Creative Modifications

"Surviving life’s plot twists with yarn, loud worship music, and a stubborn streak of hope."

Hello and howdy from Ontario, Canada — I’m glad you’ve found your way to this creative corner I’m building for my art and storytelling.

I hold diplomas in Visual Creative Arts & Design and Medical Office Administration, blending creativity with strong organizational skills while I continue seeking where God is leading me.

A lifelong maker, I knit, crochet, and explore fibre arts, support a Southern Ontario knitting group through communications, and volunteer creating social media content for Abbey Cats Adoptions.

My work is shaped by faith, resilience, and healing, and I’m currently developing a character-driven fictional world exploring identity, redemption, and hope in unexpected places.

recent posts

A Piece of Art, a Masterpiece of Dedication!

October 20, 2025

I just received the most incredible package in the mail, and I’m absolutely elated! You guys know I’m a huge admirer of truly dedicated artists, and the cross-stitch piece I commissioned is finally here. Honestly, pictures didn’t do it justice, but you can see a glimpse of its glory here.

The level of craftsmanship on this mothman knitting piece is simply breathtaking. The artist’s vision was clear from the start, and the execution is flawless. Seriously, look at the detail! A common challenge with cross-stitch can be tension—if it’s too loose or too tight, the whole image can look wonky, or the fabric can pucker. But this piece? The tension is perfect, giving the work a smooth, professional, and gallery-worthy finish. It’s a clear testament to the many, many hours of dedication she poured into every single stitch. You can tell she took loving care of it from start to finish.

Beyond the art itself, the entire experience was so incredibly smooth. Knot & Clay operates their business with such professionalism. I’m in Canada, and sometimes shipping internationally can be a bit of a headache, but the artist handled everything with such ease and competence. The packaging was secure, and it arrived in perfect condition, all thanks to her great effort in prepping it for the journey.

And the communication? Flawless! They kept me updated every step of the way, making the whole process of commissioning an original piece feel effortless and exciting. I truly want to send a massive thank you for her time, her incredible talent, and the fantastic customer service.

On Instagram at knot_clay_raisa & Shop

Now, for the cherry on top—the surprise extra gift!

She tucked in a lovely thank-you package that included a beautiful beaded key-chain with a vibrant geometric pattern, and some fun, festive Halloween-themed bracelets (hello, spooky season! 🎃).

Seriously, I was already so thrilled with the cross-stitch, but getting another piece of her gorgeous artwork—the key-chain—was just the sweetest gesture. I’m absolutely elated to have these little bonuses, and it just reinforces what an outstanding and thoughtful artist she is.

If you’re ever looking for a truly unique and high-quality piece of art, I can’t recommend her work enough. Now, I just have to figure out the perfect place to hang this stunning moth!

What do you guys think of the work? Have you ever commissioned a piece of art that totally exceeded your expectations?
Light and Addictive Projects to Ignite Your Creativity

October 15, 2025

Threw Things (when you’ve lost your mojo)

“Find something that is a little bit of a page turner”
● Addictive pieces, add on a little bit, one more sts game
● Always there laying around project
● Something that’s light.

“Don’t make it a performance”
● Not a lot of decisions
● A quick easy to win project
● All of supplies are there and handy
● A couple hours project
● As easy as possible and make it your own.
● Read a “book” you already have that you loved in the past.

“Make it something you REALLY want to the final project”
● That you can see the end result as that will carry you forwards
● A mistake to go back to the mending pile, the “shoulds” and the ones you will see progress in.
● Don’t do what is socially trending
● Don’t go to what has any shame or guilt to it.
● Go for the joy, quick wins a d page turners.
Finding My Rhythm, One Referral at a Time

September 26, 2025

Some days feel like a blur, but today was one of those cautiously good ones where I can actually see myself learning the ropes bit by bit. Today went by quickly and was, I’d say, cautiously good. I should have had to answer the phones, not the computer, which would greatly help me to ease into what is a common task on this job. I’m not sure how to switch calls over to AD professionally — do I just ask to put them on hold or transfer them? 🤷🏼‍♀️ That’s something I’ll figure out with a little more practice, I assume.
I spent more time processing referrals today, and it actually felt smoother than before. AD told me I did well — though she reminded me of the order to do them in. That means under Data→Letter then Edit→ Insert Stamp, then Tag one of the three women at the front desk who handle different body areas before I fax it out. A bit of a system, but I’m starting to get the hang of it, praise God!!
In the afternoon, I moved on to verifying or checking dictations (I think that’s what it’s called?). It’s basically trying to read all the abbreviations in each note block, spotting the “referral” usually near the top, and then confirming the “consent” — making sure the family doctor matches the referring doctor and that the procedure lines up. I had a little facepalm moment when I realized I’d forgotten that “pt” means “patient.” Can’t believe it took me this long to recall! Clearly, I need to dedicate some extra time to brushing up not just on medical terminology but also the shorthand and abbreviations.
At first, I felt confident about what she wanted me to find in the dictations, but halfway through the afternoon, I started second-guessing myself. It didn’t feel right that so many wouldn’t be completed… but honestly, with everything AD has to juggle, I’m surprised she gets anything done at all!
On another note, I did some quick math, and it looks like I’ll need about one more week and a day — maybe with an extra hour here or there — to hit my required 125 hours. Slowly but surely, I’m getting there.

Every day, I walk away with something new tucked under my belt — even if it’s just remembering that “pt” means patient. Progress is progress, and I’ll take it! 😁
The High Cost of Wellness and the Co-op Grind

September 25, 2025

Went to “Nourish” with BB & BG tonight after co-op, and while the information was very good, I definitely had a moment of intense learning. As PQ texted a few moments ago, “With BB, most of her advice is expensive”—and boy, did I notice that truth today. I mean, I don’t have cash lying around to drop on a slew of healthy supplements that would be so good for my system and go a long way to improving this meat sack I’m currently inhabiting.
With this recent diagnosis of “moderate arthritis” in my left knee, the doctor’s predictable advice to lose weight, and my general feelings about my mid-section, I know I must do something now. As they say in my favorite movie: It’s time to shit or get off the pot.

Nourish Flyer

Push Buttons and Pushing Product
The information session really stirred the pot for me, hitting buttons that lead straight to anger and frustration. The speaker genuinely walks the walk (as does BB, to an extent) but seems to have absolutely no concept of people living on a fixed income who simply cannot afford the merchandise they were pushing and being supported by.
Both BB & PQ have said it: start small. PQ wisely suggests, “Instead of trying to make this big change while you’re already stressed with work, pick one small thing you can change and just focus on that. Don’t stress yourself out more with rules you put on yourself. I know losing weight would be beneficial for your knee, but let it be a work in progress, a journey, not a full, automatic reversal of all your habits. You’re gonna give yourself a breakdown.“

So, with that excellent advice in mind, I need to put some real effort into cooking for myself. I have air fryer recipes saved on Facebook—for ages now—it’s time to make a list and get what I need for those meals. Easier said than done when you’ve got $20 in the bank, five days left, and a freezer half full of easy-to-cook processed food waiting to be eaten.

Co-op Chaos and Captive Thoughts

At co-op, I know I can’t be expected to know how to do something right away when I’ve never learn how in the first place. I still get this intense feeling of wanting to master whatever’s being shown to me instantly. In the meantime, I’m trying to keep my mouth shut, be present, and learn everything I can about being professional in a surgical admin office, all while staying out of the way of the paid staff.

I was shown how to process referrals this afternoon, and I was really struggling to grasp it while the assistant office manager, AD, was just whizzing through the steps and I was fumbling to jot things down. I’ve never liked someone standing behind me while I’m at the computer, and that’s exactly how my afternoon ended. AD was talking with another person and standing by my station, just in case I needed her, while I processed the rest of the faxes. As if I’m going to interrupt her very informal but clearly intense talk with outside tech support! Of course, I jumped at the chance to sit at my wobbly desk, reading over procedures and how-to guides for answering the phone. I am mortified and highly frustrated with having these intense reactions, these feelings that there’s no time in the moment to ‘take my thoughts captive’ every few seconds.

The Working-Hours Whine (My Own)

Processing Referrals

And since last Friday they didn’t have work for me (and I very much needed to rest my leg, to be fair), they told me not to come in. So there goes five hours I have to make up, which is what I’ve been doing for the past two days. BB made an off-hand comment that I was “complaining about working five hours.”
Yes, I flipping know that most people work eight hours or more. But considering what I’ve been doing all these years and my lack of job experience, the change of having to both mentally and physically adjust to working 10–3 and then 10–4 is a significant shift for me. I need to change my thinking—and yes, that’s not for everyone, but that’s how I am! Today, I was in the office from 9:40 to 4:03, and likely tomorrow and Monday as well. Then Tuesday, it’s back to the 3 p.m. finish. So excuse me if you’re having a problem with me sharing that I’m having a problem changing what I’m used to!

That’s been my day, my thoughts. And I even yelled at my cat Luna for asking for pets with claws. Going to that info session might have just been too much for me to do in one day. I’m very much not used to all this needing to perform and function!