Anything But Average. A few minutes with Rachel Barry Hobson.

Okay, can I just tell you how much I love Rachel! I know I say this about every person I interview and I know I say how sweet people are, yadda, yadda, yadda-but let me tell you-Rachel rocks so hard! I have always been a fan of her work and thought she was the cat's meow but when she came up to me at Maker Faire and gave me a hug, well, it was like seeing an old friend again. She is warm, funny, silly and smart. Yep, she's uber cool.

Just who is the real Rachel Barry Hobson?

A very dorky, goofy, crafty gal. No really. Very. Dorky.

I'm someone who has a deep appreciation for execution of creative ideas and sharing those projects with other people. I'm a huge community person - connection with other folks keeps me going.

I'm also a huge Space geek - like spectacularly so. Space exploration makes me giddy. Not little green men and ray guns, but spacesuits and control panels. Absolutely giddy.

In high school, I was kind of a mix between Andrea Zuckerman (I was editor of my high school newspaper) and Angela Chase . I was a little offbeat, but I was also one of those kids who didn't really do crazy teen stuff, and actually really liked my teachers at school.

In college, I studied anthropology, Russian and journalism. I geeked out on environmental causes and was, again, the editor of the newspaper. I also wore overalls and a brown velour shirt a little too often.

After college, I traveled in Europe, got married and taught high school journalism and web design for three years before having kids.

Then I had kids and kinda lost my mind for a while.

Then I fell into crafting, and things are all better now. :)

Through all my random life phases, I've always been someone who loves people, loves science, loves random stuff, and truly cherishes my friends and family.

You are an AMAZING embroiderer. When and where did you learn? How long have you been stitching?

Hehehehe! Thanks! And right backactcha! I took my first hand embroidery class a few years ago from my good friend and mentor, Leslie Bonnell. A few months after that class, I took a class from Jenny Hart. It's been pretty much non-stop stitching ever since. I like to think I have some embroidery genes from my mom. Even though she didn't teach me, she was really in to embroidery when I was a kid .

Okay, so I think you have the best job in the world-can you tell our wonderful readers a little bit about it.

Thanks! I think I do, too! I literally thank my lucky stars every day for this most awesome job, and wonder how in the heck I landed it!

I have been writing for Craftzine.com for a little more than a year now. Craft has always been my favorite craft magazine and web site. I have a degree in journalism, and have always loved writing about cool people and what they are doing. I love hearing people's stories and sharing them with others. So as I followed Craft, I just fell in love and kind of fantasized about writing for them. Honestly, I wasn't doing anything with the express goal of working for them. It was a very random series of events and very natural connections that landed me in the place I am now.

I have never loved a job so much, or loved the people with whom I work so much. It's the most natural fit I've ever experienced and the most fun I've ever had. Seriously - still pinching myself.

I read literally hundreds of craft blogs every day (Oh dear Google Reader, I love you so.) and find some of my favorite, most inspirational projects, tutorials and people to feature on Craftzine. I love it because I love to see all the fun things people are doing, and I really love helping show off their skills and work. I also get to write how-to projects and profiles of crafters, which is insanely fun. I could honestly sit and talk to people and listen to their stories and get to know them all day long. That I get to do that "for work" and then share their stories with the fabulous crafting community .... did I mention I pinch myself daily?

Who and what inspires you?

Everything and everyone! I know that sounds like a copout, but it's true! I can't turn my brain off, so everything I see is being filed away for some kind of inspiration. It's one of the benefits and hardships of having that creative switch flipped to full throttle in your brain. It's a really fun way to view the world, but it's also really mentally exhausting. Sometimes I want to point my finger and my own brain and say, "DUDE! Shut the hell up for a minute!"

