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A2Z Letter C—Cover Up My Crafts

Here we go, week 3 of Patty Wysong’s weekly meme where we blog our way through the alphabet.

I'm not intimidated by my non-craftiness anymore

C—Cover up my Crafts.

When I was in the sixth grade, I created a mosaic piece that garnered the teacher’s attention. What she didn’t know that week was I was as surprised as she was. I dreaded art so much I used to become physically ill. The next week my project was a mess, and she said as much. In fact, it was Open House week and she let me know she was hiding the current project from my parents and instead showcasing the mosaic.

That scarred me for a long time. I still try to cut a paper heart and my daughter’s looks better than mine. I sew, buttons only. Latchook is probably the biggest achievement I can claim in the craft department. When I say I scrapbook, it’s more a journaling with a smattering of pictures taped together.

I used to be embarrassed by that.

Intimidated.

I used to leave during the crafts portion of MOPS meetings.

Or run and grab the sample craft to avoid needing to make my own.

Time and God’s revelation concerning who I really am have helped a lot. I bet many a crafty lady would become ill thinking about speaking in front of a thousand, something I enjoy and am a natural. My mom has the crafting gene. She paints freehand and her quilts rival the Amish. I’m not sure where that talent was when I was growing up, but that is her thing.

My daughter received half a dozen craft projects for Christmas. She always has scissors in hands, dreaming up little projects.

She gets I’ll never be any help in that department.

That’s okay with her, and more than okay with me. In fact, she brings a paper bag lunch each day and she gave up crafting her own bag. Who has the job? Me.

Because I decorate her bag with words. Promises of who she is in God’s eyes and what we believe her to be. Turns out her friends gather around each day to see what I write. She isn’t covering up my crafts, she’s looking forward to her bag each day. My balloon drawings might be sad, but she’s looking at what I can craft—words.

If only that art teacher could see me now!

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Julie

Kingdom minded. Wife. Mom. Author. Reader. Fan of chocolate. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini.
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shortybear63
shortybear63
12 years ago

Blessings to you my friend.

MarjiLaine
MarjiLaine
12 years ago

Well put. God uniquely equipped each of us for the tasks He planned for us. Just like he is never too early nor too late with His blessing, He doesn’t give us too little for what we need to do. And He doesn’t give us too much because extra talents and passions would just clutter up our lives. Thanks for sharing!

wellsjsam
wellsjsam
12 years ago

You go girl! God gives each of us different and unique talents and gifts and from what I read you excel at what He gave you. Teachers unfortunately don’t look outside the box, and their words can live within us for a very long time. If she could see you now, you’d blow her away.

Shelley Ledfors
Shelley Ledfors
12 years ago

Love this! It reminds me of one of my critique partners. She, too, was affected by a very negative comment from an art / crafts teacher when she was young and never quite got over it. But she crafts words beautifully! Thanks for sharing this and God bless!

niki716
niki716
12 years ago

OH JULIE! I can so relate to this post! My mother is an amazing artist. I got my first “C” ever in 4th grade art class. Thank you for sharing, and for the reminder that all art isn’t created with paint and brush!

blc228
blc228
12 years ago

Good grief, the memories just came crashing in…noooo-go away! Some teachers can be so cruel. Glad God has better plans for us.

JulieArduini
12 years ago
Reply to  blc228

@Barbara Lynn Culler I am SO glad crafts don’t define me! Thanks for stopping by.

JulieArduini
12 years ago
Reply to  niki716

@niki716 I agree, art doesn’t have to be with paint and a brush. I wish it had not taken me so long to figure it out. I’m so glad you read and related.

JulieArduini
12 years ago

@Shelley Ledfors Negative words can be paralyzing. I’m so glad your critique partner realized her worth wasn’t measured by crafts! Thanks for reading, Shelley!

JulieArduini
12 years ago
Reply to  wellsjsam

@wellsjsam That is so sweet. My guess is this was a wounded person who was strapped in the cycle of continuing the wound. The great news is the cycle stops with me. I’m so glad you read this post. Thank you for stopping by!

JulieArduini
12 years ago
Reply to  MarjiLaine

@MarjiLaine That’s so well put. Thank you, MarjiLaine!

JulieArduini
12 years ago
Reply to  shortybear63

@shortybear63 And the same to you! 🙂

dlbrandmeyer
dlbrandmeyer
12 years ago

I had a teacher that made fun of my writing. Sure wish she were still alive. I’d send her one of my books.

Diana

http://www.pencildancer.com