Make something for someone you love
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Air date: December 8, 2019
Guest: Jen Tierney!
Runtime: 29 minutes
Summary: In a special Christmas episode, Jen remembers a special gift she made for her father many years ago and how it has helped her since his passing.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:00 — 52.0MB)
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Air date: May 28, 2019
Guest: Adam Volpe
Runtime: 48 minutes
Summary: In episode 6 of Season 2, Jen sits down in her home with a fellow resident of her town, Adam Volpe. Adam talks about how he came to create fantastical metal weapons and other pieces of welded artwork.
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this month. It was quite a long process because of how fine our chosen yarn was, but I was able to finish knitting the new baby’s blanket just about a week before my due date. The pattern and yarn match nicely with the two previous ones I’ve made for Emma and Joey. But this blanket is made with a lighter yarn since this is a true summer baby. I’m excited to use it for monthly baby pictures and as a daily sleep surface for my new little one as we lounge on the porch and in the yard. I hope that your summer is filled with lazy afternoons with cold beverages and happy memories.”
Continue ReadingPodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:54 — 56.3MB)
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Air date: February 21, 2019
Guest: Jo Lager
Runtime: 35 minutes, 54 seconds
Summary: In this episode, Jo Lager joins Jen as they discuss their mutual love of knitting and bread baking. They also find themselves in a deep conversation about sibling rivalries and creating a distinct making footprint.
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this month. I was inspired while editing this episode and made the pretzel dogs that Jo recommended. And the dough recipe is so forgiving, that I was even able to get my 4-year-old in on the action. She loved all of the steps and helping me time out the baking soda water bath part of the process. I didn’t have any hot dogs on hand, but I did have some marvelous Ginger and Garlic Sausages from a local farm that were perfect. We snuggled up to enjoy our pretzel-wrapped sausages and introduced the kids to the 1986 Don Bluth classic An American Tail. It was a perfect evening.”
Continue ReadingPodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:53 — 24.8MB)
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Air date: January 22, 2019
Guest: Ariana Sheehan
Runtime: 32 minutes, 53 seconds
Summary: In the fourth episode of Season 2 and the first of 2019, Jen welcomes back Ariana Sheehan to speak about her resolution successes and misses from 2018. What made the exercise better than previous years? And what did she learn about making as a result?
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this month. Since the winter months turn so many of us into homebodies, I’ve been spending so much more time on the living room carpet with my kids. This means making bracelets, train track villages, puzzles, and countless abstract art pieces. Sometimes the making shifts to the kitchen and my kids help me with a simple meal or a few loaves of sourdough bread. I’m proud of how creative they are and I love watching them beam after a project is completed. They challenge me to suppress my perfectionist brain and find joy in making for making’s sake.”
Continue ReadingPodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:18 — 34.6MB)
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Air date: December 16 , 2018
Guest: Joe Tierney
Runtime: 35 minutes, 18 seconds
Summary: In the third episode of Season 2 and the final episode of 2018, Jen invites her husband into the studio to talk about the best thing he’s ever made for her: their family budget! Joe explains why the budget was made in the first place, how it’s changed over time, and what it’s given to their family. Other topics include making family traditions for the holidays and the motivation behind making.
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this month. I started making it a few months ago and will keep on making it until June of 2019. And to be fair, it’s something that my husband and I are making together. We’re growing our family and having a third child! this makes our budgeting even more critical heading into 2019 as we move around numbers and figure out how to make room for a fifth member of our family. This means so big changes ahead for the Tierney family. And I’m so excited to have one more tiny person to share all of these inspiring and empowering stories with. Thank you for continuing to take this journey with me!”
Continue ReadingPodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:18 — 37.6MB)
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Air date: November 5th, 2018
Guest: Samantha Cheevers
Runtime: 36 minutes, 18 seconds
Summary: In the second episode of Season 2, Jen has a more interactive interview with her hair stylist, Sam Cheevers, who dyes Jen’s hair while also recording the episode. The two talk about making someone’s outsides match their insides, being your authentic self, and the difference between valuing time versus money when gift giving.
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this month. And no, it wasn’t Halloween costumes! For every year in recent memory, I have created our family’s Halloween costumes, but this year I was completely buried in October and ended up buying my kids their first store-bought costumes. I have to say, it was much easier and I was happy to spend a little money to save the time this year. But while I saved time on costume creation, I spent that time making a Celebration of Life for my father. My Dad passed away in July this year and on October 13th, my family held a special event to remember his life. I made paper flower centerpieces, which also included copies of books he read with special commemorative bookplates. I made a slideshow with pictures from throughout his life. I made programs for attendees. My dad and I didn’t share all that many hobbies, so I was so glad that I was able to use my love of making to remember him while I grieved.”
