little bitty girl

I've always been crafty. Not as crafty as some other people I know but you could not grow up in my mother's household without being somewhat able with a needle and thread. Growing up in Asia, my mum was a teacher, and she taught English. Then she went to work at a poorer school and also took on Home Economics. She thought it was important for all kids to be able to feed and clothe themselves. She always said even the boys were always so astonished how little effort could produce so much. All of us kids, with the exception of Kelvin (who used to burn water but is getting better) are either really adept cooks or bakers and can at least do basic mending.

I remember my mum would use childhood illness like chicken pox to teach us some new craft. For me, it was embroidery and for my brothers, it was needlepoint. Never will I forget the sight of them as two scowling teenagers with pox faces arguing over thread. Needless to say, I am pretty adept with needles. I just usually don't choose to exercise this skill out of laziness. For some reason, my mum never got into knitting or crocheting and so I never picked up those skills from her. Luckily enough, I have had my amazing girlfriends who are master crafters and have taught me much over the years.

The other day, Stefan, who for some reason assumed that I had no craft or needleworking skills whatsoever asked me whether I could bring his jacket over to the tailor's. He had pockets that needed to be mended.

"Just fix it with a blanket stitch until we get to my mother's and I can run it through the machine," I said.

"You're going to fix it or is your mama gonna fix it?," he asked.

"I can fix it or she can fix it. Why does it matter?" I replied.

"You don't know how to sew though..."he said.

Hah! That just shows how little he knows. The first year of university was a constant blur of sewing, pattern drafting and all skills needed to be a designer. I switched out of design into marketing because I decided pretty quickly I was much better at promoting other people's stuff. I know how to sew. I just think he should know how to sew as well.

Anyways, this Christmas was my craftiest yet. All my craft blog readings have inspired me in ways that I have not been in ages and the main recipient of my craftiness has been Marie. I have been dying to post my craft accomplistments but could not because she reads this and I didn't want her to see what she was getting.

The first picture shows one of the boxes that she received. It's kind of funny because if you look closely, you'll notice that we bought each other the same book. Anyway, she was the recipient of my long, worked over scarf project,and a "Marie" Sockmonkey, wearing a reworked Free People sweater. We both love that line. Marie Sockmonkey is also wearing my very first crochet project! The crochet thing finally made sense thanks to watching my friend, Sylvia crocheting Ra's Christmas project.

So, here ends the craft madness that took place this past month and the drama of the late box. I hope everyone's Christmas ends up as nicely as this.

Happy KwanChrisMakkah!