Our Featured Guest Star- Life in the Pitts

Today, our special guest star is Helena from Life in the Pitts.  Now Helena will let you know right up front that her blog is not a craft blog.  She is a crafter, but also a wonderful writer.  She’s writes with humor and I’m a sucker for those folks that can make me laugh.  Her blogs always put a smile on my face. 

Helena and her hubby traveled in today from the great city of Pittsburgh, PA.  Hence the blog name. So, wanting them to feel at home, I set up the buffet table in the Green Room with Pierogies, Big Macs, Iron City Beer, Chipped ham and Klondike bars.  See, I do my research!  Oh, yeah, and tons of Heinz Ketchup (a proud Pittsburgh tradition- according to the label).  I asked Tom Selleck to help set everything up while I picked them up at the airport. 

Unfortunately, he loves pierogies and beer.  Who knew?  By the time their flight got in, all that was left was ketchup and two Klondike bars.  Oh, and a bloaty Mr. Selleck.  Ya know, it’s a good thing he has that cute mustache thing going on.  Luckily, I had a back-up plan as the ladies from The View had borrowed my Green Room last week to put the models in for their Fashion Friday show.  Since they don’t eat much more than water, I had plenty of snackies left over.  I asked Barbara to put them out for me and to keep an eye on Mr. Selleck.  She was happy to oblige.  Everyone knows better than to mess with Barbara Walters. 

Helena:  My name is Helena. And I am 5’3″ tall.

Helena:  This may seem pretty short, but my sister Chantel is 4’11” and shrinking (no really, she is), and so I never feel small.

Helena:  I am married to a guy named Kurt. He is frustrating. And adorable. I spend a lot of time blogging about him (and he loves that).

Suzy:  Yep.  Your husband, ummm… looks thrilled to be here!  Tom, go get him a beer, okay?
Helena:  When I’m not blogging (I’m usually blogging) I am spending my time dancing, reading, and avoiding housework.  I am an awesome wife.

Suzy:  So, Helena, when and why did you start blogging, and where would you like your blogging to lead?
Helena:  I started blogging last September. We had just gotten married and moved to Pittsburgh, and some friends told me “All good wives blog.” And so I really had no choice.  I love writing, and blogging is an awesome creative outlet. I would love to be the next Dooce or Bloggess or Pioneer Woman. But if that doesn’t happen, I’ll settle for having fun.

Helena:  My favorite topics to blog about are my husband and my family, followed closely by my character flaws (I get a kick out of writing about how awful I am).  When I was a teenager, I had a hard time finding books written in the style I wanted. Finally, my mom said “If you like to read it, you should write it.” I think this is good advice for blogs.

Helena:  I love reading blogs that focus on everyday moments. I love connecting with people. Marinka, Jenny, and Lisa all feel like my friends, even though we’ve never met. Reading their blogs is like watching an episode of my favorite TV show, only there is a chance I might meet them someday.

Suzy:  Name a few of your favorite websites that you go to for inspiration.
Helena:  For writing inspiration, I really like meme’s.
Top Two Tuesday
Thursday Thunks
Small Treasures Tuesday
GlassHalf Full Monday

I don’t use these every week, but when I have writers block, they really help.

Helena:  To get rid of my crafters block, I love
Ruffles N Stuff (I miss Disney!)
Craftaholics Anonymous
Mod Podge Rocks
Lemon Tree Creations
….and about a million others!

Suzy:  Your focus is on writing, as your blog states, but you do have a crafty side that is just wonderful. What are your favorite things to create?
Helena:  I love making checker boards.

And wall art, jewelry (sometimes), pretty much anything with paper.

I love Mod Podge.

Helena:  And sewing- I just got a new sewing machine, and I’m making my first quilt ever. Wish me luck on that one.

Helena:  I think a better question would be is there any type of craft I wouldn’t like to learn.

Suzy:  You have so many successful projects. Is there one that just never seemed to come together? I know I have several “errors in judgement” hanging around my closet. Do you have a crafty horror story? Or maybe just a regular “un-crafty” horror story?
Helena:  A lot of my projects are unsuccessful. Mostly because I lose interest about half way through.

Helena:  This one time I was working on some adorable hand painted tiles, and I was really excited about how they were turning out. When I was finished, I reached for the clear coat spray paint, but I missed and grabbed a can of white instead.

It was awful.

I cried.

The moral of this story is don’t craft late at night. And maybe check the label before you start spraying.