meh, by the numbers.

Along with my crazy work schedule (two separate practices, sort-of adjunct faculty at one college and various temp jobs within a 20 mile radius) I've been attempting to get back a little to my arts and crafts roots. Whenever I have moments to spare, I've been making wine bags and tie purses. And kind of experimenting with headbands, but that's a whole 'nother story. In a couple of short months, I've amassed quite the collection: 62 wine bags and 7 tie purses. But while working on all these bags, I literally had no goals in mind. I was like "I'll upload them all to Etsy and see what happens!" Well....

Nothing happened. Which I was expecting... I guess. It's nice to have no expectations, and then when those non-expectations are shattered when someone buys something, you're super happy. But I guess I was expecting that too, and I was disappointed when no one purchased anything. Therefore crushing my expectations. Does that make sense?

So I started to embark on looking for craft fairs! Nothing is better than some solid one-on-one connections! The first one I participated in was more of a flea market than a craft fair. To be honest, most people were there looking for deals, not handmade items. But remarkably, I sold two wine bags! Then again, three people also asked me where the ties were that I was selling (which I don't sell individual ties). Then, on two separate occasions, people called my stuff decent.  Fucking decent. What the hell is that supposed to mean?  Here's my interpretation of decent.

I was supposed to participate in another fair today. It was cancelled because of the rain, and I can't make the rain date (poo). But, since that one was cancelled, it gave me the opportunity to sign up for the TRENTON PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET! The spaces sold out in like, less than 10 minutes, so I'm jazzed that I am going to be participating!

I'm trying to go in with no expectations, but you can already guess that that's going to the shitter pretty fast. So during now and then, I'd love to be able to really really work on my table display. Maybe go to the Salvation Army and get an old fashioned coat rack to hang up some of my purses! You know, make that shit look professional! Cause honestly, if I don't sell much, EVERYONE IS GETTING SOMETHING MADE OF TIES FOR CHRISTMAS AGAIN.

back at it!

Ch-ch-check it out, my Etsy site is back up and running! Some life changing events have been going on, and I'm not one to complain! My work life is re-arranging, and I've been happier than ever. I'm able to focus on so many positive things in life, and I thought I'd bring back my little shop. I took pictures and uploaded new photographs today, and I have ten new wine bags in the works. Back in the day, I began cutting ties for another five new purses, so I'm hoping to get them finished, too. I'll also be adding in a section for custom orders, like tie pillows, and my necktie Christmas tree skirts. I'm hoping to post more blog updates, too... especially since I created an entire quilt top without even posting an update... I know, how dare me! Cheers to all, more posts to come!

much success! a guide for goal achievement and such

So lately I've been hitting some of the goals I set out for myself, like paying off my student loans, making fun stuff for people, and .... that might be the entire list. (high five ya'll)  People have been asking me "DAMN JILL, how you be doing that?"** So I thought I'd share some tips on how to, you know... accomplish goals.

Here are my thoughts:
1. Believe in yourself, damnit. You have no idea what you're capable of, so go ahead and try something new. I was asked this weekend to run a 10k race with a friend. I have never run that far in my entire life. But I had two choices: Yes or no. If I said yes, I'd either fail or succeed. So why not try? And guess what, I did it! Here's another example: I wanted to go to dental hygiene school. But as a nine-fingered 30 year old, I put the doubt in my mind that I would most likely fail. But I also promised myself that I'd do whatever it took to reach my goal. True, I sacrificed a lot. But now I'm a full-time dental hygienist and part time educator. Who would have thought two years ago that I would be where I am today? Honestly, not me. There's no reason why you can't try something new, so stop making excuses!

2. You'll fail sometimes. But who gives a shit if you fail? Most likely, you'll be the only person who gives a shit. But instead of being all pissed off at yourself, just remember: You didn't have to go out on a limb and try. But you did! Be proud of trying something new. It takes balls, and now my friend, you've got balls. Be proud of those balls! Do you think I woke up one day and was like I'M GOING TO SEW A MOTHERF****** QUILT AND MAKE A SHIT TON OF STUFF OUT OF TIES!!!? Nope. Friends, I've been sewing since before I could drive. I've had MANY MANY sewing fails, including a shirt that LITERALLY split open at the seams while I was at a party. I've even machine sewed my thumb by accident. But did I give up? Naaah.

3. If you fail, then don't beat yourself up. You're human, not a damn robot. Life is full of ups and downs. You know the expression when it rains, it pours? Guess what: THAT EXPRESSION IS PURE BULLSHIT. It makes you think that when one shitty thing happens, then other shitty things will pile right on top of it until you're covered in shit. Here's what people don't tell you: The rain brings out the beautiful colors in life, like the brightness of the leaves on trees after a rainstorm. Which means, sure: Bad shit is going to happen. But take a look at everything  around you. When you take a minute to realize how fortunate you really are, the one shitty thing happening can't ruin your day like it use to. 

4. If you want to feel like shit, then go right ahead and feel like shit. Or be happy if you want to be happy. The lesson is, don't let anyone tell you how to feel. You're your own person. Don't let others dictate your feelings or make you feel small.

5. Treat others how you want to be treated. You know how I go around being nice to everyone? Guess what? It's because I'd also like people to be nice to me.  I have a real problem with people that are shitty to others, either because they judge a book by their cover, they are prejudice against their race, religion, sexual orientation, or hell, because they're nerdy, overweight, skinny or whatever the case is. We're all human, damnit: Nothing makes you superior to the person you're judging.

So, that's my life advice. Technically I'm allowed to give advice now that I'm in my thirties. But hey, just remember: You're taking advice from a person who has zits, twirls, wears children's hats, gets nose bleeds, hangs out with butterflies and mimics a child eating ravioli. You're welcome.

**More like, "good for you", and no mention of a question asking me how I did these things. 

a new... something

Heads up: I've had wine! 

After I finished up the t-shirt quilts, I decided that it was finally time to focus in on one for myself. I found this AMAZING but complicated pattern in a quilting magazine that I purchased (YES, I buy quilting magazines. Thug life.) but there was a problem: It was a pattern for a twin quilt. I don't need no stinkin twin quilt. Another problem: I already had way too many scraps left over from my first quilt, I thought it'd be a waste not to use them... but how?

So... I just started sewing. I took out my box of scraps and basically just started machine stitching them together. Since all of the scraps were tapered, they started looking like colorful fans. I had another interesting thought. What if I sewed these fans into a wave? Then what if the wave became a column? And what if I sewed these columns together to form a sort-of-painting? 

 So many questions! One final product,  though.Once I finished sewing the columns together, I quilted it with gold thread. Then stapled the s*** outta it onto a canvas. Soon I'm going to frame it. SOON... SOON.

 

 

past project: bathroom remodel!

So there was one glorious week during the 2014-2015 winter break where I decided that it would be a GREAT idea to remodel our en-suite bathroom. This decision was based solely on my inability to stay still, and my lack of something constructive to do... or to study. So I figured I'd show you my little (HUGE) project so that you may too, redo your bathroom if you feel crazy inspired enough to do it!

DAY1
Step 1: Make a list of everything that you need from the hardware store. This won't stop you from having to go back a second, third and fourth time, though.
Step 2: Using a chisel and hammer, rip the foe-black marble tile off of the wall and wonder why someone put it on the wall sporadically in the first place.
Step 3: Drain the ol' toilet, disassemble and store it in the tub whilst you work. Put a rag in the hole, so no sewer gas comes'a wafting in! While your at it, take out the medicine cabinet, too. It sucks.
Step 4: Using a crowbar and hammer, rip up the old cracked tile flooring.
Step 5: Don't lay down on the couch, because if you do...
Step 6: You'll have to take a fist-full of ibuprofen because you now you can't get up. Sad.

 

DAY2
Step 6: Repair the walls! Joint compound, joint tape, lots of drying time, and elbow grease to sand it down smooth. A small mouse sander helps.
Step 7: Prime the walls. You forgot to buy primer, so check the basement. Look! You have grey primer! Let's use that and pretend like it was your plan!
Step 8: Then apply 2 coats of the paint color of your choice. Take another fist full of ibuprofen before you go to sleep.
Step 9: Realize that the medicine cabinet you threw out... they don't sell that size in the stores anymore. Custom purchase it and blow your budget! Cry a little.  


DAY3
Step 10: Ask your Dad for help.
Step 11: Rewire the electrical sockets. Be sure to SHUT THE BREAKERS OFF. (Twice now we thought they were off and then POP!)
Step 12: Along with him, cut all of the 9x12" tiles to size, mix the mortar and lay the tiles.

DAY4: 
Step 13: Grout the tiles. This is pretty much all you can do since you can't step on the floor, so...
Step 14: HAVE A BEER.

DAY5: 
Step 15: Reinstall the toilet with all new inner workings. Man, that's a nice flush.
Step 16: You know all that leftover glass tile you had from your kitchen? Why not make a back splash in the bathroom?
Step 17: Regret this decision, you just made more work for yourself.

