My Extra Blessing
Some people exercise. I create. I love watching a ball of yarn slowly turn into a silky, textured hat; or choosing cotton prints and flannels that will combine to become a loved blanket.
During my last pregnancy, I had very limited energy. Sitting in a room all day was no fun. So I picked out a crochet pattern and started to work. I quickly made new hats and blankets for my baby girl. Once she was born, I learned she had Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). I was a bit overwhelmed at first, mostly concerned that she (and I) would be spending the majority of her early years at the doctor or therapist or somewhere other than home. Thankfully I was wrong. She's an amazingly fast learner with a dash of stubbornness and loads of persistence.
She did need more help with walking and now with her speech, but she is an extra blessing to our family and the inspiration behind my shop. I started selling items I made in hopes of setting aside a bit to use towards therapies, classes and supplies I would need to help her learn all she could. I continue to add new items that are helpful for her special needs and others may benefit from.
I've turned the smallest bedroom in our little house, a 1920s American Foursquare, into my 'workshop'. I find it more practical than a larger room since everything is easy to keep together and within reach. Walking into the room and looking at the colorful yarns and material helps me slow down and take a deep breath of creative air.
I pay attention to detail; it is part of who I am. I don't know if everyone appreciates it all the time. But it is helpful to my creative endeavors. When beginning a project, I think about the materials and what will work best for the item and babies or children. For sewing I like to stick with all cotton. It's a natural material, easy to launder and comes in a great variety of prints and colors. Cotton is light weight, breathable and perfect for baby and toddler blankets.
For crochet, I use a variety of fibers. Some yarns and materials make me itch just looking at them. I want to put the softest yarns next to baby's and children's skin. Cotton is perfect for spring bonnets, bibs and summer hats. I use super soft acrylic and blended yarns for fall and winter as I am allergic to wool.
Custom Orders? YES!
I have been asked to make something based on baby books or just something unique for a baby girl or baby boy. It's a fun challenge, almost like solving a mystery, when given just a few basics to build on for a customer. Just ask me to make an extra blessing for your baby or as a special gift.
