1. I love needlework. I sew, I crochet, I embroider.

2. When I was pregnant with Crabgirl, I learned how to embroider. When Dolphin was born I realized I would have to make a lot of clothes, so I got a sewing machine and a how-to book and taught myself

3. Over the years, sewing was a wonderful creative outlet for me, as well as a huge money saver. I progressed from mixing pieces of different patterns to making my own pattern pieces. When the girls got to the Barbie stage, I bought a pattern for Barbie clothes. I have a niece who still talks about the Barbie clothes I made for her.

4. I made most of the girls' clothes and my own for years, until they decided they wanted store-bought clothes. I explained that they would have about a third as many clothes, but they said they didn't care; they wanted to be like their friends. Funny, I always envied the girls I knew who had homemade clothes. I guess you always want what you don't have.

5. I took the girls at their word that they didn't want me to make their clothes any more. The first Christmas after we went to store-bought clothes, they looked at me, sticken, and said "You didn't make us anything!"

6. I had saved all the leftover fabric, and eventually I used it to make a quilt for Guppyman. For the backing, I used a sheet that I had taken to college, so all it cost me was a roll of cotton batting. I think the quilt eventually fell apart, but I know Guppy loved it because he still talks about it from time to time.

7. There was also a dress I made for Kritter when she was little that consisted of the leftover lining of a vest and fabric I had left from a skirt I made for Dolphin when she was in high school. In other words, it didn't cost a penny to make, but it was one of her favorite dresses.

8. In the 70's, when crochet got popular, I bought some yarn and a how-to book and taught myself. I guess this is my favorite craft. The physical act of doing it is very satisfying; it's quick; and you can make some wonderful gifts. I've never counted up all the afghans and baby blankets I've made, but I would guess somewhere over 50. I've given away all but 3 of those.

9. I am not a person who can sit still and do nothing. Although I love to travel, the getting-there part, where you sit for hours, is torture to me. I have always brought some sort of craft project along to pass the time.

10. It used to be that if I was on a full Southwest flight, with one empty seat on the whole plane, I could guarantee that the empty seat would be next to me. I would sit next to the window, pull out my embroidery, and sweep my arm over to the middle seat with every stitch. I promise you, no man dared sit down next to that!

11. Since 9/11, it's been much harder to find acceptable projects. Security is loosening up a little from the days when they took away a plastic needle, but you can't always predict what people will do. I carry blunt-tipped, kindergarten type scissors. They confiscated them in Japan!

12. My great-grandmother was an artist. I never met her, but I have some of her paintings and I feel like I know her because of them. None of that artistic talent came to me, yet I would really like to leave something tangible behind when I am gone. That is why I make things and give them away.

13. And, anyway, it's fun!