soulemama

A few months ago, a girlfriend taught me to knit. I am a creative, crafty gal with a background in the Arts and raised by artistic parents. Suffice to say, this was not my first attempt at a craft project; however, I struggled with learning the stitches. I felt cumbersome, inept and numerous times I found myself thinking that knitting just wasn’t in my nature even though I loved the idea of knitting.

For some time, there are certain things I’ve wished I knew how to do such as bake bread, sew my own clothes or blankets, make jam, grow a container garden, and of course, knit. While many of these projects appeal to me, I have to be honest about my capabilities and circumstances.

For instance, I love to cook and bake but I live in a 2 bedroom, walk-up apartment; therefore, a very, very small galley kitchen with virtually no counter space. Or laying out a quilting project on my kitchen table only becomes an inconvenience once dinnertime rolls around.

Despite my apartment’s limitations, I love my life, home, and family. So, I try and work small. I make many of my own gifts, which is why I thought knitting would be a new creative, challenge for me. I was nearly ready to call it quits and then a great friend recommended Amanda Soule’s site.

Amanda is a mama to four young children and she lives with her husband near Portland, Maine. Blogging since 2005, Amanda is the author of the wonderful book The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections and her second book is to be released August 2009.

SouleMama’s blog is filled with inspiring crafts, knits, sewing projects, and family adventures. Her words are eloquent and thoughtful. Her photos are gorgeous and her children adorable and willing models. While it is all very inspiring, it is also a little overwhelming, I mean I can barely find the time to mend a pair of pants while SouleMama whips up a little dress for her daughter in an afternoon and then I read snapshots and it made more sense.

While I may not be able to find the time to fit everything in, I am thankful for the inspiration and SouleMama’s musings. I check her site her daily. Amongst my hectic to-do list or a crazy-toddler-moment, her posts are calming and comforting. The other night I picked up my wool and started a baby blanket. It is a simple project but that’s how it all starts; savour the basics. Besides I have four months until baby’s due, plenty of time to unravel and try again.

Visit Amanda’s blog: soulemama.typepad.com

This entry was written by chandra, posted on May 20, 2009 at 9:09 pm.

Filed under blog, mommys and tagged Amanda Soule, author, children, crafts, creative, knitting, Maine, mommy, Portland, www.soulemama.typepad.com.

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