I have some really amazing friends who constantly inspire me. Some of my best teachers and mentors are Leslie Bonnell , Kat McTee and Jenny Hart . I'd be lost in the craft world with out one of my best friends, Diane Gilleland . I also draw a lot of inspiration from Space and Space travel. I love all the control panels and gadgetry of Space travel, and I find the chatter of Mission Control to be very soothing. Half the time, I have NASA tv running in the background on my computer just to listen. (and, yes, I understand this outs me as an even bigger Space geek than people thought possible) I also draw a lot of inspiration from random vintage things. Millie Motts and Dinosaurs & Robots feed my soul.

What does the future hold for you?

More writing! More stitching! More fun! And hopefully a lot of travel. (especially to Portland)

Make sure you check out Rachel's blog Average Jane Crafter  . It's filled with great stories and wonderful crafty tidbits. You can also find her hitting the craft fair circuit spreading the joys of embroidery. If you do get a chance to meet her, I swear you will have a friend for life!

Tie One On Tuesday!

Alrighty then ladies and gentlemen, it is time for another episode in the long running series of blog postings on the wonderful world of mixed drink known as Tie One On Tuesday! Following on the heels of last weeks how to stock your bar for cheap, this week I am going to focus on some essentials tools for your home bar. I said SOME not all, okay? And I am not going to get into the different types of glassware, or we would be here all day!!!!!

First off you are going to need a good old fashion Ice bucket. There are several types available, so pick one out that meets your needs – meaning if you have a lot of people drinking in the house, get a larger bucket. I have always been partial to the one shaped like a Knight Helmet but that’s just me. If it is just you and the Mr. or Mrs., a nice smaller one will suffice. Also – recommended – a  5 gal. Utility bucket (unless you are one of the few that have the privilege of having a “wet” bar – that means a sink there smapte). You will need to dump out the remnants of something or another during your party, binge, whatever, whether it is a bad drink or some melted ice. It makes it easier then running to the kitchen every time. Just don’t forget to dump it – especially if you have wood floors!

Next up - a nice cocktail shaker. There are two different types and you have seen me handle the one here (it is called a Boston shaker – not really sure why?? LOL). It essentially is a larger stainless steel cup and a pint glass. The other shaker is the more conventional type that you have probably seen with the cap and strainer built in. These are much easier to handle and are more catered for home use. Plus if you get one of these you won’t need to get a separate hand held strainer for the Boston (if you like martini’s that is).

Another “need” for the bar is a decent juicer. Having hand squeezed juice at your bar is essential for a really good drink. I use the old fashioned type where you mash it down on the spindle but there are several hand juicers out there (I have just been to busy and poor to go out and get any). There is a nice series of enameled hand juicers that are colored specifically for your citrus of choice – Yellow, Orange and Green. If you need me to tell you what color goes with what then please stop reading this, and go back to living in your parents basement where your mom takes care of everything for you.

Other tools making a successful bar are: small cutting board and a serrated knife (makes cutting the citrus that much easier), various shot glasses (I have two nice vintage ones I use all the time that measures different ounces and give TBS. and tps. conversions on the sides), A cocktail spoon (extra long handle with a small scoop for hand blending certain drinks that do not require a shaker), Bottle/Wine Bottle opener,

That should be everything you need to get up and running making drinks for friends and family. Or for yourself sitting in your darkened basement with the windows blanked out with tin foil, waiting for the aliens or Government to come get you! At least you will be in the right state of mind when they abduct you – you really won’t care!!!!!

Next week – we will be back with more yummy cocktails!!!

Until we meet again - Happy drinking!!

I Had The Time Of My Life.

I didn't think the death of Patrick Swayze would get to me as much as it did. I forgot all the great movies he starred in that I absolutely love. He was an incredible dancer, but still a tough guy and through his entire career seemed just like a really down to earth kind of guy.

