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Monday, May 21, 2012

WOW!!!

This is a little bit unbelievable to me... Or a lot unbelievable. The big news is that I'm the WINNER of the 4th season of Project Run & Play! Can you believe it? Well, no, because it's a pretty low level of believability, which we've already been over :)



(Hendrix)


The last time I won something based on merit was in first grade. It was the fire prevention poster contest and I drew a picture of my middle school brother and his friend burning down the woods (really happened) and captioned it, "Don't play with matches." Straight and to the point. I got to pick out any bike I wanted from Kmart for my prize. It was pretty much the raddest.

But how often do you get an opportunity to win something like this as an adult? The whole competition has been crazy, stressful, and fun. But most of all, it's given me more confidence in what I can do than I've had since I was a kid. And that would have been true even if I didn't win it.

Even so, the VERY best thing about this experience has been the ginormous amounts of love and support I've felt from my friends (both in-the-flesh and intewebs) and family. It's crazy how much you guys wanted me to win this thing... I can think of a couple of you that were even more obsessed with checking the votes than me!

And my fellow designers were so talented and worked very hard, which is what made competing so much fun. I was always so excited to see what they had come up with each week. I know I could definitely learn a ton from KikiChelise, and the Sew Together girls!


(Elsie)

When Liz and Elizabeth first asked me to be in this season, maybe back in February, I honestly thought they had emailed the wrong person by mistake. I had to read it like 13 times to figure out they were really talking about me. I still felt like a major rookie at making kid's clothing, especially girl stuff and I could think of at least 2 dozen other bloggers who would be better. Plus, my sewing focus had really been on quilting since last summer. I was completely intimidated, but my husband and mom really encouraged me to do it. I said yes of course, totally thinking I'd be one of the early outs but it might be fun to challenge myself creatively a little.

Before the competition got started, I considered backing out for various reasons, but someone always did something amazing and supportive to get rid of all my excuses. Nathan offered his superior camera skills and he and Edie let me use their beautiful daughter as a model. My boss offered to sponsor me with whatever materials I needed from the shop, which was a HUGE blessing. Rachael very graciously gave me a giant bag full of materials from her own stash, PLUS a gift card to another fabric store. My husband started taking the kids out of the house for me to have extra sewing time without ever complaining. Kristin offered to be a sounding board when I needed to vent or obsess about details. My parents were a huge help in numerous ways, and my friend Julie made it her mission in life to see me succeed. I really have all of you guys to thank for making this happen!



(Lily)

Ok, now I'm totally going to copy Danielle from last season and give you a list of fun tomfoolery from behind the scenes:


  • I never sketched out my designs, and I almost never stuck to my original plans for each challenge. I would always think of something completely different to do at the last minute.
  • After the first two challenges, I was sewing week to week and taking the photos on Thursday mornings, turning in my posts past due on Thursday nights.  
  • The most stressful part was always getting good photos in time. In the chevron skirt shoot, Lily was actually sick with chicken pox. Huh? Yes, those. 
  • I'm a pretty slow sewer for someone who isn't a beginner. Especially when I would let myself watch TV or drink wine while sewing :)
  • Both of my kids and my husband had their birthdays over the course of the contest. As you might guess, poor Elsie's first birthday party was not quite as spectacular as her brother's
  • I tried to keep up with feeding my kids decent food, but my own diet was horrible the whole time. Once I just had chocolate chips for dinner. I have some poundage to lose now!
  • Somehow the elastic casing on Hendrix's Drive jeans never got sewn up. Still hasn't...
  • I made a muslin or practice version of almost every garment. 
  • Hendrix HATED doing fittings for the clothes. I had to bribe him with a lot of candy, but then afterward I would forget to give it to him and he would go back to his new babysitter: the TV. 
  • I am extremely unorganized and didn't really take time to clean up my sewing space(s) between projects. This resulted in ridiculous amounts of time wasted just looking for things. Guess I should get started on that mess today...






If you will indulge me, I have one more thing to share with you. This is my grandmother, my "Nanny," Connie McTaggart. She passed away the Thursday morning before last from complications with breast cancer. I live in Ohio, away from all my family in Florida and the last time I saw her was in January, right after she had a mastectomy. She was doing so well, just so strong and we all thought for sure that she would be around a lot longer. 

