Crafty Ways

I have always had a passion for creating. When I was little, I was drawn to art. I loved drawing, painting, coloring, cutting and gluing. I would make life-sized paper dolls completely from scratch. I would trace pictures from coloring books and change the picture to suit my whim.

As an adult, I have taken my love of crafting and focused it into the preservation of memories. I'm working with photos and paper, creating a library of sorts of cherished times in my life. These albums read like journals, capturing memories, impressions and facts.

As I move steadily through my recent history, jotting down words that convey the stories behind the photos, I look forward to the possibilities that await me when I complete the project that I am currently working on. You see, being overwhelmed with thousands of photos that need to be incorporated into our library of scrapbooks, I am opting for simplicity and clean lines. Photos and art through words are carrying me through this project. The look is clean and contemporary, a style I often find myself drawn to.

When I finally wrap up this project, I plan to expand my horizons. I want to incorporate more decorative techniques into my work. I have tools - scissors, stencils, punches, chalks and paints. I even have decorative paper and stickers. I want to bring more artistic means to my work - the focus won't just be on the photos and the stories behind them. Sharing the spotlight will also be the time and labor that goes into creating the perfect canvas to display them. A labor of love. Patience and dedication.

I have a love for so many crafts. I scrapbook, create jewelry, mat and frame art and photos, draw, dabble in photography and home interior design. I've expanded my horizons into the outdoors - embracing gardening and learning a bit about landscape design. As I work at mastering one art form, another often catches my eye and demands my attention.

Creating in these ways provides me with such joy. It brings a balance to my life, as this is another way of expressing myself. I am able to work with my hands. I can pour my heart and soul into the creation of something beautiful. I can lose myself in the task at hand. The process of creating this way brings an element of calmness into my life. We all need someplace to escape to, and this is mine.

I can't wait to see where this road will take me. I love expanding my horizons and trying these new things. That's how passions are born, after all.