There are a million reasons I love crafting. I love making something out of paper and adhesive. I love documenting my stories in a creative and fun way. I love the smell of paper and shopping for all the amazing supplies. I love the look on someone’s face when they open a gift I’ve made just for them. But most of all, I love the deeper connection I have to others through crafting.

I often say that crafting runs in my family. My father does everything from woodworking to ZenTangle. I don’t remember a time when my mother wasn’t working on some sort of project- from needlepoint to paper crafting. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom teaching me to cross stitch, patiently untying knot after knot, until I got it right.

I tried to do the same with my daughter, encouraging her to draw, take pictures, and supporting her any time she showed the slightest interest in a hobby. It’s amazing to see that a little person I raised can be so different than me in some ways. And so alike in others. Crafting has always been something we have bonded over.

Two times every year, the women in our family (born and chosen) get together for a day of crafting, food, and laughter. In the late fall we have our Craft-A-Paloosa to make cards for Christmas. Each spring we gather for Spring Fling where we make birthday and thinking of you cards. The theme for this year’s Spring Fling was More Fun than a Barrel of Monkeys.

How adorable are these bags? My mom not only did the embroidery, but she actually sewed the canvas totes too. Told you she was crafty!

My mom, Diana, and I each design projects and prep all the materials. Within minutes of everyone arriving, it becomes controlled chaos with paper and tape runners and stamps everywhere. My dad gets away as quick as he can, only returning to take a group photo at the end.

And then we get to work.

I have seen cute cards with this Lawn Fawn stamp set all over the internet. My mother and I nearly fell over each other trying to get to it first at a stamp show we went to. Guess who won? (Yep! Me.) I used a Lori Whitlock cut file on my Cameo for the card base and the stamp set and matching dies did the rest. It was a little time consuming to make, but the result was totally worth it.

I love this little snail, made cuter by the button die cut and thread. A circle and scallop punch, a strip of ribbon, and you have a quick card sure to brighten anyone’s day.

I love the bright colors and unique die cut on this card! I have minimal experience with Copics, but coloring this flower made me want to run to the store and buy every color. I rarely think of dry embossing my card fronts, but it adds so much interest and takes a card to the next level. Don’t you think?

Pink and Main was a stamp company that  we discovered at the Heirloom Rubber Stamp Show. They had a ton of cute stamps, including this one. Again, we dry embossed the honeycomb pattern on the card front and it really pulls the whole thing together.

I have always loved this stamp set. It’s Awash with Flowers by Stampin’ Up and I use it every chance I get. It might look familiar if you’ve seen my planner prep post. I used it to decorate the month of April in my Happy Planner and it just screams spring to me. Some of the cards we made were challenging, and some, like this one, are more simple. Card making doesn’t have to be complicated or use a million supplies. Some stamps, chalked edges, a bit of bakers twine and it’s all done. It’s also an easy card to make several at one time, assembly line-style.

Everything doesn’t have to be a card. We usually have a 3D project or two. These milk crates have a window sheet and are filled with gumballs. And those faces? Can’t get enough of them!

These days are about so much more than cards or milk crates. It’s guaranteed time spent with people I care about, doing something we all love. My daughter and niece have been participating since they were young and still look forward to it to this day. A common topic amongst the crafters I know is how to pass the love of scrapbooking or card making on. How to get new people interested. I can’t think of a better way than through creating a tradition.

Three generations of crafters under one roof. It doesn’t get much better than that!