Symphony + Rock: Live Music of Led Zeppelin in San Antonio

Do you have a favorite band? There are just certain artists and songs that take you to another place, or time, or feeling.

Led Zeppelin has been a favorite of mine since college, when I was introduced to the music via a vintage vinyl record. I will never forget the feeling. My choice of a child's name just might have been influenced by Led Zeppelin. 

Have you heard that the music of Led Zeppelin will be performed LIVE at the Majestic theater this Saturday, October 24 at 8 PM. That sounds great, right? Well, it gets even better. The San Antonio Symphony and a live rock band will be performing the wonderful music of Led Zeppelin. San Antonians are so fortunate to have an amazing symphony, and I can't wait to hear this performance. 

 

Here are the official details

San Antonio Symphony Brings Music Concert Series to the Majestic Theatre

70s Rock Legends Bring Audiences Electrifying Live Performances

 

SAN ANTONIO-- The San Antonio Symphony announces its POPs rock concert series with Windborne’s The Music of Queen on October 23 and The Music of Led Zeppelin on October 24, 2015.  Amplified by a full rock band and accompanied by two outstanding singers for each program, creator and arranger Brent Havens guest conducts the ensemble as they capture Led Zeppelin’s “sheer blast and power and the legendary sound and music of Queen.” Both performances will bring innovative interpretations across art mediums to San Antonio. 

 

“We are focusing on a time period of incredible artistic output in the world of rock–n-roll, and are excited about continuing our relationship with the Majestic Theatre to bring these fantastic performances to San Antonio,” said David Gross, San Antonio Symphony President. “These live performances from your San Antonio Symphony will bring a new appreciation for the artistry of these rock bands and their wonderful compositions.”  

 

According to Mike Rilley, Majestic & Empire Theatres General Manager, these internationally touring concerts enable music lovers the opportunity to experience a live performance with incredible local talent.  “The Majestic is a wonderful venue for these programs, as it provides concertgoers with an acoustic sensory experience unlike any other.  We are thrilled to host the Symphony again to bring San Antonio the best in live concert music.”   

 

“The Music of Queen”

Bridging the gulf between rock n’ roll and classical music, conductor/arranger Brent Havens takes the podium on October 23, 2015 at 8 p.m., as he channels the music of Freddy Mercury and Queen into a symphonic experience unlike any other.  According to Havens, “The band is reproducing what Queen did live, as closely as possible within the constraints of personnel, and then having an orchestra behind the band gives the music richness, a whole new feel, a whole different sense of color but still preserving the wonderful music that they originally produced.”  Familiar songs will entice rock fans to the Symphony for a new appreciation of Queen’s arrangements and Mercury’s vocal style. 

 

“The Music of Led Zeppelin”

Havens’ magic continues on October 24, 2015 at 8 p.m., to present The Music of Led Zeppelin, a program he scored to extend the listening experience of Led Zeppelin’s timeless tunes. Performed by the San Antonio Symphony and amplified with a full rock band and screaming vocals, Havens and his ensemble capture Led Zeppelin’s “sheer blast and power” riff for riff in classics such as Stairway to Heaven, Heartbreaker, Black Dog and Immigrant Song.  It’s a night not to miss for Led Zeppelin fans and aficionados of complex compositions.

 

Tickets On Sale

Tickets start from $25. You can purchase tickets online at ticketmaster.com (use code ROCK for a 20% web discount ) or by calling (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Majestic Theatre Box Office.  

Disclosure: I will receive 2 tickets to a performance in exchange for this post, and all opinions are my own. 

Works in Progress

In case you wondered what happened to this blog, I have had the biggest writer's block, combined with my computer not working yet again. (Writing this on the iPad)

But I wanted to show yall what I am working on, and some sewing goodies.

I finished the top of my first Jellyroll quilt! (I can't find a picture of it al, together, just use your imagination)

But I decided to wait to quilt it after I finish some more seasonally appropriate projects, like this Cat City quilt.

