027 The Questing Quilter: Diana Stahl

That’s what I think quilting has been able to do for me, is to give me an outlet to express those little beauties, those little things in my spirit that I want to get out. Imagine that feeling could be in an object around your house and you could see it and go like, oh, oh! Nice, nice nice! I think that’s what we’re all trying to do when we buy something and put it in our home.

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That’s Diana. Teacher, crafter, serene mother of 3…and my beloved college roomie. Even back in her wildest days, she possessed a tender heart, impossible patience, and an enduring fondness for fine fabric, nostalgia, and one more cup of coffee. In the blanket she made for my daughter, every square was a tiny slice of affection sewn together with her signature calm just for me. – Amber Moreno

**Thanks so much to Amber Moreno for the countless hours she’s put into producing this little podcast for 27 episodes. I have appreciated every second she’s nudged and carefully spliced to get such thoughtfully crafted episodes from our hour-plus long chats. Her work will be missed, but I certainly am thankful that I get to see her regularly for non-podcast related hangs.** -Angelica Norton

Weekly inpo: Yasmin Youssef’s art exhibit at E.A.S.T (East Austin Studio Tour) can be found at @thegoldcurrent on Instagram and her website: http://yasmin.ws

Diana’s favorite quilting book is 501 Rotary Cut quilt blocks by Judy Hopkins and she uses a Pfaff Varimatic sewing machine. You just need a problem-free sewing machine, an iron, and an ironing board, and you’re all set! TIP! Try a 70% cotton/30% polyester batting so it doesn’t shrink, but double-check the size on your pre-sized batting so your finished quilt top matches up correctly!

Her quilter in Winnipeg, Manitoba is Brenna Sneesby at thequilteddaisy.com

An example of the hand towels Diana mentioned around the middle of the episode:

aunt-marthas-flour-sack-towels-vintage-aunt-marthas-flour-sack-tea-towels — Source: http://searchluke.info/aunt-marthas-flour-sack-towels/

Diana’s lovely quilts and workspace:

Diana’s quilt

Diana’s workspace

025 Peace-in-your-Mind Keeper: Rose Frezza

All of life is like a gigantic improv scene, right? You never know what the person next to you is going to say next, all you can do is approach it with a positive attitude and do your best to be a supportive person in their sphere. Overall I feel like it’s made me a more competent communicator and I think there are very few people in this world who would not benefit from taking at least one improv class.

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That’s Rose. Actor, improvisor, and instructor at the Hideout Theatre, communications professional, and beacon of positivity. Rose joined us to talk about her full, happy life, telenovelas, and nurturing participation in everyone she meets.

Links for Rose’s work:

Rose’s improve troupe’s (Physics Curse) website: physicscurse.squarespace.com

Ticket link to Don’t Interrupt Me, Rose’s troupe’s monthly show at the Hideout Theatre: www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/DontInterruptMe

Link to the Hideout’s Spanish classes (none on the docket yet for 2019, but soon): www.hideouttheatre.com/austin-improv-classes/clase-gratis-de-improv

Beautiful video for La Vida de los Muertos show: www.facebook.com/hideouttheatre/videos/2200792046870176/

Guaranteed murder mystery dinner, The Dinner Detective: www.thedinnerdetective.com/austin/

She’s also the producer and publicist for The Out of Bounds Comedy Festival: oobfest.com

Rose’s favorite novellas:

Velvet on Netflix: www.netflix.com/title/80018046

El Grand Hotel on Netflix: www.netflix.com/title/70308105

Rose Frezza in La Vida de los Muertos

024 Rhubarb Woodcutter: Logan Willis

When I walked into the architecture building at the University of Houston in South Coast they had all the graphics on the walls and half of a volkswagen up on it, and I thought, well, this is what I want to do that’s when I realized I wanted to get into architecture

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That’s Logan. Carpenter, connoisseur of coincidences and Angelica’s darling dad. A history buff with a keen eye for how things are made, he sat down to chat about architecture, building, and the other ethereal ingredients that make up his blueprint.

