. My oldest daughter and I discuss selling some of our ideas, but we’re a little too busy to get started. We do have all the stuff when the time is right.
I have really good intentions and plenty of supplies. Just this weekend I thought it would be fun to make my own gnomes to give as table gifts to all at my Christmas meal. Then I thought about writing about my “problem” and I realized that fur was $44 a yard, and I figured I could support a local maker instead of adding one more tub of another good idea in my storeroom. I do have some Christmas placemats that still need finishing.