Wednesday, February 22, 2012

WeDneSdaYs aRe FoR crAfTinG!

   I am so excited to share this post today. It's the first time I will have shared a craft with anyone who may be reading this blog. The best part of this craft is the story that goes along with it.
   When I was about 16 or 17, my mom taught me how to crochet. She had tried to teach me to knit many years before, but I wasn't patient enough for knitting. I developed a love for crochet because I could make a large afghan in a virtually short period of time. Crocheting brought me my very first long term project that I was able to finish. It was such an amazing feeling to finish something that I'd worked so hard on. I made several other afghans throughout the years that I gave as gifts.
   After completing my first afghan, I remember talking with my older brother about how I'd like to try and make one that looked like an American flag. I remember him saying, "that would be pretty cool." I was so excited because I didn't think he would think anything homemade would be cool. He is 12 or 13 years older than I am and I always wanted to gain his approval. Shortly after his affirmative remark about the idea of an American flag afghan, I began trying to figure out how to make one.
   In 1996, I started making the stars for this American flag afghan. I had 50 blue and white granny squares in my crochet basket waiting to be attached. I also started college in 1996. There I met a couple of boys that told me they thought it would be so cool to have someone crochet an afghan for them. Since I really liked one of these boys, I decided I would use these granny squares to make him an afghan instead. Well, when I finished that afghan and was ready to give this boy my heart and soul pored into a blanket, he broke my poor little heart. Luckily, I hadn't given him the afghan yet, so I gave it to the other boy instead; his roommate.
   Once again, I began the stars to the American flag afghan. Over the years I would pick this afghan up and work on it. Then I would get distracted with another project and put it down. I never gave up on this afghan, but was beginning to wonder if I would ever finish this darn thing. I really wanted to give this afghan to my brother. Given that he and I are not as close as I would like to be, it meant a lot to me to give him this gift from my heart.
   In January of this year, 2012, I picked this afghan up once again, and FINALLY FINISHED IT! It may not be much, but I can't tell you how happy I was to finish this project after 15 years. Now I'm thrilled to share it with you all. :0)


3 comments:

  1. That is gorgeous, Tina!!! I'm do proud of you! Rich will love it!!!

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  2. That is so cool Tina! You and Cyndi, crocheters! You will have to blog a part 2 to this story...I would LOVE to hear how Rich responds!

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  3. I forgot to mention that I did give it to him on Sunday. He said thank you. That's Rich though. I can't ever tell what he is thinking. I'm not sure if he liked it, or if he was just being polite, but regardless, it meant a lot to me to be able to give it to him.

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