Cat Ladies Unite.

Hey friends!

I have some fun facts to share today.

1. I went to my besties cabin this weekend. We share everything, she even gave me her strep throat. I did get a ton done. I will talk about my project here soon.

2. I am in Charleston right now. Archaeology waits for no person or virus.

3. Antibiotics are my friend.

4. I have a finished quilt I have not photographed yet. Now I will have to wash it again, because the kitten loves it.

5. Speaking of cats, I have finished my cat lady quilt (first discussed here). End of list.

The cat quilt is the first quilt I quilted on my new Juki 2010q and I decided to go big and matchstick quilt this business. It was a dream on the Juki (I named her Juju).

The fabrics were pulled from my stash and this awesome bundle from Sew Lux (curated by me!!!).

Max approves of this quilt. There is something really awesome about cat on cats.

He also loves feathers. We don't even buy cat toys, just bags of feathers from the craft aisle. Not as awesome as birds would be, but a good second (this cat has never met a bird, but he has hopes). 

Quilt Stats:
Name: Cat Lady
Size: 57"x 57"
Pattern: From my head, inspired by Aneela Hoey and Elizabeth Hartman
Fabric: Many things, bundle from Sew Lux, some pearl bracelets, Mama Said Sew, and some Japanese cat prints (surely I forgot something).
Quilting: Matchstick lines with Aurifil thread
Finished: January 2014

PS - Meow love.

Entertaining the Bacon

When bacon sews she does not like to sew in silence. She also likes to include random photos in blog posts. Apparently she blogs in third person occasionally.

I like to listen to podcasts and music. Sometimes I watch movies and TV shows. This thing is, when you are sewing, measuring, or reading directions you really can't be watching something serious. Nothing important, nothing intense. You can't be hanging on every word or looking at a screen. We can not talk about the time I sewed through my finger while watching West Wing.

I thought I would list some of my preferred sewing listening/watching. I have a new finish to show you soon, I just didn't feel like editing photos tonight (real life).

Just to note, I have terrible taste. I really like mindless entertainment, so don't judge me. I promise I know I have terrible taste and I chose to watch these shows because they make me happy.

I subscribe to Netflix and Amazon Prime. I listen to a lot of Spotify and watch Hulu. I also subscribe to podcasts on iTunes. The one thing I do not have is broadcast television or cable…. I am reliably not up on what is happening in that world. I am also approximately one season behind on all shows. These are all in no particular order.

What do you watch/listen to while sewing? I love to discover new things! Please share, please.

Things I watch:
1.) 19 Kids and Counting (Netflix) - I am fascinated by the Duggars. I literally love this family and this show and I could not tell you why.
2.) My Cat from Hell (Netflix) - I love cats. I want Jackson Galaxy to come meet my cat.
3.) Scandal (Netflix) - Oh Olivia… I wish I dressed like you, and acted like you, and, just watch this.
4.) Sister Wives (Netflix) - Like a train wreck?
5.) Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares, British version is best (Netflix) - I have terrible taste.
6.) Extreme Couponing (Netflix) - This show makes me want to clip coupons and eat more processed foods.
7.) Murder She Wrote (Netflix) - Just assume Jessica Fletcher is always the murderer. It makes it more fun. Also, if Cabot Cove were a real place it would have the highest murder rate, like ever.
8.) What Not to Wear (Netflix) - I find this show empowering and uplifting.
9.) Project Runway (Hulu) - It is about sewing. Do I need to say anything else?
10.) America's Next Top Model (Hulu and Amazon Prime) - I am not sure why this show fascinates me. I like watching skinny people obsess about how hard it is to take a good picture?
11.) The Batchelor/ette  (Hulu) - Well, I should not have to explain this.
12.) How I Met Your Mother (Netflix) - I just want to know how! How did he meet their mother?

