The group of creative women was formed about 12 years ago, and has been going strong ever since.
Crafts on the go range from knitting and crocheting, to cross-stitching and plastic canvas, to taking old clothing apart in order to reuse material for something new.
“Generally there's a big variety of projects, people do a lot of different things,” says Barb Foley, a member from the beginning.
Sitting with a large group of women, all with their own varied crafts, certainly comes in handy when anyone has a question about their own project.
“If somebody's trying to start something new and isn't sure what to do, somebody here will always be able to step in and help them out,” says Foley.
“The sharing aspect of it is really amazing,” adds Bev Stewart, another original member. “If you name it, we've done it.”
Although it is a time to work away at ongoing projects, Foley says everyone’s favourite part about the group is probably visiting with the other members.
“That's the big thing that brings people back, the social aspect,” she says. “It doesn't matter if we have three or four, or 20 people, it works. It's always great because we can just sit and visit and chat.”
Despite busying themselves with a quilt for a grandchild, a sweater for a great-grandchild, or some socks for a friend, most of the group also has time for other fun activities.
“The first Wednesday of every month we go out for lunch, and the last Wednesday of every month we play games,” says Stewart. “Once every other year we also have an auction, auctioning off some of the stuff we make.”
The group is always open to new members. Although the gatherings are in the church, it is not a Milton Christian Church project. Stewart says church members did start the group, but it was created for anyone to come.
“It's a community thing. Right on the onset that was the point, to have something that anybody could feel comfortable coming,” says Stewart. “A lot of us belong to the church, but there's a lot of us who don't. Not even half of us are from this church.”
The group goes pretty much all year round, so anyone aspiring to be a Crafty Critter can “just show up” Wednesday morning at 10:30.
