Chronic New Hobby Addiction

Hello, my name is Jennifer, and I'm a New Hobby-aholic.  It has been 45 minutes since my last craft.

It's hard to tell when my addiction began.  Some would say that my divorce was probably the trigger.  Some would go back a little earlier and blame my sense of style and need to decorate on my gay ex-husband.  But I know I had only myself to blame.  I have an obsessive need to do things better than "store bought."  I always think I can do it in a different color, or design my own (fill in the blank), or make it smell nicer, make it taste better.

Sure, I had my enablers.  My current husband, who, when he sees me spreading yet another project over the dining room table right on top of an unfinished project, simply bites his lip hard enough to make it bleed.  He never complains.  He never puts his foot down.  He is always ready with a quick, "Wow, that's cool!" when I hold something up in front of his eyes or under his nose for approval.  Then there are the countless girlfriends who, upon receipt of yet another homemade gift, will ooh and aaah and tell me how creative and talented I am.

There was nothing I wouldn't try:  drawing, painting, crocheting, soap and candle making, card making, scrapbooking, baking...  I went through hobbies faster than I went through boyfriends in high school.  Remnants of abandoned projects still lurk in corners of rooms and countertops throughout the house.  I'm afraid to throw anything away in fear that I could use its components to make something else.  I stalk craft store sales, hoard supplies, and think that 32 different weights and types of paper is not nearly enough.

I know I have a problem.  Now excuse me, someone gave me a "Design Your Own Jewelry" kit as a prize at a baby shower...