Not Your Grandma's Quilts.

Social Media is a great thing. Recently I have been obsessed with Instagram (along with everyone else). Besides local people I know (and a few celebrities), I have been following a lot of crafters with different expertise. As I was scrolling through one picture caught my eye. Someone had posted a picture of Quilter named Jacquie Gering. This woman has some serious skills. This ain't your grandma's quilts.

So while I am working on my second quilt for someone and getting excited about how I pieced it together (Vertical and horizontal strips. I'm dangerous.), Jacquie is making a gun:

Lava Lamp Quilt

 

All. Those. Straight. Lines. Imagine the time it took. But so worth it.

 

Love.

 

Need.

 

 

 

I've been wanting a new sewing machine for awhile (as well as other crafting items) but this REALLY makes me want a new one.  

 

 

 

First image here.

Other images come from Jacquie's blog. She also has tips and tutorials on there as well.

 

One more thing! Most of the quilts she makes are donated or if she makes money off of them, she donates a great portion. Crafty and a good heart. 

 

 

Giveaway: Southeast Family Puppet Slam!

After the last post, let's get a bit more upbeat. Today, I have tickets up for grabs!

 

 

 

What happens when puppet-makers think way, way outside the box? The brilliant, the amazing, the fantastic and the phenomenal result. Become mesmerized by the creations of puppeteers from throughout the Southeast, whose figments come to life with enthralling stories and beautiful craftsmanship.

Selected for their enthralling stories and beautiful craftsmanship, renowned puppeteers from around the Southeast will converge for one afternoon to perform a special kids' program on the Harbison Theatre stage.

I, for one am super excited about taking my boys to see this. Care to join us?

All you have to do is comment on this post saying you want the tickets and you will be entered in the drawing. I will chose the winner on Friday at 12:00 PM.

Good luck!

To see my previous experience at Harbison Theatre, click here.

Change

Can people change?

Some days I think we can. Others...who knows?

I like to think I have changed. I'm not perfect or close to where I want to be but I'm far from the person I was before. I would never talk about my Depression with anyone because I was so ashamed. It was embarassing to admit I had this mental illness and how I was institutionalized when in high school. Sometimes I think I should have told people who were close to me so they would realize I was going through a bout of depression and wasn't just being a bitch, or moody, or insensitive.

I hate this disease. It fucking sucks. I hate how it's made me insensitive at times yet make me take everything to heart. It has stolen my motivation, made me insecure, and second guess myself. I hate how it's made me self conscious and care about how others feel about me but making me pretend that I don't care.

I hate that it'll never go away and everyday I have to make the choice to live my life.

I hate it's taken me 29 years to deal with what the hell is wrong with me.

I want to enter my 30's a bit more improved.

I feel like I have made changes. I'm more open about my depression with friends and family. I read books, I wrote down affirmations I read each day. I read quotes I feel apply to me and save them on my phone. I'm seeing a counselor and I have finally accepted I need medication of some sort to get myself balanced.

I can't be selfish anymore. I have two sweet boys that need me.

I need them.

Unfortunately I feel like my depression has affected some parts of my life that no matter what I try to do nothing will help.

And that sucks. It sucks the damage is done and I feel helpless.

Snip! Snip! SNIP!

Tomorrow I'm cutting my hair. A LOT of it. A couple of weeks ago I was thinking about how I need a change. Yes I could color my hair but I've been coloring my hair for over ten years. A few months back I thought about getting an undercut but felt I would regret it the next day. Then, I probably would. Now? I'm sooo ready. I have been looking for inspirations pics to keep me motivated and excited for this big change. As well as being able to show the stylist what I want. I know for some people it's "just hair" but this is a big step for me. I struggled with body image throughout my whole life (and still do) so for me longer hair always equated to looking prettier.

Fortunately, I don't have as many hang-ups as before.

Some inspiration.

Stitched: A Quilt gets a facelift

Making a quilt can be intimidating.
And tedious.
Measuring, cutting, ironing, placement, ironing, sewing, ironing  basting...did I say ironing?

The results? Worth it.

My client (Sounds so weird saying. Maybe I should say "customer" or "husband's coworker." Hmmm. This was a job so I'll  stick with "client.") had a quilt for over 20 years that needed a makeover. The only thing she wanted reused was the wool in the middle. She told me it was wool from her fathers sheeonand they went to s lady in North Carolina that worked her magic and made it quilt ready. I love hearing stories about this.

Speaking of wool, for a while I have been fascinated with going to a farm, shaving a sheep for it's wool and spinning it into some great yarn.

Her only requests were for the colors to be brown.

She told me it exceeded her expectations. That made me very happy.

Birthday. Smirthday

I'll be turning 30 in two months. I've never been one of those people who've been afraid to get older because it's what we  have to do and if I'm not getting older that means I'm dead. Bummer. Usually I would have birthday weekends, then it turned into a week and since I love being spoiled so much (typical youngest child syndrome).I turned the celebrations into a month.

Last few years, I haven't been feeling it.
I think when I was younger(and early 20's) I would want to celebrate my birthday with a lot of people because I needed validation. I needed to be  liked/loved. I keep my birthday private on Facebook because I don't want any obligatory birthday wishes because some site is reminding you it's someone's birthday.
My son's birthday is three days after mine and I'm more excited about his. Which I guess is the natural progression of getting older and having children? My birthday is on a Friday and most likely I'll spend it prepping his party for the next day. 
I feel like I should do something great as I'm  leaving my 20's and entering a new era but I don't know what. Get certified in Scuba Diving? Jump out of a plane? Shave my hair off? I've thought about taking a day trip somewhere by myself but honestly I rather drop the boys off at one of their grandparents, come home, and lay on the couch all day.
Hopefully I'll be out of my funk before the big day but for now no big (or little) plans.

DIY: Yarn Poms. Three Different Ways

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Poms are one of those items that I love to make and use.  I wanted to make a fun headband to wear to the Open Studio Preview Party and I felt a Pom Headband would be perfect.

First, the tutorials.
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Pom Maker (mine is made by Yarnology. I got it from Hobby Lobby. There are other types made by different brands. )
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To make poms with your hand or cardboard:

​ ​To make the headband I tied the poms around a elastic headband and bunched them together. I felt silly at first wearing it but it got a lot of compliments! ​

With artist Stephen Hayes

​ Some more Pom Inspiraton from my Pinterest Page: