Finished piecing my long-suffering H6 this afternoon, then got busy at the machine to get it put together. CANNOT tell you how absolutely satisfying that was. Once done, I hot-footed it back to the design wall and began building H7. I have a lot of lost time to make up for.
Of course, I am only documenting this for myself, so I will enjoy reviewing it all in another year.
Showing posts with label Quilting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quilting. Show all posts
4.25.2016
6.10.2014
Oh yeah, it's been a while
This is a carryover from an entry on the quilting blog, as I felt this sort of thing has no place there (I mean, in all fairness I did start the quilting blog to save you all from the banal-ness of quilting - since some people didn't give two hoots about quilting...even if it was what I had been working on).
The verbiage below stems from a misunderstanding that became inflated to Texas-sized proportions, all because someone failed to read....not because I chose to use a word I use on occasion. And by 'occasion', I mean more than ten times a year. Sue me if you don't like my intelligence and my formidable brilliance (and if you embrace your own ignorance).
* * * * *
[From the quilting blog]
"Why are you picking on Texas?"
Well, I am not picking on the entire
state, simply one or two characters living there. See, if I had named
them there would be bigger issues, so I simply mentioned where they lived to
make my life easier. On a networking site (where I created and admin a
group for Free Motion Quilting on Domestic machines) this person attempted to
post an image which didn't show up - just a generated message that the person
posting may not have had permission to post it, or that it may have been
removed, or that I didn't have permission to view it. So I commented that
I could not see it, but that my interest was piqued.
Yes, the word of the day, kiddies -
"piqued" - started a small firestorm.
Said person did not understand the word
"piqued", and upon looking it up found (I'm certain) the two definitions that are
standard for the word. Well, the phrase I used ("...you've piqued my
interest.") appears in both physical, hard cover dictionaries and
online....but she chose to (mis)interpret my meaning anyhow and write this:
"I am
afraid I don' t understand: Pique: a sudden feeling of annoyance or angel when
someone has offended you. How have I offended you? I will remove the
picture."
In less than 20 minutes I had returned to
my keyboard to look for a response or a plea for assistance to correct the photo issue and to get this person's snapshot loaded to the timeline for all to see.
When I saw their response I quickly wrote this, hoping to soothe nerves and
calm the overwrought (and semi-ignorant) person:
"Don't take the very literal derogatory/negative
connotation, but the more overarching "plucked", "raised",
suddenly engaged. How could you annoy my curiosity?
"Attachment Unavailable
This attachment may have been removed or the person who shared it may not have permission to share it with you."
There is no image (at least, I cannot see it), therefore, I am suddenly curious and anxious to see whatever it was that should have posted ~ "
"Attachment Unavailable
This attachment may have been removed or the person who shared it may not have permission to share it with you."
There is no image (at least, I cannot see it), therefore, I am suddenly curious and anxious to see whatever it was that should have posted ~ "
Another
member of the group wrote (more than five hours later) that they also could not
see the image, and that they were curious. So, instead of rectifying the
problem, this person overreacts to the point of extreme silliness and leaves
the group. Not being happy with this outcome, I wrote a fairly quick note
saying:
"I am sorry if you were offended at my comment, which was meant as an explanation as to how I meant the word and not your inference.
It's also unfortunate that the misunderstanding of my question (as to where/what your photo was) turned into such a major issue instead of resolution - resulting in you deciding to withdraw from FMQ. Totally unnecessary.
A few of us were hoping to see your post...an accomplishment, perhaps? Sad to see now we'll never know.
Best wishes for your FMQ future ~ "
Mind
you, only a few weeks earlier we had had an exchange regarding one of her quilt
photos I used as a banner image for the group...and everything was fine.