I am almost done with the top, but need to pop into Mesquite Bean (the fabric store where I bought everything in this post, actually), they are super helpful and can help me troubleshoot. My kids are excited to see my progress on this project. If I finish this week, I want to buy some fun fall fabric and make the girls (and I) matching skirts! Wouldn't that be fun? 

I am finding the process of making a quilt a learning curve for me. I am used to quick little projects that require minimal patience. A quilt is a different animal! But it is oh so very happiness inducing. It's just sewing straight lines, really. I thought I could never "be" a quilter because my math skills are a bit slow, but if I take my time and pay attention, I can definitely be a quilter. Paying attention is perhaps the biggest lesson for me here. And all the fabrics that don't look like they would come together well, they just DO. 

I bought what I needed for hand quilting my cats, but I think I want to machine quilt this one. I don't know, I keep changing my mind. 

Oh, and I got my hands on the amazing Tula Pink coloring book. Omygosh! I can't wait to share this with my daughter, the Coloring Queen. 

Have a great day!

Sweet Baby Sewing

I finished another project! Yeah! I am on a roll. Something my husband told me really made an impression. I was pretty much hyperventilating because there is SO MUCH I want to do but not enough time, so I try to do all the things and it just aint pretty. So he suggested I do one thing, have a goal, and then move to the next thing. Well, I certainly wasn't thinking THAT when I bought fabric and supplies for one million projects.... Ha! But his practical advice helped. I was trying to finish this little baby dress in time for the Sew and Show Linkup! (the button is on the right hand side of the page here)

Being a model is so tiring

This baby top was sewn from a pattern in the book Boutique Casual for Boys and Girls by Sue Kim. While I thought the book was beautiful, I kept having to flip between 3 different patterns to get the instructions for this top. I wasn't too clear on a few of the instructions, so I winged it. This was the first time in recent memory that I used bias strips to finish the neck and arm edges. I used french seams throughout, but it is quite bulky on the front and back where the gathers are.

The fabric has been in my stash for a while now, I previously made the bloomers from Anna Maria Horner's free Knick Knack Knickers baby pattern.
What do you think?

Some of my construction is a bit wonky. And I lost my buttons, so that part will have to wait.

Upcycled: Bed Sheet to Apron

I found this toddler sized bed sheet at a thrift store for less than $1

If I were to describe my fabric/textile collection, I would say that I'm very prepared. Other people might say "hoarder." I am just someone who will be extremely prepared in the event that fabric ceases to exist and is needed to save the world. I have also been a bit preoccupied with thinking about the many lives that an item can have before its actually useless. The bedsheet I used in this project has been in my arsenal for a few months, and I was originally going to make something babyish with it. But then I saw Maker Mama's gorgeous apron post, and I was inspired to make an apron for my daughter.

We have two aprons for my girl, one came with a kid's kitchen set (she never wears it for some reason) and another was found at a garage sale, is vintage and has tiny elephants on it. She ends up wearing the elephant one quite a bit. Half aprons are a favorite in our house. I had a couple of hours to myself and decided to go for it, even though I didn't have a pattern, and even though everything wasn't perfect in my house. Sometimes I block myself from creating because there is just so much to do around the house. But I pushed through, because I really, really needed to make something.
And here it is. A new apron for my girl.

I was careful to cut the fabric so I didn't cut any animals in half.

I was sure to make an extra big pocket, and it came in handy right away

We love pockets

 

 

 

I can't wait to share my plans for fall sewing with you next week (hopefully).
Happy stitching!

Thrifted Men's Shirt to Baby Bib Under $5!

Aren't bibs irresistible? There is something precious about all those perfect bibs on the shelves at the BIG box stores. The price tags make me cringe though, because the product will be used for the messiest eaters (but the cutest).