Okay, so I am going to show my age here but when I was a kid back in the 80's I remember reading The Outsiders and falling in love with the book. When I read in my issue of Tiger Beat that they were making a movie of that book, well, I just about fell over myself trying to find out everything about the cast. At the time, all I cared about were the cute boys that the movie had-Patrick being one of them. When it finally came out I tried to act as intellectual as a 13 year old  with a rainbow shirt could act and praised the director for staying so close to the book. The movie tells the story of The Greasers and The Socs and the conflicts they have between them on a social level. Once Johnny and Ponyboy kill a Soc they go on the run and actually learn a little about life. The end fight scene is an over the top war against the two groups. Sure there are lots of corny lines in the movie (Matt Dillion, I'm looking in your direction -"Let's do it for Johnny!) but this movie is a classic and the story holds up against time.

One year older, still in the Red Scare  (did anyone else on the east coast have to do atomic bomb drills?) and  the movie Red Dawn was thrust upon us. The Russians were our enemy and they decide to take over the US-only a group of teenagers could save the day and fight them off. Really? Seriously-did the writer actually know any teenagers? You can barely get a teenager to mow the lawn, let alone save the world. Wait, where was I? Oh yeah, a group of teenagers save the US. This movie is so gung ho Americana that it's a little embarrassing if it weren't so cheesy.

So, years go by, I'm getting out of my teen years and a movie like no other burst into my life. That movie is Roadhouse. Oh laugh if you must, scoff if you will, but this movie is so awesomely bad that it's good! Besides a total kick ass Patrick Swayze, you have Sam Elliott-that's right. Sam Elliott. My husband swears at any given minute if Sam Elliott came through the door and asked me to run away with him, I would. I plead the 5th on any reply. Patrick plays Dalton, a bouncer that comes to a small town to clean up the local bar. In the process of lifting the bar to true 1980's standards, Dalton makes the local bad guy mad and fights ensue. Lots of fights. Patrick kills a guy with his bare hands-HIS BARE HANDS!  Apparently someone on the Spike Channel loves the movie as much as I do because it is on every weekend.

Now I know I didn't include Dirty Dancing or Ghost and that might make a few of you mad. I swore to myself that after hearing my mom sing "Time of my Life" for a whole summer that I would distance myself as far I could from Dirty Dancing. As for Ghost, I just can't do it-sorry. I love bad movies but I just can't do it.

Patrick did so many other great movies and shows up to his untimely death. He will be missed greatly. Sure he had his demons and had his share of real world problems but brought lots of joy to lots of people around the world and for that, I say thank you Patrick.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Last week you have the honor to meet the sweet Margarita. This week you get to meet her sparky sister Elsa. Oh Elsa, she's a crazy little mutton chop. OMP loves her to death...let's see why!

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Elsa and I am a Schipperke! I am 4 years old and am foster failure from my mom's work. I have seizures and need to be on medication so I couldn't just live with anybody! I like long walks, barking and eating things I am not supposed too.

Are you really misunderstood?
I am very talkative and that is often mistaken for meanness. People often called a bear/fox but I am a dog!

What's your favorite toy?
   My favorite toy is my sister Margarita. I love to mash toys on her head. Beside Margarita I love my purple porcupine and anything that squeaks.

 What do you like to do on your days off?
    I am part of the Dog World Police so I really never have a day off. I must bark at the evil doers of the world such as the mailman, people who dare to walk by and the planes in the sky. I do however take breaks every once in a while to walk and get waffles for breakfast or go to the river. I love to go to the river but only if I don't have to swim.

Bonus question
OMP is your favorite person, besides your mom isn't he?
    OMP is my hero! He made my mom start to see how awesome I am and loves me for me!

Feel Good Friday!

Thank you Sunshine Kid

 
It's Friday,doing a happy dance. Yahoo! Friday! Today started like just about any other day until my co-worker brought in her puppy to work. That TOTALLY made my day! Baby animals are the best cure for what ails you.

If you have never seen Amanda Panda Pant's embroidery work, you are missing out. This lady can STITCH! She does some amazing work, not to mention she is adorable and super sweet! I always love her take on traditional patterns. Yeah, she rocks!

Speaking of awesomeness, Have you checked out the vintage goodies at Lily Loves Bernie? They have a blue coat that is do die for. I SO wish I could fit into it! She also does some super cute embroidery on some very sexy slips. H-O-T!