I suppose it was because I used words smaller than two syllables for the
most part in our quick exchange (yes, I am feeling a little snarky). Yet
here, in their final response to my completely unnecessary - but sincere -
apology, is a rather terse (and somewhat ignorant), and rather disjointed set
of non-reasons:
"What was unfortunate and unnecessary is the use of such a complex word to make such a simple statement. My husband was looking over my shoulder as I read your response and he too did not understand why you chose that word. The words even related to that word are most all questionable. Simply ask where picture was taken or when. Not necessary to risk using a word through a written text that may be interpreted at its original meaning. When that is possible use alternate word that will bring a smile. I enjoyed my time on FMQ. Life is just to short to take a fun picture and complicate it with words most often not used. I had posted the picture of the camping quilt here in this picture a couple days prior. I just enjoy simple time. Simple life. Simple words. No need to spruce it up with complex choices. We dont use that word very often here in Texas. Take Care. God Bless and Best wishes for FMQ."
Seriously?
You added another ignorant person to your hissy-fit-athon, and between
the two of you, you still couldn't see the overreaction factor? I
am not feeling tremendously optimistic about the educational system there in
your neck 'o' da' woods, or about the future of reading and comprehension.
To say nothing of the ability to follow a 'bread crumb trail' that totally spells out the misunderstanding of
a word with dual meaning(s) - and points you directly at the correct meaning.
And
yes, let me not obfuscate, I did (and do) use punctuation and paragraphs - even
in Fb! All text was copied directly from the source (for both parties)
and NO instances of substitution or corrections or screwing up (used for you
simple Texificans) were applied to this.
You
have piqued my curiosity - are all Texicarians so simple and rude, and
bullheaded and uncomprehending?
Time for me to move to Canada - or the UK -
where they like words.
8.18.2013
That was an experience
I returned late last night from Grand Rapids, where I walked my third quilt show (although this particular show was a LARGE international deal-i-o). Karl attended with me, and I had the good company of friends Barb and Jean...but we missed my darling friend Maria.
There were SO many quilts, not just the contest-involved quilts, but three or four additional collections to view. Then there were the vendors; one for every brand of long arm machine available on the market, and three-hundred others! What did they sell, you ask. Well, if you can imagine it, and it has anything to do with quilting, sewing, needlework of all kinds (and some crafting, bleh), then it was there!
The biggest thrill was obviously seeing my "Peace Quilt 1" hanging on display, and I probably spent a good deal of my time just listening to the comments of others and watching them take photos of it.
Don't know that I will enter many more contests in the future, but I will make my way to see more in the future.
There were SO many quilts, not just the contest-involved quilts, but three or four additional collections to view. Then there were the vendors; one for every brand of long arm machine available on the market, and three-hundred others! What did they sell, you ask. Well, if you can imagine it, and it has anything to do with quilting, sewing, needlework of all kinds (and some crafting, bleh), then it was there!
The biggest thrill was obviously seeing my "Peace Quilt 1" hanging on display, and I probably spent a good deal of my time just listening to the comments of others and watching them take photos of it.
Don't know that I will enter many more contests in the future, but I will make my way to see more in the future.
8.01.2013
Mom, call me if you need me -
Well...hello!
Attempted to post yesterday, to update you all as to what's been transpiring in my life over the last week (or more), but blogger is again on the fritz. [primal growl] I am going to try and make this brief to avoid any further blogger BS for the day, so I hope you can read between the lines in this abbreviated report.
Arrived home from the U.P. two days ago in time to pick up Karl from his last day of summer semester. He had just taken his final and was ready to leave the building. He was expecting to see Jean there, as she had offered to drive the distance from Clio to Aub Hills to gather him if I couldn't make there myself. THANK YOU, JEAN!
Mom is mending after her [deleted for privacy's sake], that's where I was for the week. Besides that, the timing was right to be there for her birthday, too. Happy birthday, one more time, mom!
The week was a rainy one so I wasn't able to get out and weed whack her driveway (or around her flowerbeds), but it was neat to watch the clouds billowing over Lake Superior.
Brian is looking forward to the start of the Renaissance festival this month, and will be dividing his time between Lowe's during the week, the comic book shop in Fenton, and the festival on the weekends through September.
