Liebster Blog Award

Thank you Jennifer from Glinda Quilts for nominating me. I wish I was in a fabulous gown with a Harry Winston diamond necklace and my husband in a fabulous tux, but my jeans and sweater will have to do. 

The Liebster Blog Award is given by bloggers to up-and-coming bloggers, most of whom have less than 200 followers (I'm dying to reach that 200 mark!). It's to show new bloggers they are appreciated and to help spread the word about new blogs.

Along with the fabulous award, there are a few rules.

1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given by your nominator
3. Create 11 new questions for those you nominate
4. Choose 11 new blogs and link them to your post - although since I don't give a fig for rules like this, just come up with some new blogs. I did nine. I'm a rebel like that.

 So, let's get started!

11 Random Things About Moi:

1. When I was in grade school, I told the lunch lady I was allergic to applesauce. 
2. I played the sousaphone in the marching band in high school. Yes, I went to band camp. It was awesome! I also play the flute, French horn, trumpet, and a myriad of percussion instruments. I'm quite talented with the triangle and cymbals. There is actually technique involved, I promise.
3. I am named after someone called Virginia. Her nickname was Ginny and so my parents named me Jennie. But they pronounce it more like Ginny. Confused yet? Try to be a "just Jennie" born in the 70s, surrounded by Jennifers. If I had a dollar for every time I had to correct someone, I'd have a lot of dollars. Or just more fabric.
4. My husband bought me a pistol for Mother's Day a few years back. Good times my friends. It's one of our favorite date night activities, to go to the range. 
5. I have six brothers, no sisters.
6. I like math. But I majored in creative writing. Go figure.
7. I dream of opening my own bakery someday.
8. I have a scar on my right wrist an inch long. I burned my arm by spilling hot blackberry cobbler on it and it blistered something fierce. I still like blackberry cobbler though.
9. I want to live in the country with a big garden, chickens and a couple of pigs. I may or may not plan on wearing overalls. Wellies for sure. These ones: 

Source: nowmagazine.co.uk via Jennie on Pinterest
10. I am an aspiring novelist who seriously lacks confidence in that arena. But not lacking ideas.
11. I am obsessed with Mary Crawley's eyebrows on Downton Abbey. Would it be creepy to make a quilt devoted to them? I'm only kidding. But they are fabulous, no?

Now, the answers to Jennifer's questions:

How did you start patchwork and quilting?

I made my first quilt when I was 19. A double Irish chain. Solid yellow, a French blue check and a pretty white on white flower print. I still have it. I love it. I made another two right after (I was a bit of a geeky 20-something). I had to return my mom's sewing machine when I headed off to culinary school.

My husband bought me my own machine right after we got married (see, it's all his fault!). I made a baby quilt for my oldest daughter, and another Irish chain for my parents' German exchange student, but I really took the fall about 4 years ago. I started reading quilting blogs and dreaming of quilts when I was supposed to be paying attention in my college classes! When I graduated from college (two summers ago), my husband surprised me with a Juki TL-2000Qi. Love my Juki.

What do you wish you were good at?

Writing. I love quilting, but for me, I don't have the talent for originality. I love the patterns I see, but I don't see myself ever designing them. With writing, I have characters and story ideas that could only come from my little head. I can't wait for the day when I can devote more time to writing. Sewing is a practical hobby for me right now because it can be interrupted. Kind of important right now. But someday. Someday.

Is your glass half empty or half full?

Overflowing, and I couldn't love it more!

Do you speak another language? If not, which one would you like to speak?

I took French and Italian in college. I am not fluent, but I can understand quite a bit. I am, however, fluent in Pig Latin.

Do you feed the birds?

Always. Although in Seattle, we weren't allowed to feed the ducks on the lake. It's not good for them.

What's your favorite movie?

Well, since I'm feeling sentimental, I'd say this one is:

  

My husband took me to see this movie on our first date, 12 years ago today! Great movie, great man, great marriage!

Do you prefer hot or cold puddings?

Yes.

Just kidding. Totally depends. I love warm brownies (turtle brownies, with caramel and pecans), but I love ice cream too (Ben and Jerry's Half Baked or Cookie Dough). Cheesecake is high on the list. Cookies are always welcome. Really, a difficult question for someone who studied pastry!  My grandad always said he liked two kinds of pie: hot and cold. That about sums it up for me.

If you could time travel, where would you go?

Just for a visit? Okay, I'd go to the 1950s for some clothes. And a date night at the drive-in. Stop off in the late 19th century for a quilting bee and some more clothes. The off to Regency England to chat with Jane Austen. Then Paris after WWII to hang out with Julia Child. But really, I'm happy where I am.

Do you like singing, and if so, what's your favorite song?

I do like singing. I'm a country music fan most days, and my daughter and I both like singing along with Blake Shelton's "Honey Bee." I also like Josh Groban. "Awake" is my favorite of his. Actually, there are lots of favorites when it comes to Josh Groban. And when it's Christmastime, I'm always singing! I was also raised on musicals (my mom is a fantastic singer!), so it's possible I break into song like "Oklahoma" or "Singin' In the Rain" at any moment. It's a curse, really. My husband is learning to deal with it.

What's your favorite time of day and why?

The five minutes the house is quiet before I fall asleep.

If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?

Is this like a "witness protection program" name change? My favorite girl name that I didn't get to use because my husband didn't like it: Megan. As in Megan Follows, the best Anne ever! I'd dye my hair red and everything.

And now, my nominees (this is the hardest part!):

Megan at Tales of Ineptitude (love her xplusalong quilt)
Lee at Lala's Lovelys Quilting
Mina at Kinda Quilty
Adrianne at On the Windy Side
Wendy at Late to Create (who isn't the only one late to the Swoon-fest!)
Jeneta at Plum Jam
Karen at Ramblings of a Novice Quilter
Shanna at Sparrow in Flight
Emma at Patchwork and Pins

And my eleven questions for you:

1. What sewing/quilting technique are you desperate to try but are a little afraid of?
2. What is your favorite color combination?
3. Are you a fan of Valentine's Day? Have you had a memorable one?
4. Late night or early morning? Why?
5. Tulips or daffodils?
6. Favorite James Bond actor?
7. Pre-cuts or yardage?
8. What would be the best birthday gift?
9. Favorite sewing outfit?
10. What do you snack on when you sew?
11. Quilting tool you just can't live without . . . 

Okay! That's it!