From Dragonfly: Creative Projects

I mentioned in an earlier post about things we can do to keep ourselves occupied. One of those items are creative projects. The most popular projects I see are crocheting blankets, locker organizers, and pillow cases. I have never held a crochet hook in my life, but yesterday someone gave me a plastic hook. My goal is to learn a basic stitch, so that I can make myself a locker organizer. I am leaning on others for the bed blanket right now.

Locker organizers are made of plastic needle point backing that is cut and stitched in different ways to make pockets for items - such as pens, medication, notes, brush, etc. Every locker organizer looks different. At the top of the organizer a crocheted hanger is made to go around the top of the locker (holding it in place). The locker closes with the organizer placed inside the locker so everything is locked up safe.

In order to have any of these items, we have to fill out a project form at indoor rec. It is a simple form, but if you have a blanket or a locker organizer or a crocheted stuffed animal, etc and do not get the permit, they can be confiscated. It's so interesting to see what projects people make. I especially love the crocheted stuffed animals. Inmates send them home to their kids.

Another popular project is paining mugs/jugs. The true artists among us (not me) do this. We see mugs with Hello Kitty, Winnie the Pooh, Betty Boop, realistic self portraits, and much more painted on mugs and jugs. The jugs are HUGE and hold like 64oz of liquid. It's amazing the creativity some inmates have in making their beds and, even, their mugs look personal and special.

I have a water bottle that has my name on it written in bubble paint. That is the extent of my creativity SO FAR. However, I intend to leave here with the full bed set and locker organizers and I intend for at least most of it being done by yours truly. We will see how this turns out... I may have the holiest blanket on the unit!