Thirteen days to go before the start of the quilt show/competition, and sixteen for me before I can attend it and then take my quilt entry home! Can't wait to see it hanging with other entries from around the world and from across the United States!
OK, so let's see if blogger will allow me to post this today, without issue.
Have a good day!
Attempted to post yesterday, to update you all as to what's been transpiring in my life over the last week (or more), but blogger is again on the fritz. [primal growl] I am going to try and make this brief to avoid any further blogger BS for the day, so I hope you can read between the lines in this abbreviated report.
Arrived home from the U.P. two days ago in time to pick up Karl from his last day of summer semester. He had just taken his final and was ready to leave the building. He was expecting to see Jean there, as she had offered to drive the distance from Clio to Aub Hills to gather him if I couldn't make there myself. THANK YOU, JEAN!
Mom is mending after her [deleted for privacy's sake], that's where I was for the week. Besides that, the timing was right to be there for her birthday, too. Happy birthday, one more time, mom!
The week was a rainy one so I wasn't able to get out and weed whack her driveway (or around her flowerbeds), but it was neat to watch the clouds billowing over Lake Superior.
Brian is looking forward to the start of the Renaissance festival this month, and will be dividing his time between Lowe's during the week, the comic book shop in Fenton, and the festival on the weekends through September.
Thirteen days to go before the start of the quilt show/competition, and sixteen for me before I can attend it and then take my quilt entry home! Can't wait to see it hanging with other entries from around the world and from across the United States!
OK, so let's see if blogger will allow me to post this today, without issue.
Have a good day!
7.20.2013
Yes, "again"
A little bit, that is. A little bit about the weather and then [drum roll] - on to other things! [cymbal crash]
The weather only factors in because there has been a change. [grinning madly] It's still humid as all get-out, but it is cooler this morning. With the help of the attic fan thrumming all night long, the inside temp is a manageable 74*F!
Tah-daaaahhhhhhh! And I do mean the "aahhhh" thing. S'wonderful!
We were on the road yesterday afternoon, skirting the rolling storm front (which was over our left shoulders and closing in quickly), until just shy of returning to my little 'burb. Boom!
The lightening, heavy whipping winds, and torrential rains made a violent statement as we cruised to within four miles of the house. Floodgates opened and branches fell left and right, but through all of that, the temps fell, too! Everything still feels wet. Damp and icky, but over the course of the next few days it will dry out some.
The reason we were on the road? Well, to deliver my little quilted beauty into the hands of strangers. Many, MANY strangers! It started off at a UPS storefront in Clarkston, and by later in the evening had only managed to crawl as far as Pontiac. This morning finds it on a truck and actually moving out of the state! No turning back now.
More updates can be followed on the quilting blog. But for now I have some cooler temps to take advantage of, so I am going to get away from the keyboard. How are you going to celebrate the break in the heatwave?
The weather only factors in because there has been a change. [grinning madly] It's still humid as all get-out, but it is cooler this morning. With the help of the attic fan thrumming all night long, the inside temp is a manageable 74*F!
Tah-daaaahhhhhhh! And I do mean the "aahhhh" thing. S'wonderful!
We were on the road yesterday afternoon, skirting the rolling storm front (which was over our left shoulders and closing in quickly), until just shy of returning to my little 'burb. Boom!
The lightening, heavy whipping winds, and torrential rains made a violent statement as we cruised to within four miles of the house. Floodgates opened and branches fell left and right, but through all of that, the temps fell, too! Everything still feels wet. Damp and icky, but over the course of the next few days it will dry out some.
The reason we were on the road? Well, to deliver my little quilted beauty into the hands of strangers. Many, MANY strangers! It started off at a UPS storefront in Clarkston, and by later in the evening had only managed to crawl as far as Pontiac. This morning finds it on a truck and actually moving out of the state! No turning back now.
More updates can be followed on the quilting blog. But for now I have some cooler temps to take advantage of, so I am going to get away from the keyboard. How are you going to celebrate the break in the heatwave?
