Jenna Lou Loves You

The Story of a Creative Community

 

A couple weeks ago I received an email notifying me that a copy of Craft Corps was being sent to me. It was to my delight that I learned that my profile was included in this fun and inspirational compilation of artists stories. I had submitted the original piece what seems like years ago... although you could probably remove the plural there it was a long time since I remember writing and them submitting photos. And then when I didn't hear back I just thought I hadn't made the cut. 

So it was a surprise and a lovely one at that.

My mini-bio is on page 21 following an interesting interview of Amy Butler. I know I'm reading into it way too much, but following Amy is an honor to me as she was one of my first inspirations to pursue sewing and designing as a full-time career. Let a girl dream right?

I've only had the time to read into the book a little bit, but it contains lots of inspiration and tips from a very wide range of creative types.

You can checkout more about this continuously growing project here.

No-Coast Finds and Giveaway

Every year I find new artists at No-Coast that make the most unique and beautiful things and this year was no exception. Here are a few that made me happy.

Penguin & Fish just made me want to squeal. The most adorable plush!! They are so silly and fun and seriously would make a great gift.

Can I just say.... that if you were planning to get me anything this year..... *cough*..... that I like this. Wink Wink. Figs & Ginger is elegant and fabulous. Enough said.

This is actually the second year I spotted Cosmo's Collars at No-Coast and it was just as tempting as the first time. If you have been letting your furry friend trot around in a plain ole nylon pet store collar it's time to upgrade!! I just love that shiny hardware.

Have you seen this book yet?? It's been all over the blogoshpere getting great reviews. This book has 101 projects from lots of designers and was put together by Trish and Rebecca who were on hand at this years show to sign copies. There are so many fun and simple projects I'm sure I'll be making more than a few of them. I got myself a copy at No-Coast and thought you might like one too!! And if you are anything like me you have plenty of forgotten yards in your stash to use up.

To enter to win a copy of One Yard Wonders please leave a comment telling me what crafty thing you've been up to lately (doesn't have to be just sewing!!). This giveaway is open to worldwide shipping so even if you are overseas please join in. And for a second entry mention the giveaway on your blog then comment to let me know about it.

Giveaway closes Sunday December 13th around noon central time. 

"Read it" List

Thought I'd share a few of the books that I've enjoyed recently that I'd consider "keepers"... some even books that I would reread someday and some that I must read again someday.

Heart-wrenchers.

The Time Travelers Wife. I wanted to read this book before seeing the movie, but after reading I don't think I want to see it because there is no way in the world it could compare. This book had me crying for hours... it was SO good. Someday I will read it over after the memories of it fade just so I can experience it again. I place it in my top 10 list of Heart-wrenchers. This is a book that is probably different to listen to than to read. The characters voices are done by separate male/female actors and I think that helps to bring it life. Just thinking again of the concept of this book has me teary-eyed.

My Sisters Keeper. Again wanted to read before seeing the movie. I'll rent it some night when I feel a good cry is needed. It's a great story with a Jodi Picoult ending. She loves to twist stories. Such a surprising ending that it brought me to tears. Why do I torcher myself with these novels? They are so good, but I feel my energy used up for days after finishing.

Teen Fiction / Fantasy.

First I have to say that this category of books is new to me. I never really touched much in the realm of fantasy until I was encouraged to read the Chronicles of Narnia by John. He rates them at the top of his list for all time favorite and after completing the series I have to agree. We both look forward to the day when we can share these stories with out children. From there I've tried a few others and have found that I really enjoy the feeling of being so far away from reality in worlds where impossible things occor. These books are often in my mind "easy reads" because they are not emotional suckers and I usually feel uplifted and excited while reading rather than heart-ached. Some of my recent favs:

Eragon. Just finished this yesterday and cannot wait to read the next. So fun to imagine being a rider of dragons. (Never EVER thought I see myself writing that one!!)

