I tend to think that all the creativity in the family went to Eric- my Grandma Lorraine, Aunt Chris and my mother could all draw well, sew, sing…etc. Me, not so much. No sense of proportion, visual spacing and definitely tone deaf. I’ve taken 3 drawing classes and gotten my money returned to me since I simply cannot make something look like what I see. The last guy taught me to use graph paper so at least I could pass my embryology and zoology classes! Mr. Corrigan at Mater Dei thought I was screwing around during band tryouts because I am quite tone deaf ( and no trombone for me!). I couldn’t get my sewing badge from either Girl Scouts or Campfire girls. But I could cook, so my father always gave me kudos for that. And ate all the things I made, bad or good. And I liked to write- hence the blog.
I learned after I took chemistry that I could play around with ingredients and adjust recipes to my rather bland taste buds. Started with salt quantities, changed margarine to other fats, and then moved on to adjusting the egg quantities without losing texture. I enjoy changing things up to a degree. I drive my own children nuts (especially Matt) because I have found that I need to be loose with the recipe- sometimes I want more liquid or flour or to change the flavoring profile. Not one for strictly following a recipe or even cooking times – that’s how it all gets done at the same time! I definitely am a picky eater and I love making what I make. Yes, there are occasional major booboos but generally I do ok. But I want to do something more creative now that I am retired and have time (and the money) to mess around with other things.
I started with adult coloring books as a way of decreasing stress the last 2 or 3 years of teaching. I worked hard on not forming exact patterns or feeling like I failed if I colored outside the lines. Took a while because really who cares if I got sleepy and messed up?? Besides who besides Cherie was likely to ever see my coloring books?! And I found that I liked it.
Rita and Cherie also got me sort of into making beaded things. They are both gung-ho on beads. I have fat fingers to say the least, but I do enjoying coming up with patterns. I find I am far too impatient with myself and find it funny when Rita gently chews me out. But it is a good time to be with Rita, talking and making sun catcher hangings. I like them. And book marks.
And I have finally found something I really like doing- making my own cards. After I retired I decided to get back into letter writing. I had several pen pals growing up (since we moved all the time) and several lasted many years. So I started by writing at least 3 letters a week. Generally Anne E and Mike B. And I would vary the other one and some times write 4. Laura R has always made the cutest cards and I really enjoy receiving them. Then Rita invited Joni, Kathryn and I over to make cards. And then Lori makes cards. And finally I went to Queen Laura’s house to make cards. They all have such different techniques. So I thought we needed to get everyone together to demonstrate the different styles, but that takes lots of room. And who has a lot of room, but no supplies? Me. So Rita, Lori, Laura, Joni and Jean came up to Shingle Springs, with all their stuff, and we made cards! Unfortunately Kathryn was rear ended and had to deal with that mess; thankfully she was not hurt badly.
I started fairly simply using stickers and stamps, but I am learning from everyone. Laura is a whiz with stamps and has so many sets for every occasion! Rita has die cuts and embossing folders and the machine to make those cards. Lori loves the 3D look and now I can make pop outs and stack papers. Overall I accept they are more creative and understand color better than I do, but I can make my own cards! Joni still claims she is going to teach me to watercolor, but we’ll have to see about that🙃
