If you couldn't guess yet, my name is Rachael. I have a crazy obsession with monkeys. That's me below with my sisters. The only one NOT wearing black to a wedding.
I graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Health Sciences. I am on the road to becoming an Occupational Therapist. I have a special place in my heart for special needs children. My goal is to open a large sensory center, with maybe a horse or two. I've found that when I discuss my career path/degree, I get two responses. "What a smart career path, you'll be so successful." or "Science. Fun. (Insert sarcasm here)." Well I am here to say, science is fun! Kidding... kinda. (Note: Hooking up your lab partner to heart monitors while his crush walks by is hilarious.)
I learned early on that I was a visual learner in a very technical, wordy world. I drew detailed and labeled pictures for my classes in the essay sections. My picture "essay" explaining the chemical breakdown of looking at a piece of paper telling the brain to pick up a chair with the left hand is my prized possession. With my visual learning process, it was no wonder I got so frustrated learning to sew and crochet. It takes me more time to figure out what is going on in the patterns than it does for me to make the project itself.
I finally watched enough people crocheting to learn the basics for a blanket project I had in mind. At the time, being a poor college student meant I saved every last scrap from the blanket. I had many pieces of yarn that I knew wouldn't make a scarf, straight lines being the only thing I had mastered. I saw an adorable flower I loved and decided trial and error would be my best friend. I looked at picture after picture and voila, my first flower was born. I knew if I could make use out of small strands of yarn, there must be more re-purposing to be done.
Hundreds of flowers, and several other projects later, I knew I was ready to start putting my stuff out there. Recycled by Rachael is one of the most exciting adventures I am embarking on. I hope you enjoy the ride.
And if you are still here reading, thank you. A few fun facts.
- I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. The brother is right smack in the middle of us girls.
- I love to travel. Driving long distances alone is quite relaxing.
- My family is like the real life babysitter's club. I have babysat for so many kids that whenever I go out in town, I always run into one of the fifty families I worked for.
- My piano teacher "fired" me because I wouldn't perform in her recital. True story.
- I had a fascination with peeling the paper off of crayons. I have hours of footage to prove it. Sometimes the urge comes back.
- If you haven't tried a plasma car, you don't know what you're missing out on. Yes, they are made for children. No, I don't care.
