10 for 10 #2 - Cara from Me? A Mom?

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Time for Interview #2!  Today, we'll be talking with Cara from Me? A Mom?




I started following Cara earlier this spring - about the same time she started back to work.  As a fellow working mom, her posts truly resonated with me.  There is something to be said for the balance struggle that exists between work and home, and Cara puts it all out there with a style and grace that leaves me both snickering and pondering at the same time.  A quick glance at her Labels Cloud will show you her fabulous sense of humor...my favorite?  If it's not one thing it's another.  That's a daily saying around my house.  Of course, the I'm losing my mind label isn't too far behind because, well... I am.

In the on-line blogging and quilting world, there aren't many of us who have an outside job, kids, and the ability to find more than five minutes of down time.  So it's nice to see Cara doing all the things I try to do and succeed.  I mean, really... her Finished Quilts page puts mine to shame!  Have you seen these?

Folky Flannel Double-sided Quilt

Raspberry Delight

The Wonky Quilt

So, maybe there's still hope for me.  She's also going to the Sewing Summit and I hope to meet her in person there.  Perhaps I can talk her into a cup of coffee so we can swap stories on kids, work, staving off insanity...and enjoy some laughs.

So, without further ado...on with the interview!

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy?
Hands down, I'd buy the nicest Bernina sewing machine I could get. I sew on a very basic Janome that I've completely outgrown.

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now?
Oh my goodness, I seem to have a new favorite every day. But right now I love all the crosshatch prints that have recently been released. I also have crushed pretty hard on Joel Dewberry's latest line Heirloom. And, of course, I love just about anything Anna Maria Horner puts out.

What is one thing from your "bucket list"?
I don't even have a bucket list. Is that bad? Most days I'm just trying to make it to bedtime. That said, I would love to some day have the financial freedom to pursue quilting with reckless abandon, but I'd probably file that under "Pipe Dream" rather than "Bucket List."

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
I've been extremely intrigued by paper piecing ever since I conquered the Flying Geese block. Cathedral windows have also long been on my list to try.

What hot trends do you see coming our way?
In terms of trends for modern quilting, I think we're going to see a shift to a "what's old is new" trend. We're already seeing some of this from the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along. I'm also noticing bloggers who are making more traditional blocks but with modern fabrics.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
These days I like the kind of movies that involve a theater and a babysitter. Before kids, I loved a good independent film. These days just about anything will do as long as it isn't violent, scary or subtitled.

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
My inspiration comes in spurts so I've learned to just wait it out. My sewing mojo always returns and with a vengeance!

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
Just start sewing. Don't worry about making mistakes or the "right way" of doing things. Just do. It'll all work itself out. Quilting is a journey, not a destination.

What is your favorite finished project to date?
This changes like the weather for me but right now I'm loving my Birdy quilt. It was the result of a modern quilt guild challenge. Without that challenge, I don't think I ever would have put those fabrics together on my own. I love the unexpected combination of colors and fabrics.

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
Hands down I'm the most boring person on the planet (but I'm also the mother of three small girls so maybe you'll cut me some slack). I would soak in the tub and slip into some comfy pajamas. Then I'd cuddle under a quilt and order some fabric online, catch up on blogs, flickr, and pinterest, and then hit the sack early and get some sleep. See?  Boring.  Boring, but true. :)


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Well, Cara, boring or not, I have a feeling most of us would do the same with an evening alone.  It sure sounded fabulous to me!

I also think it's pretty cool that we're giving away fabrics from Cara's current "crush" - Joel Dewberry's Heirloom.  Believe it or not, that wasn't planned!

Today's giveaway -- courtesy of Cathy at Wondrous Woven Fabrics -- is a bundle of fat-eighths from the line; one each of Ornate Floral Garnet, Blockade Blossom Crimson, Opal Blush, and Paisley Garnet.









I'm going to make you work for today's entry - bwahahahaa!  It's time to start talking.  :)

For your first entry, tell me which of Cara's quilts is your favorite, and one (G-rated) item from your bucket list. 

In addition to that comment, followers of both Cara's blog and my blog get an optional bonus entry - so comment to let me know if you follow both blogs (either new followers or not-so-new!)

Limit two comments per person.  Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Monday, September 5th and I'll draw a winner that day.

Good luck!