Continue ReadingPodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:05 — 35.0MB)
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Air date: September 13, 2018
Guests: Arletta Charter
Runtime: 38 minutes, 5 seconds
Summary: In the first episode of Season 2, Jen is joined by Arletta Charter, a Hungarian national living on Martha’s Vineyard by way of Serbia, who takes some of the most stunning pictures you’ve ever seen. Arletta tells Jen all about a project she is working on with Photographers without Borders in South Africa.
Links of Interest:
Photo to Table, Arletta’s photography business website
Arletta’s Photogarpher’s Without Borders donation page
Arletta on Instagram
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this week. Knitters face a bit of a slump every summer as the warm weather discourages hands from working with heavy materials like wool. But for those of us who have big projects that need to be completed before the end-of-year holidays, there isn’t much of a choice. During the show’s hiatus, I started and finished so many different projects, but the one I am most proud and excited about is my daughter’s Christmas stocking. I love the pattern that I picked out and am looking forward to having 4 finished stockings hung on the mantle. I hope to get my son’s finished for this year and then my husband and I will have our own the following year. Unique, handmade touches like these are the cornerstones of some of my favorite family tradition.” Continue reading “How to Make a Difference from 7,600 Miles Away”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:47 — 59.5MB)
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Air date: June 20, 2018
Guests: Mac Young
Runtime: 50 minutes, 47 seconds
Summary: In the final episode of Season 1, Jen breaks her 20-episode streak of family-friendly, curse-free content. Her guest is Mac Young, a scenic designer, talented actor, and dear friend. They discuss his current show, the sets he has designed in the past, and why Shakespeare was kind of weird.
Links of Interest:
Shit-faced Shakespeare, by Magnificent Bastards Productions
The Crazy Locomotive by Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz
The Jimmy Fund’s Annual Scooper Bowl
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this week. I made a contribution to the Jimmy Fund in their efforts to support adult and pediatric cancer care. And what I received for this donation was a ticket to the Jimmy Fund’s annual Scooper Bowl. This year, a dozen vendors donated their ice cream for the country’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. Turns out that my limit is five scoops. But as I walked around, I could see that I was a light-weight compared to many of the other attendees.” Continue reading “How to Make an Arse of Yourself”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:35 — 37.9MB)
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Air date: May 29, 2018
Guest: Rachel
Runtime: 32 minutes, 35 seconds
Summary: In the 20th episode, Rachel comes back for her third visit to the podcast to talk about the garden she has been growing for the past 6 years. But, as she explains, the garden is far older and more diverse that it appears.
Listen in as she explains why her garden is so special and what it brings to her life.
Links of Interest:
The American Rhododendron Society
Black Parrot Tulips
Refurbishing Wicker
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this week. I made an old wicker patio set look brand new. Last summer, someone had set out a set of wicker furniture on the road near my house. It wasn’t in great shape, but I was looking for furniture to put out on my porch and I couldn’t argue with the price. I’ve never restored a piece of furniture before, so a few weeks ago, I began researching wicker restoration. I bought new rattan to replace the pieces that had fallen off or been damaged. I washed and deglossed all of the pieces, repaired the various areas that needed mending, and put on a new coat of bright sea foam spray paint. I absolutely love the result and am glad to be able to say that I’ve restored a wicker furniture set.” Continue reading “How to Make a Garden of Memories”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:13 — 41.5MB)
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Air date: May 2, 2018
Guests: Danielle
Runtime: 36 minutes, 13 seconds
Summary: Episode 19 brings some much needed levity after last week’s episode. Danielle works at Jen’s local library and stops by to talk about a “How To” program that she recently coordinated. Eventually, the two devolve into giggles as they come to the realization that their 20s were a bit of a joke.
Links of Interest:
2017 How to Fair
Lisa’s go-to croissant recipe
The Crafting Closet – great classes and yarns!
A Garden for Knitters
From the transcript: “And now I’d like to tell you about something I made this week. Last week, my husband and I made a pretty substantial bonfire. This past winter, we had some storms that came through with very heavy now. This resulted in a number of sizable tree limbs falling in our backyard. So we worked on breaking down the limbs and had a fire that evening. We brought the kids out and roasted marshmallows and snuggled up to watch the fire as it got dark. I’m so grateful that I can give them evenings like that one.” Continue reading “How to Make Nothing in Your 20s”