Joining the Center for Knit and Crochet Board of Directors: Creativity and Nonprofit Service Woven Together

Ideas and Inspiration

BY WENDY TOWNLEY

There are opportunities that make sense professionally. Others speak directly to something you love personally. And every once in a while, you get one that does both.

My crafty opportunities continue this year. I’ve recently been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Center for Knit and Crochet.

For me, joining the Center for Knit and Crochet board brings together two parts of my life that have been important to me for many years: my love of creativity and my passion for serving nonprofit organizations.

My Love of Knitting — Even With Limited Skills

I should probably clarify something right away: I am a longtime knitter. I am not, however, an especially accomplished knitter.

My knitting skills are fairly limited, and I am perfectly comfortable admitting that. I enjoy knitting scarves and coasters, and occasionally those projects become gifts for friends and family. I’m not sitting at home casually producing elaborate sweaters while watching Netflix.

But that’s also part of what I love about knitting. Creativity doesn’t require us to become experts before we’re allowed to enjoy it. Sometimes we can simply make something because the process itself feels good.

A recent trio of cozy lap blankets I knitted (and later gifted) in a variety of quiet hues.

Knitting Gives Me Permission to Slow Down

I find knitting relaxing. There is something about the repetition of the stitches, the feel of the yarn in my hands, and watching something slowly take shape that helps me settle into the moment.

For me, that process matters just as much as the finished scarf or coaster.

I’ve talked often through Wendy Crafts about the role creativity can play in our lives. Making something tangible with our hands gives us an opportunity to slow down, focus, and create simply for the pleasure of creating.

Knitting gives me that space. And then, occasionally, I actually finish something. (Which is always a bonus!)

And Then There Is the Yarn

Anyone who enjoys fiber arts probably understands this part.

I love shopping for yarn. Maybe a little too much.

There are so many colors, textures, and possibilities sitting together on those shelves. I can walk into a store intending to buy yarn for one very specific project and suddenly find myself considering colors for projects that do not even exist yet.

The creative process begins long before I cast on the first stitch. Choosing colors, imagining combinations, and wondering what something might eventually become are all part of the experience for me. And sometimes the possibility is every bit as enjoyable as the project itself.

Why the Center for Knit and Crochet Matters

The Center for Knit and Crochet is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, art, craft, and scholarship surrounding knitting, crochet, and related fiber arts.

Its work reaches beyond simply celebrating beautiful handmade objects. CKC is building digital collections and educational resources while creating opportunities for makers, historians, scholars and fiber enthusiasts to learn from one another and preserve the stories connected to these crafts.

That matters to me. The things we make carry stories. They can tell us something about the person who made them, the family or community they came from, the time in which they were created, and sometimes even the circumstances that made creating them necessary.

A handmade piece can be practical. It can be beautiful. It can become a gift. And it can become part of history.

A November 2025 WIP (work in progress) aboard Amtrak’s California Zephyr, somewhere between Omaha and Chicago.

Where My Nonprofit Work Meets My Creative Life

My appointment to the CKC Board also feels meaningful because nonprofit service has been such an important part of my professional life – most recently, wrapping up a nearly twelve-year tenure as executive director of the Omaha Public Library Foundation.

Behind every mission are people doing the very practical work of building relationships, raising funds, engaging board members, communicating with donors, developing programs, and thinking carefully about what comes next.

My passion for supporting nonprofit organizations remains as strong today as ever.

Serving on the Center for Knit and Crochet Board gives me an opportunity to bring that experience into an organization whose mission also connects with something I personally enjoy.

I may never be the most technically gifted knitter in the room. And that’s OK.

I understand nonprofits. I understand the importance of service. And I understand why preserving opportunities for creativity and connection matters. There’s something powerful about bringing those things together.

Creativity Doesn’t Require Perfection

One of the messages I return to often with Wendy Crafts is that creativity belongs to all of us.

You don’t need an elaborate craft room. You don’t need the most expensive supplies. And you certainly don’t need expert-level skills.

You just need a willingness to begin.

Knitting has been one of those creative practices for me. I enjoy the colors. I enjoy the yarn. I enjoy the repetitive process of making something stitch by stitch.

And I love that something made quietly with my own hands can eventually become a gift for someone I care about.

That’s enough. More than enough, actually.

Perusing the overflowing yarn pile at Craftcation 2026 in Ventura, California. The craft supply pop-up shop was hosted by Propagate Studio in support of their nonprofit work. (Bless them!) And that’s my friend shopping for yarn!

