Happy Friday y’all! Whose ready for Teadoddles Talks #5? It’s finally back! I missed doing an interview in January because there was just too much happening to get it together. Today’s interview is with a lovely, crafty lady I found when looking for a crocheted pumpkin pattern. Let’s see who’s talking today!
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Today I’m talking with Cynthia Banessa! Cynthia is a crafter after my own heart! She loves to dabble in all sorts of crafts from fiber arts to paper & paint. I found Cynthia’s wonderful crocheted pumpkin pattern {featured in Homespun magazine Oct 2017!} & made a plethora of pumpkins one fall. Cynthia has all sorts of fun projects – and recipes – over on her blog. Let’s find out more about Cynthia!
This interview was conducted over a series of emails. I sent her a list of questions & she sent me answers & photos. I will have my questions {Q}, her answers {A}, & my response to her answers {R}. Anything I’ve added in the answers, like references, looks like this {added}
Cynthia’s Family & Everyday Life
Q: Tell us about your large, wonderful family!
A: With pride I can tell you first that I love my large family. I’m a mother of 6 grown kids, 4 girls (a set of twins) and 2 boys. My oldest son will be 44 next month and my youngest son just turn 34 years old. Also, I’m a grandmother of four young men. My eldest grandson is 24 and my youngest is 13.
R: Wow! I’m sure life was very interesting with 6 kids in the house. I only had a brother & we didn’t always get along. I think it would have been nice to have a sister too. ; )
Q: How do you balance family life & blogging life?
A: Well, my life these days is free to do what I want, when I want (no restraints). Since all my kids are grown. I’m on my own. Back in the day I was the cook, nurse, taxi, teacher, etc. those days are long gone.
R: Sounds fabulous! My son is off to college, but I still have a commitment to my teaching job. One day I hope to have as much free time as you! : )
Craft Love
Q: What inspires you to create?
A: To create is just part of my nature. I get a thrill in creating and I love to seeing the handiwork of others. I’ve been a crafter for over 20 years. I love to sew, knit, draw, woodwork, paint, embroider, cross stitch, crochet, upholstery, name it I love it
R: I certainly know this feeling! Creating something new & seeing others creations is thrilling for me as well!
Q: Do you have a craft you prefer over the others?
A: I guess I can say I prefer crochet over the others, but drawing and painting is really close behind.
R: I’d have a hard time picking too! Usually it just depends on what mood I’m in.
Q: Do you try your designs out on paper first or do you make something then sort of reverse engineer it?
A: If I’m not using someone else’s pattern. I design on paper first.
R: I try to start with a sketch first as well. This has proven harder for me when it comes to crochet because I get excited about what I’m making & forget to write down the steps!
Q: Favorite color?
A: When there are so many colors to choose from, I think that the question should be “What are your favorite colors?”. My favorite colors are green, blue and pink in every hue.
R: I love this answer! I tend to like groups of colors as well, so maybe I should change the question. : D
Crafting History
Q: Who taught you crochet, sew, etc.?
A: During the time our family was station in Germany (30 years ago). I meet this wonderful Hispanic lady that crocheted, and I ask her to show me how to crochet and she taught me patiently the basics of crocheting and from there I was hooked. I build on that basic knowledge going to the library and checking out crochet books. I taught myself to knit, paint and draw. My husband taught me woodworking. He keeps me supplied with tools, hammer, screw drivers, saws, etc. I think I have as many tools as he does. Back in the day before the internet, books were my go to in learning anything that I wanted to learn. Now days books are still my go to, besides the internet.
R: That sounds like a wonderful way to learn crochet! My memaw taught me some basic stitches but I learned the rest on my own. Sounds like we learn in a similar way as well! I read everything in sight & that’s how I learn most new things – from books. My dad would be the one with all the cool woodworking tools, but he lets me use them as long as he can help too!
Q: Do you listen to or watch anything while sewing? If so, what?
A: When I really need to focus on what I’m doing, I don’t listen to or watch anything. During the time that I don’t need to concentrate as hard. I catch up on shows I have recorded, listen to an audio book or watch news, while crafting.
R: This is something I’m learning to do. Keeping it quiet when I really need to concentrate. Although, I find music does tend to help me get in a rhythm!
Q: How about sewing snacks?
A: Sometimes I snack and when I do, I snack on walnuts and fruits.
R: Good snacks! Sometimes I reach for healthy things too, but not always. : )
More About Cynthia
Q: I see that you enjoy gardening, so what does your garden grow?
A: I love to garden, we have one raised garden and I can’t grow much because it’s about an 8×10 box. The vegetables we put in our little garden are jalapeno peppers, green peppers, tomatoes and mustard greens and for the last 2 years I’ve planted white potatoes in my flower garden. This year I bought a tall plastic container to grow potatoes, looking forward this fall on how many potatoes I’ll get from this method.
R: I enjoy gardening as well. My flower gardens around my house have become a combination of vegetables & flowers. I had a larger garden – 36′ x 90′ – but it has become overgrown from neglect. I just don’t have the time for that size garden at the moment. I’d love to know how many potatoes you yield as well. Something I’d like to try one day!
Q: Any other hobbies?
A: As I’ve mention before, there isn’t a craft that I haven’t tried. At this moment I’ve been doing a lot of drawing and watercolor painting
R: I’ve dabbled in quite a few different crafts myself. Right now, knitting is what I’m trying to conquer!
Q: Where all have you traveled?
A: I’ve been to El Paso, Arkansas, Tennessee, Germany, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Belgium, Germany, Bahamas, California, South/North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, Mexico, Kentucky. Some of the places I’ve listed is because we were a military family. My husband will be retiring soon and hopefully I can add to this list.
R: You’ve been to my state – Georgia! It must have been really interesting living in different places throughout the years. I’m too much of a homebody to travel much, but maybe one day I’ll see more of the world.
Q: I see Keurig tips on your website, so I’m assuming you’re a coffee drinker! What’s your perfect cup taste like?
A: I drink at least one cup of coffee every morning, sometimes I use the Keurig and sometimes I use a percolator. My perfect cup of coffee is a mild blend with a teaspoon of sugar and cream.
R: I’ve never used a percolator before, but I do enjoy my Keurig. I tend to put more cream than sugar in my cup & prefer a stronger brew.
Q: Future Plans?
A: My future plan is to find a home with at least 2 acres of land (need more space to garden).
R: That sounds wonderful!
In Conclusion
I really enjoyed learning more about Cynthia & I hope y’all did too! Here’s where you can find Cynthia & connect:
