I never really did get the nesting bug towards the end of either of my pregnancies. I wonder if it’s because I’m always kind of nesting? Working on projects, houses, cooking? So I didn’t feel the need? Perhaps.

But now? Nesting. Big-time. No, huge time…

Some things I’m working on…

My second knitting lesson. My first was a smashing success. I learned the basics, and then for the next hour of the ninety minute session, I was officially in a ‘stitch ‘n bitch’ with my instructor. My next lesson? Reading patterns. And then I’m on my way. Thus far, I have two scarves under my belt and a pair of socks just calling my husband’s name. You can say I’m hooked. In fact, I’m so hooked that it’s all I think about all day long. So it goes without saying that I’m really into this website right now, Knit & Tonic. And I’m also into the author of the website’s book, “Custom Knits.” My first project will be the Drive-Thru sweater, for one of the girls. Well, my first real project. And my second project? The Somewhat Cowl sweater. The answer to my sweater dreams. Seriously, in this sweater, I’m going to be Miss Sweater Girl. I’m so excited, I can barely sleep at night. Seriously, there is nothing more incredible for the soul than a really satisfying hobby. And this? Knitting? It’s mine. It’s now mine. And I’m not letting it go. (And might I just add here that if I’d known sooner how simple knitting was? I’d have taken this craft up eons ago. Really. It is not difficult. Not by a long-shot.)

I’ve also pulled my sewing machine back out from the depths of the laundry room cabinets. The cabinets above the sink. I was mostly reeled back in by a blog that I stumbled onto on The Purl Beehive, a resting spot for the many incredible crafting websites out there. You don’t need a membership to peruse the many good reads. The one that caught my eye was “Katie Did.” She has a beautiful family and makes beautiful things for her beautiful family, and it was all so terrible inspiring to me that I can’t stop thinking about the beautiful things that I’m going to make for my own beautiful family. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. And did I mention beautiful? So, my husband gave me two books that I’m finding inspiring. One is “Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe,” and the other is “Sew U Home Stretch: The Built by Wendy Guide to Sewing Knit Fabrics.” Both books are for an advanced sewer, but as they say, practice makes perfect.

And then, there’s my stamping craze. I’m obsessed with Lena Corwin’s new book, “Printing by Hand: A Modern Guide to Printing with Handmade Stamps, Stencils, and Silk Screens.” I’m off to the art supply store tomorrow to stock up on printing supplies. And I have a long list of projects in my head, including hand-stamped onesies to give my friend who’s little girl is due next month – the one for whom I’m hosting the shower. Anyway, the book is gorgeous, and nothing, if not completely inspiring. I’ve been taking it to bed with me every night for a couple of months, dreaming of the projects I’m going to stamp and stencil. And then, this morning, I woke up, and I knew. I just knew. That tomorrow? Tomorrow was going to be the day.

I’m just feeling revitalized right now, at my newfound passion for making things with my own hands. It’s satisfying. Oh, so satisfying. There aren’t even words for me to describe just how very satisfying it is. Now, I’m writing lists for materials that I need. And projects that I’d like to try. Downloading knitting patterns and studying the patterns in my favorite sewing book. Which is in Japanese. But no matter. A pattern is a pattern is a pattern. And I’m going to get to sewing…

Just as soon as I return from the fabric store…