The Why's of Creating

Is it a good thing that I want my readers and fans to kinda know me? I want them to know why I started my creations adventure, and know why I love doing it. So, let's get on with it.

Why I started
My hubby's sister had twins two years ago and I always meant to make them baby blankets. I was teaching in California at the time and a bit busy with that and planning the wedding to Hubby. I never got around to it. I met the babies in September 2009 when we got married and Hubby's family came to California. I fell in love with my nieces! I really do love babies, even if they aren't related. I can't help it! I meant to make the blankets after that, but I was facing losing my job because of budget cuts, so Hubby and I downsized by moving out of a house we loved and into a guest house behind my parent's house. We saved everything we could and prepared to move to Washington. In the last months we spent in California, I got my mom's old sewing machine from my sister. I brought it with me to Washington. This machine is a dinosaur! It's huge, heavy and the feeder teeth (I don't know the technical terms) that feed the fabric through the machine, don't work.
Once we got here, we took a few months to get settled. I registered to take the test to get my Washington teaching license and started looking for a job. It didn't take long for me to get bored with staying home. So, I dug out the sewing machine and started searching for fabric. I decided I wanted to give the pillows in my living room a face lift. I had no idea what I was doing. But, I found fabric I fell in love with and got started. I like how it turned out.

Then, I got on a sewing mission! I needed to find fabric for blankets for those girls! I had to find a fabric shop that carried minky. If you don't know, minky is the softest fabric I have ever felt. It's sort of like a fur, but not. I don't know how to describe it, but its beautiful and luxurious. I found a shop that carries it, and got more than enough to make two blankets. I got to work right away, and taught myself (with some pointers from my sister) to make blankets. Here's my first two items:

I posted these on my personal facebook page and had two other friends ask me if I would sale them blankets. I made two more, and delivered them to my friends when I visited California in November for another friend's bridal shower. When I was visiting while delivering the blankets, the older brother of the baby girl I had made one for, kept trying to take it away from his little sister. His mom got on to him about taking things away from his sister, and in the most adorable three year old voice, he said, "But Mommy! I like it!" When I got home, I made him one too.
My sister has a photography business and was starting to buy and make photo props. She introduced me to Etsy and told me I should start to make hats, cocoons and wraps for props. I bought some yarn, and she bought me a pattern. I found some free patterns on the internet and got started. I made a couple of really bad beanies! I kept practicing and got better.
A few friends started to order blankets, so I kept busy making those orders and reteaching myself how to crochet. I bought myself some cute patterns and started to build a supply. I mamaged to get enough done to post on Etsy and get a facebook fan page up and running.

Why I love it
 I said before that love babies. I love making things for them too. I love seeing photos with their little faces and an adorable hat or wrap. I love baby photos as art. I hope to have beautiful photos like this of my babies (when Hubby and I have them).

Thank you April Cooper Photography for this gorgeous photo!

I like to say that I took lemons and turned them into lemonade by trying to make a little living off of a hobby while I search for a teaching job. But, I think I fell into this accidentally. I just wanted to make something cute for my nieces, then for my friends. I got hooked up with some amazingly talented people that make patterns, take photos, and knit/crochet. I consider myself blessed to have found the crafty world and made new connections.
I'm not giving up on teaching, not at all. But, I won't give up crafting either. Teaching is what I am supposed to do; I felt it every time I walked into my classroom, and everyday that I miss it. I love to craft though, I always have. I loved it when I was 4 and watched my grandma crochet. (She taught me how and I made all of her chains.) I goal is to do both.
I know there's a lot ahead of me, but I look to it with excitement.