DAY6: 
Step 18: Install that new custom medicine cabinet, and hope that it holds f***ing gold from the trouble you went through to find it.
Step 19: Make some minor adjustments to the decor, after all, why not have stuff look niiiiiiice?
Step 20: Marvel at your work and vow never to do it again, until, that is, you do it again.

finished!

I can't believe how productive I've been the past couple of nights! I completely finished all 23 wine bags. ALL 23 BAGS! Each one is stamped with my little "Nodyl's Noodles" stamp, and has a cute little tag with the price. Over the weekend, I'd like to make a price sheet that I can frame for my crafter table. I have a really nice black tablecloth to use, too. I'm so excited, I really hope I can make new friends and customers next weekend!

FINALLY SOME PICTURES!

I didn't realize how cray I look in this picture.

a little help from my friends (and major corporations)

So with the prospect of going back to school for Dental Hygiene, I ran into a little bit of what I'd call a 'mental roadblock'. While I know that I am perfectly capable and able to mentally and physically complete the program, I didn't want others (that being professors or classmates) to think that I physically wouldn't be able to because of my left hand. Nothing has ever really held me back (except ring around the rosie) and this won't either: I can sculpt, paint, type, sew, sign ASL and do most anything anyone else can do. Maybe a little better sometimes. I'm not bragging. This is just a fact. The only thing that I could foresee being a quote-unquote 'problem' was having the disposable Nitrile gloves not fit me properly. So naturally I did what any other person would do.

I started reaching out to every single Nitrile glove manufacturers and distributors I could find in the USA to see if they in any way could help me in my quest to find or make a custom fitted disposable Nitrile glove. So far, I've contacted 13 companies. Two companies emailed me back and said that they wouldn't be able to help. Which is totally fine, I'd rather have someone respond with an answer than not respond at all. One company representative called me to explain that they did not actually produce the gloves, but that she would forward my inquiry to companies that she knew of. (She also told me, good for you for following your dreams and not letting anything hold you back. TEAR!)

One company emailed me back to say "I hope that we can help you with your needs. I will consult with our team to see if there is a glove we can dip for you."

WAIT.
WHAT?
SOMEONE CAN HELP?

ER.
MAH.
GERD.

Thus begins my quest: To dig deep back into my mold making routes to make a perfect resin cast of my left hand to send to this generous company.

On Sunday, I made an alginate mold of my hand and a perfect plaster cast. From here, I will make a simple two-piece plater mold of the cast so I will be able to cast multiple hands in resin. I had forgotten how much fun it is to make a mold.. the materials, the preparation, the anticipation of cutting the alginate away to see how the cast came out. It's bliss.

Also, I need to get on my game and take some pictures. These pictureless posts are lame.

ERM ERLMAHST FERNERSHERD MAH QERLT

Translation: I'm almost finished my quilt! Side note here: Since my purchase of my ERMAGERD! embroidery from Etsy, I've been kinda obsessed with TERLKIN LERK THERS. I literally can't help it since it's one of the only things keeping me in the sane department. FERGERV MAH.

SO! I've been one busy beaver the past couple of weeks... that sounded odd, but I'm going to keep it in the blog anyways because I can't think of anything better to say. Here's some good news. I finished quilting the rows and columns of my quilt! As you might remember I was in the midst of machine quilting about three weeks ago. Luckily, I finished and it went as well as I expected it to. Holla!

My next set of instructions kinda baffled me. I had to cut a 36" square of the backer fabric, cut it in a diagonal, restitch it together, press it flat, measure bands 2.5" wide, match up the lines of the bands, sew the piece into a tube, then cut one continuous band out of the fabric. WHERT DA FERCK you say? Yes, indeed. It took me a long time to be confident enough in myself to even attempt it. But, I took my time, and when I was I finished, I had a 2.5" band of fabric that was about 354" long. You read that right. Three hundred and fifty-four inches long. THRER HERNDRERD ERND FERFTERFER ERNCHERS LERNG.

From there, I pressed the band lengthwise (wrong sides together) and wrapped it neatly around a roll of duct tape... just so it wouldn't get all un-pressed and funky. Yesterday, I grew a set and said "You know what?! I'm going to attach the binding tonight!!" WHY NOT?! It's not like I have anything else going on! SARCASM TO THE EXTREME.

So. I went for it. And by 11:30pm, I had the band of binding machine stitched around the entire perimeter of the quilt. I cut off the excess fabric and pressed the seams open. The only thing left for me to do is hand stitch the open seam closed to the backing fabric, and to attach a piece of fabric with my signature on it. Ah bliss. I can't believe it's almost done!