I LOVE finding new blogs and websites.Meeting new people and reading about everyday life connects us. I love when you are reading a blog and have the epiphany, "That is me! I do that too!" The instant connection you have with someone warms the soul. You may never actually get to "meet" them but it is always nice to know that you have a friend who cares about your out there. When I first read Alicia Paulson's blog, I got that instant warm cozy feeling and not just because we are in the same town but because her warm personal writing invites you in and ask you to sit down for some tea as she tells you about her many adventures.

Who is ready for the movie Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs? I LOVED this book as a child and remembered that I wanted to live in the book so I could ski on mash potatoes. Well, they made the book into a movie and I'm actually really excited to see it. I know this is a change from my normal horror movie but I can't help it! It just looks too cute to pass up. 

Before I head out for the weekend. I wanted to remind myself (and you!) of 10 things that make me happy. In no certain order they are...
1. OMP and the Pups (ALWAYS)
2. Puppy kisses
3. Swapping on Craftster
4. Sleeping in on days off
5. A good cup of tea
6. A good piece of cake
7. Inside jokes with friends
8. Loving myself
9. My 75 year old dad on Facebook and him calling it Facemail
10. YOU!

Now go out there, enjoy the fall weather and be happy!

Jenny Hart and Sublime Stitching-This Ain't Your Gramma's Embroidery!

Did I ever tell you how much I love Jenny Hart and Sublime Stitching? No? Well-it's bunches and bunches! She is the reason I got into embroidery! She has inspired so many people. She is a talented artist and super sweet with a pinch of sass!

So,,,the big question is-how did you (and Sublime Stitching) get started?
When I first took up embroidery, I had never tried it before. But once I did, I became completely addicted to it. This was in the summer of 2000, and the handmade movement was just really starting up, but with a heavy focus on knitting. No one was really doing anything with embroidery in the contemporary sense, and there were no new resources for it. I was so taken with embroidery because it's illustrative (and drawing is my first passion). I wanted to turn other crafters on to it as well, but knew they’d need updated patterns, starter kits and instructions -exactly what I was looking for but couldn't find anywhere. The idea of tattoo designs for patterns was considered outrageous! My mission as a company was to change the way people looked at and learned embroidery. I began with a very modest but generous loan of $1,000.00 from my parents, I had to outline an entire budget to my father and account for every dime he loaned me, which I did. It covered my first manufacturing costs, shipping, packaging and my first print ad. They asked that I pay back half once I turned a profit which I did six months later. I never borrowed money again until five years into running the company. I have been very careful about the kind of debt I’ve acquired and have tried to avoid costly loans or over-use of credit cards.

Who/What inspires you?
I'm inspired by anyone who has a unique vision that clearly stands apart. You know it when you see it, because it makes you feel something. It makes you feel your own kind of inspiration that can take form in you that is totally unique as well. I feel this is true in art, music, film, writing -anything. There are endless forms that inspiration can take and I think the incredibly diverse offerings of work within the DIY community alone is a remarkable testament to that. For my own work, I often find I'm inspired by what I don't see. Meaning, I end up looking for something I'm curious about, or have imagined or wanted. Then I seek it out -if I can't find it, I'll try to make it myself. That's how Sublime Stitching was born, after all!

You just had a new book released-can you tell me about it?
I'm so excited about it! It's called Embroidered Effects  and it covers embroidery how-to from the very beginning to more advanced and unique techniques (like stitching combos for unusual effects), over 20 projects with pages and pages of full-color photos, a new stitching sampler, large-format transfers (yes, the fandancer on the cover is one of them) and pictures of my cat! Had to mention that.

I am so thrilled with how this book turned out, but it would not have been possible without the help of many people, including Ginger Edwards, Amy Bindel (Early Bird Special), Flor Hernandez (Feeling Stitchy) and Rachel Hobson (Average Jane Crafter), who helped me stitch up projects for the book and did a beautiful job. This book is plumb near everything I have learned (but just the tip of the embroidery-berg) about embroidery over the last eight years between two covers. Almost. Not quite. It was a lot of fun work! I hope you enjoy it! The book is available through Chronicle Books.