Needed supplies: Huge shirt, towel of some sort, velcro, and a sewing machine

I finally found the solution to not only make a cheap bib, but a cute one too! I thrifted this men's shirt when its tag color was half off at Goodwill San Antonio, the regular price of $3.99 is a total steal anyway, but half off was even better! (THRIFT PRO TIP: If you are looking for items to upcycle, shop ONLY for the Goodwill San Antonio Color of the Week, as these items are HALF OFF the already amazing prices - they update weekly colors on their Goodwill San Antonio Facebook page, so give them a Like to stay in the know). I also scored this washcloth for .49 cents at the Goodwill on Bitters and 281.

 I used a bib I already had as a pattern and started cutting. Remember I told you this shirt was large? So much awesome fabric! The bigger the better.

 Pin and sew the 2 pieces together.

 Don't forget to leave an opening to flip right side out.

 Cut small squares of velcro and sew on opposite sides.

 Now you have the cutest, cheapest, easiest to make reversible bib!!

Project cost:
Shirt 1.99
Washcloth .49
Velcro - I already had
So for around $2.50 I made a bib and have TONS of extra shirting fabric left.

Shop at your nearest Goodwill San Antonio store today, you never know what might inspire you! *This sponsored post made possible by Goodwill San Antonio. Shop local!*

Vintage Dishes for Tea Time

I try to stay away from breakable decor but china is a category I can rarely resist. If you saw my previous post about a thrifty tea party, consider this is continuation. We have tea time frequently here, either by ourselves or with our sweet neighbor. I am always adding to the dish collection, and I recently found the prettiest little teacups ever at Goodwill here in San Antonio. My latest acquisitions were 49 cents each, and are all vintage. FORTY NINE CENTS! I do not buy any tea cups that are over this price anymore. I also found the most amazing cloth napkins for FORTY NINE CENTS each as well. Amazing! I spent $4.40 total on the linens. I swear its more expensive to buy tea and cookies.

 All items pictured were 49 cents each except for the Limoges butterfly pattern egg on the far right ($2.99)

 They feel as gorgeous as they look!

 

I found a copy of the wonderful poetry collection, Animals, Animals by Eric Carle at Goodwill for 99 cents. Poetry teatime anyone?

*Disclosure: I received a Goodwill gift card to purchase the items featured in this post*

Fabric First: My Jellyroll and a New Fabric Store!

When I first moved to San Antonio, there was a locally owned fabric store going out of business nearby. It was an exciting/disappointing time, as I loved the sale prices but was so sad to see a shop close its doors. Fast forward to NOW, and what popped up right before my eyes, in almost the same location...a fabric shop!! As much as I can, I avoid large chains, as sometimes they can be not so efficient, plus they don't carry fabrics from Michael Miller, Moda, etc.

Whooohoo! I was so excited. The same day I saw the shop, I stopped inside...and said "oops!"
The shop was so new it was not actually open for business yet! But the owners were super kind and let me look around, which was awesome but painful because I knew I couldn't buy any of the goodies I saw. So I went back in two days, after they had officially opened and bought some things I had previously scoped out.
.

I was pleasantly surprised with the assortment at Mesquite Bean Fabrics (and no, this is not a sponsored post, I'm just a really excited fabric shopper), the space is great, and the customer service is excellent. The care with how they cut and fold the fabric is apparent (and appreciated). I felt like my purchase was special to them.

Keep in mind that I am not (yet) a quilter, but was totally ready to jump in on the Row by Row quilt after they explained what it was.
I got the sweetest fabrics, a couple of which are going to be made into pillowcases for Conkerr San Antonio, the rest apparel for my little people.

Also, I bought a jellyroll. Did I mention I am not a quilter? But the way the sweet lady at Mesquite Bean explained it, and showed me the books about working with jelly rolls, if I can sew I can make a jelly roll quilt. The fabrics are "30's Playtime Favorites" by moda. I am sooo excited to get stitching. Oh, and the jelly roll got unrolled by one of my "helpers".

Mesquite Bean Fabrics

6708 N New Braunfels Ave
San Antonio, Texas 78209
210-281-1256

Monday-Friday	9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday	9:30 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday	9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Sunday	Closed