GUEST BLOG POST: S is for Sewing

Meet the wonderful Lindsay (Hill) Smith! I met Lindsay in high school and since we have been in touch with each other via Facebook or taking our pups to the park together. Since day one, Lindsay has always been a creative individual – designing, sewing and drawing everything you can image. Lindsay was blessed to make her hobby into a career as she is now a shop owner in Skippack. Be sure to stop by Stitchwell Fabric next time you are in the Village – take a class or buy some supplies, you don’t want to miss out!

Sewing. You may have taken it in middle school, your mom or grand mom may be able to do it, and you might be wondering, why should I sew something when I can just buy it? It may seem like a stodgy old hobby, it may seem antiquated and out-dated, but I promise it isn’t. Sewing is back, and it is back in a big way. I think we are over the excitement and awe of mass-production and we are getting back to our roots of finding satisfaction in making something with our own hands. And I think we are realizing that our Grandma’s were super cool for making our mom’s clothes, and maybe feminism made sewing not as cool, but I really think it is making a come back. Girls, and some guys, are really seeing the value in hand-made, and they are doing it in a bigger, better, more modern way. Sewing, with all it’s forms, can be an instantly gratifying art form that is both beautiful and useful!

But who I am to say what sewing is and what sewing isn’t? All I can really tell you is what sewing is to me. My name is Lindsay Smith, I have been sewing for the better part of 15 years, and sewing has always been a fantastic creative expression for me. I have always been drawn to fabric. The beautiful colors, textures and the possibility of what could be made with it, there was just so much potential. I started with just a needle, thread, and some scrap fabric. Moved on to my Grand mom's ancient machine, teaching myself all the basics, inspired along the way by project runway and watching New York Fashion Week on E!. I would never consider myself an expert at sewing, just a lover of the the craft.

About a year ago, with love and support of my husband and family, I opened up my dream shop, a little fabric store in Skippack, PA. It is filled with all the fine fabrics I could ever dream of! The shop is meant to be a place of inspiration and busting at the seams (pun intended) with all the tools you would ever need to sew. We specialize in quality quilting fabric.

And you just heard the word ‘quilting’ and you are probably about to leave this great blog. Hang on just a minute, these aren’t your Grandma’s quilts. We specialize in Modern Quilting. Which embraces both modern fabrics and modern techniques to make amazing, contemporary quilts. And really, some of them are works of art. Modern quilting can be described as but is not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. There is also a movement called, “modern traditionalism” where quilters are taking traditional designs and making them their new with modern fabrics.

This movement is super fun-loving and not super serious. I mean, how serious can you be with a Ron Swanson Quilt? Love it. But all Rons aside, these quilters have an amazing sense of color and design knowledge. And the best part about these quilts, most of them at least, is that they are not fussy with exact measurements and perfect seams, they are one of a kind, works of art. I think that is what draws me to them the most, mine won’t ever look the same as yours, and that is not only ok, it’s the point!

Along with quilting, modern garment sewing has come a long way as well. While, it isn’t the affordable option anymore, sewing your own cloths can be incredibly gratifying and produce a better fit than store bought clothing. It does take a little wider range of skills, but there are plenty of patterns that are a great for a beginner. And the world of young, fresh pattern designers is constantly growing. Downloadable patterns are the newest addition to this craft and a great way to jump into the modern sewing pool!

I hope this has opened your eyes to a new sewing world. I would love to talk to you more about sewing or quilting come check out our store, maybe learn a new skill, and fall in love with sewing!

