This is the cover of Life magazine as life was 64 years ago to this Thanksgiving day on November 24, 1941. The picture entitled "Wartime Knitting" was at a time when Life magazine embodied the verve of everyday people and historic events. Fast forward to today and the cover for the latest issue has the cast of Harry Potter on it. Now I ask you is this "Life" or a serious movie promotion? The lines are blurred these days as mass media and reality TV have taken over our ability to decipher between commercialism and true happiness.
We all know that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year and heralds in the official Holiday Shopping Season (TM). Almost Girl, a fellow fashion blogger emailed me last week to join in on blogging my thoughts on what is now dubbed "Black Friday". Don't get me wrong, I love fashion and I love shopping. But shopping isn't everything and shopping doesn't necessarily mean fashion. Fashion is what you do to bring out your own personal style.
I have been knitting for many years now and most often can be seen wearing one of my creations around the city. Whether its a scarf, shawl, or sweater, I usually try to add my own personal touch to what I wear. I also bring that same thinking to the gifts I give. If there's a baby due out somewhere from one of my friends or a birthday coming up, adding the handmade touch is more meaningful than buying gifts in a store. Wanna know a secret? The handmade look is IN, and most stores are overcharging for it. Just remember this: Big knitting needles = chunky, cute, quick project/gift. And wanna know what else? Crafting makes you feel good. It's good for your soul. I don't know where those endorphins come from, but when I knit everything else just melts away and I am in pure bliss. Crafting, DIY, knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, origami, paper crafts, whatever you choose, spend some time to enjoy your life. Make a tote bag in some funky fabrics thanks to super eggplant's tote bags 101. Make your own holiday cards with gocco. I have a bunch of inspirational crafting links in my delicious or you can check out the Make Crafts archives. Crafster.org and get crafty are good sites too. Get your friends together and make something from a crafts book or learn how to make something yourself with a kit. I like Jenny Hart's Stitch-it Kit, a simple way to get you started on your first hip embroidery tea towel project.
Instead of shopping, start crafting! Make Black Friday your own DIY Friday and feed your creative soul. Homemade has never felt so good.