Upcoming Center for Knit and Crochet Events

One of the wonderful ways CKC brings the fiber community together is through its Virtual Craft Circle, an online gathering featuring artists, scholars, authors, historians, teachers, entrepreneurs, activists, and others contributing to the world of knitting and crochet.

Several Virtual Craft Circle programs remain on the 2026 calendar. Learn more about these featured creatives and how to register.

September 27, 2026 — Lexi Keogh: Knitwell

October 25, 2026 — Austin Rivers: Knit the Rainbow

November 22, 2026 — Sarah Pedlow: Arraiolos Carpets of Portugal

December 20, 2026 — Akeen Kidder, Yarn Art Guy

These virtual programs offer an opportunity not only to learn, but also to connect with people who appreciate the history, creativity, and community surrounding fiber arts.

Join the Center for Knit and Crochet

If you love knitting or crochet — whether you’ve been practicing for decades or, like me, happily operate within a more limited collection of knitting skills — I hope you’ll take a little time to explore the Center for Knit and Crochet.

An annual membership is currently just $10, while a sustaining membership is $35. Membership provides access to CKC’s Virtual Craft Circle programs while supporting the organization’s work to preserve and share the history and creativity of knitting and crochet.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve this organization and excited to see where this next chapter leads. And yes, I imagine there will be yarn involved.

Learn more and become a member of the Center for Knit and Crochet at www.centerforknitandcrochet.org

Fluttering Inspiration: What Are Some Good Butterfly Card Ideas?

Ideas and Inspiration

Handmade Butterfly Cards for Spring & Summer

Aren’t butterflies just the most delightful creatures? They flutter and flit about all spring and summer, bringing a sense of joy and wonder to the garden. We can capture that same wonder and joy at our crafting tables with butterfly cards!

At Wendy Crafts, I believe in the power of creativity to uplift and inspire, and what better way to express that than through the delicate beauty of butterflies? It warms my heart to share some ideas for bringing their beauty to life in your butterfly cards.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned creator, there’s something for everyone in the world of butterfly cardmaking ideas.

Discovering Delightful Butterfly Card Ideas

Just as spotting a butterfly in nature can brighten your day, creating a butterfly card can bring a spark of happiness to both the maker and the receiver. There are so many wonderful ways to capture their playful, ethereal essence on paper, from the simplest of designs to more intricate creations.

Let’s explore some ideas that might just inspire your next butterfly card making adventure!

Simple & Elegant Butterfly Card Ideas

Sometimes, the most beautiful things are the easiest to create. When time is short or you simply prefer a clean and classic look, these simple cards with butterflies are just perfect:

The Beauty of Pre-Cuts: You can find pre-cut butterflies in a delightful array of papers and even as sweet little stickers. Just imagine layering a few delicate paper butterflies in soft pastel hues onto a crisp white cardstock—instant elegance!
The Magic of a Simple Stamp: There’s something so charming about a simple butterfly outline or silhouette stamped onto a card. You can use your favorite inks—perhaps a soft gray for a touch of understated beauty or a vibrant color to really make it pop! It’s a lovely way to create sophisticated, minimalist butterfly greeting card ideas that still carry a heartfelt message.
Washi Tape Wonders: Washi tape is like a little ribbon of possibility! Butterfly-themed washi tape can add such a whimsical touch to your cards. You can create borders and butterfly trails or even use them to outline a butterfly shape. It’s a fun and easy way to add a bit of flair to your butterfly card-making.
Keeping it Minimalist: Sometimes, a single, perfectly placed butterfly is all you need. Imagine a beautifully die-cut butterfly in a contrasting color on a simple cardstock. It speaks volumes without being fussy. These minimalist butterfly greeting card ideas are often the most impactful.

Exploring Handmade Butterfly Cards

For those of us who find joy in the process of creating something unique with our own hands, handmade butterfly cards offer a rewarding crafting experience. Here are some other ways to explore butterfly card making:

The Art of Paper Piecing: Paper piecing is like putting together a little puzzle of paper to create a layered design. Butterfly wings are just perfect for this! You can choose different patterned papers or coordinating solids for each section of the wing, building up a dimensional butterfly. It adds a lovely texture and depth to your cards with butterflies.
Bringing Butterflies to Life with Color: Don’t be afraid to get your hands inky or paint-splattered! Coloring your stamped or die-cut butterflies with markers, watercolors, or even colored pencils can bring them to life in a beautiful way. Adding a little shading along the edges can give them dimension and make them feel like they’re about to take flight on your handmade cards.
Adding a Little Sparkle and Shine: Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle? A touch of glitter on butterfly wings can catch the light so beautifully! And tiny gems or pearls added along the body or wing details can give your butterfly card a touch of elegance.