Lindsay Smith
Stitchwell Fabric
610.584.5632
lindsay@stitchwellfabric.com

GUEST BLOG POST - May Challenge: R is for Races

We make friends throughout our entire life – some in grade school, others not until college, some even POST college, which is exactly where I met Jess. Jess and I met like any normal friends do – via social networking hahaha But no seriously, we met each other through Twitter; I was working at The Reporter and she works at Visit Bucks County. We interacted, coming up with story ideas and before we knew it, we planned a business breakfast meeting. (God, sounds like a date, weird…anyway..) After the meeting we were like holy crap, we’re the same age, we have lots in common, lets go for drinks!! And the rest is history :) We drink together and we run together – I am so thankful I met Jess. She is a bit of a blogging inspiration for me and she has launched www.jessicalawlor.com into a GREAT website. I am so proud of you and I hope I one day can get a following like you do. Cant wait until we run a race again together!!

May Challenge: R is for Races

Whether you’re a seasoned runner with plenty of race medals to prove it or a newbie just hitting the pavement for the first time, there are plenty of fun and challenging races in the Philadelphia region this summer for runners of all experience levels.

In the past two years, I went from a couch potato to a runner, completing nearly 25 races (12 in 2012!) since 2011. There’s nothing better than the sweet feeling of accomplishment after crossing the finish line whether you’ve just run 3 or 13 miles.

Ready to start racing? Here are some of my top race picks for both new and seasoned runners:

For the new runner:

Tex Mex Connection 5K (North Wales, June 26) Ole! Love margaritas as much as I do? When you complete the Tex Mex 5K in North Wales, enjoy a party under the stars, complete with food and drink from The Tex Mex Connection.

The Color Run (Philadelphia, July 15): While this race is unfortunately currently sold out (a few charity spots remain) there’s nothing more fun than watching a sea of runners decked out in all white at the starting line complete the race coated in colorful powder. This race is seriously lighthearted- many people choose to walk, skip or prance their way through the 3-mile course.

The Electric Run (Philadelphia, July 20) Described as a “dazzling night-time 5K run/walk” this race, coming to Philadelphia for the first time this summer, begins at 8:45 p.m. and encourages runners to get their glow on with neon attire and accessories.

For the seasoned runner:

June Fete 5K (Abington, June 2): Ready to tackle some serious rolling hills? This 5K, which benefits Abington Hospital, challenges runners with a tough, hilly course through beautiful Abington neighborhoods. The race kicks off at Penn State Abington, with plenty of parking for all racers.

ODDysey Half Marathon (Philadelphia, June 9): Bored by normal half marathons? The ODDysey throws runners a curveball with twists and turns along the 13.1 mile journey through Philadelphia. With optional challenges throughout the course, a costume contest and a Beer Garden (!) at the finish line, this race is pure fun from start to finish.

Back On My Feet Pajama Loop (Philadelphia, July 21): Roll out of bed and head to Philadelphia for this challenging 8.4 mile loop around the Schuylkill River running path. Pajamas are not only allowed; they are encouraged! Oh, and this race is part of the Stroehmann Back on My Feet 20in24 Challenge, which includes FIVE unique races in 24 hours.

What is your favorite race in the Philadelphia region? Share in the comments below!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area. She blogs at JessicaLawlor.com about getting gutsy--forcing yourself out of your comfort zone in order to live a life that makes you truly happy. Subscribe to her FREE Get Gutsy newsletter for more ideas, tips and inspiration.

May Challenge: N, O & P - Nuts Online (Dating) Quest

This post I am combining N, O and P -- while you think that may be cheating, this post without a doubt will make you laugh while reading it. While reading this, please just invision my facial expressions and tone in my voice....

Nuts Online (Dating) Quest
I will openly admit I tired the online dating scene. Stats say that 40 million people participate/try online dating and I figured why not mark myself as one of those stats. I tried online dating for a short period of time when I lived in Baltimore in 2010 (I went back to the Charm City when I took a coaching job at Loyola.)

So here I was -- back in one of my favorite cities with some of my favorite people. However I was missing one thing, a boyfriend. So I gained some courage and decided to join OkCupid -- mainly because I was being cheap and didn't want to pay for Match or eHarmony.

I sign up, make my profile, post pictures of myself I thought I looked cute in. Chatted with a few people and tried to set up a few dates. I went on a couple first dates that only lasted as ONE date(thanks for the dinner boys!) but there was one date in particular that made online dating quickly come to an end.

