The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

Crochet for Me with the Good Stuff

| 7 Comments

After Christmas, I made a resolution to pull back on the hand-made gifts for friends and family members. I had spent a huge amount of time making hats, fingerless gloves, and scarves for holiday gifts, and the feedback was minimal at best. At first, this kind of hurt my feelings, but then after thinking about it, I realized that there is no way anyone who does not knit or crochet would have a clue about how much time was spent on the gift, so I had to get over it. Plus, maybe the gift recipient didn’t really need what I had made for him/her, so a polite “thank you” is all it warranted.

In fact, this is one reason why I decided to become a 31 Gift independent consultant. I could get a double whammy because from now on anyone on my gift list is going to get a bag or organizing item from me, and this will help me keep my status with 31 active since you have to sell $200 every three months.

As a result, I can finally make some crocheted items for myself, and I have started to do not only that, but I have pulled out some high-end stash to boot. Yes, I’m using “the good stuff,” starting with much needed fingerless gloves using hand-dyed yarn Calico sock yarn  in the Waimea Bay colorway from Craft Me Happy. These are the All Season Wristers (a free Lion Brand pattern) that I’ve made a number of times (always for someone else). Now I’m making some for me, me, me!

I will admit that I still plan to make lots of charity crochet items, but at least for this summer (since I have a little more time than usual), I’m going to focus on a few projects, some of which are a tad involved, for me. And, unless I get a very specific and sincere “please make my x,y,z” from those on my gift list, I will be purchasing their gifts through my own 31 Gifts web site. I think this is a good compromise. I get to make some pretty things using fabulous yarn like baby alpaca for me, and they will get some very useful items like the large utility tote that they can use just about every day.

Author: Tammy

Welcome to the Crafty Princess Diaries, my weblog and site where I get to blab about my passion for crafts, primarily jewelry making, and my crafting career. My name is Tammy Powley, and I decided to call my blog the Crafty Princess Diaries because of this very dorky picture I have of myself and because my husband often refers to me as “the princess and the pea,” which is just another way to say that I tend to be particular sometimes. Along with this weblog, I have a number of jewelry making books published.

7 Comments

  1. I’m happy to see you’re making items for yourself-good for you! I’ve had the same hurt feelings after giving handmade gifts to friends and family. My husband always point out that they just don’t get it. They don’t understand the time and love that goes into the gift. I understand, but it still hurts when they don’t react they way I had pictured they would. I always hope that if they don’t like, want or use my gift that they give it to someone who will. I pray they don’t shove it into a closet never to be seen again. Ugh, the thought breaks my heart! So, I’ve taken your approach and moved onto other things for myself or charity.

  2. Exactly TJ. They don’t get it because they don’t do it. It has been actually kind of liberating to decide not to make stuff for most of them now. Plus, with the 31 bags, I (1) get them something useful (2) help myself since I sell the products (3) and I’m not hurt if they don’t use it or re-gift since I did not make it.

  3. That yarn is absolutely GORGEOUS! I am so happy that you’re going to use it for yourself. For a change. And good for you!

  4. The color is amazing Cyndi, and I just finished these the other day. I’ll post a picture soon.

  5. We live and learn, Tammy. I made all home made gifts for many years. Mostly they were appreciated, but the idea wore thin. Good for you – use your best stuff for someone you KNOW will appreciate the quality and effort – yourself!

  6. Pingback: The Crafty Princess Diaries » City Tweed Hat

  7. Pingback: Craft Round-Up – Magic Wands, Ice Cream, More | About Family Crafts

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *.


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.