Just a day at home

So, I have a few more finals left, one each day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And then I'm finished!! Hopefully, I'll be able to pass my Photoshop final, and then I will know everything in the world about masking!

As for knitting/crocheting, I've been doing so much! But I can't reveal any of it just yet, because it's all for Christmas gifts. I have all of my Christmas shopping done, but I still have several hours of knitting and crocheting left to actually be done.

I have always loved Christmas. When I was younger, it was mostly about the magic of seeing my parents' Christmas trees lit up in the dark of the living room, rooting through all the presents to find mine first (when no one was looking!), and getting to hand out all the presents for my families. It's kind of weird, but I loved being able to have a separate Christmas with my dad and step-mom. With my mom and step-dad, it was very... family. I have a little sister, and when she was young, it was fun to watch her open her presents. At my dad's, it was all about me. Just different family dynamics.
Now that I'm older, and I understand more about both spirituality and marketing, I want to keep that warm fuzzy feeling going. I like to think that when I make gifts, I'm taking some of the spotlight away from the commercialism. I like to think that people I care for are more appreciative of the gifts that I make because of the time that goes into them. Especially the people that are interested in the same crafts as I am. I think my mom would understand the time it takes to finish a cross-stitch project because she has done so many, and my step-mom understands the time it takes to crochet a lap blanket, because she is the one that taught me to crochet. And who doesn't like homemade cookies and brownies? One of my favorite things at Christmas are the Haystacks my mom makes.

I think this Christmas will be awesome, not just because I'm buying great gifts that the people in my family will enjoy, but because they know the time and money that goes into these gifts, and being able to appreciate the ACT of giving, not just the present.

I have been looking at a lot of knitting and crocheting projects recently (see second paragraph), and have been wanting to start reading more craft blogs. When I read them (especially Abby's Yarns, I'm a HUGE fan!), I get so motivated and inspired to do my own thing. I want to knit like a pro, crochet more, take up spinning, and learn to dye with more than just Kool-Aid (although I've made a really gorgeous variegated red sock). I want to be done with one school, so I can go to another school for a Fiber Arts degree. I want to have a big space to organize my stash, my needles, my hooks, my books. Ultimately, I want to teach. I love to teach, and I love to crochet, so what better profession than to teach others to crochet?! Because of the inspiration I receive, I want to make more of my blog, and turn it into something that will inspire others. It will just take time and patience, and a lot of pictures!