Lack of Focus

Goodness gracious, 2012’s National Craft Month is almost over! In the traditional sense, have you learned a new craft? Did you create something new? I would love to hear about it! Remember I wrote on March 1st what crafting really means (to me)!

This has been a difficult month. I haven’t done all the things, or tried the different crafts, I’d hoped to have accomplish this month. Especially considering the aspect of getting new items created for the upcoming Arts and Crafts Show. Simply chalk it up to lack of focus, but I’ll survive.

I did get several kits ready…

Perfect for Mother’s Day, birthday, or a girl’s best friend, the “A Year In A Jar” is ready to complete for that special person! It will only be available during the upcoming Arts and Crafts Show!

This is similar to what I prepared for my parents Christmas gift. Their individual gift had 52 folded pieces of paper with a statement from the heart on each one with acts of kindness they’d shown me for which I was gratiful. I labeled the mason jar’s lid with “Friday’s Dose of Gratitude” as Christmas Day was on a Friday that particular year.

I saw this again on Tonia’s website, The Gunny Sack, and remembered how much it meant to Mother & Daddy. I created a little instruction booklet to go along with the jar, giving Tonia full credit for her incredible list of ideas/topics to get someone started! She also explains there are many types of 52 Things one can do such as:

52 Reasons I Miss You

52 Memories of Us

52 Ways You Are A Great Friend

52 Reasons You Are A Fantastic Kid

52 Ways You Are The World’s BEST Mother

One more exciting accomplishment I managed during this trying month… but I’ll share that another day! I need to get busy making more zipper pull charms …. I’ll share that too, later!

Anyhoo…hopefully each day will bring a new opportunity to get things right.

National Craft Month

Today begins National Craft Month. According to the Craft and Hobby Association, each year over 56% of U.S. households are crafting! Are you one? Are you a crafter?

What is "crafting" anyway? The dictionary defines it as "an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill." (Emphasis added) For me it's more than using material things like paper, glue, scissors, or fabric. I think the percentage ought to be much higher when you think of all the things that's considered "an art" requiring a special skill.

I'm working on a list. In my opinion, it's "an art" of special skills when you:

Create the best person you can be.

Create a loving home environment.
Create an open heart of forgiveness.

All of the above requires a special skill set, and is an art to accomplish! Now, the 56% should be much much higher, correct? What would you add to this list? And, I ask again, are you a crafter?