Saturday 24 November 2007

Louise, tagged me a long time ago with this little craft meme.

But first, my youngest's son's first year teacher left yesterday to get married, so here are some photos from her farewell from the children and parents.





We set a table - complete with tulle and wedding cake (fyi the cake topper was on my wedding cake 20 years ago). The roses were from garden and I made them into a gorgeous bouquet that she could keep. They smelt divine.





The children all dressed as brides and grooms as a surprise for their teacher - they were just so cute. Most of the girls wore their veils all day - the boys ripped their ties off as soon as they were allowed.








Now for the craft meme - feel free to skip this if you like - I wouldn't want to bore any of you.


1. When did you start to create and make craft?

My mum was a great sewer who used to make all our clothes - she tried to teach me, but I really wasn't interested as a teenager (although I got an A for textiles at school). So it really wasn't until after I had my third baby at 34 years and severe post natal depression set in, that I started quilting. I found that I really liked it, I loved the people it attracted and of course I went to the gorgeous Patchwork on Central and from then on I was totally hooked.

2. Why did you start creating?

I started making my own creations and designs because of my post natal depression. I didn't want to go to a class or be taught by someone else as I knew I would get myself into more of a depressed state because of the way my mind worked. I used to be a bit of a perfectionist and if my project didn't turn out exactly the same as the teachers, I would think I was a failure. But, as we all know, when you makeup your own designs - it doesn't matter as you have nothing to compare it with. That is how I got around the perfectionism thingy. (I hope that make sense).


3. Why do you create?

Now that I am over all of the above and happy most of the time - I just love getting into my craft room and whipping something up. Also, reading everybody's blogs is so inspirational - if my mind actually stopped whirring around with all the projects I would like to do, I might just be able to finish one.

4. What do you create?

I try and create all kinds of things - bags, aprons, zippered pouches (I have definitely mastered the zip), clothes, bibs, felting, knitting, crochet, softies - anything at all - if it interests me - I will give it a try.


5. Has this changed since you began crafting?

Yes, I am so much more confident and can look at something and think - "I can make that" with or without a pattern. I am not worried any more about what other people might say about my work which gives me so much more confidence and therefore I am willing to give anything a go (except maybe jump off a cliff).

So there you go, if you have read this far - thank you so much. I really like to tell people about my PND and how crafting really saved me from the brink. Creating, I am sure, must release all those endorphins that make us happy and even better if you can do it with your friends.

I am not going to tag anyone in particular - as I think nearly everybody has done this one - but please feel free to do it - I would love to read it.

I would just love to know if anybody else suffered PND and survived because of crafting - I would love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful weekend.

5 comments:

Donna said...

Nice read Cathy. It must have been PND with me also when I first started quilting, maybe that combined with grief at our loss. The quilting certainly helped I know that much.

Jade said...

Great meme post, Cathy! Finishing a project well definitely gets the happy endorphins swimming. That's a real high.

Thimbleanna said...

Loved reading your meme Cathy -- that's my favorite meme going around! Sadly I can't see any of the pictures from your party -- don't know if it's me or blogger -- I'll try again later.

Jodie said...

Hi cathy, Craft is an amazing healer. I needed it after both babies - so very long ago.

Anonymous said...

I think craft is a fantastic healer - all my girls are at school now, we homeschooled them for 4 years and it was such a shock getting used to them being away. Craft saved me, I believe that it does release endorphins like you say! Nothing like creating something cool to make you feel good about yourself!!!