about me

I am the second oldest of a family of six but the first girl born to the Soto familia.  I grew up in a humble two-bedroom one-bath home in Salinas, California.  It was there, in a tiny family room, squished between my mom and sisters or maybe brother, on a couch Nana handed down to us, I observed Mom magically turn a ball of yarn and hook into a blanket.  I was hooked, literally!  Mom patiently taught me, her 9 year old daughter, how to make a single chain and a double crochet stitch.  I was HORRIBLE and that’s an understatement!  Embarrassingly, I gifted my sisters with the most hideous and very stiff looking scarfs.  (To my friends who received a nice looking scarf, I didn't make it. I begged Mom to make it for me.  Phew, I feel better for telling the truth.)  My sisters still joke about the awful gifts I gave them for Christmas.  

Fast forward to 2010 and I have completed my undergraduate degree in occupational therapy at San Jose State University and working for a respectable company in Santa Cruz County.  Unfortunately, my hours were cut and I was no longer able to work for the company.  I was at a loss for income, so I moved back in with Mom, sold my car, eliminated a cell phone bill and asked my neighbors if I could work for their cleaning business.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner was served and the only item on the menu was humble pie, without milk to wash it down!  

I thank God for the experience.  He took away all distractions from me.  He put me in a position where I had to depend on Him, alone.  I suppose, I could have continued in the same road map I set out for my life: a freethinking, independent woman.  For me, the feminist culture was like the King of Sodom.  The culture could say, "I made Natalie rich!" or I could have faith like Abram and trust God will take care of me.  I chose God and I've never been more content in all my life.  I now understand when the Apostle Paul says, 

          I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content 

          whatever the circumstances.  Phillipians 4:11 (NIV)

I honed in on my craft.  I spent hours at the library learning different stitches, watched many youtube videos, and bought the cheapest yarn I could possibly afford.  To be honest, I surprised myself.  I couldn't believe how much better I had gotten.  I would show my friends and family different items I crochet and they encouraged me to start my own business.  Alas, cute as a button was birthed.  God is good!     

Stay with me, follow me, and subscribe to this blog.  In the end, God will get the glory and you will be cute as a button! :)