She took kind of quick turn for the worse and my parents called that morning saying it didn't look good. I bought a plane ticket out of Cincinnati right away and left for the airport 30 minutes later. She died when I was on my way. I got on that plane with Elsie, me a complete mess and her with some kind of stomach bug. After taking me to the airport, Nick immediately took the Drive pictures of Hendrix and spent the afternoon editing them and uploading them for me. I was in FL mourning with my family, and he was making sure that I could go on in the competition, which was amazing. He then made the 17 hour drive down with Hendrix to join us on Sunday, and he sang at her funeral on Monday. 

All weekend I was thinking I would just drop out. I had nothing sewn, no time to do it, and it didn't seem to be all that important anymore. But at my grandparent's church on Sunday and at the funeral, a couple of different friends of hers came up to me and told me how much she had been bragging on me and my creative sewing. They said she was so proud of me. 

She was an amazingly crafty woman. She was a lot like some of us bloggers, always learning a new craft, moving onto the next project, cranking out beautiful things. In the past, she sold her creations to pay for her kid's college educations and things like that. But in the last few years, she only sewed for charity. She made quilt after quilt after quilt just to give away to people in need. She was always encouraging me to do more of that. She read my blog religiously and would sometimes comment or email me about it. She was rooting for me in the competition. 

So, after the four of us drove back up together, 20 hours (car trouble this time) on Tuesday, I got up on Wednesday morning and started my signature looks, with just one day to finish them. I was very tired, and very doubtful as to whether they were even going to turn out well or not. But I thought a lot about Nanny and the rest of my family rooting for me. She was a beautiful and inspirational person, with a quick tongue and the best giggle ever. I'm glad to know she was proud of me, and would be proud today.




...Geez Louise, did I make you guys cry or what? 


Well if you are new here, I hope the sappy doesn't scare you off and you'll stick around- I feel like I have a lot more ideas to share now! 

Thank you so much everyone for this amazing experience!








56 comments:

  1. I'm SO very sorry about your Nanny! I'm glad you got to be with your family and remember her.
    Congrats on the win, that's amazing!!!! I'm not surprised at all, you are so very talented! xoxoxo

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  2. WOW!!! is right!! You're even more amazing than I thought! That last week would've done me in for sure. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma... how hard it is to lose that special person. My grandma was one of those, too, and I still miss her, after all these years.

    Sounds like you had a fantastic "support staff". Encouragement does wonders!

    Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so happy for you! And you soooo deserved to win!

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  3. SO excited to see that you won and yes, you made me cry. What a journey it's been for you, and obviously you have much more to share. So sorry about your grandma...blessings as you move forward and continue creating.

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  4. I started following you after seeing your work (and no, I'm not surprised you won because I voted for you many times!) and I'm so excited to see what you turn up in the future! I am working on my own Simplest Summer Top for my little girl now.

    I also wanted to add that I lost my grandmother about two years ago, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her, miss her, and remember her with great love. She taught me how to sew, crochet, cook, garden... So many wonderful things. I feel like whenever I sew, I am honoring her memory, and whenever I want to give up on something, I think of how proud she would be to see me finish. I bet your Nanny is just like her.

    Congratulations on your big win and best of luck for much continued success moving forward!

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  5. Congrats!!!!!! I am so excited for you! You really are amazing and totally deserve this! :) you sound a but like me when it comes to reaching deadlines. Lol. But you did so awesome, I don't think anyone would have guessed it had you not told us. I'm sorry to hear about your Nanny. I'm glad you could still fill her support even though she wasn't there with you. I wish you all the best! And can't wait to see what you come out with next! :)

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  6. Congratulations Jessica! I'm sorry for your loss, but I bet your Nanny is smiling down on you today.

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  7. I am so absurdly proud of you! SUCH a well deserved win - I loved that all of your designs are wearable, which isn't always the case with PR&P. Your Nanny is so proud!!

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  8. Congrats!! Everything you made was amazing!

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  9. Jessica, I am so happy that you won! You are a big inspiration when it comes to sewing for me. And I'm so sorry about your Nanny, but what a beautiful story she made with her life.

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  10. I am so proud of you, and you deserve it! No doubt your Nanny is looking down on you and beaming with joy. :)

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  11. Way to rock the runway! I am so proud of you! Your designs are awesome and make me want to sew clothes for my kids. Your Nanny passed down a wonderful passion to you which I'm glad I've gotten to witness! WAY TO GO!

