Author Archives: Jennifer Ofenstein

About Jennifer Ofenstein

Owner of sewhooked.com and fandominstitches.com. #quiltforgood advocate. Quilt designer, instructor, Talk to Me Tuesday founder & contributor, cat mom, and craft enabler.

An Elephant in the Room (TTMT #872 Crafty Vlog)

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This week finds me sharing some thrift finds, practicing nail art, and rescuing a much maligned plush elephant! There’s a WHOLE story there, lol. Stay until the end for a Western Screech Owl cameo.

Austin Creative Reuse is my go to to donate crafty supplies and for awesome creative thrifting. Here’s a great list of Creative Reuse centers across the U.S.

Maniology Turtle stamps
Born Pretty stamping plate with roses

Share yours via email admin@fandominstitches.com

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Eyelet to the rescue! (TTMT #871 Quilting & Sewing vlog)

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Hello, my friends. It was hard to get in front of the camera today, but I really think I needed it. I felt so much better after chatting with you all.

This week I chat about my shirt repair and more HST blocks. Big shout out to Michelle for suggesting lace, which pointed me in the direction I was looking for.

A couple of people asked for a better view of my HST quilt plan, so here it is! I am only using half square triangles for each block and I do have a few blanks let that will eventually need blocks added, but this is such a casual project, I’m in no rush. I’ve made 11 so far, left to right starting with the top row.

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

I (mostly!) have a plan! (TTMT #870 Quilting & Sewing Show and Tell)

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Hello, friends! This week I chat about my tentative plan for my growing collection of scrappy half-square triangles, dying a pair of sweatpants for my husband, BRIEFLY about my first venture into gel extensions, and about what I will be getting up to this week. Stay until the end for a thirsty blue jay. ♥

I used EQ8 for my scrappy hst quilt design.

For the sweatpants, Rit Dye (Black), & Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative

NAIL ART! ♥♥♥
My nails are short square natural by Aprés. I also used Aprés prep and extend gel. These are UV/LED cured and do require a light.

Nail Stamps are by Maniology
Pardon My French
Sea Turtle Conservancy (on clearance as of this post!)
Simply Classic (bought as a starter set)

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Buttons & Blocks! (TTMT #869 Quilting & Sewing Show and Tell)

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Happy Tuesday, friends. I’m back this week with the rest of the hst blocks that are on my wall pieced as well as an updated to my (current!) favorite thrifted jacket.

For those keeping track of my nail journey, last week I leveled up my nail game and have done my first ever gel set + stamps. Look for the kitty theme! I may have a nail chat soon for anyone who is interested.

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Blocks & Birdseed Bags (TTMT #868 Quilting & Sewing Show and Tell)

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Welcome to my sewing room for a short and sweet video chatting about HST blocks, Fandom in Stitches, and a bag made from a birdseed bag! Stay to the end for some honky geese spotted on a recent weekend visit to a nearby pond.

For anyone following my nail journey, today’s nails are medium length coffin shaped with Holo Taco polish. ♥

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Labels, Triangles, & Fandom (TTMT #867 Quilting & Craft Show and Tell)

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This week I chat about why most of my half square triangles are still just hst units, share a few labels made using my Cricut, and have a Fandom in Stitches chat.

Pump Dispenser

For the curious, today’s nails are KISS Voguish Fantasy Press On Nails – Fashspiration.

Backyard Jen for more wildlife videos.

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Peace, Love, & HSTs (TTMT #866 Quilting Show and Tell)

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Hello, friends. I’m here as usual, bringing you love and warm fuzzies from my sewing room. Be sure to stay until the end for some winter wildlife video.

Over the last week, I did some scrappy HST sewing for myself, did a tiny bit of shopping with a friend, updated my serger station, and then proceeded to be iced in for a couple of days.

Please leave a comment and let me know what HST blocks I should use in my scrappy sampler!

Accuquilt 4″ finished HST die

Thread Cutter for 45mm Blade for 3D Printer by @srgaboury

Green 28mm Thread Cutter

The thread cutter my husband made for me came from the Bambu Labs community. He’s working as I type this, and I will add a link later if possible. In the meantime, try searching “45mm thread cutter flower.”

My new serger station is an IKEA Trofast frame with red and white storage boxes.

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Hearts & Things (TTMT #865 Quilting & Sewing Show and Tell)

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Welcome back to my sewing room! This week I talk about a new quilt top, share a machine embroidered repair for stains on a thrifted top, share the nail products I’m using*, and share two small finishes for my eldest.

Me talking about my Instant Pot cover in 2024

Easy Fabric Basket Assembly (sewing tutorial)

Luv Ya quilt pattern by Running Doe Quilts (this is the PDF version)

Tiny embroidered heart is from the Anita Goodesign Minis set

Learning to do my nails in 2026 – a playlist of videos I’ve found helpful. I’d love to hear your story, too!

*I’ve been playing with UV builder gel, but so far I haven’t tried it on my natural nails.

Several of my products came from KISS nails. I purchased them at my grocery store, but you can also find them in their online shop.

KISS PowerFlex Brush-On Nail Glue

KISS Glue OFF Instant False Nail Remover

Holo Taco Sticky Base (this is the only product listed that I ordered)

Essie Gel Setter Top Coat (also purchased at my grocery store)

Birds & other Critters on my second YouTube Channel: ⁨Backyard Jen⁩!

Join us on TTMT!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Some Inspiration

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Last year, I made a list of ideas to help inspire me through difficult times.

I’m sharing it with you here in case it might be helpful to anyone reading.

Follow one prompt per month or use as needed. ♥

Creative Slump Inspiration

Easy Win	finish a project you already started, the closer to finished it is already, the better
A piece of art for your creative space	wall hanging, painting, etc
Make a postcard and send it to someone you care about (even yourself!)	collage, embroidery, etc (see examples above)
Restyle clothing you don’t wear (this is one of my favorite go-to things for inspiration!)	stamp, embroider, applique, paint, tie dye, change the buttons, or otherwise change a garment you already own
Make a craft from trash or recyclables!	mason jar lantern, bottle cap coaster, etc
Make fairy decor	tiny doors, tools, etc, use any medium
Craft your favorite quote	Use collage, embroidery, paint, etc, to create your favorite quote
Favorite artist inspo	create something in your prefered medium in the style of a favorite artist: Applique in the style of Georgia O’Keeffe, make a Van Gogh inspired postcard, create an Andy Warhol inspired wall hanging (see an Andy Warhol-inspired Lion King Quilt made by the Fandom in stitches community)
Favorite fictional character inspiration	Love a favorite character? Use their colors, style, era, etc, to help you create a bag, quilt, or outfit!
Paint a rock	paint, draw, or otherwise decorate a small rock. Don’t need a pet rock? Leave it in a public space so it can be adopted! #craftforgood
Your choice!	Leave your ideas in comments to inspire others!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Shirts & Sewing Room Shakeup (TTMT #864 Quilting & Sewing Show and Tell)

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Hello, friends. In the last week, I’ve finished two me-made garments for my husband, practiced some nail art, and rearranged my sewing room. It sounds like a lot, but everything aside from the nail art was planned and ready to go, which is my favorite way to work.

Jensen shirt pattern by Wardrobe By Me

@thegraytergood for nail art