one year & reflection

It almost snuck by me. I have been craft blogging for a year! I began a family blog in 2005. I finally got a little place of my own to create-my craft nest- last year and I began to create on a more regular basis. I did not have to clean up my project every evening and that has been totally awesome! I'm not worried about starting a new project because of the time it takes to set up and take down.

This is where it all started:

Now a little introspection.   I subscribe to A LOT of blogs: craft blogs. sewing blogs. mommy blogs. I should really count how many some day. I read them every day. As Erin wrote on the Manic Mommies blog the other day, I have "my regular diet of home decor porn." I love that...and at the same time it makes me sad. Do I really have an addiction to reading blogs or it is a healthy activity? I don't know. By the way, if you are a working mom, you will love Manic Mommies' hilarious podcast.

I definitely compare my blog and crafts to other blogs, although I know I will NEVER be as awesomely creative as Dana from MADE, or as inspiring as Kathleen from  Grosgrain, or take fabulous photos like Ashley. I admire all these women - and many more- they work so hard to create beautiful clothes, decorations, and homes and share them with us.

Not only do I not have their talent, I don't have the time, sadly. I am a working mom and I have to face it. As much as I would like to blog full time and even make it into a job, it's not going to happen. As I write this, it makes me really realize that. I did not even know that it was possible to do that a year ago!  I will not have a blog with a million new freaking awesome projects, nor will I have a million followers. In fact, no one really knows I am here. If you are reading this, I hope you'll continue on this journey with me.

But you know what? I still get so much satisfaction out of creating and sharing my creations. Learning a new skill from someone else and trying it out on my own is the way I want to spend my down time. I cannot sit down and watch TV without a project in my hands. I can not sit idly and watch my son play if I also am not "playing" with something (unless of course he lets me play with him!). I must create. It is my coffee. It is my joy. It is my passion. I get to create things for people I love. I get to say "I love you" with every handmade gift I give. That is a blessing.

And you know what else? I will continue to pretend that I am a stay at home mom and crafter on the weekends.  Because it makes me happy.

My son's little craft corner makes me terribly happy too!  It will soon be changing-stay tuned!

UPDATE: you can see my son's new and improved craft corner here.