Podcasts:
1.) Stuff Mom Never Told You - It is sort of a feminist history/how stuff works show. I come away feeling smart and slightly empowered. Don't listen if you hate feminism.
2.) Amy's Creative Side - This is about quilting. It makes me feel happy.
3.) NPR: Pop Culture Happy Hour - This is a show about pop culture. It is irreverent and funny. It makes me feel like I know what is going on in the world of pop culture even though I have not set foot in a movie theater since 2012.
4.) Joy the Baker Podcast - It is not about baking. I feel like I am listening to my girlfriends chat.
5.) The Because Show - If you consider yourself conservative or slightly prudish, you might not enjoy this show. It is like listening to the girls you wish you were cool enough to be friends with chat. There is an episode where the ladies interview a former harem girl that I would like to particularly recommend.
6.) Radiolab from WNYC - Science!
7.) Welcome to Nightvale - Creepy, fictional NPR in a dark place.

Music (I am just going to list band or artist names, no descriptions, I like moody music with a beat):
1.) Jagwar Maw
2.) Camera Obscura
3.) Rosanne Cash
4.) Carolina Chocolate Drops
5.) Neko Case
6.) Best Coast
7.) Alabama Shakes
8.) The Secret Sisters
9.) Yo-Yo Ma

2014. Let's Do This Thing.

January the 1st is a day many people sit back and reflect about the past. We think about the triumphs and failures of the previous year. We consider resolutions forgotten or conquered. We reaffirm for the next year, refocus, and take a breath to get ready for another ride.

I love reflecting and writing lists, so here I am. Right now. I never remember resolutions, but lucky us, 2013 Sarah wrote them all down in this post. Go me. 

And guess what, drum roll please, I kept every resolution. Seriously, even the one about working out. 

I am not going to recap them, because new year, new resolutions. We are moving forward people. 2012/2013 resolution me is gone. 

But I am going to talk about 2013 makes. Because WOW! I feel productive. I mean, I made my first quilt in 2011/2012 and it took me awhile to pick up steam. 2013 is one for the record books! Just mine, not the world's, unless there is a category for most quilt photos taken in front of graffiti or most projects with pink incorporated?

This is really only a sample of makes. I am not much of a record keeper… But I think I finished 10 quilts. That warms my heart, quilts are my very favorite. I also made a bunch of bags, totes, pillows, and zippy pouches. 

Moving on now, it is 2014! 

This year is going to be a year of persistence and a little bit of self forgiveness. 

I am going to try to finish things and do things I know need to be done. But I am also going to forgive myself when I let something slide. Dwelling on my failures is poor character flaw and stress is so not good for you. I have a fair amount of self-doubt and insecurity in this self (sorry that is the grimy undertone to all of the shiny bacon on this blog). 

Sewing goals:

1. Finish more than 10 quilts! Beat the record! Win the race against yourself. 

2. More than finishes, I would like to learn new things and tackle projects that seem daunting. I want to make some things that stretch my skills and require some time and head scratching.

3. I also need to follow my own creative vision (see note about self-doubt above). I notice I like things more when I am just working on pleasing myself. But it is not just that, everyone, including the intended recipient likes them more when I focus on pleasing myself. [corny statement alert] When I am true to my vision, I am a better quilter. So stop worrying about other people Sarah! 

As a side note, I need to make the things I see in my head. Because when I do, I love them so much.

4. I would like to donate two quilts to charity (one is in the works right now). Cover the world in quilts!

5. I am not going to force myself to go on a fabric diet in 2014. I do have a ton of fabric, but I am not sure dieting is my path. I think I am going to try to be more intentional with fabric purchases this year. I need to ask myself if the fabric I want is fabric that can be used in a stitching and bacon quilt. I also need to destash the things that are not bacon compliant. P.S. - you might be surprised about what is bacon compliant, cats almost universally a yes, metallic is a yes, large floral is a no. This could be a whole post in itself, but it would probably be boring. 

6. Get myself out there as a quilter. I am not sure what form this will take… I am not certain I am a pattern designer (I just don't think my ideas are interesting or original) or if I could sell my work (and still make enough money to be worth it). I need to explore this goal a little more fully.

Okay, that is a lot of words on a page. Let's see if we can do this. 

2014. You look good. I see some sunshine and some rain. I see some fuzzy cats, good food, and lots of love ahead of me. 

Let's go to do this. 

Happy New Year friends. Thanks for being with me while I do this thing in this space. 

Cheers.