7.07.2013
One more step
And yet, one more step taken.
One hurdle achieved.
Another tick on the list attained.
About two weeks ago (yikes!) I received a lovely packet in the mail telling me that PQ1 had been juried into the GR AQS competition, and that I needed to complete the forms contained within and mail it back to them haste. Actually, what the cover letter read was, "...fill these out and send them back NOW."
One of the forms regarded insurance for the quilt - both for shipping and loss replacement should something happen at the show (or during shipping). Lots of cost involved here. Without a proper, legal, binding appraisal, whatever loss might happen would all be on me.
So, without too much delay, I attempted to find a qualified appraiser and gain an appointment in short order. No easy feat here in the mitten state. The quickest thing available found me in Bay City yesterday, and the appraisal was done in about an hour. With all of two weeks now having slipped between my fingers, I must get this bunch of papers back to the AQS gang soon.
The next step is to ship PQ1 to Kentucky, then cross my fingers and say my prayers. August 14th can't get here soon enough! More later, peeps - have a quilty day. :)
P.S. Thanks, Jean, for driving the final leg! I had a fun time meeting your cousin and her son, Doris and Nick, too.
One hurdle achieved.
Another tick on the list attained.
About two weeks ago (yikes!) I received a lovely packet in the mail telling me that PQ1 had been juried into the GR AQS competition, and that I needed to complete the forms contained within and mail it back to them haste. Actually, what the cover letter read was, "...fill these out and send them back NOW."
One of the forms regarded insurance for the quilt - both for shipping and loss replacement should something happen at the show (or during shipping). Lots of cost involved here. Without a proper, legal, binding appraisal, whatever loss might happen would all be on me.
So, without too much delay, I attempted to find a qualified appraiser and gain an appointment in short order. No easy feat here in the mitten state. The quickest thing available found me in Bay City yesterday, and the appraisal was done in about an hour. With all of two weeks now having slipped between my fingers, I must get this bunch of papers back to the AQS gang soon.
The next step is to ship PQ1 to Kentucky, then cross my fingers and say my prayers. August 14th can't get here soon enough! More later, peeps - have a quilty day. :)
P.S. Thanks, Jean, for driving the final leg! I had a fun time meeting your cousin and her son, Doris and Nick, too.
7.01.2013
FINALLY
Today the humtididdity (make that "humidity") is low enough to paint and finish the long wall I have been dying to complete (and then repair and paint) - since forever. However, I also absolutely must finish up a bit of quilting I've had to put off because of the recent sticky, crappy weather.
Aaaargh! I hate this sort of conundrum. I really must get after both of these activities since this lovely, workable weather won't be with us for long.
I am stymied by the lack of hours in a day.
Well, since I now have an appointment with a quilt appraiser in order to complete paperwork for my AQS entry, I suppose the quilting bit should take priority. And, I suppose I can live with the fact that I did manage to spend some time cleaning, dusting, sanding, cleaning again, taping off and mudding newly found areas of craptasticness along the wall to be painted, so I guess I really did manage to stick my mitts in the house repair stuff - even though it wasn't the actual applying of color that I so wanted to get to. [sniff]
Dagnabbit and darnitalmighty!
I now give myself permission to touch the quilting!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Oh, did I remember to say that one of my quilts made it into an AQS contest?!? Wahoo!!!!
Aaaargh! I hate this sort of conundrum. I really must get after both of these activities since this lovely, workable weather won't be with us for long.
I am stymied by the lack of hours in a day.
Well, since I now have an appointment with a quilt appraiser in order to complete paperwork for my AQS entry, I suppose the quilting bit should take priority. And, I suppose I can live with the fact that I did manage to spend some time cleaning, dusting, sanding, cleaning again, taping off and mudding newly found areas of craptasticness along the wall to be painted, so I guess I really did manage to stick my mitts in the house repair stuff - even though it wasn't the actual applying of color that I so wanted to get to. [sniff]
Dagnabbit and darnitalmighty!
