I just did a deep deep clean of my sewing room, donated about 90% of my fabric, then I reorganized it so I can actually get some work done in there, or change it into an office suite if the sewing thing doesn't work out for me. Regardless, t will always be a creative space.
The 'Pod-scape' has changed so much since my last show (to download any of my older programs, click this link: http://materialmama.typepad.com/blog/podcasts.html ) I'd love to get back into it but not sure how to approach it. There are so few female podcasters, and the big sewing related companies don't really 'get' it. Heck you can't even buy a Babylock online yet. I try to explain a podcast to every sewing shop I go to and get a blank look, or worse, they look condecendingly at me.
This is where you come in. Do you have some awesome ideas for my Material Mama 2.0 Podcast? Please put them in the comments section of my blog or look over to your right on the blog, or give a call to my answering machine or email me. I love to hear any ideas for what you're looking for!
I'm not so interested in interviewing other famous crafters, that's what other shows do very well. I may chat with other Sewing Mamas or podcasters though. I'm not a professional sewista, I just really like it. So I don't have great talents like Threads might. To be honest I'm guessing that I'm not going to show up on a crafty show or DIY channel. Too many kids, too busy. I quit my teaching job to be home so it would sort of defeat the purpose if I had to get a sitter while I was taping or whatever.
Podcasts are a great medium for a mama (or papas), because you can keep it in one ear whilst doing errands etc. I've mentioned some of these before but here are my top current listens:
- Wait Wait Don't Tell Me NPR news quiz. I get most of my news from here, for better or worse. Very smart people that make me laugh
- Stuff You Missed in History Class Short and interesting tidbits of history that will make you feel smarter.
- Freakonomics Radio The hidden side of everything
- The Nerdist -- good nerdy fun
- Slate's Spoiler Podcast -- makes me feel like I really get to see more movies than I do
- Judge John Hodgman "pressing issues" decided by Famous Minor Television Personality John Hodgman, you may know him as the PC in the Apple/PC advertisements.
I really liked the Freakonomics podcast about the upside of quitting. It really helped me understand how strange it felt to 'quit' teaching to be a full time mama. I LOVE teaching but had to quit to make my family work. It's basic freakonomics.
AND..... I've cut out a shirt for Mary (thus the title)! European size 132, good heavens. Nothing too fancy, just an Ottobre 301 long sleeved top in pink cotton lycra blend, but it's the first thing I've cut out in a few years. She's going to help me pick out the ribbing for the neckline and decide what if any decorations for the front. I have the embroidery machine, as well as the silkscreening machine (YuDu) or ribbon is always fun. So we'll see, I'll keep you posted.
Oh and we have a new pet to be a friend to Indy our dog. Candace the guinea pig. She was the class pet in the third grade but the teacher couldn't take care of her so we got her. She is so sweet and I've totally changed my mind about the creatures. They are docile, sweet and a great 'first pet' for a 7 and 9 year old. (In fact now that I'm thinking about it, it's time to clean the cage!):
Next time -- books I've been listening to that I recommend for mamas :) Upcoming -- my Very Busy Summer! And off to Hawaii this November. Yay! I have lots to share if you're interested.
Ciao!
