Made with Love

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When I shared the above picture of the scarves I wove to take to my family reunion in May, a friend suggested I should take them to Kentuck – an annual artisans’ fair each October held here – except for last year but they’re back on track now. She’s not the first person to tell me I could sell my handmade creations – whether it’s woven scarves, lacy baby blankets, cardigans and sweaters made from yarn I spun, shawls, lapghans, warm woolen socks, or dishcloths.

I keep busy creating beautiful things just for the people I love. There is something extremely satisfying about spinning yarn for a cardigan in the perfect shade of green to match my friend’s eyes or creating purple yarn my sister would love a sweater made from or crocheting a baby’s layette for a friend’s first grandchild. Half the joy of the creative process is knowing specifically who you are making something special for. The double bonus is that while I’m in full blown creation mode it stimulates characters and plot lines and dialogue that I’ll soon put to paper.

I have made things for people I’ve never met. Soft caps for preemie babies. Larger caps for chemo patients or the homeless. Pocket shawls and lapghans for shut ins. But I passed love into every stitch knowing it would be felt by the people who received those soft, comforting donations.

Somehow, I don’t think I would feel the same about rushing to produce things to be sold at a fair or a craft marketplace to people I don’t know. Of course, time is a factor too. I’ve been blessed with a large extended family – blood and in-laws – and many cherished friends. They keep my spinning wheel whirring, my loom beating, my knitting needles clicking and my crochet hooks in perpetual motion. And ideas flowing into pages of novels I hope to one day publish.

For now, I’ll continue to focus on things I make with love. Wishing you a day filled with love that wraps you in happiness. Enjoy!

P.S. if you haven’t received your wearable love from me yet, don’t dismay. I’m sure you’re on the list to receive something when you least expect it!