I now give myself permission to touch the quilting!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Oh, did I remember to say that one of my quilts made it into an AQS contest?!? Wahoo!!!!
6.26.2013
May as well
Two days ago I received notification that my PQ1 had been juried in to a quilt competition! Although I have already blogged about it on the other page (www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com), I felt I may as well add a word here, too.
I totally expected to see another "no thanks, but good luck in the future" letter in the mailbox, as happened earlier this year. That rejection note appeared on the day the AQS stated they would begin mailing out notification letters...so I was prepared to see the early bird envelope in my mailbox last week. I truly was.
Not that I was being a fatalist, mind you, but I suspected the minds behind the jurying of quilts into/out of competition for the AQS were skewed in regards to PQ1. In fact, I had already begun accumulating a list of new shows to enter it into in hopes of having it seen further afield than my own backyard.
So it was with some curiosity (and major trepidation) that I checked the mailbox (some six hours after the delivery truck drove off), only to find absolutely nothing in regards to the quilt show. Same thing on Saturday - so I went through the weekend trying really hard to not think of it in any way, shape, or form. Then Monday arrived.
Brian snagged the mail and brought it to the house saying, "You have something from AQS."
My heart skipped.
"Is it thick or thin?" I asked him.
"It's neither, sort of. It's a large flat envelope," he answered, and I flew up the stairs.
It was a strange way to send a "no thank you" note, so I let myself become a little excited.
"CONGRATULATIONS! The jury has accepted your entry, [PQ1]: Let It Begin With Me, for further consideration in the 2013 AQS Quilt Week contest in Grand Rapids, MI....Your contestant name badge and ribbon are enclosed," the top page read. Yippee!
OK, so after receiving hugs from Bud, and crying a bit, I poured over everything in the packet - over and over and over. Later, I sent out a quick text to family and friends to let them know it's finally happened, and then began receiving texts and calls of congratulations. It was a good day.
I now need to completely remove ALL signs of cat hair from the quilt, check it over and clip stray threads, then make a small adjustment to the sleeve I have been thinking of making (to make the corners and sides hang without waving at all). Once that's done there are other items to deal with...and a small mound of paperwork to immediately fill out and send back before the quilt is packed up and shipped to AQS.
Holy Moses! Guess I may as well get back to work then, eh? :)
Anyhow, that's my week so far, hope your week is going well. More another time.
I totally expected to see another "no thanks, but good luck in the future" letter in the mailbox, as happened earlier this year. That rejection note appeared on the day the AQS stated they would begin mailing out notification letters...so I was prepared to see the early bird envelope in my mailbox last week. I truly was.
Not that I was being a fatalist, mind you, but I suspected the minds behind the jurying of quilts into/out of competition for the AQS were skewed in regards to PQ1. In fact, I had already begun accumulating a list of new shows to enter it into in hopes of having it seen further afield than my own backyard.
So it was with some curiosity (and major trepidation) that I checked the mailbox (some six hours after the delivery truck drove off), only to find absolutely nothing in regards to the quilt show. Same thing on Saturday - so I went through the weekend trying really hard to not think of it in any way, shape, or form. Then Monday arrived.
Brian snagged the mail and brought it to the house saying, "You have something from AQS."
My heart skipped.
"Is it thick or thin?" I asked him.
"It's neither, sort of. It's a large flat envelope," he answered, and I flew up the stairs.
It was a strange way to send a "no thank you" note, so I let myself become a little excited.
"CONGRATULATIONS! The jury has accepted your entry, [PQ1]: Let It Begin With Me, for further consideration in the 2013 AQS Quilt Week contest in Grand Rapids, MI....Your contestant name badge and ribbon are enclosed," the top page read. Yippee!
OK, so after receiving hugs from Bud, and crying a bit, I poured over everything in the packet - over and over and over. Later, I sent out a quick text to family and friends to let them know it's finally happened, and then began receiving texts and calls of congratulations. It was a good day.