We mentioned South Coast/ Ant Farm and Inflatable architecture.

Since today is Halloween, we have a lovely Costume Parade on our Chatty Crafties Facebook page! Here are a some of our favorite. Happy Halloween!

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023 Dexxcellent Creator: Ms. Dexxi

I think i like more improvising and just kind of going with what feels right, sometimes the kids will come to class and they may have had a day of testing; they really don’t want one more structured thing to do. They need more freedom, and so we have to be spontaneous in that way.

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That’s Ms. Dexxi. Dance instructor, aspiring motivational speaker, and mom. She stopped by after class to chat about the mental relief of dance, the art of self-development, and encouraging the bloom of kids’ creative self-expression–in-and out of the studio. You can find her on Facebook on her Yoga Sign page and find her dance and yoga classes offered at the East Communities YMCA in Austin, TX.

Girls, you got that Buffy reboot on your mind?

Parents, do you let your kids curse? Have you thought about it? Michael Adams has.

Find some inspiration to try on some costumes with Amber’s tried and true Halloweemix on Spotify. ………..Or if you’re into the 80’s, and dark, synthy horror-prog try these by Ryan M. Todd. We’re still collecting images of homemade Halloween costumes for our Costume Parade. Send them to us at our email or tag us on social media with #chattycraftiescostume

Genevieve’s office blessing sacred objects

Amber burning sage around our office after we reorganized

If your work or creative space feels stagnant or heavy, find some sacred objects around the home and think about a ritual to set your intention for the space. You can find meaning in anything, and sometimes we just need to be reminded that we’re on the right path. Our old plan Genevieve at Passageway Arts reminded me that all is well (that was our closing affirmation) and she talked more about how she picked the sacred items on her Instagram page. Gen was one of the original 5 producers of the monthly storytelling show Testify, which we talked about at length on Kate’s episode and we brought up to Dexxi that she might enjoy.

Intro is a sweet sample from one of Ms. Dexxi’s classes; our outro music is by Berm and Swale, who has more HERE.

022 Culinary Peacemaker: Jan Norton

It’s something I might see on a cooking show, it’s something I might read about and I save it. It’s a thought of ooh, I’d love to figure out how you make that.

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That’s Jan, Angelica’s mother-in-law, Matt’s mom, cook, baker, party planner, space maker and daughter to Laverne, a dedicated follower of fashion, decorum and coordinated colors. You’ll hear a little from her as well. Matt and his mom have such a sweet rapport we had to have him on too, so, if no one minds, here’s 3 generations of craftiness to get you thinking about gratitude for wherever your creative lineage has its roots.

We’re still waiting for your handmade Halloween photos, tag us on twitter, instagram or facebook with #chattycraftiescostume or send them along to chattycrafties@gmail.com.

Puppy cupcakes by Jan

Vietnamese pork ribs after the podcast

Homemade dress by either Bomba or her mother

Painting by Laverne Ivey

021 Holiday Warm Up

This week on Chatty Crafties we’re whettin your whistle for the holidays. You’ll remember Genevieve Saenz from way back in episode one. She and Amber have been offering holiday arts workshops to the public for years: crafting sessions that exercise the creative and emotional muscles often left untouched throughout the holiday hustle. So, before you start thinking about what to bring down from the attic and how many presents you’re planning to crochet, consider taking a different approach to the most wonderful time of the year.

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Email genevieve@passagewayarts.com to inquire about Ghosts: An Evening with What Haunts You on October 28th in a to-be-determined park location in Austin.

Please start sending in your handmade Halloween costumes of your childhood or that you made for your own kiddos. Send them to chattycrafties@gmail.com.

Check out Fortlandia, the exhibit at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center open Sept. 29 to Feb 28. Angelica and Matt’s fort is called Blanket Fort; photos below. Please tag either @chattycrafties or @openenvelopestudio so that we can share it on the Open Envelope Studio Insta stories.