The Golden Compass. John and I went to the movie when it came out. I wasn't very impressed so I had to nudge myself to read this book. But I was very surprised to fall into the story right from the beginning. There are lots a scenes that were cut from the movie (no surprise) and the book is much more explanatory and a really fun read. My library is closed until tomorrow otherwise I would have already started the other books in the trilogy. I'm in love with Lyra the main character. 

The Graveyard Book. I have to credit this one completely to John. He started reading it and after a couple days into the book he knew it was something I'd like. It's a story of a boy raised in a graveyard by ghosts. He's given special powers and takes lessons from the ghosts all the while knowing that something outside the graveyard threatens his life. I love books read by their authors and Neil Gaiman does a great job. All the while reading this book I pictured it in Tim Burton's spindly style. 

Other.

Born to Run. Can't remember where I first heard of this book, but it was available a couple weeks ago at my library as one of the new books. It was an interesting read about running and very inspirational. If you want to get some motivation read this book. I'm up to running a 5k 2-3 times a week hoping to someday participate in a 10K. Even if you aren't a runner or only a wanna be like me it a great read just for the storytelling.

And now I'd love to hear about what you are reading or what your all-time favorites are. I'm always on the lookout for my next great read so please don't be shy... share!!

Sewing Through Stories

I've been "reading" a lot of books lately. I say "reading" because truly I'm listening to them via my ipod. It keeps my mind busy while I perform the menial tasks of sewing together wallets, bags, zippies and the like. John has started "reading" too and we both find it impossibly hard to talk about listening to books with other people so we just say reading and move on. It's really quite a predicament.

So as I spend hours getting ready for winter shows I've covered a lot of pages. 5 books in the past 2 weeks to be exact. It's something that I've missed a lot since high school when I had lots of free time to become immersed in story. Now I can't even imagine spending 10 to 12 hours on a single book. Think of all the laundry and dishes that could be done in that time! So I'm quite pleased to have found this way of enjoying the pleasures of visiting far away times and lands and I'm speeding through books like it's going out of style.

Today I spent about 2 hours fighting back tears and sewing wallets. It's a hard thing to do. You must slow down... and wipe away the blurriness often. I'm proud to say it doesn't affect the quality one bit, but if I had a boss over my shoulder judging my productivity I would probably be booted because I think I spent two minutes taking breaks with the tissue box clutched in my arms to every one minute of sewing. Books really draw me in like something magical. I sometimes even wonder if I alone feel this way and find this strong of a pull. I can spend days recalling the emotions as if I was there, as if it happened to me. I can spend days feeling saddened by the loss of a fictional friend or elated with their joys. It's sometimes a dangerous road when I read of sadness and death, but in the end it always makes me soften and sensitive to the true joys around me. The real life that I am living. The real people who I encounter. Books are a beautiful thing when they make reality sing.

Photo credit: morBCN

Consumed

About a month ago I discovered that my local library is offering a new program which any member can download audio books for free. How cool is that! And totally perfect for me. During the winter months it's especially convenient because it does not involve putting on a thick jacket, mittens, hat, and boots to slosh out to the car and freeze my buns off in the process. And it's the perfect way to occupy my mind as my hands are busy doing things I've done a million times before. The days just fly by when your mind is in a story.

And so the past couple weeks I've been completely consumed by the Twilight Series. Spending each day with my hands cutting fabric, pinning, and guiding my sewing machine, but my mind twisted around the story. I know that some of these books got bad reviews, and I do agree with some aspects of these reviews, but the story is so utterly compelling to me. My heart throbs to think of it all. The twists, the love found and lost, the choices.... eternal love. It's all quite devastating to me as it's still very fresh in my mind.

I'm somewhat glad to be done with the series. The past two weeks have been crazy with me spending many nights alone just to hear another couple chapters and then my every dream being filled with images of Bella and Edward. It was very unexpected, but I'm so happy to have stumbled upon it... or as some might think finally caved into the obsession.