I now need to completely remove ALL signs of cat hair from the quilt, check it over and clip stray threads, then make a small adjustment to the sleeve I have been thinking of making (to make the corners and sides hang without waving at all). Once that's done there are other items to deal with...and a small mound of paperwork to immediately fill out and send back before the quilt is packed up and shipped to AQS.
Holy Moses! Guess I may as well get back to work then, eh? :)
Anyhow, that's my week so far, hope your week is going well. More another time.
6.10.2013
Lost and found
I spent a good deal of yesterday lost in the ordeal of finding the surface of my sewing table. By the end of the day I had struck gold...but felt miserable when I finally put the lid on the large storage container, and said goodbye to something I was looking forward to really making progress on over the next few months.
The process of totally putting away one project while it's under construction is not a simple act. Especially at the scale of VGS, but it needed doing.
By the end of the day I had only piles of pieces to cut, and those I sorted into gallon zipbags. Over time I will work on cutting the chunks and strips in those bags into 1"x1" pieces, neatly sorted by color and ready for use when I uncrate the beast within. 'Til then, I will have to console myself with losing time on my treasured quilt project and find someplace to store the large blue box!
In the meanwhile, I intend to pick up lost projects and finish them before allowing myself to find time to invest in such a lofty quilt project.
The process of totally putting away one project while it's under construction is not a simple act. Especially at the scale of VGS, but it needed doing.
By the end of the day I had only piles of pieces to cut, and those I sorted into gallon zipbags. Over time I will work on cutting the chunks and strips in those bags into 1"x1" pieces, neatly sorted by color and ready for use when I uncrate the beast within. 'Til then, I will have to console myself with losing time on my treasured quilt project and find someplace to store the large blue box!
In the meanwhile, I intend to pick up lost projects and finish them before allowing myself to find time to invest in such a lofty quilt project.
6.03.2013
5.26.2013
Little expeditions
As my friends and I try to re-invent and re-purpose ourselves for employment, we manage to take time to insert a little creative juice and activity into our schedules to keep from going mad. I am an artist who prefers to turn her energy and talents towards fabric arts (quilting) and photography (and silk screening - although, admittedly not so much s/s as I once did).
My best friends are also into quilting, which is where I direct most of my non-job-searching time, and every once in a while we allow our little vises to take control of our minds and pocketbooks, and we have fun "shop-hopping" on a private basis. Well, Maria has had the fun of a true organized shop hop - an organized and chauffeured tour, put on by multiple quilt shop destinations - but Jean and I haven't gone that route, yet.
One of these days, though....you just wait!
At any rate, Jean and I squoze in a mini hop Friday - visiting five different quilt stores - and we were terribly impressed with two of the target stores and not so impressed with two others. The fifth store was a charming mix of antiques, chachki and material, but the setting was disappointingly short of material offerings and decent light to shop by. Still, FUN to walk through, and a possible go-to spot for a re-visit at some time in the deep future.
If you want to read more about each of our new quilt shop finds, please find the reviews at: www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com. I'll be writing them out this afternoon (or tonight). Otherwise......
Work progresses on the large 16+K piece art quilt;
Karl's persevering in his new advanced math class;
Brian continues to work his two part time jobs while looking for something full time and stable, and;
the cats are still fuzzy and demanding as ever.
How's it by you?
My best friends are also into quilting, which is where I direct most of my non-job-searching time, and every once in a while we allow our little vises to take control of our minds and pocketbooks, and we have fun "shop-hopping" on a private basis. Well, Maria has had the fun of a true organized shop hop - an organized and chauffeured tour, put on by multiple quilt shop destinations - but Jean and I haven't gone that route, yet.
One of these days, though....you just wait!
At any rate, Jean and I squoze in a mini hop Friday - visiting five different quilt stores - and we were terribly impressed with two of the target stores and not so impressed with two others. The fifth store was a charming mix of antiques, chachki and material, but the setting was disappointingly short of material offerings and decent light to shop by. Still, FUN to walk through, and a possible go-to spot for a re-visit at some time in the deep future.
