Hello!

My arms look broken!

My name is Christal. I love silly faces and random humor. I enjoy watching embarrassing home videos of me and my younger brother from when we were kids. It's kinda weird that I haven't changed that much. (I still like making strange noises and dancing in the living room) I am blessed to be married to an outrageously hunky animator. (That might be an oxymoron) We met as high school babies and here we are, nearly 10 years later...keepin the slumber party goin. We try to enjoy every day we are given. Actually we make up something to celebrate pretty much every week.

Technology Addicts

As an Army brat I spent most of my life on the move. But even as a grown up, I've kept that up. Most recently, moving has landed us in Southern California. Oh yeah. It's as sweet as Snoop said. Every move has been great in its own way though, and I know some pretty cool cats all over the country.

Ever since the macaroni necklace, I've been addicted to creating. Paint by number, fuzzy posters and coil pots, wheel throwin, oil paints and charcoals.  I love it all. But the needle and thread. Oh yeah...that's where it's at. It's crazy challenging to me (since I have a bit of an attention to detail problem) but I love that about embroidery. I like the idea of taking current//relevant//or just random imagery and using this antique technique to express that. It is definitely a craft I am still working at, and I have felt super privileged to share my pieces with people...all over the world! (i Sewpose hoops hangin in Singapore, Spain and beyond..woot!) Other than embroidery though, I'm still gettin to know my sewing machine better and the hubs and I are venturing into furniture makin and small amounts of gardening. There is something invaluable to me to about having my home filled with things that are handmade. My imperfectly handmade quilt is somehow so much cozier. Seriously. I also love to cook, which is good... because I love to eat.

Renegade Craft Fair LA 2012

When I'm not creating, I'm working as a behavior therapist with a really great agency that services children with different types of developmental disabilities. Our goal is all about inclusion. I work mostly with children that have autism, in mainstream/regular classrooms. We work on things like self regulation and social skills, but more importantly, making sure these kiddos have access to the same education and experiences as everyone else. I love this work. I've been working with kids and adults with various disabilities for 4-5 years now and I truly have a heart//passion for it. The kids I work with are really good at making me smile. And in the bigger picture, we are ALL better off when inclusion is a priority.

No summary of my life is complete without a picture of my dog, Oliver. He's my child. My very strange and unbelievably adorable child.

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; and that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13