Insperational Interview- Melissa Harding

This woman is sheer genious. She had the idea to create a platform for creative women all over the world. A ten week craft compititon, where crafters go head to head as weekly competitors. The concept is so popular that it is headed into it's third session. Her blog, So You Think Your Crafty, is hugely inspirational. I was honored to work with her early this year and remain a huge fan of hers. Her answers to my questions are lovely. What a treat!

1. How did you choose the name of your business and or blog?
I toyed around with the names of a lot of reality TV show titles.  I wanted it to be something that people would immediately pick up the point of what the blog was. When I got to So You Think You're Crafty (and it was available!) I knew I had it.

2. What is your morning ritual?
Seeing as I am NOT a morning person I usually wake up long enough to kiss my husband goodbye then stay in bed until I can hear my little girl yell for me to come get her.  Then we come downstairs and I get her some breakfast and milk while she watches an episode of "Dinosaur Train" and I check my email.  Then we'll play until she gets sick of me.  That's my cue to start cleaning the kitchen.

3. What inspires you?
I know it's cliche, but everything around me.  A beautiful day, my faith, the success of a loved one, the amazingly talented women that I come in contact with through my blog...everything!

4. What is a little know fact about yourself?
My Grandpa taught me how to dribble a basketball when I was 3 and I got hooked!  I even quit my dance classes when I was a little older so that I could join a basketball team.

5. What is the furthest destination that you have traveled to from the United States?
When I was 14 my Dad and Grandparents took me to Australia for 2 weeks. I loved it!! Looking back I realize that I may not have appreciated it as much then as I would if I were to go now.  Maybe I'll put it on my "To Do" list :)

6. What was your intention in starting your blog?
I wanted to do something fun to share all the talent that I was coming across while blog stalking.  You people really are amazing!  I was truly inspired and wanted others to be too.  I honestly didn't think it would become much, just a small forum for crafty folk.  I'm humbled by the response I've received.

7. What is your favorite color?
I love Green. Any shade, tone or hue.

8. Greatest influence?
My Mom.  She was a truly inspirational woman to me, and everyone around her.  She suffered with breast cancer for about 10 years before she passed away when I was 20.  During all those years I never once heard her complain.  Not once.  Even when the pain was so bad we couldn't touch her she still had a smile.  She continued to serve others in our community, to teach and care for her family and friends and share her inner strength with everyone right to the end.  She is the one that introduced me to a love of knowledge, and to art and daily encouraged my talents.  She was always reading something and our home was full of paintings and cross-stitches that she had created.  She was a shining example of everything that is right and good and I thank God everyday that I was blessed to be raised by her.

9. Earliest childhood memory?
I was probably 2 or 3 and my Aunt Penny and Uncle Dane had come to visit us in Utah from California around Christmas time.  They gave me and my siblings a stack of Children's World Books and a sled.  All I remember is my aunt pulling me around in the backyard while I laid in the sled and looked at the pictures in my new book.

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?
You bet I do!  My husband and I met on a blind date and were engaged within a month and a half.  We've been married for almost 4 years now and I've just fallen more in love everyday :)

11. Everyday must have?
My shiny new camera. I decided to try my hand at the whole "Project 365" thing and I'm addicted.  I am by no means a professional (I am taking classes though), but I love to have a record of the small daily things that happen in our little family, not just the big events.

12. Lucky number?
It's always been 3.  I'm not sure why. It's never brought me luck before, but I love it so it will continue to be my lucky number.

13. Hopes for your future in both business and your personal life?
I would love to have a large (meaning 4 or 5 kids) family.  I would love to finally be done with school (my husband is getting ready to start Grad school here pretty soon) and be settled near family.  I would also love to always be able to make the time to continue sharing all the talents that are contained in blog land.

14. Run, walk or skip?
I like a nice leisurely walk on a beautiful day myself.  My husband, on the other hand, loves to run (long distances too...lunatic) while my little girl enjoys a good skip.  So I guess my household has it all.

15. If you could live your life again, knowing what you know at this very moment, what would you do differently?
Pay more attention to how my parents handled things while running the household and raising us kids.  They have done an amazing job and I wish I had taken notes on how to better emulate that success.