Un-crafty...

I've heard many of you talk about your wonderful crafting hobbies, and...I am jealous. Mostly that you all derive so much enjoyment from it. Unfortunately for me, I think that, except for teaching and reading, I am actually all about the product instead of the process. So I like the idea of being able to knit, or cross-stitch, or scrapbook, but only in the actual completion of a particular project.

However, I have learned to knit and cross-stitch (no scrapbooking--I have no spatial ability and cannot pull it off!) because I have wanted to make things for friends at first, and then for my own children. I generally can only make things that are square or rectangular because anything else becomes too complicated. So that means knitting a baby blanket for my best friend's daughter and for my niece but not a baby hat.

When I was pregnant with my oldest son, I decided to make a baby sampler, with the alphabet and his name, birthday and weight. I found a beautiful pattern, and my friend, who owned a needlepoint store, wondered whether it might be a little ambitious (yes, it probably was, but it was the prettiest one there!). I was determined, and after giving me some tips, I was on my way. I finished it before he was born, added the information afterwards and had it framed.

Then I decided to make the same sampler for my daughter when I was pregnant with her. I didn't quite get it finished before she was born, but by her six month birthday, it was completed and framed.

Then I got pregnant with my third child. Again, I decided to make the same sampler (I was slightly consumed by the idea that he should have the same things that they had) and set to work.

Um...that child is now 6 years old and started asking why he didn't have the alphabet picture like his older siblings. Yes, that's right--even though I started before he was born, it still wasn't done!

So, I finally finished his sampler over Christmas break (whew!). It is being framed and he will, finally, have his alphabet picture.

But, a few weeks ago my daughter wanted to try some sewing, so I picked up a little animal-making kit at Michael's. Her little brother watched her working on it and asked her when she would be done.

Her reply?

"I'm not sure, but I don't think it will take 6 years like it took Mommy to finish your picture."

Probably not!