8 Items for Tag

Duke and Dutchess

Nanflan/SewWest invited fellow bloggers to volunteer to participate in the 8 item tag.

So, here is what I have to contribute.

8 bits of facts to share about me:


1. If you are a member of this sewing community it wouldn't come as any surprise to you that I have a large stash of patterns and fabric. I love the thrill of the hunt and the capture of exciting fabric yardage and just the right pattern. But in my case I have decided that my stash is a completed collection for the time being. I plan to work mostly from what I have collected for the next few years, and just buy coordinating fabrics if needed to match what I already have. I think I could probably create just about any style from the patterns I already have. Sure, I will buy a few, but mostly work with what I already have. I have taken the challenge!


2. In addition to sewing, another hobby I have is music. I have happily collected all the major members of the flute family (with the exception of the base flute). I have the following flutes: piccolo, 3 C flutes, E flat, and alto. I currently don't have a group to play with but plan to look for another group in the next year or so. I have a part-time paid position playing piano every Sunday for one church service. It has really been fun to do and something I have wanted to try for years. The job kind of “fell in my lap.” I had filled in there as a musician at this church a number of times since moving here three years ago. One of the regular musicians they had on staff failed to show up one Sunday and didn't call in. Needless to say, he was fired. They called me and offered me the position. Of course I said, YES!


3. I am a dog lover and always have been. We have two dachshunds, a black-colored miniature long-haired female named Dutchess (8 years) and a short-haired silver dapple male named Duke (9 months)--both dogs are still vying for the alpha role; lots of power plays to see who is the boss.


4. Although I didn't plan to do it earlier in my life, I am currently finishing up a doctorate in Rehabilitation Education, hoping to graduate this coming December if I can just finish the dissertation?! Three years ago our family moved 3 hours away from home (Little Rock, AR at the time) to allow me the opportunity to do this program. Wow! The time has flown by and many days I can't believe I have actually almost finished it. My family has been wonderfully supportive of this endeavor. I couldn't have done it without them. We hope to move to the Pacific NW (Seattle area) this coming January (assuming I can find a job there). My husband and I both grew up there.


5. Since we have two boys, we are all into Boy Scouting. Yes, I have a uniform too. I have filled lots of roles over the years. My older son is an Eagle scout and our 14 year old son is coming up the ranks. We really like scouting since it provides so many great learning opportunities in life skills for guys!


6. I would love to take a couple of trips to Europe sometime in the next decade—something I have never done.


7. My parents are having their 50th wedding anniversary celebration this August and we are going to Seattle for the event. I fashioned a customized banner that will be suspended from the doorway to the event that is quilted, appliqued, and has beading on it. Some of the techniques I learned from reading some of the sewer blogs in this community. Thank you for your input!


8. My older son (19) just bought his first car, and he and my husband are off on a road trip to go pick up the car (a red 1988 cadillac with the square body shape) in Nashville, TN for the next couple of days.