Deep thoughts about creative living.
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This year was exceptionally hard for me. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. I left a job that was, in spite of how hard I tried, a poor fit. My favorite artist, David Bowie, died. But there were many bright spots, too. I became a stay-at-home parent and had a fun summer with my […]
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This post is not for people who sew. It’s for people who want to understand people who sew. A garment sewist can be a tough nut to crack. She’d rather buy the raw materials to make a dress and pull all-nighters to sew it than take a hour-long field trip to the mall. Why? Well, even if […]
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Edited April 12, 2018: Mom passed away March 1. I talk about her passing in this post. This is the obit I wrote for her. This May, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She’s only 60, and she’s never smoked. Needless to say, our family was shocked. Mom’s always taken good care […]
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Follow my blog with Bloglovin Sewing machines, quilt patterns, and fabric, oh my! It’s the 2016 Original Sewing and Quilt Expo. The Original Sewing and Quilt Expo is a three-day event that offers workshops, demos, a shoppable trade show, and more. The expo delivers creative inspiration and skill-building classes to sewists in eight U.S. cities. […]
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It’s time for a serious conversation about Our Lady of Creative Freedom: Beyoncé. I sewed my retro swimsuit while listening to “Lemonade” nonstop (heads up, that’s an affiliate link). If you’re not familiar with Queen Bey’s latest opus, it’s a concept album about infidelity. Husband gave me some side eye for my sewing soundtrack. I […]
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Online sewing star Mimi G. pulls up some floor during a session with fabric designer Tula Pink. I returned from Sew Pro, the convention for sewing-business owners, filled with drive and inspiration! It was a fabulous gathering of fabulous creatives who were generous with their knowledge and enthusiasm. I feel connected to the sewing community, […]
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If you had told me a year ago that I’d be looking at sewing as a profession, I would have said something snarky in the manner of Wayne Campbell. A year ago, I had just started a new gig as a marketing consultant, and I was excited to show off my mad skilz. Fast forward […]
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The Everywhereist, aka travel blogger Geraldine, recently wrote a post that disturbed me. It was a good post and a necessary post, but it disturbed me nonetheless. In a nutshell, she was bullied to the point of an anxiety attack during a trans-Atlantic flight. The man sitting behind her threatened to shake her seat if […]
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One of my favorite events, the Wisconsin State Fair, wrapped this weekend. It sounds corny, but it’s a great time for the whole family — good eats, animals of all shapes and sizes, and the best people watching of the year. I love to poke around the 4-H exhibits, and I was especially hot on […]
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This is how I feel when I’m in the middle of a long-term sewing project. I’m proud of how Epic Project is coming together, and I’m excited to share it with its future owner (and with you guys, natch). But, it has been challenging — not throw-in-the-towel challenging, but huh-I-should-have-done-that-differently challenging.I’m sewing something extra special […]