crafts + truth

I really like to make things.  I really, really do. One of my earliest (and fondest) memories is my  mom teaching me to knit when I was 7 or 8. I always remember watching my mom make things with her hands when I was a kid. Whether it be muffins, clothes, toys, pizza dough, she always made everything. And I was always so intrigued by it. So she tried to teach me to knit. The yarn was bubble gum pink and I wish I had a picture of the end product to post here, I can still picture it perfectly in my mind.  The intention was to make a scarf. I did make a scarf, however, I could only manage to make a scarf for my doll. It was very tiny. But I made it. 

Since then, I've tried and tried and tried to make things with my own two hands but along the way I've realized a lot about myself. Most of the things that I make never actually turn out. And it's kind of a running joke in our household. Except deep deep down... it really actually bothers me. And okay... maybe there is something in the process. There is definitely something in the process. But never having an end product that is successful and that brings you joy and that you are happy with? Well that just seems kind of moronic, doesn't it? Wouldn't a normal person give up; find a new hobby; buy handmade things?

So... I've made quilts in the past and have been semi-successful with them. But over the past few months I've tried to make three of them (just realized how crazy that sounds... who tries to make THREE quilts in a matter of a few months while working full-time... and working on a business plan in their spare time, who does that? crazy people, that's who). Needless to say, NONE of the quilts have turned out. I've made the same stupid mistake consistently on ALL three. So I wondered if a lot of the time I set myself up for failure? If I choose things that I know are outside of my skill set... I know I have zero patience. I try to work on this, but damn it's hard. Anyway... blah blah blah.... I love to make things. I want to successfully make things. I need patience. My mom was right all these years. I finally get it. I get it. 

Which leads me to these::

Shoe bags! I can make these!  I think they're adorable and a really fun gift to give to someone. So I wanted to share. Have fun making shoe bags... I think we can do it! Read the tutorial right here