Crafting and creating have always been more than just hobbies for me; they are passions that bring me immense joy and allow my imagination to run wild. Over the years, I have amassed a collection of tools, supplies, and machinery that aid me in this creative pursuit. Whether it’s making items for my home, parties, or gifts for others, crafting is one of the few activities that offer me complete fulfillment. My journey into this world of creativity began with my wedding, a story that has deeply influenced my crafting endeavors.
My husband and I got engaged at the very beginning of 2020, on February 5th, just a month before the world changed due to COVID-19. We had always intended to have a short engagement and set our wedding date for August 1st, 2020. That previous Christmas, I had received a Cricut machine, which filled me with excitement and inspiration to handcraft many elements of our wedding, starting with the invitations.
We had planned a rustic and incredible wedding on a farm in Maine. It was my dream setting, and I was eager to bring my crafting visions to life. Within a month, I had handmade our Save the Dates and sent them out, ensuring our guests had ample time to make arrangements for our “destination” wedding. I was incredibly proud of my creations, but soon after mailing them, the world shut down.
As the weeks and months passed, I was forced to cancel each vendor I had meticulously researched and booked. Despite losing the farm, food, photographer, DJ, and lodging, one thing remained certain: we were not losing our wedding date. I was determined to get married on August 1st, even if it meant pitching a tent in my backyard. My resolve to keep our date fueled my crafting spirit even more.
By the end of June 2020, we managed to find a local restaurant that was still hosting gatherings, albeit very limited ones. We booked our wedding there, with a maximum of 40 guests allowed. The restaurant was beautiful, with the top floor offering a balcony that overlooked the water. However, I wanted to add my personal touch to make it truly our own.
With restrictions in place, I had to get creative. A few trips to Michael’s and countless hours with my Cricut later, I had crafted as much as I possibly could within the constraints. Besides the Save the Dates, I created table decor scenes, a card box, seating cards and displays, favors, the dinner menu, and even my own bouquet. For the ceremony, I made fans with a sweet quote for our guests. The satisfaction of adding personal touches to our wedding, despite the challenges, ignited a spark within me. It was this experience that brought out the inner creator in me, turning crafting from a simple hobby into a lifelong passion.
Since then, my love for crafting has only grown. I find immense joy in making things for my home, creating decorations for parties, and designing unique gifts for friends and family. Each project allows me to explore new techniques, experiment with different materials, and push the boundaries of my creativity. My collection of tools, supplies, and machinery has grown, each addition representing another opportunity to bring my ideas to life.
Crafting is more than just an activity for me; it is a form of self-expression and a source of happiness. It has taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of creativity in overcoming obstacles. My journey began with a wedding disrupted by a pandemic, but it has blossomed into a lifelong passion that continues to bring me joy and fulfillment every day.
