Front Porch Stories: Crafting and enjoying the ‘now’

By Kathy Bohannon, Special to The Shopper

I’m a crafting nut.

When I say “nut,” I mean that making something out of nothing is a huge part of my day.

There’s machine sewing, hand stitching, knitting, crochet, vinyl die cutting, card making, scrapbooking, and most recently, a return to polymer clay. But it hasn’t always been this way.

Actually, yes it has, but not to this level. While I’ve enjoyed creating for as long as I can remember, there were many years I had to find tiny moments of crafting in between working full time and raising kids.

In the early days I cross-stitched and sewed. When tole painting became popular sometime in the mid 1980’s, I tried my hand. To say it was a struggle is an understatement. I was not cut out for a blank surface and a paintbrush. During that time my six-year-old daughter was already showing signs of a true artist. Over the years she proved to be extremely talented and is my go-to these days when it comes to “real” art.

I spent those long ago “mommy” days just working one craft after another in the smidgens of time allowed.

Then everyone grew up.

My first indulgence as an empty nester was machine embroidery. When word got out that I could sew and embroider, I was asked many times if I would make things for profit. I quickly learned this was not in my wheelhouse. I would worry over that project, and even though I lost sleep, wouldn’t charge near what I should have. My response now is, “No, but I know someone who WILL make it for you,” and I stay happy.

I’m far too eager to avoid stress these days, and considering the many years of finding time, I want my creative hours to be as enjoyable as possible. It’s liberating to be sixty-years-old, kids grown, and no pressure to finish something on an already ridiculously demanding schedule. It’s nice to be able to go into my studio (a space made from two bedrooms we no longer need), pick up where I left off, and continue on a project.

Do I miss those hectic days? Nope. What I miss are the little voices calling “mom,” the picnics we had in the woods, the little kid ballgames and recitals, the many hours spent poolside, stories on the front porch, and the precious times spent together as a family.

Crafting will never replace those moments, but when I go into the studio, sit at my desk and create a card for someone special, I can enjoy the “now.” I can be thankful The Boy and his bride are bringing the Littles for a visit soon. I can be thankful our daughter and her family might come by after church on Sunday.

It’s a different day for this family that started out as four and now numbers eleven. Among those eleven are five grandLittles who rush to my studio, sit at the kid’s table and whip out a few cards to give their parents. I think one of the sweetest things is that no matter how many cards they make, there’s always one for Momma Bo.

I cherish every single one.

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Kathy Bohannon is a Christian humorist and inspirational speaker. She is also a writer and blogs at SixLittleAcres.wordpress.com. She is an avid paper crafter and enjoys sewing and needle arts. Kathy shares her love of crafting on Facebook and on YouTube at Kathy Bohannon Creatively Blessed. She and her husband John live in west Newnan with their three pups and no cats.