Unique Butterfly Card Ideas for Special Occasions

Butterflies seem to carry a message of hope and joy, making them perfect for many different occasions. Here are some butterfly card ideas tailored for those special moments:

Celebrating Birthdays with Fluttering Fun: For birthdays, let’s make things bright and cheerful! Imagine a cascade of vibrant butterfly die-cuts fluttering across the card front, maybe even layered with some fun birthday greetings. It’s a wonderful way to create a celebratory greeting card.
Offering Comfort with Gentle Wings: In times of sorrow, a delicate butterfly can symbolize hope and transformation. Soft, muted colors and a single, gracefully placed butterfly on a sympathy card can convey a sense of peace and comfort in a handmade card.
Expressing Gratitude with Graceful Accents: For thank you cards, a subtle butterfly detail can add a touch of elegance. Placing a small butterfly die-cut tucked into a corner or a delicate stamp near your message is a lovely way to create a refined butterfly card.
Sending Uplifting Thoughts with Fluttering Friends: A thinking of you card with cheerful colors and an uplifting butterfly design can bring a little bit of sunshine to someone’s day. The recipient will love seeing a few butterflies seemingly taking flight across your handmade card.
Welcoming New Life with Sweet Butterflies: For baby shower cards, sweet and gentle butterflies in pastel shades are just adorable. You could pair them with other baby-themed elements for a truly precious butterfly card idea.

The Magic of Butterfly Pop-Up Cards

Butterfly pop-up cards are a most delightful surprise! When the recipient opens the card and a beautiful butterfly seems to flutter to life, it sends a message of joy.

The clever mechanics behind a butterfly pop-up card are fascinating! There are so many ingenious ways to make those beautiful wings seem to flutter to life. Some of the simpler methods involve carefully folding the butterfly’s wings and then attaching its little body to a center panel that gently rises when the card is opened.

Then there are the more intricate designs, which can create a dynamic fluttering motion—almost as if a real butterfly has landed right on the card! Creating pop-up cards might seem intimidating at first, but don’t let that deter you! It’s a fun and rewarding technique to learn, and the surprise it brings to the recipient is priceless!

Incorporating Different Materials in Your Butterfly Cards

Don’t limit yourself to just paper! There’s a whole world of card making supplies and materials that can add such a unique and personal touch to your butterfly cards.

The Ethereal Beauty of Vellum: With its translucent quality, vellum is just perfect for creating delicate butterfly wings. Layering vellum over colored cardstock creates a beautiful, almost stained-glass effect on your handmade butterfly cards.
Adding Texture with Fabric Scraps: Using fabric scraps or embroidery to create a butterfly adds a lovely tactile element to your cards. Imagine a butterfly made of soft felt or delicate lace! Details like these add wonderful dimension to your butterfly cards.
Bringing in Nature with Dried Elements: For a truly unique touch, consider incorporating dried flowers and leaves around your butterfly designs. It creates a beautiful, natural feel to your butterfly greeting card.

Tips for Stunning Butterfly Card Making

Through my own crafting journey, I’ve discovered that the little details can truly elevate a project. To make your butterfly cards truly shine, here are a few little tips I’ve learned along the way.

Play With Color

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different color combinations! Think about how the colors make you feel—bright and cheerful, or soft and serene? Let your emotions guide your choices for your handmade butterfly cards.

Consider Size and Placement

The size and where you place your butterflies on the card can make a big difference. A single large butterfly can be a beautiful focal point, or a scattering of smaller ones can create a sense of movement on your butterfly card.

Good Cardstock is Crucial

Using a good quality cardstock as your base makes a difference in how your finished card looks and feels. It provides a sturdy foundation for all your lovely butterfly creations.

Make Sure Everything is Clean and Precise

Taking a little extra time to ensure your cuts are clean and your gluing is neat will impact the quality of your butterfly card-making. Precision makes your cards look more professional.

Start Making Your Fluttering Creations!

From the simplest stamped butterflies to the delightful surprise of a butterfly pop-up card, there are many wonderful ways to capture the beauty and symbolism of these amazing creatures in your paper creations. There’s such joy in giving and receiving a thoughtful butterfly greeting card, a little handmade piece of happiness.

Have fun and let your creativity take flight!

At Wendy Crafts, I genuinely believe in the power of crafting and how it can offer healing, build community, and spread joy. Be sure to check out the rest of my website for more handmade card and paper craft ideas!