I’m actually not very crafty, though I try hard to be. Still, it’s good for my soul when I have time to make something–to start a project and finish it. I don’t get a lot of this in my work. I just keep grading papers and giving feedback. Students just keep writing. With some of my dissertation students, the process will go on for a year to a year and half, and when they are finished, I never see the finished product. I am just the advisor, giver of feedback, and then I start again with new students when their dissertation directors take over.
It’s much the same on the farm. Things are rarely finished. Mostly, it’s the same work, day in and day out. Feed and water. Feed and water. Feed and water. Clean up poop. Feed and water some more. Seldom do things seem done, and that’s okay, of course. There is beauty in the process, and I learn so, so much from all of it–from the dissertations on topics like cancer-causing agents in everyday products (by the way, if you wear deodorant, stop right now) to the daily activities of our chickens.
Still, I like knowing what it feels like to take a task to completion–and I’m a creative in my soul, so I craft as much as I can. It helps with my anxiety struggles, and I try to make things that will be useful in some way. I do my best to make things lovely, but this is where I fall down. I’m pretty good though if you like “rustic.” I just have to embrace the rustic.
Today, because I didn’t have to cook thanks to Thanksgiving leftovers, I had time to craft a little bit, and it was lovely. I made potholders and candles, some for gifts and some to sell in the Etsy shop, and I was in heaven all day long. I would working a little bit on my grading and then go back and make a little bit of progress on the potholders. Ron even joined in and gave me pattern ideas, for which I was very grateful, as he is a very creative thinker.
Anyway, I made some lovely potholders that look so beautiful to me sitting there so nice and pretty in the stack. Aren’t they lovely?
It was a lovely Thanksgiving. Today was better. I needed a little bit of a rest. We have very big things coming for our family in the coming weeks thanks to our son and his cello. I’m trying so hard to breathe in some rest and steady my mind for tasks before me.
I’ll have to write about what it means to be a cello mom again. It’s changing in some very interesting ways.
Good for you for having a “create” day Crystal. It really is good for the mind, body and soul. You’re potholders are very lovely and fashionable right now. I’ve been in a rug hooking group for seven years. I don’t find the creative process easy and this is where this group of lovely ladies come up. We bounce ideas off each other… I need this. I made something for Koren to his year that I’m kinda proud of. More about that another time. I would love to hear more cello Mom stories and what’s going on with Ronan and his talent.
Oh, when you get time, I would love, love, love to see what you made! It’s awesome you are in a rug hooking group!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xNSv3PWfBPHrXy1e7
Hi Crystal, Here are photos of my hooked rugs and pillows. I am getting a little better each year with color and design. I don’t draw the design … I buy linen with the pattern drawn on it. Although I love creating a special gift for someone, the BEST part of rug hooking for me is the 3hours each week of laughter and conversation that I share with 12 fabulous women. ♥️
These are amazing!!!! Of course, I love all of them, but of course, I really love that chicken! Thank you so, so much for sharing these with me. It made my night!