What you can imagine, you can create.

Making cards and gifts was a practical convention in my family.  Using whatever materials and talents were at our disposal, we were encouraged to personalize presents.  Whether baked and decorated, built, drawn, painted, or sewn, my parents exemplified this practice, as their parents had done before them.  They readily conveyed the tremendous satisfaction derived from making something with their own hands and giving it to another.

The return on my investment of time and energy spent acquiring the skills to draw, paint, embroider, cross stitch, crochet, and knit has been immeasurable.  The sense of accomplishment upon completing a project is exceeded only by the sheer pleasure of seeing the look on the recipient’s face when they unwrap something homemade.  How satisfying to see my sons carrying on this tradition.  A big part of the joy of crafting is sharing ideas with others, so that is what I will be doing in this section.  In addition to examples of what I have created, I’ll post my experiences trying new skills.  I am currently learning to sew!  You are invited to modify patterns for your purposes or create something entirely new and different as we personalize our HeARTful Homes.