Is Crafting Genetic?

As you can probably guess from the name of my blog - I have a thing for crafts - just about all crafts, too! I got some amazing handmade gifts (see below) from my Aunt Diane for Christmas and it got me thinking... could my love of crafting be genetic?

My mother and her sisters are all very crafty... Diane being the craftiest of all. She can knit anything you can possibly imagine. She is also great at sewing. She sends gorgeous handmade gifts every year for Christmas, which is no small feat. She starts her projects months in advance so she can have them finished and wrapped in time to ship around the country.

My maternal grandmother was also very crafty. She loved to knit and crochet. I was always amazed at how fast her hands could work. Many babies have been shielded from the cold by her blankets and afghans.

My paternal grandmother was an unbelievable seamstress. She didn't necessarily sew to make pretty things. She did it because she had to. Raising three boys alone as a single mother in the middle of the Great Depression, she had to sew to provide for her children. She never had an electric sewing machine, ever.

I have a love for all these same things (and many more as my husband would tell you). I am so thankful that I grew up in a family with such a love and appreciation for crafting. I have no doubt that Joann's and Michaels are thankful too - ha!



I got this great scarf for Christmas from my Aunt Diane. It is actually kind of a purple color. I love it. It is oh-so soft and I like the fuzzy texture. Very cool gift. This actually provided inspiration for a gift that I just made to send to someone very special. I was surprised how quick and easy these are to make.



Those who know me, know that I love Santas. My Christmas tree is decorated almost exclusively with Santa ornaments. I have Santa decorations for the entire house too. So when I opened this Christmas gift from my Aunt Diane, I was incredibly excited. This can be used as a table covering or a quilted wall hanging. This was the best kind of gift... completely unexpected and absolutely perfect for me. I can't wait to display it next year and for many more years to come.

**What was your favorite gift from Christmas '06?**