She’s crafty

The other night, a few women came over to craft. It started as a wish expressed by a neighbor to carve some dedicated craft time into her life. To have some time away from her responsibilities as a mom, wife, employee, and just do something to nurture a long-neglected part of herself.

This is where I get to do what I do best: play hostess. My entire life I have earned such nicknames as “social butterfly” and “Julie, your Cruise Director” because I like nothing more than to make social things happen. Dinner parties (any kind of party, really), brunches, play dates, and now, the craftathon.

Honestly, the most amazing thing about the evening (and a testimony to how much we all needed it!) was the fact that everyone showed up. On time even. Kids were fed or tucked in, kisses goodbye given, and then it was our time.

The reality is that more people didn't craft than did, but there was no shortage of good conversation or good intentions. And we left the evening with promises that this would be a monthly event, and that we'd all be ready to get down to crafting next time.

Note: one of the reasons not everyone crafted was that some folks didn't know where to start. Being the prepared hostess that I am, I had put out a pile of books (my "inspiration library") for this exact purpose. They included:


Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew by Amy Karol

Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects for Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, Housewares & More by Susan Beal

The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule

Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy by Alicia Paulson

What are some of your sources of inspiration?