So like most online sites, I got a message from  a guy trying to make conversation. Like each person on dating websites, immediately after reading his message I checked his profile, examining for the basics -- do you drink, do you smoke, do you have kids, what do you do and an important note, how tall are you. You of course have so be somewhat physically attracted to the person to give them a shot -- this guy seemed normal, good looking, 5'10 height, great! Sure! So we scheduled sushi.

Tuesday night comes and he texts me that he is outside. I jump in his SUV and help him park by Matsuri, my favorite sushi place in Baltimore. We park and off we go to dinner. I get out on my side of the car and look over to his -- he jumps out and all of a sudden I can no longer see him. HOLY SHIT, where did he go?! 

His door closes -- still I see no head, and suddenly I see him appear from around the front hood of the car. Holy fu$#, this dude is PUSHING 5-feet tall...I am on a date with a midget!!!! (Please note - I have nothing against little people/individuals who are vertically challenge; I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea here. This just really caught me off guard.) 

His profile said he was 5'10" and here I am, standing in 4inch heels (making me about that height), and I am looking down on this guy as he shakes my hand. While looks should not matter and what matters is on the inside, I could not get over the shock. So we hurry inside to sushi and sitting down I felt much more comfortable looking eye to eye.

So he cracks some jokes about his height and honestly was VERY confident in himself with an issue I feel many people would be bothered by. He never mentioned his profile info and while I was tempted, I kept my mouth shut. After hearing him out I gave the dude props -- but little did I know this date was going from weird to straight creepy.

As we're making conversation we start talking about family ... what they do, who they are, etc. etc. Then comes the shocker. Literally 30 mins into the date he starts talking about how his mother would love me and we need to fix a time to meet. UMMMM hello bro, we JUST met. We then talk about family traditions and what we do -- I told him about how as a family we go and cut our Christmas tree down together every year. He goes "Oh my gosh, this year will be so fun, I can join you all up in Pennsylvania." WHAT THE F--- IS THIS SERIOUSLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?! He has to be joking.

In a little under two hours I had myself a stage 5 clinger.... we were already dating, meeting families, planning holidays and living happily ever after in his mind. If the height thing didn't already lose you with me buddy, it was this crazy talk you usually hear dudes saying about chicks. Dear sweet lord, CHECK PLEASE.

Check comes, thank the lord, I can walk home. But wait for it.
"Hey do you wanna go take a walk around the Harbor for a little bit?"
uhh no I need to get back to my house soon.
"Come on, just for a few minutes."

So our awkward walk around the Harbor happened with conversation about how his mother is going to love me and he cant wait to text her tonight after he leaves. Yada yada yada. FINALLY, I tell him I need to get home right now. I actually did have to get home because I was playing in an indoor soccer league that night. I tell him I need to get moving and get ready so I didn't miss the game.

"Oh you have a game where is it?"
It's by the airport, kinda out of the way.
"OMG, no way, I live right by there. Ill come watch"

Dear sweet Jesus, THIS IS MY NIGHTMARE. I tell him no, there is no need for that, thank you though.... yeah, the kid FOLLOWS me to my game. I get out of the car, he says "Told you i'd like to watch."

Sitting there the entire game he cheered like a school girl and I've never been so embarrassed in my life. This day could NOT come to an end any sooner.

The next day he texts me and I tell him I think it would be best to just be friends. About 30 seconds later I get a call from him -- he is crying.

Are you crying because of me?!
"No, not you -- I... I... I just have had a really bad day here at work and I need someone to talk to and..yeah...you seriously don't want to hang out again."

After that phone call I never had conversation with this guy again and I immediately deleted my online profile.


Although my online dating scene only lasted a few months, I count my lucky stars everyday now that Taylor has come into my life. Good luck to anyone on the online dating quest -- be careful and be safe. Dont find yourself a stage 5 clinger.