Crafting beginings

I can't really remember a time when I didn't craft.  I've always crafted for as long as I remember.  My Mum has always knitted and sewed and I learnt to knit and sew at a young age.  I use to like knitting toys out of a craft book my sister had.  My Mum bought me a sewing machine when I was 10.  I really liked my sewing machine, its a really old fashion Singer sewing machine.  Its one that should be on a table with a treadle pedal.  Instead it has a handmade case (very 1950's) and is a hand sewing machine.  No pedal in site.  I still have this sewing machine and I still use it.  It does a very nice stitch and is easy to control being a hand machine.

I was 12 when I first tried cross stitch.  No one else in my family cross stitched and it was something I wanted to try and I really enjoyed it.  I stitched many a picture.  I have had lots of work's in progress but I've finished lots of different projects and most members of my family are all sporting cross stitch designs which I have made them.

This is a cushion I made for my friend (if any of you read my Sarahdipity Life blog I talked about meeting her yesterday).  Anyhow when I think of her she's usually having fun and smiling and when I saw this "Somebunny to love" design it made me think of her.  I am sure if there was a space hopper lying around she would be the first to jump on it and start to bounce around.  Stitching this cushion has fond memories for me.
In 2009 I went to New Zealand and visited my sister who lives there.  I took this with me stitch on my 4 week holiday.  I had researched about what I could and couldn't take on the plane and had found that I could take my embroidery scissors as they had blades of less than 3 inches.  When I went through security I was stopped because of my embroidery scissors in my hand luggage (luckily I had packed a spare pair in my main luggage if they were confiscated).  After speaking to the security man and his manager and explaining the guidelines and after they had demonstrated how my scissors could be used to kill someone (this I was very shocked at as I have never thought of stabbing anyone with my scissors) the decided I could keep them.  So I stitched on my very long flight and all around New Zealand. On my return I made it into a cushion for my friend.

That's the thing about crafting.  There is always a story attached to every project and thing that you make.  Whilst its good having the final product I do so love the making part.  I love getting so involved in what I am making that I forget about the world, what time it is and what issues and problems I maybe having.  What do you love most about crafting?