What are you working on right now?
I am in Paris where I have embroidered works hanging in two shows opening in October! You can see more information about it at my website . When I get back to Austin, a group show of contemporary embroidery that I was asked to curate will be opening the first weekend in November at Yard Dog. It's called "Over and Under". This is just a small show in a small (but wonderful) gallery, so I couldn't possibly include all of the wonderful artists working in embroidery today that I'd like to. The other in-the-future project that I'm excited about but will say no more than two words on is: Hart Crafts.

 What advice do you have for the masses?
Do it, make it yours, show the world and be proud of it.

BONUS QUESTION
You know of my deep fear of French knots, are they really that warm and fuzzy?
You must get past your fear little stitching grasshopper. I think you might be doing it wrong. Have you tried my very own "Fool Proof French Knot" instructions?


Alright, only cause I like you and trust you, will I give French Knots one more try. You make it look pretty easy.

Jenny-thank you so much for inspiring so many people. You are a big hero to me and to others. I wish you success in everything you do. I can't wait for you next adventure!

Tie One On Tuesday

Okay, before I let OMP take over, did anyone else realize that Tie One On Tuesday spells TOOT? Hee hee...I'm a 12 year old boy. Okay, before I get "the look" from OMP, here ya go!

How to stock your home bar OR how to get free stuff from your friends without really trying!!

So this week we are forgoing the drink recipes for a more important topic. What’s that you say? What’s more important then booze? Hold onto your highball there sparky, we are still going to talk about the fermented goodness but just not in the usual way. I want to help you people out there get your bar stocked in the proper way.

We all look at the different drinks and such (here and elsewhere) and drool, but then ask yourself – that sounds good but I don’t have a bottle of bitters or Vermouth.

Well I am going to talk some good old fashioned (uuulgh, an Old Fashioned……oh sorry, faded off there for a sec) sense when it comes down to getting the right stuff.

First do yourself a HUGE favor and go out and get yourself a good drink book. If you want basic Cocktails, then get a basic bartenders guide. There are lots on the market right now, or if you tend to be a girl drink drunk then pick yourself up an Exotic/Tiki drink book (HINT: Beach Bum Berry’s guides are tops in this genre).

Flip through the pages and pick yourself out a couple of drinks that sound really good to you. Look over the recipes. Make a note on the ingredients and then head off to the Liquor store. Pick yourself up the ingredients to just those two drinks. I might make the recommendation that you pick up the smaller bottles (Pints) of booze, this will cut down on your initial investment and still provide some juice for your bar. Now go home, lock yourself in and attempt to make said drinks – enjoy!!!

Now, that you have those two down, flip through the book and pick out a couple more, then next payday go to the store and get the mix’ums for those drinks. In a few weeks or so you will have a nicely stocked bar and know how to make some basic drinks. And yes start out with the easy ones. Biggest mistake I made years ago was trying to mix a proper Zombie. First two I made caused my friends hair to fall out they were so strong.

Okay – now here is a sneaky way to get “free” booze. Plan out a party and invite your friends over for a “stock the bar” party. Admission is a bottle of booze and one mixer. Now – this can back fire in a BIG way if all your friends like Margarita's. In the end your bar is stocked with 20 bottles of Tequila and Rose’s Mix. If worse comes to worse, drop polite hints as to what type of liquor your interested in, OR what type of drinks you like (and would like to make for them). In the end of a successful party, you have more booze in the cupboard and you’ve made your friends happy with some party dip and a few drinks. If you’re lucky – most of your friends will drink Beer and wine. It’s a win for all!

If you still have questions on any of the above please, do not hesitate to not ask them NOW! My head hurts from writing, I’ll be in my bar.

Next week – the tools of the trade………