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  12. Jessica, You did such an amazing job! I am so glad that you have such a wonderful supportive family. Thank you so much for sharing the "behind-the-scenes" reality of what your life was like during PR&P. I know your Nanny would be proud of you and all of your blog friends are too!

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  13. You're so great. No one deserved this more than you. Congratulations! Nanny is most certainly the proudest person in heaven today.

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  14. Congratulations on a well deserved win. I loved all your work in the competition, especially your signature look. And I agree with the others ... I'm sure your Nanny is so proud of you today!

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  15. Congrats! You deserve it! I love all of your stuff and I'm looking forward the the Oliver & S sew-a-long. the reverse bucket hat tutorial is great, that is exactly what I did too! It's so much easier & cleaner looking!

    WillowWould.blogspot.com

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  16. Well Done, Jessica! I'm so sorry for the loss of your grandmother but I echo what others have said...I bet your Nanny is so very proud of you!

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  17. Oh geeeeeeeeeez! Your post made me cry (at work) and then these lovely comments are making it even worse!! Really amazing job, my friend. I loved every single thing you made this season, how you kept your trademark sense of humor through a stressful time, how you showed off the skills you've picked up from quilting in your designs. Your designs were always interesting and creative, but also perfectly comfy and wearable. I'd dress my kids in your PR&P creations all day every day! Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you this season - it was SO fun.

    And yes, I'm sure there's a big party in heaven today! I hope your grandma and mine are hanging out, bragging back and forth about their crafty granddaughters. :D

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  18. Congratulations! I began reading your blog as you were invited to participate but I didn't know that you lived in Cincinnati and worked at Sewn!!! I LOVE that place. As you were competing I saw your entries in the store. A.MA.ZING. Your co-workers were (are) so proud of you.

    Also loved your last post. So well written, witty, and touching.

    I will be a regular reader, and possibly a stalker of yours at Sewn. :) You rock!

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  19. Congratulations!!! And I can't think of a better way to honor your grandma than with your crafty skills and a beautiful post. So lovely!

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  20. Yes, you made me cry. I'm so sorry you lost your grandmother. She sounds like she was an amazing woman, and such an inspiration for you. I'm sorry you didn't get to say good bye. I'm glad you were there with your family afterwards, though, and that your family supported you through this competition.

    You are awesome, Jessica! I'm so proud of you fur jumping in and doing such an incredible job. Each week was exciting to see what you'd made, and winning is just that much more awesome!

    Take a break and enjoy that family of yours. Congratulations!

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  21. Amazing. Honestly. You blew me away this round. I was so excited you took part in the competition and even more excited that I got to know you better.
    What a strong woman you are and what a wonderful support group and family you have to love and cheer you on. So touching.

    You did an incredible and amazing job and should be sooooo proud of yourself! I can't wait to see what you do next!

    My condolenses to you and your family. I'm sure your grandma is smiling down at you beaming with pride :)

    big hugs!!!

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  22. yes, you did make me cry... so sorry to hear about your grandma, but that is such a sweet story. and i'm sure she was so proud of you for continuing on, and you won!!! congrats jessica, you deserved it!

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  23. Totally teared up a little... I'm so happy that you won and glad to know you. :)

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  24. Congrats Jessica! I kept voting for you!!! You did an amazing job! But I always knew you and Nick were pretty amazing when you all were at Covenant! God Bless and enjoy your victory!!! :)

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  25. I'm new here, and I'm bawling. What a sweet story--I know your nanny must be so proud of you! Congratulations!!

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  26. Congratulations! You are worthy! What an accomplishment! Thank you for sharing your story. It is so sweet to hear how your family rallied behind you. Surely Nanny is proud and at peace.

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  27. Congratulations Jessica! You were spectacular through every project and I'm so glad you won :) I'm so sorry for the loss of your Nanny and will be praying for you and the family as you miss her.

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  28. Congrats! that is so awesome!! So sorry about your grandmother,what a tough loss.

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  29. Aw, yes, you totally pulled at the heartstrings, but I'm not crying. I'm more smiling for you, because you so obviously honored her memory by doing your best. I'm very happy for you, Jessica, and a little nervous that the serial killer who is coming to our June trip is also such a winner. That seems like a bad combination....

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  30. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I'm pretty amazed with your ability to finish and get through! Congratulations on your win. I've loved seeing the pictures of and reading about your creations.

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  31. I have loved your work from the start. Congratulations. I loved each creation. Thank you for sharing about your grandmother - I love that she inspired you and was inspired by you, too!

