"Why don't people just say ice funnel of death?"

I've gone back and forth with myself about whether or not to write this post. Without a doubt it is the nerdiest thing I have ever done (That is probably a lie. I'm a pretty big nerd). It was supposed to be a quick and easy thing when I started it, a sort of sew-a-long with myself.


So for weeks I have gone back and forth, until I read this post on The Broke and the Bookish that made me feel not so totally alone. That coupled with a trip to FYE, where I was almost in tears after seeing this:

It took a second to sink in. "Thank you for visiting Eureka."

Right. 

Because I have to leave now. 

This would be a much better blog post if there was some big story about why this show meant so much to me. It didn't save me, it didn't bring about some grand epiphany that completely changed my life. But I did love it. Eureka may be a fictional place, but it was always my favorite getaway. I watched it when I was happy, when I was sad, when I was alone. I watched it when my dad was in the hospital. Lord knows how I would have gotten through my last two years of college without it. (The season 2 episode Noche de suenos got me an A on a Psych test once!) 

Eureka came into my life at a really crucial point. That awkward point in my high school career where I realized I didn't like the person I was, and had no idea who I wanted to be. I went back to things I loved in childhood, before I started worrying what other people thought of me. Books like Pendragon, The Seven Towers. Most importantly, the Stargate franchise. Netflix was quick to spew me lots of suggestions, the top of which being Eureka. I was hooked from almost the very beginning (Specifically Jack's "NO YOU LISTEN HOMEGIRL" outburst. It doesn't take much to woo me apparently)

When I started this, my plan was simple. 13 episodes. 13 hours was more than enough time. A few trips to some local (and not so local) fabric stores later, and I had this gorgeous stack of deep blues that had been a big part of the aesthetic throughout the series. I added a dark grey I had on hand and immediately thought of the I'm A Ginger Monkey - Tie Me Up quilt tutorial that I been eyeing for awhile. I turned on the pilot, and by the time I was done I had the whole top together.

I love this show for a lot of reasons, but the most important reason was always the characters. There's Sheriff Carter, the old fashioned law man in a completely hyper-modern community. Jo, the tough as nails deputy (who really just wanted to be a ballerina). Henry, with his pocket full of job titles. Vincent, who's got whatever you want. SARAH the house who would appreciate a call if you are going to be late for dinner. Allison Blake is one of the strongest, most inspiring female characters on television period. Lovable Fargo, Utterly Hate-able Beverley Barlow, Snarky Stark, Zane the bad boy nerd, Zoe the girl who finally found a home, Taggart the... well Taggart is a little hard to explain.

When I had to actually sit down and pick my 6 favorite quotes from the show it was really difficult. Partly because I have way more than 6 favorite characters, but mostly because what made this show great was not one single character, but the interaction they all had with each other (Don't get me wrong, they are all amazingly strong characters in their own right, but what made the show come alive was the interactions between all these great characters.  How they made you believe that somewhere in Oregon this town with these people could really exist.). 

Finally I settled on these six. Although Jo's "Boys, there's plenty of back door access for everyone." and Henry's "It's like a riddle inside an enigma, wrapped in ten inches of titanium alloy" were close runners up. I also almost added a big ol' "SERPINTINE" across one for my boy  Taggart, and I am still not totally convinced I shouldn't add that in later. (Sorry about the crazy color differences, I am going to get better pictures in some natural light ASAP)

 I had a hard time getting all of the marking chalk to come off this time. (You can really see it on the Fargo quote block and a few other spots) Its a transfer pen I have used many times before, but I have never let it sit this long. I am hoping after a spin in the washer and dryer it will all come out, but if not that'll be just fine. 

(Jack Carter S1E12 Once in a Lifetme, Zane Donovan S4E12 Reprise, Nathan Stark S4E08, S.A.R.A.H.S3E03, Douglas Fargo S1E11, Jack Carter S1E10)

The whole top went together in less than a day. (If you are looking for a great quick pattern I highly recommend this one! Lots of visual impact, not a whole lot of work.) I was going to hand quilt it while I watched the last season, hopefully finishing the binding during the finale. I traced a bunch of 1.5 inch hexagons on freezer paper and pinned them in various spots on the grey blocks, and outline quilted the rest.

Hexagons were also a common motif in Eureka, as seen here in a few screen grabs I got from my Ipad.

Needless to say, that did not happen. In fact I have still not watched the finale. Because if I don't see the end, then it never happened right? I've tried a few times to start a re-watch from season 1 and build up some momentum, but then I get to a point where I am just to sad and I put it away (Usually right around the season 3 episode "I Do Over". I will never stop being emotionally traumatized by that episode)

This has been a year of facing fears though (like finally getting my drivers license. And possibly bringing home my first car tomorrow!) so I decided to pick it up again.. It's finished now, and while I still may not have worked up the courage to watch those final two episodes, I am  I finished this. Its chillin' in my room now, with my WWF (yes, I know it is now WWE, but this is from the olden' days) pillow. 

