Some years ago while trying to declare what it was that I was going to do for the rest of my life--or so it seems when you're declaring a major in college--I took an aptitude test. This test was supposed to reveal exactly what my calling in life was and provide immediate relief and assurance. Well, things didn't turn out exactly as I had planned. The test results unearthed what I thought I already knew but didn't think plausible. It told me that I was artistic and liked to build things--work with my hands. Instead of picking a new university at which to study, I picked the most interesting major with the easiest and shortest route to graduation.
Shortly after I got married, my dearest mom decided that an appropriate birthday gift would be my first sewing machine. I was genuinely excited and already started thinking of possible projects.
I learned to sew in a home-ec class in middle school and the very first thing I sewed (with a sewing machine) was a Chicago Bulls themed pillow for my big brother. It was ugly but I was proud of it...even though the letters were off center and the "S" was nearly swallowed up in the seem. I had sewn doll clothes (Barbie size) and other useless things by hand throughout elementary and middle school but this was my first real project. After that, beside a few scrunchies and a pair of pajama pants, I didn't sew another thing until a dear friend told me she was having her first baby. A baby quilt! What a perfect beginning project for my new machine!
Almost three years later, when I prepared to have my own baby girl, I finished that same blanket. Too embarrassed to admit I'd actually started it for my friend, I decided to hold on to it for my own use (let's just say it wasn't a flawless work of art).
It was the announcement that our second baby would be a girl that lit the creative fire for me. I've been sewing my heart out in my rare, spare time ever since then. In addition to my sewing machine, I've dabbled in mosaics, photography, and a few other crafties.
