Walking down memory lane

It's rare that I get two days in a row off. I was fortunate to have those two days this week so I've been able to get quite a bit done. Yesterday was devoted to cleaning with a little crafting and exercise squeezed in, today is the opposite. I've spent a decent chunk of my time today going through my crafting supplies that are scattered through my house. I know I haven't gotten to it all, but once I started digging in I just couldn't rush the process.

     First a mini cliff notes version on my life story... I got married young, got into running hard core, then had 2 beautiful children which launched my venture into quilting. I belonged to 2 different on-line groups and did swaps and lottos and sew-alongs, I had a relatively good sized blog with lots of readers, I loved my life. Then things fell apart. I ended up divorced, hit a rough patch and lots of things went on the back burner. Fast forward about 7 years. I'm finally at a point in my life where I am able to really spend time doing what I enjoy. That is why I'm getting these old projects out. They deserve to be made into beautiful quilts (and wall hangings, and table runners, and tote bags....you get the idea) Its amazing the powerful memories going through them has brought back. I miss my quilting groups...I don't know if they even exist anymore. I miss being an active blog (I'm working on that one though!) I am excited, however, to share at least part of what I've catalogued today for my Finish it up 2015 list. 

    So without further ado, here we go!!

1. This is a 4 inch sampler quilt I started. I don't think it will end up bed sized, but I want to do more blocks to help improve my skills.

2. Black and white sampler. I have 16 blocks for this. Perfect bed quilt size! This is one that was a swap, seeing the names of my old quilting friends on the blocks brought back great memories!

3. Kids quilt. This was another swap. I hope to make a kid sized throw with these.

4. Coffee and cream quilt. I had made a brown and cream quilt for my sister and loved it so much I wanted one too! This one is a little different, but when it's done it stays with me :)

5. 30s churn dash. This was yet another swap. I need to make one more block and it will make a sweet throw for someone.

6. Fall block swap. Another swap I was in, I have 6 blocks and am thinking of making a wall quilt with some added appliqué...we'll see....

7. Purple and Yellow. This is from the first block lotto I won. I was sooo excited to win, but these poor blocks never made it into a project. I think it's time they did!

This is just the start of things! I don't want this post to get out of control so I'll share more tomorrow. I never realized how much still I had!!! Hopefully I'll find it all and churn out some beautiful things :)

     Well, I'm off to get my walk I'm today. The weather is getting colder, and personally I love that. Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Much love,

The Tiny Tigress

I know I said I wouldn't, but......

I started another project. Well, sort of. I got done with my Halloween costume and had left over muslin and just couldn't waste it. I like to get as much out of my fabric as I can. So I've taken that leftover muslin and cut it into base squares for the string quilt and as many 2 1/2 inch squares as I could for my new project. I'm using them as leaders and enders...at least I do believe that's what they're called over at Quiltville.

I'll be honest, I'm not quite sure what I'll do with these sets. I'm thinking I may just sew them all up like a bigger squared version on a postage stamp quilt. All I know for sure is I'm really happy to be using up fabric and saving thread.

     Speaking of postage stamp quilts, ages ago I saw a postage stamp quilt-along and started one for my son. As life sometimes does, it got in the way and that quilt was put aside and has waited patiently for it's time to come out and play again. Well, sewing my costume gave my sewing mojo a jump start and that quilt is being worked on again. Right now I have 9 out of 20 blocks. 

I know that looks pretty daunting, but when you realize that the blocks are strip pieced, it's not quite as scary.

I have my work cut out for me, but I can't wait to see this one done. Which leads me to my next thought....my personal craft challenge for 2015. Yes, I know that's a ways off, but I'm trying to get myself prepared already ;) Over the next couple days I will be taking inventory of all my unfinished crafting projects (quilts, crochet and knit). Then making a list on the side of my blog that hopefully will be finished by the end of 2015. Another reason I'm starting early? Because I figure if I can start a little earlier than January 1st it certainly wouldn't hurt!! So keep your eyes open for a post with lots of UFO pics coming your way really soon.

On the fitness front...

I've woken up pain free 2 days in a row now. To an injured runner that's incredibly exciting!! Right now I'm walking 30-40 minutes a day, doing weights or Pilates 20 minutes a day and getting in at least 10 minutes of stretching after each workout. I know my lack of flexibility has been a factor any time I've been injured. I need to make it a focus in my routine because being injured stinks and I want to prevent it from happening as much as I can!

