Thursday, August 11, 2011

Reading & Crafting

My two most favorite activities are reading and crafting. Apparently, these have been lifelong activities. I don't ever remember a time when I didn't love to read or do something artistic/crafty. My mom has told me many times how, as a very young child, I would bring a book to her and beg her to read to me. I was reading for myself at age 3.

Me ~ at about age 3
I can remember ALWAYS having a book and a coloring book and crayons with me no matter where I went. I remember being about 5 years old and having an "allowance" of a whole $1 every two weeks so I could have enough to buy a coloring book or crayons. I must have gone through crayons pretty quickly.

I have always loved anything crafty. I can do counted cross-stitch. I can crochet. I have dabbled in painting (but not successfully). I can do most embroidery. I used to do fabric painting and latch-hook. Before my great-grandmother passed away, she was teaching me to knit. I can do calligraphy (I took a class when I was 16).

The summer after 7th grade, I watched some kind of art instruction show on cable tv and tried to teach myself to draw. I spent all my money on paintbrushes and paints, canvases, inks and calligraphy pens, pastels and art paper. The lessons were fun and I enjoyed my efforts. I can produce something vaguely recognizable, but nothing good.

Now, as an adult, I do a different set of crafts. I still love to color ~ even as a grandma, I keep coloring books and crayons for when the urge hits. I do desktop publishing. I create bulletin board displays at the library.
March 2010 board

I make my own cards.
Missing you card


I take photographs.
Cardinal in the tree in my backyard


I scrapbook.
Title page of Baby Milestones album for my grandson

I am still an avid reader. I prefer murder mysteries over anything else. My friends tease me about the number of books I read. My family and my librarian friends tease me about how many books I have checked out at any given time. I can't help it ~ reading is an addiction. At least it doesn't cost anything and it doesn't adversely affect my health!

So, I've been a reader and a crafter my whole life. And I wouldn't change it for anything.