Mindy’s Crochet Moments

My first post… 9/3/23 My Story

My interest in creating and crafting started many years ago. I was born into a family who definitely passed down the creative gene!

I was born the year Barbie was created, so of course, as I got a little older, I played with Barbie, Skipper and Ken for hours. My grandfather was an amazing craftsman woodworker and he would make furniture for my Barbie. He made chairs, beds, floor lamps and tables for my dolls and my grandmother would sew my Barbie clothes, cushions for the furniture and lampshades for the floor lamp. My grandmother was a talented seamstress and crocheter.

My mother was also a wonderful seamstress. She made dresses for me and my sister. I took ballet lessons for several years and my mother would sew the ballet costumes for my recitals. She would sew our Halloween costumes every year too. So sewing was the first crafty thing I tried as a teen. I remember getting very frustrated making a pair of shorts, and was about to throw the whole project away, but eventually found the patience to rip out what was wrong and finish the shorts. That was a big step. I started making many of my clothes while in high school.

While in college I worked at a department store in the sewing and needlework department, which I loved. I got to make many of the clothes for the mannequins in our department using the latest patterns and fabrics. So fun! That was also the time I also got into embroidery, latch hook rug making and crochet. My first crochet project I ever made was a full size blanket. It was all one color, an orangey rust color, and I remember the yarn being kind of scratchy. Not the best choice for a blanket. LOL. Lesson learned.

I changed my major 3 times while in college and ended with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics (now called Family and Consumer Sciences). I couldn’t believe that I earned college credit sewing clothes, researching patterns, working with textiles and I loved it!

I married my high school sweetheart (married now 44 years and counting) and we have 3 sons and 1 daughter. I made many of my kids clothes and costumes when they were younger. I then got my teaching credential and began teaching business and computer classes in high school (and one Home Ec class) and eventually switched to teaching Culinary classes to 7th and 8th graders. Such a fun time! I retired 4 years ago after 30 years teaching. And now, I am spending much of my time crocheting and sometimes working up a little macrame. My plan is to share some of my projects, provide links to my favorite blogs and get you excited about crocheting and other crafting projects! Thank you for being part of this journey.