Well, it's a beautiful (but cold) day here in Ohio, and a great day to get my walk in. So I'm heading out to take in the scenery, the fresh air, and start mentally preparing myself to dig through boxes and drawers of crafty goodness to get that list going. Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!!

Much love, 

The Tiny Tigress <3

Why is it so difficult?

I love running. LOVE. Unfortunately I have an injury right now. Nothing too major, I can still walk and get about my daily business. Just a little pain in the morning when I get up and maybe a little here and there after I've been sitting a long time or after a nap. I know I need to rest so I can heal completely, but it's SO difficult! My brain constantly bombards me with chants of "A short run won't hurt." or "You're going to lose all your endurance if you don't run." or "How can you call yourself a runner if you're not running?" After losing 40lbs. there's always the fear of regaining that weight, and even though I haven't regained any I'm just starting to feel soft and squishy...I don't like that feeling. How do you combat this? It's not as easy as you think. Just ask another runner. 

     I know there are a lot of options for fitness out there, but none of them quite speak to my soul like running does. So, what is my plan? Well, first and foremost is to NOT listen to that little voice! It can be hard, but I need to remind myself that... 

1. Yes, a short run CAN hurt. All it takes is a little too much stress at the wrong place at the wrong time to aggravate an injury and set you back farther.

2. No, you DON'T lose all your fitness just because you're not running as long as you cross train. 

3. Just because you're not running at any particular time does NOT mean that you're not a runner! Being a runner is a state of mind. It's having a love of the sport that reaches deep into your soul. Every runner has had to take time off. You don't stop being a runner just because you take a break.

Second, I need to make a plan to stay in shape and return to the sport I love. I would love to wake up tomorrow pain free, go out for a run and not have any more issues, but that just doesn't happen. (Well, I won't rule it out comepletely. Miracles do happen you know!) But I'm going to be prudent and plan like I'll be off for a while. Actually, I'm thinking of taking til the 1st of the year off. That should give my injury ample time to heal. This is time for me to try some of the things I've been wanting to try or things I had gotten away from. Actually, the more I think about it the more I am interested to see what changes and results will come with perusing a new workout regime for a while. I'll have to make sure I take pictures and measurements to document the difference ;) On my list to try or do more of? Walking, lifting, Pilates, bicycling, Zumba, yoga, and I'm sure I think of more.

Finally, I need to stay positive. This injury WILL heal. I WILL run again. This setback is NOT the end of my fitness journey, it's just a detour, and just like any detour it may lead me to something interesting, wonderful and will teach me new things...and that's always good!

Much love, 

The Tiny Tigress

New Adventures

I've always been the adventurous type. Well, maybe not the I-want-to-go-sky diving-bungie jumping-cliff diving-cheat-death type. Maybe more the curious I'm-always-looking-for-something-new-to-learn type. For the most part I am a self taught crafter. When I wanted to make my son his first quilt, I asked my mom to borrow her machine, bought some fabric, and jumped right in with no experience. I still share my story of not knowing what a presser foot was with new sewers who are having problems. It always gets a chuckle and let's them know we were all beginners once. When I wanted to knit a sweater, again I bought a little teach yourself to knit book, needles, and yarn and got to it. Pretty much the same with crochet when I wanted to make amigurumi. (my mom did show me the single, double and trebble crochet and I took it from there) I take a lot of satisfaction in acquiring a new skill. With all that said, I think I've found my next crafting adventure....garment construction!

     I knew what I wanted to be for Halloween this year, and I knew finding the costume was going to be pretty much impossible. My first thought wasn't, "Well, guess I'll be something else." it was, "Well, looks like I'll be learning how to sew this year." So I went out and found the perfect fabrics, some patterns and got started!

So far I've learned what it's like to work with faux leather, linen, using d-rings and eyelets, how to change a neckline, how to draft your own facing pattern, how to put in an invisible zipper, and that's just the beginning! My curious nature and creative soul are so happy to be learning new things I could just burst!!

This morning I started working on the dress with the actual intended fabric (I made a "first try" dress with muslin so I could practice) and although nervous, I am relatively confident that I CAN do this.

I still have some work to do, but hopefully I'll have a costume to show you really soon! Off I go! Hope you all have a wonderful day :)

Much love, 

The Tiny Tigress