"What makes Eureka special, is not the ideal behind it. But you. 

This community, this family, that I am very proud to be a part of. 

And its this family that I promise to protect no matter what. 

Thank you."

About me + FAQ's

I was looking through blog posts, and realized I've never really done an about me on here. So I thought I would introduce myself, and use it as a FAQ post as well.

So first off, Hello! My name is Rylee, I am almost 21 years old, and I live in the beautiful city of Seattle. I was born and raised here, and will probably always be here. 

I started DHD in January of 2011, as a way to help raise money to but some school books. It was a slow start, but its been a fun ride ever since. As well as selling online, I frequent a few local craft shows, and I am looking to branch out into several more this Summer/Fall. 

As you will no doubt be able to tell from my posts, I am a big music fan. DHD gets it's name from an Avenged Sevenfold song, but I am also a big fan of the bands New Medicine, and Halestorm. 

I'm also a pretty big nerd, and most of the items in the shop were made while watching some sort of Sci - Fi or Pre-1990's tv show. I am currently in the middle of a X-Files rewatch, and last night I may have started watching BSG again.

Now, some FAQ's.

Do you make this all yourself?

Yes. While I do have an amazing support system, every item in the shop was made with my hands. My mom does a lot of tracing, and filling of handwarmers, and my best friend is my official product tester, but all the sewing and embroidery is done by me.

Do you do all the embroidery by hand?

Yes! While I would love to have an embroidery machine, they cost a pretty penny, which I don't happen to have right now. So for the time being I am all by hand. 

What kind of sewing machine do you have?

My baby, my first machine is a Pfaff Hobby 1122. It is in desperate need of a servicing at the moment, so I don't use it as much as I used to. The "everyday" machine that I have is a Singer Confidence Quilter, and I really don't like it at all. It's touchy, and lacks the features that make a sewing machine user friendly (it stops with the needle up, there is no safeties that keep you from sewing if the presser foot is up stuff like that)

This Christmas, my mom found me this gorgeous vintage Singer, that I have nicknamed Black Betty, and I will eventually get over my fear of breaking and actually use.

How did you get to be so awesome?
Born this way? No, but really, that's all of the questions that I can think of, so I think that is it for now!

A Drawstring Bag (Finally!)

So if you follow the shop tumblr you might remember seeing these sneak previews 5 or so months ago. Like everything else lately they just kind of ended up on the back burner. But now that I am tackling that big ol' to-do list, I figured I would pull these out and give them a go!

I originally wanted to start making these so I could sell them in a package deal with our Custom Treasure Maps. Because really what is a treasure hunt without something to keep all your loot in?!

Because they are so small (4.5" wide by 7" tall) they don't fit around the arm of my machine so there are  some little hand sew details throughout. The ties are twill tape, folded and sewed for double the strength, with sewn and sealed ends to prevent fraying.

The corners are also boxed, so they stand up pretty well on their own as well. Here's what I was able to fit in this one, with plenty of space left over to cinch it tight.

As a hand quilter, I think they would also really come in handy for keeping all those pesky saftey pins in one place. It would also work well for anyone who embroiders or hand sews as a little basket to keep all your snipped thread ends in.

This little guy will be up in the shop next week, along with quite a few of his friends! 

What's New - April 15th

 So lets start this post off with the most exciting news! I am very happy to announce that starting next week we will be carrying 100% Re- Useable Facial Scrubbies in the shop!

This is what the packaging looks like at the moment, and I am building up a little stockpile to prepare for the Spring Craft fair that's is quickly approaching! These work well for regular face washing and make up removal. (If there is interest, I may start a discount deal for those who buy a set of scrubbies and a make-up bag together)

Each set comes with three scrubbies, and they will come in all sorts of fun colors. These are what I have finished so far, with much more to come!

I've been doing lots more experimenting with the Sharpie Stained markers! You can see in the top right picture how big of a difference it makes, the lower half is one coat of sharpie, and the upper is THREE coats of crayon!

My To-Do list (that I normally just keep in my head) has gotten a little overwhelming. So I pulled out the trusty chalkboard and wrote it all down. (Just when Ii thought my handwriting could not get any worse, I try and write with chalk!) There is something so satisfying about crossing things off a to-do list, that I am more likely to finish things if I get to cross them off!

I've also made a few trips to Seattle in the last few weeks, and I have now run out of my stockpile of Molly Moons.  If you are near Seattle or planning a visit, make sure you stop in to Molly Moons! 

I also added a little to the library this week, picking up Bradbury Speaks (SO EXCITED TO READ THIS) and The Fellowship of the Ring. I was told by a good friend that my geek card was revoked until  I finished the books and the movies, so we will give it a shot! 

I also picked up a new CD, which I am sort of obsessed with at the moment. Adelita's Way - Homeschool Valedictorian (I love that album title!) is really fun. Its a great record to have playing while I am sewing, and "Sick" is my favorite track by far. You can check out the video below!

I think that pretty much covers everything! I hope you guys are having an awesome April so far!