Acutely Amanda: Fiction, Folklore, and Fiber Arts

Crafting My Procrastinations - Metal Earth Model Assembly

This week, I’m tackling my procrastinations—starting with a project I bought more than 10 years ago: a Metal Earth model of the “easy” P-51 Mustang.I’ll share what made a cozy crafter pick up a model airplane kit in the first place, then walk you through the build step-by-step. Along the way, we’ll talk about:✨ How perfectionism can interfere with creative joy 🛠️ What surprised me about the Metal Earth assembly process 📜 The fascinating history of model making—from 6000 BC to modern 3D printing Whether you're curious about model kits or just love watching something come together, this episode blends reflection, storytelling, and one historically inaccurate airplane. 📚 Read more about modeling materials:https://www.robotimeonline.com/blogs/all-blogs/learn-about-the-materials-used-in-miniatures-and-models [https://www.robotimeonline.com/blogs/all-blogs/learn-about-the-materials-used-in-miniatures-and-models] Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications [https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications] ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf [https://instagram.com/opinionsofawolf] ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ [https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/] ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab [https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab]

Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall

Welcome to the first episode of Season 4–our crafty season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons explore fiction, while even-numbered seasons highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.) This week, I’m upcycling a too-big for me dress into a shirred skirt. It’s a task I thought would be simple, but let’s just say tears are a rite of passage when it comes to this technique. I’ll walk you through the project step-by-step, from cutting apart the dress to the final result. Then we’ll dive into the history of shirring - from how it helped shape clothing before stretch fabrics existed to how it became a staple of modern cottagecore fashion. Whether you’re curious about upcycling or just love watching creative projects come to life, this episode blends hands-on sewing, fiber history, and one very autumnal piece of fabric.Image of shirred dress: SWANClothing on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/barbietron/3522962565/ [https://www.flickr.com/photos/barbietron/3522962565/] Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications [https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications] ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf [https://instagram.com/opinionsofawolf] ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ [https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/] ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab [https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab]

Bigfoot Speaks from Leominster (Urban Fantasy Short Story)

Whispers in the woods, a hidden trail, and a mythical voice 🌲👣🗣️ In this urban fantasy short story, Bigfoot herself speaks from Leominster State Forest. But is she convincing us of what she says or of something deeper she can’t quite admit? What happens when myth, solitude, and hidden truths collide under the trees? Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my Tova Gallagher urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, Finding Song in Leominster State Forest, introduces a brand-new character coming up in Book 2. This story blends local legend with themes of loneliness, complexity, and the stories we tell to protect ourselves. After the story, I’ll share how my visit to Leominster State Forest and local lore research (including Monsterland by Ronny LeBlanc) shaped this character, why Bigfoot made the perfect addition to the Tova Gallagher universe, and how writing prompts can uncover hidden depth in your own fiction. Check out my full review of Monsterland: https://opinionsofawolf.com/2025/01/07/book-review-monsterland-encounters-with-ufos-bigfoot-and-orange-orbs-by-ronny-le-blanc/ [https://opinionsofawolf.com/2025/01/07/book-review-monsterland-encounters-with-ufos-bigfoot-and-orange-orbs-by-ronny-le-blanc/] Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications [https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications] ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ [https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/] ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab [https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab]

A One-Woman Walmart Battle (Urban Fantasy Short Story)

Craft aisles, paranoia, and one determined mom. 🛒🙏🔥 In this urban fantasy short story, we step into the life of Tova Gallagher’s mother—a woman who once sowed wild oats but now sees demons in the everyday. When a trip to Walmart turns into a crusade, the battle isn’t fought with fists, but with fear, faith, and words. What happens when fundamentalism collides with fluorescent lights and craft supplies? Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my Tova Gallagher urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, A One-Woman Walmart Battle, explores a parent’s complicated love, the blurred line between devotion and fear, and how even Walmart can become a battleground when demons are involved. After the story, I’ll share how my own journey—growing up in an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist environment and later becoming a progressive, queer Christian focused on social justice—inspired this character. I’ll also talk about why humor can soften even the most divisive topics, and how writing from the perspective of someone you dislike can add depth and nuance to your fiction. Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications [https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications] ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ [https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/] ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab [https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab]

What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight? (Urban Fantasy Short Story)

Moonlight, tiger lilies, and political intrigue. 🌙🌸🩸In this urban fantasy short story, a centuries-old vampire tends her midnight garden. Only it’s not about beauty. When invasive roots tangle with power struggles, the real battle begins. What happens when horticulture and politics collide under the cover of darkness? Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight?, uses invasive plant removal as a metaphor for corruption, control, and the darker sides of human (and vampire) society. After the story, I’ll share how my own battle with tiger lilies inspired this scene, why vampires in my world reflect the worst parts of human politics, and how fantasy gives us the distance to see real-world truths more clearly. Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications [https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications] ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ [https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/] ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab [https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab]