Crafting, Kids, and Contentment

     I have a secret that really isn't a secret.  It's something that I've been wanting for several long years and it looks like it's finally going to happen.  I just didn't want to say anything, for fear of "jinxing" it.

     As you probably already know, my two children and I live in three different states - Louisiana, Indiana and Tennessee.  As a result, the three of us haven't been together under one roof for about 15 years.

     Well, if things work out the way we're hoping, this coming Thanksgiving will be the happiest and best one I've had in years.  We're all planning on being in Indiana for Thanksgiving!  My eyelids start burning, just thinking about it.  My grandchildren will all be together for the first time in their lives!  I jokingly told my son that we may all have to wear name tags.  

     I pray that nothing interrupts our plans!

     Mary Ellen (MEGARDENGAL) has been exploring contentment in her life and has invited the rest of us to join her.  She's calling it 30 days of Contentment Therapy. Thinking of my children and the lives they have brings me much contentment.  They are happy adults, excellent parents and warm individuals.  I'll stop there, trying to not gush too much about them.  But it does give me contentment to know that I did have something to do with the people they are today.  

Crafting and doing almost anything art related gives me another type of contentment.  It relaxes me, and I believe that to be relaxed you must feel somewhat content, right?

I recently saw some pinkeeps that Cathy (Hazelruthe) made.  They inspired me to make some similar pinkeeps/jewelry holders and the three below are my translations of her design:

     

     

They all have candlestick bases; the "Heart in Hand" version is on a wood candlestick that I painted black.  I used glass bases for the others.  "Heart in Hand" also has a vintage lace "sleeve".

I made a couple stuffed faux mittens, too.  I decided to not give the snowman in this one a hat but he was looking too bare-headed to me.  So, I decided to give him hair but not too much hair.  The idea of a bald snowman with the typical bald man hairdo cracked me up.  (No offense to bald men - I personally think that a good looking bald man is often much more handsome than a guy with a full head of hair.  It's the combing over of a few long strands of hair that I wish you wouldn't do.)

   

Anyway, I do get much contentment from crafting but being able to entertain myself with such silly little details also gives me contentment.   This, and I think I can still play well with others.  LOL - what are some of the things that bring contentment to YOU?