Keep Calm and Craft On

If you know me, you’ll be keenly aware of that I ALWAYS have my iPhone with me. It is my fifth appendage. Tease me if you must, I’m okay with that.

You’ll also note that said appendage is currently wrapped in a bright red gel skin that says, “Keep Calm and Carry On.”

It’s really been my mantra over the past several months. It was a tough 2012. My brother-in-law passed. My mother-in-law’s cancer is ugly. My husband is out of town so frequently to care for his family that I feel like a single mom. His family which cannot be around my little petrie dish of a child who carries an infinite number of germs that could be very dangerous to someone with a compromised immune system. We’ve had two tours of our own nasty virus — each — and are still on meds. The holidays when you don’t feel like having the holidays. And that’s just the stuff I’ll actually talk about that’s happened in the last 3 months. It’s been a tiring ride, but we persevere  in what we can only lovingly refer to as our “new normal” and focus on the good — like my little cousin moving here in a week. (Yea!)

So my phone case keeps me grounded. I can’t change the situations, I can only change my attitude about them. Keep Calm and Carry On. I look at it no less than a thousand times a day.

I was really happy to say adios to 2013, even though thanks to the nasty bug going around we couldn’t ring it in like we had planned (seriously, nothing is going as planned anymore) — but I still felt that sense of reboot. Maybe we can get a do-over this year. Maybe.

I am not a big resolution girl, but I know what makes me get to my happy place. In all the madness that life can throw at us, being creative, making something with my hands, that’s my escape. (Okay, that and Law & Order0 And for 2013, I decided to commit to it. SURROUND myself in it and people who have that same creative energy.

So you know what I did? I created a craft exchange.

What?!?

Nope, no idea how to run one, just decided that it might be fun. Personally, I love a handmade gift the most so I asked all my inspiringly creative friends to join me and see what happens. And can you believe it, they did???

Here’s what we have so far: 8 people (7 women, one man. Yes, he’s straight.) We have until the week before Valentine’s Day to make 7 SOMETHINGs for each other. Can be made from anything – fabric, yarn, wood carving, soaps, candles, paper craft, food, booze, anything. The only requirement is that it is handmade. We’ll get together both in-person and virtually (two of my most beloved craftaholics are in Ohio) in a Google hangout, to trade our creations.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about it. Like jump up and down excited about it. Nerd out excited about it.

No one knows what each other is making — okay, I know a few of them but I’m not telling. There’s something so dramatic about the big reveal… A gift exchange in the middle of February! Awesomesauce.

Considering I am the ONLY person who is friends with everyone in the group, I realize it’s a huge leap of faith for them — and equally touched that they’re all on board.

I had decided my project, only to make a trial run, which ended in a complete fail. (Although the Cupcake was thrilled because I gave it to her.) Did a do-over, and I’m kinda “meh” about it. Went to the library today though, and got some books for inspiration for a complete 180… should I, could I, would I do something completely new and out of the box for me? I dunno…

There’s no telling how this will play out – secretly, I hope this exchange continues and grows. Realistically, I’m hoping it will be a fun night among my crafty co-horts, with a little — or a lot — of wine and a great show and tell.  Either way, I’ll “Keep Calm, and Craft On.”

Have you ever participated in a craft exchange? I’d love to hear about your experience and any tips you may have!