Happy holidays, everyone! I’ve been blog silent for a bit spending every free moment sewing this sparkly new race apron. When I suit up in it for tomorrow’s 4-mile Resolution Run through East Grand Rapids, I’m going to look like I got jumped by Richard Simmons on the way to a bake-off.  But we only [...]

Last night I dusted off a holiday craft project that I haven’t done in a few years. Check back Friday for a free tutorial and video demonstration. I forgot how addictive and fun it is to make these ornaments. They’re a big hit with the kids, too, which is an added bonus. I ran today, [...]

After I stitched the binding on my overdue quilt for Margaret’s Hope Chest, I ran a couple easy miles in the direction of one of my 2010 goals. I want to run the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K here in Grand Rapids on May 8, 2010. I had this same goal last year about [...]

My daughter Abby doesn’t have any formal piano training, but that didn’t stop her from climbing up on the bench and playing a spontaneous tune on the black baby grand at the YMCA today.  The place was buzzing with anxious runners picking up their Grand Rapids Marathon race packs to prep for tomorrow’s big race. [...]

While all the other runners were sleeping (or least trying to sleep), I was embroidering felt patches for the handmade race apron I sported at today’s 32 annual Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids. Race apron? That’s right, folks. My apron fixation as overflowed into my sporty life. And let me tell you [...]

I’ve been very busy fabric shopping and talking to experts, because this weekend I plan to attempt what I consider the marathon of craft. I will attempt to reupholster an old couch and chair with no previous experience. I’ve never done this before, so I don’t know any better. This could end in massive disaster, [...]

It’s time to up my mileage from “winter casual” to “serious business.” Today I’m going public with my plans to sign up for the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K at tonight’s Kent County Training Kickoff. I ran this race two years ago, then skipped it last year to pace a pal through the 5K. [...]

A year ago I ran the Fifth Third River Bank Run, my first 25k. Today I could have ran my second, but passed on the opportunity to hurt myself. I slipped off my training schedule a couple months ago due to illness and decided not to force the issue. Sure, I would have loved to [...]

This is “Foxy Roxy,” another of Abby’s cute little “happy monsters.” I’m stitching this guy up for Abby’s quilt. Her birthday is the 23rd, so I really need to step things up. I couldn’t find my tiny embroidery hoop, and had to borrow one from a friend to keep the project momentum going. (Thanks for [...]

I have three more “happy monsters” to embroider to complete the stitching for Abby’s birthday quilt. This is probably the most enjoyable project I’ve ever done. Tracing my daughter’s crayon drawings has been a wonderful experience. It goes a little something like this: she shows me her finished drawing and I tell her it’s great. [...]

Who’s the big April fool? Today that would be me. I fell for a ridiculous April Fool’s joke. In my defense I was operating on less than four hours of sleep and looking for an out. You see, my training for next month’s big 25K isn’t going so well. Illness sidelined me for a few [...]

It pains me to report that my performance at this year’s Spectrum Health Irish Jig 5K was slower than last year. I ran a disappointing 23: 54. (My 5K PR from September 2007 is 22:35.) Unfortunately, the deck was stacked against me before I got even one leg into my compression pants this morning. I [...]

Did you see this yet? I spotted this fantastic scrappy cartwheel doll quilt (again) by greetingarts on whipup yesterday and want to make a couple for my girls. Today it’s popping up all over and too good not to share. The best part is there’s a tutorial so you can make your own. Awesome. Thank [...]