Open Envelope Studio’s Blanket Fort

020 Pragmatic Crafter: Jamie Webster

If i had any control over my ADD it would probably be the most useful super power in the universe but I’m fighting it – I want to do things and it’s preventing me from even knowing how to start. Or there’s something entirely different that I need to be doing but what should take 30 minutes can take an indefinite period of time.

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That’s Jamie. Executive vice president, problem solver, mom, and organizing tornado. Recently delivered from a long bout of postpartum depression, she joined us by phone to chat about seeing color again and reclaiming her crafty cravings.

Shameless plugs: Check out Jamie and her dad Dennis’ fence company, Texas Fence Supply, in Denton, TX. Fun fact: Jamie’s fence was Open Envelope Studio (Angelica’s landscape design/build company)’s very first project back in 2011, and used material from TFS, obviously. Also, check out the Bearded Monk, just off Denton’s square, where you can get your craft brew fix, play a board game, or fill a growler to go. Jamie’s brother-in-law owns and her husband manages this cute little gathering space.

QOTW: Show us your closet disasters and organizational traumas on social media (#chattycrafties)! We know we’re not the only ones hindered creatively by ALL OF THE PILES that we know we eventually we need to do something about. Design solutions are out there, but first, let’s commiserate.

Hitchiker’s guide pillow by jamie

1/2 a carseat cover by Jamie

Jamie’s endless boxes

019 Geographic Inquirer: A.C.

You can’t go into you know, into an interview and say, here I drew some pictures to show you what I can do for your company but nevertheless, it’s creativity and it’s showing me as a teacher that they get it.

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That’s A.C. Teacher, dad, and musical influence to the stars. A.C. phoned it in to share his scholastic-grade sarcasm, classroom techniques, and what it’s like to look through his eye for design.

Listen for tips on how to engage jr. high and high school kids who might not be able to communicate all that they’re learning by using art! And find A.C. on Twitter and Instagram at @bigfabAC.

Question of the week: What are your barriers to being creative? What keeps you from being creative if you used to be or what keeps you from being creative if you never were? Give us your thoughts in comments, on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook so we can feature your answer!

AC’s bedroom (photo by Casey Kopecky)

Atomic clock ((photo by Casey Kopecky)

Shelves in the office (photo by Casey Kopecky)

Guest room pre-Michael (photo by Casey Kopecky)

Stretched vintage fabric by AC (Guest room pre-Michael (photo by Casey Kopecky)

Stretched vintage fabric for Eloise by AC

018 Metaphorical Magician: Billy Moreno

Everything we do with language and communication is all metaphors. It’s all somewhat ambiguous and it’s all alive in the moment, after that it’s a different thing; before that it’s a different thing.

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That’s Billy, a.k.a. _Bill_Nice_. Rapper, Game Designer, imperfectionist, incorrigible wordsmith, and long time husband of our producer. Billy chatted about the wondrous opportunity of personal vocabularies, meditation, his methods for world class deck building and stage fright.

Billy’s music is open for interpretation at https://soundcloud.com/billy-moreno.

Find an open mic night near you and go stretch your legs.

Billy’s workspace

Billy Moreno

Billy and Noble

Billy and Amber

017 Hacksaw Poet: Mitchell Crooks

I totally believe that I have, and everybody who’s creative has, the right to write songs from a totally different perspective. So I have songs that come from nothing that I’ve personally experienced, and that’s kind of a cool exercise to try and write something from somebody else’s perspective.

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That’s Mitchell, singer, song writer, Applications Engineer, and handy dad. Mitchell stopped by and shared some of his signature Americana with us and waxed a little poetic about collaborating.

Mitchell’s first album, Forces of Nature, Follies of Man, comes out in late 2018. Find out more on his Instagram and his Facebook, and soon, at http://www.mitchellcrooksmusic.com. He recorded his album in Austin at King Electric Recording with Justin Douglas, the sound engineer. His upcoming show is at Brentwood Social House on Friday, August 31st at 7pm. Bring your kids!

His wife, Sarah, and their kids, Lily and Oliver, have had their own Chatty Crafties episodes as well. We love hearing about families that inspire each other to make art, perform, and explore their creative instincts.