“Why Do We Craft?”, was the question asked in an article by Pat Johns, in the October issue of Craftrends magazine. I so decided to ask myself that same question.

“Crafting relaxes me, challenges me and makes me think for small moments in time that I am talented, creative and expressive.” states, Pat Johns in the article. And I guess in a nutshell that is how I feel too. I like the process of thinking of an idea, designing it, making it, and seeing if maybe someone likes it as much as I do..

I, personally, have the need to create. I created four kids but that is not enough!

My roots in creativity, go deep.  I grew up around “crafty” people. My mom used to make “groovy” pins in the '60’s – my sister and I used to hang out at the kitchen table with my mom and her friend. We watched them decoupage giant orange and pink daisy pins made out of cardboard, paper towels and whole peppercorns! They sold hundreds of them--at $2.95 each. They used their few dollars of profit generated per week to make payments on their lay-a-ways at the big department store in town.

Many a Saturday of my youth was spent at the hardware and paint store with my Dad. He has been a slave to my mother's home improvement and decorating projects for nearly 50 years.  She is the crafty creator...he is the dutiful "do-er."  I am not sure if there is a world record for how many times one room has been wallpapered, but I am sure my parents have set the record.

My Grandma Faye, was a prolific knitter, crocheter and Barbie doll clothes and accessory maker. For years she and her sister would crochet beautiful delicate lacey table runners and doilies. But they had more fun crocheting the atrocious acrylic stuffed animals and novelty gag gifts. Their most famous and best selling item made during the '70’s and '80’s, was “The Poop Duck”. (Their crochet material of choice? You ask? But, of course--100% virgin acrylic yarn--sure to last at least another 100 years or so.)

Squeeze the middle of the duck and out poops a jellybean from its butt. And I might add, the “Poop Duck” was a Blue Ribbon winner at the County Fair—entered under what category I am not sure! ( She has just one Poop Duck left from her crocheting heydays...We all wonder who will inherit it.... and who will dare put it on their coffee table so visitors could help themsleves to a  little snack!)

Anyway, I found a free pattern on the Internet, which looks pretty close to the 1970’s version my Grandma Faye made. See it on the internet  at Cookies Creations. The poop duck is a “hoot and holler” for sure.

Of course, I can’t forget all the soda can crochet hats she made--she was recycling before recycling was hip!

As for me, now that you know about  my crafty family background, I started serious crafting in junior high. I started embroidering denim shirts—a big hit in seventh grade in 1972. My teachers in junior high commissioned my work. And I was making money for my handiwork.

I mastered the sewing machine at my mother’s knee and in junior high home economics class. I guess this was just the beginning of my need to collect and fondle fabulous fabrics.

I have also dabbled in wood working. The retired men in my neighborhood are impressed that I own a drill press and band saw. And that I can talk the lingo of the mitre saw, jig saw,and the 8" belt sander.

But my sister is the one who turned me onto my true crafting love-- quilting. And after a few "what-was-I-thinking-when-I-bought-that-fabric" attempts.  I think I am getting the hang of it. And I have a passion for it.

"I make quilts because I have to...I make quilts because I like to..., but I would make my quilts even if I had to stack them hidden in a closet.", writes quilter and lecturer Freddy Moran,  in the dedication page of her quilt book, "Freddy's House".  Yeah, I pretty much think the same.

Crating is an opportunity to create unique one of a kind items…There is probably not a store anywhere where you could buy a crocheted “Poop Duck” or a wonderful designer bed for your Barbie doll made out of an old Clorox bottle--heavily embellished with ribbon and lace.

Everyone has a different reason (to craft), says Pat Johns.

Why do you craft?