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  32. Jessica, So proud as your Mom. This morning (sorry I woke you up, just couldn't wait) on my way to work I was so excited and just kept thinking about Nanny and how proud she would be. But then I remembered, she really couldn't have been any prouder than she already was. I am in awe of your talent, and I love you so much.

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  33. Congrats on the win!! Love the little clothes that you made week after week! I'm so sorry to hear about your granma. Big hugs!!

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  34. Uhh, yes, you DID make me cry!! You're incredible and I LOVED your work this season. I can't go on about it because I'll cry more ;) CONGRATS!!!! -Cherie

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  35. Congratulations on your win. Well deserved! You did make me cry, not a good look at work I can tell you. I am sorry to hear about your Nan, I am sure she is very proud of you and also celebrating your win.

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  36. Wow, Jessica, congratulations! That was so touching, thank you for sharing that! I have a few of those people who aren't with me anymore but were so encouraging to me up until the very end. Very often and all of the sudden, I'll feel a burst of creativity and energy just when I need it. I like to think they are still quietly directing me, as influences do. I hope that each time you sew, you are reminded of your Nanny's wonderful spirit!

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  37. What a special gal you are, Jessica. Really. Congrats, my talented friend!

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  38. What a beautiful testimony to your granny. She sounds like a wonderful woman both inside and out. I know she is proud of you regardless but this win is just extra sweet. Your work is wonderful. Patty

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  39. Oh man - you are so great. I am absolutely floored to hear the story about your Grandmother - thank you for sharing her with us.

    I am totally new to your blog but will be following from now on - I LOVE what you did in this competition, and am totally inspired to try some things for my little guy. Thank you for the inspiration!

    xo

    Christy.

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  40. Hey lady...so glad you hung in...Elizabeth and I worried about you ALL WEEK... we didn't breathe a word but man we talked about you a lot...and we thought, we should have known you came from crafty jeans...sometimes I think it's handed down or burned into our DNA....loved having you this season!
    liZ

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  41. Congratulations Jessica... what an amazing story.

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  42. Congratulations! Thanks for writing such a good wrap up post. I am glad I have found your blog and look forward to reading your future posts.

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  43. Jess,

    You truly are so talented and I am so proud of you! My heart hurts for your loss.

    I love you friend!

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  44. i am over the moon excited for you and truly look forward to giving you a huge congratulations hug! so so so excited for you and so so so sorry for your loss! to loose someone so dear is always so hard. xoxo

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  45. I knew you would win all a long. :) Congrats!

    I am sorry to hear about your grandmother. Glad you could win this one for her.

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  46. Congratulations, Jessica! I love your style and am glad to have found your blog (I'm a Cinci native!). I'm so sorry for your loss. Sounds like your grandmother was an amazing woman.

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  47. Congratulations, Jessica! Your creations were absolutely wonderful. I'm so sorry about the loss of your grandmother. She would be so proud that you hung in there the final week.

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  48. CRY. ING. So happy and so sorry all at once. She would be proud, for sure. Susan

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  49. I'm so sorry for your loss of your sweet grandma. Having lost mine recently, I know how hard it is, but I like to think that my children and I gained a guardian angel. I'm sure you have a new one too.

    And congratulations again on your big win! I'm so very proud of you, and it's so exciting to watch you grow and bloom into such a rad designer of both quilts and children's wear. I knew you were special when you were in my first quilting class at Sewn! Thank you for such inspiring work.

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  50. Congratulations! What great pieces :) So sorry for your loss x Clare

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  51. Sobbing. I'm so sorry for your loss and so happy you won. Your work is stellar I'm sure your nanny is over the moon proud, bragging to everyone in heaven.

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  52. Congratulations, such a well deserved win. I loved all your creations and it's wonderful that you had such a great support team. It certainly sounds like a crazy competition, sorry for your loss, I'm so pleased you hung in there.

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  53. I am so sorry about your grandmother. What a wonderful connection you seem to have with her. I'm sure she's looking down and smiling upon you. Congratulations on your achievements and honoring her memory.

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  54. Somehow I missed this post but so glad I found it. Congratulations on your win and how you pushed through in such a difficult time! I was so close to my Granny and lost her in a similar it's not easy when you don't get to say goodbye. Oh great now I'm crying. Your post made me smile though because I could feel the joy you shared with your Nanny that's what's most important!

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