Fuck Cancer

Fuck cancer. This terrible disease has taken many from my family. It has taken many people I know. It has also not taken some super strong fighters. People who can endure anything. People who hold their head high and kick cancer's ass. Even if cancer took you that doesn't mean you weren't a fighter. Sometime it just gets the jump. So since I can't cure cancer I can fight it the best way I know how. With love and quilts.

I sat with my Grandpa through every chemo treatment, doctor appointment, and everything in between . I couldn't stop the disease. I couldn't stop him leaving us, but I could help someone else that has to go through the same shit. I decided to make a quilt to donate to the 2016 Bra's for a Cause auction. This local group donates countless hours to organizing events to raise money and awareness in my community. The best part is all the money stays local! No big wigs in suits getting a paycheck, just some really dedicated people trying to help out those in need. This group helps out with gas cards, paying bills, wonderful little care packages for those receiving chemo and so much more. So with them in mind I reached out to my quilting guru to help me design a quilt setting for some fabrics I had. She designed the perfect setting and I created 13 different pieced blocks from patterns I found mainly on Pinterest.

I called the quilt "Let the Love Shine" and donated it to the auction in memory of my Grandpa. The night of the auction I was filled with nerves. I wanted it to bring in as much money as possible to go to help people that have to kick cancer's ass. My Grandma came armed with a pocket full of money to try to buy it back. I secretly hoped she wouldn't have enough money. I wanted it to go for more than she could afford. I stood in tears as the bidding began and watched people bid away. In the end it went to a guy standing in the back for $725! I have never been so overjoyed. I don't know the guy who bought it, but I sure hope it is being loved and enjoyed. 

I also decided to celebrate the day my Grandpa passed by delivering 16 fleece kitty ear hats to that local cancer center. The staff their was so amazing in caring for my Grandpa and making sure the rest of us were alright too. I wanted to be able to brighten the day of someone that has to sit in one of those chairs waiting to get better. Maybe keep their head warm in the process. I was very hard to walk through those doors that day, but I did it and am super thankful that I did. I will be doing it again soon with another batch of fuzzy hats. 

Now another family member is fighting the fight. I can't make people better, but I can share my talents. I started working on a small wall hanging/table topper to donate to the benefit auction they will be holding on April 1st. Since I got to have a snow day this week I almost finished it! Just need quilted and binding and it will be ready to go. I sure hope it brings in a ton of money to help offset travel costs and such. Stay tuned for a finished photo of this little quilt! 

Share your talents, donate to a local organization when you can and remember Fuck cancer! 

Fan Girl

I'm a geek. There I said it. I have always been. My fandoms have evolved, changed, morphed over time. Sometimes I fall back to the old loves, sometimes I move on and find something new to obsess over. I'm a geek and a crafter. When you put these 2 things together you tend to get a mass explosion of creative wonderfulness that lets you share your loves with the world. I enjoy making things that reflect my interests/obsessions. Sometimes I enjoy making things that reflect others interests too.

I LOVE EDGAR ALLAN POE. I have loved him since I was in 7th grade English and had my first taste of his macabre writing. I have made a few things in tribute to him, but not long ago I made what I consider my Poe masterpiece. A small collage quilt of his likeness. It was my first go at collage quilting. I have others planned, but as he was so time consuming I have yet to tackle my next subject.

 

 Little bits of fabric where glued onto a base sketch on muslin and then I used my machine to free motion thread sketch over that. It was so time consuming, but so worth it. Edgar now resides on my library wall along with other handmade and purchased pieces in his honor. 

 I also made a prayer candle for my E.A. Poe sanctuary. (and yes that is a real taxidermy Raven

 straight from England) 

Doctor Who is one of my other loves. I've made several things and have something pretty spectacular in the works. I can't wait to share, but alas it is not finished. I built this TARDIS from bits of paper cut on a friend's Cricut machine. Forty Five minutes of gluing tiny bits of paper! I gave it to a special friend and must make myself another. 

Making geeky cakes is fun too! My sister turned 16 and love Steven Universe. I made this giant 4 layer cake. Each layer was a different color to match a character along with the gems on the top made of candy. I'm not super familiar with the fandom, but with a little research it turned out super fun!

 Another fandom I don't know much about is Supernatural. I know a ton of people that adore it and will eventually immerse myself in it, but right now I got to much on my plate. That doesn't stop me from baking a rad license plate cake for a friend. With the help of a carpenter friend I made her a Devil's trap box for her prop obsession too.

I made a few Doctor Who zipper pouches and a Walking Dead tote bag for some friends as well. Sharing geeky gear is what makes me smile the most!

These are just a few of the geeky arts and crafts I've completed lately. They make me smile and remind me everyday why I am a maker. Now I'm off to work on something and enjoy my day. Why don't you create something today too? Geeky or not give it a go! Why Not!