

Here I am learning to make gnocchi from scratch. More of this type stuff coming to the blog...
It’s been over a year since I have posted on A Handmade Story. This year, I chose to complete a new goal. I decided to walk down an entirely new path within myself that was God-centered. Three years ago, I went through a situation that changed my life forever! Maybe, one day, I will share my story so others can relate. That situation in my life is what brought me to where I am now. My life today is like a moving train run by God. He’s the only person I go to when I need assistance. This past year, life has changed. I decided 2025 would be the year I take care of Jodi! I was always tied to many life goals and sought every goal regardless of how hard it was. I never gave up on life and did not feel sorry for myself. I knew my struggles and pushed through them all at my own pace. I was also someone who spent years helping others and putting myself last. I lost my grandma back in May of 2023. I knew that she was in a better place in heaven with God. I was at peace when she passed away at 101 just shy of turning 102. After my grandmother’s passing, something inside spearheaded this beautiful journey and creative idea that I wanted my life to be a complete makeover. If I were to go down this new path, I would make the changes necessary that God had in store for me.
Think of it as a DIY project. Somedays are a complete failure, and other days are a complete success. I was at a marriage retreat recently, and the priest said marriage is like a DIY project. Life is like a do-it-yourself project. When you put the work in, you get to see the exceptional results come through. The entire year after my grandma’s passing, I took time off. I continued to work on myself, my home, and my marriage. It was the best thing for me! Recently, I had to put down my cat Garfield. He gave me the strength to keep going! He, himself as a baby fitting in the palms of my hands had the strength to live. In many ways, I dedicate this blog to several special people in my life. To my creative Italiano grandma who loved to sew, cook, bake, and learn to use the computer at age 60 when she decided to return to work at the church.
To all my grandma’s cards; and notes she made on her old desktop computer and to the love she had, for all things stationery. I also dedicate my blog to my grandma’s in-laws who immigrated from Italy. To my great-grandma from Genova, Italy, who made pasta and ravioli from scratch, in her tiny kitchen in her granny flat in North Beach. To my dad’s father who was a chemist. He loved playing the piano, painting, and doing photography. To his father, my great-grandfather who also loved to paint and loved the piano as well. I also dedicate this blog to Grandma’s Italiano friend and neighbor, who; was a firefighter and a carpenter.
For his love, devotion, and words, “It’s not goodbye, it sees you later”. For his love of woodworking and building, all things out of wood, up until the age of 102, before he passed a year later. Lastly, I dedicate this blog to my nineteen-year-old, cat Garfield. He let me know how much I loved him right after he was put down. May he no longer be in any pain! May he live the best life in heaven! From one beautiful home to another Mr. Garfield, I love you! Very last, I dedicate A Handmade Story to God! For he has loved me since birth and I have loved him all my life. May he sow the fruits of my labor…
“2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”
In the last few years, I have been putting in all this hard work and have seen all these godly results. It has been the most rewarding DIY project in my life. I also have made many changes and feel inspired to work on my blog. 2025 is now my year, I want to grow A Handmade Story! I need your help! I ask that you spread the word, share my content on social media, follow me on this blog by subscribing to my future blog emails, and follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Also, take the time to look around this blog! I could use some clicks! Feel free to critique my work! Like the little boy in the Carrot Seed book who wanted his little plant to grow, too I want A Handmade Story to grow from this tiny seed. I welcome all the feedback because it will only make me push harder to make this blog come to life.
Right after my wedding in May 2012, I wanted to share my $10,000 under-wedding story to show people that you didn’t need money to make your wedding look like it cost $30,000 or more. I never knew what to do or how to share my story online. I had no idea how to make that dream a reality. I started doing several years’ worth of online research. I would watch YouTube blog videos or read blogs. I also started looking up questions about blogging. I started saving everything on my Pinterest and YouTube, accounts. I started following seasoned bloggers. I learned more about their online career in blogging. I started learning about WordPress, the number one blogging platform bloggers use. In 2025, I want to see this blog start to take off! I always hear people talk about creating a vision board. In this exciting new year, one of my vision board goals will be focusing on growing A Handmade Story. If you are joining in on this blog and are along for the new ride, I welcome you to A Handmade Story! I am back and going to make this dream a reality!
P.S. Be on the lookout for a dedication page with photos coming soon of those whom have a special place in my heart! 💜
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1 Timothy 4:15 – “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.”
“Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.“—Babe Ruth
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
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