continuing to learn new things (#21)

In this past year, I have been picking up some new hobbies- and I love it!  For a while there I think I got 'stuck'.  I was doing the same old, same old and didn't try anything new. 

Let me just say for those of you who know my Mom and my sister, you know they're UBER crafty.  And well, I'm just not.  I've never been gifted in anything related to crafts.  Like for real!  I think that is what has stopped me from wanting to pursue any new hobbies.  That is until this year.  

Back in January, Cheryl Oliver encouraged me to take a pottery class at Sawtooth Arts Center here in Winston-Salem.  The first couple weeks I was not enjoying it, but after that, I loved it.  The class met once a week for 2.5 hours- that was a big commitment for me.  My first pieces looks like 'they were made with love' but sweet Cheryl always encouraged me.  She always saw the good in my pieces- such a gift.   I so enjoyed working with my hands and making creations with clay- designing whatever my heart desired.  My pieces were not works of art by any means, but what I took away from that class was that 'an old dog can learn new tricks.'  I think  my 'successes' (I should use that word loosely) in that class inspired me to try other new things as well.  

A trinket box I made and a dice! Wahoo.

One of my trays:)

Back in July, Pastor Bev put a feeler out in our congregation to see if some ladies might be interested in a sewing group.  My initial response was that's not for me.  But somehow I ended up attending the interest meeting and I thought "I can do this".  This group is lead on one of the most servant-hearted people I've ever met, Ms. Martha Coscarart.  Martha is more patient than anyone I know.  She helps those of us (like me) who don't  have a clue.  I have so enjoyed being a part of the Material Girls group and learning how to sew.  My first project was making a 'pillowcase dress'.  We mailed those to little girls in Haiti.  Since then I've made myself a couple skirts and recently made a good amount of decorative pumpkins (I think I may have gotten a little carried away with that).  

Some of the dresses our group made!
(I Made the blue with flowers and pink ribbon)

One of my MANY pumpkins.

Martha (in the middle) made these pumpkin costumes for our pumpkin patch-
now you probably understand why she leads Material Girls.

What I've learned this year is that it is always good to try new things, we are never too old to learn or pick up new hobbies.  I am thankful for ladies (especially Cheryl and Martha) who've inspired me and had the patience to teach me.