I always find myself in creativity.

What is your go-to when you need a breather?

For me, it’s making something with my hands. It’s my highest form of self-care even though it’s taken me decades to stop feeling guilty when I chose the joy of making over my to-do list.

My dad died when I was 8 years old. I can only appreciate this in hindsight, but I spent a lot of time in the garage after that, with all his tools, making things like a little chair that only held the weight of my stuffed animals.

When I had my first child (Emma), I started scrapbooking to capture the adventure but also, to keep me sane during new motherhood.

I took up knitting when I had twin boys, Max and Connor. Over 20 years later and there is always something on my needles. Also, I’m sorry boys — Emma has the best scrapbooks of her first few years and well, you have a lot of baby hats and sweaters. If you’re a knitter too and on Ravelry, “friend” me!

While caring for my mother with Alzheimers, I knit like crazy, making her a huge comfy blanket to keep her warm and my hands and heart busy.

When I made a big career move, I found myself with a precious few weeks off. Most of that was spent relishing in time with my children, but when they were asleep, I built a piece of furniture. Never did that again, but the cabinet has moved with us 3 times and today, holds a lot of yarn and fabric.

During the pandemic, I bought a basic sewing machine and made masks to donate. Who knew that the sewing skills I learned in my junior high Home Ec class would one day pay off?!

I took up quilting at a particularly high pressure time in my career. I met a new friend who had me over to her sewing studio (mind blown!). I barraged her with 1,000 questions (did I mention that I’m insatiably curious?) about fabric, the process, the terms, the 4+ sewing machines in her studio, and the myriad tools hanging on her pegboard and scattered everywhere. I thought to myself, “I want to try this! But surely I don’t need all these things to make a quilt, right?” Well, gulp, it’s true I didn’t need all that but you should see my sewing studio now. #IYKYK

Who knows what I’ll try next (I’ve never watercolored a day in my life, but you can bet I just bought the supplies so when the mood strikes…), but I know for sure that I will always quilt and knit.

My story, at the moment of making something, is in every stitch.