My crafting journey began during childhood. I loved all things creative, but my favorite was drawing. For the longest time I thought I would grow up to be an artist (though at some point my drawing skills stopped progressing!). My mom taught me how to sew from a young age, but the first time I was bit by the sewing bug was in high school. For a class project, we each made a baby blanket to donate to a children's hospital. I fell in love with the whole process, but especially loved that my idea turned into a tangible object that could provide some sort of comfort for a family going through a hard time. At 16 I hadn't yet experienced that kind of struggle, but it felt like a big thing!  

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I'm not quite sure where I saw my first sensory tag blanket, but it just made sense that a baby would love the different silky and textured ribbons to rub and hold onto--just like my own kids liked the single tag on their cuddly blankets. I made my first set of tag blankets when I was pregnant with twins as a surrogate. They turned out so cute (so did the babies, who are now adults!). This started my passion for creating tag blankets for everyone I knew who was having a baby. Making something that provides comfort and security to a little one fills my soul with happiness.

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Of course, life gets busy when you have kids and a job and everything in-between, so my crafting days were few and far between for a long time. I'd pull the old sewing machine out of the closet when someone was going to have a baby or break out the craft supplies at the holidays to make homemade gifts, but there was a crafting void in my life. Then things turned dark.

 

I found myself in a very toxic second marriage and was told that my crafting and sewing was a waste of time and not even a real hobby. After years of hearing that, I stopped crafting. Thankfully with the help of a dear friend and my family, I was able to leave and start over. I joined a support group with other women who had gone through the same type of abuse and part of that support group was art therapy. We could choose any type of art supplies and make something related to the theme of that session. I struggled with reconnecting to the creative part of myself. That spark had been dimmed for so long it seemed impossible to find it again. After a few failed attempts at art therapy, I tried watercolors and it relit that creative spark!

 

I dove into learning about watercolor painting and then started looking back at some of the photos I'd taken for inspiration. I finally made some art out of my photos and have them hanging on my wall.  Then it was time to get back to my sewing and other crafts that I loved so dearly. After many years, I am finally in a place where I can take my passion and create beautiful items from a healed heart with the hope that it brings joy to someone else, maybe even at a time when they need it the most!

 

You may be wondering about the "Louie" in Louie and Me Creations. He is my very fluffy rock and has helped me get through many tough times. He is half Husky, half Samoyed, 99% heart, and a very big 1% sass! He was by my side when my son got sick with cancer as a teenager, twice (he's in remission and doing great!). He was by my side for the worst years of the toxic marriage and in the years since leaving. He makes me laugh every single day and fills my heart with joy. He's getting older and slowing down a bit, but he's still there for me, snuggling when I need it, making me laugh when I want to cry, and is always there by my side. I thought it was fitting to use his name to honor his love and support, especially since his love helped me heal so I could get to a place where I can share my passion and bring joy to others, just like he's brought to me.