If you want to read more about each of our new quilt shop finds, please find the reviews at: www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com. I'll be writing them out this afternoon (or tonight). Otherwise......
Work progresses on the large 16+K piece art quilt;
Karl's persevering in his new advanced math class;
Brian continues to work his two part time jobs while looking for something full time and stable, and;
the cats are still fuzzy and demanding as ever.
How's it by you?
5.18.2013
Huh
Is been a week already....really? A whole week since the last entry?
Huh.
[scratch, scratch, flick]
Heading upstairs to take advantage of the tremendous daylight - and the comfortable height of the kitchen counter - to cut something in the line of one thousand new pieces for the quilt in process (QIP). Maybe more. As the remaining requirement is something like 13,500 ('cuz I already have another thousand or so cut and at the ready), perhaps I should aim at cutting a 'few' more than a grand today.
New row = new additions to the color palette. Many, many new additions.
Let's see how the day goes, shall we?
Huh.
[scratch, scratch, flick]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Heading upstairs to take advantage of the tremendous daylight - and the comfortable height of the kitchen counter - to cut something in the line of one thousand new pieces for the quilt in process (QIP). Maybe more. As the remaining requirement is something like 13,500 ('cuz I already have another thousand or so cut and at the ready), perhaps I should aim at cutting a 'few' more than a grand today.
New row = new additions to the color palette. Many, many new additions.
Let's see how the day goes, shall we?
5.05.2013
Another bright, lovely spring day
Will there be a piper to pay in the near future for all of this delightful weather?
It could stay exactly like it has been for the remainder of the year for all I care. Not hot (except for the upper 70s Tuesday or Wednesday of last week) and not too cool. Perfectly pleasant!
I dislike hot temperatures, and I grew exceedingly weary this past winter of grey, doldrum-y frigidiness. Something warmer than 55*F and cooler than 74*F is optimal; add sunshine, a drizzle here and there and you have the best weather pattern EVER! Why can't that be the norm? Where can a gal find such happiness?
Yesterday was picture-perfect, and I spent it with friends in Grand Ledge for a community concert, then at lunch, then in a quilt shop, and on the road. By the time I returned home there was dinner to make for 'boy junior' and jobs to look over for a bit. Then I capped the day with a smidge of daydreaming over what is to come on the large new quilt project (which I had a small angsty guilting session over, not having touched at all yesterday).
This morning, I settled in to watch Joel Osteen's sermon. Once done, I began cleaning up the latest mountains of 'decision' I had created since last weekend; all the materials pondered over, cut from, discarded, etc., etc., in the pursuit of finishing up row one.
I found I had somehow succeeded in amassing three separate groupings of material in different areas around the sewing area (and in it, too). I really needed to get it back under control...and locate everything I had formally had in some sort of order. I found things I knew I had but couldn't locate when I wanted it, so I now know I must be even more diligent about maintaining order whilst laying out the blocks.
There was a lot to put back in order, too. Too much, in fact.
On the plus side, the color pool is expanding by leaps and bounds, and I have worked my way over into the upper right-hand corner which contains a vast amount of blues, and several muddy reddish bits. So my little one-inch-square spectrum continues to grow!
I have decided my aim shall be to stay pro-actively ahead of the color curve requirements (if that's at all possible with this monster), and to scope out the next 100 pieces to see if I have cut and at the ready most of what will be needed. If not, then I will get to work ironing, measuring and cutting dozens upon dozens of little squares of what looks right and stacking them into little towers in my 'color palette.'
It's all good intentions on my part, mind you, so we shall see if I can keep up with it for the next thousand pieces. The cutting is tedious, and I most decidedly would rather be assembling the silly squares than cutting, cutting, cutting. But it has to be done at some point, right? 16,000+ pieces don't make themselves.
Yeesh!
Enjoy your day, whatever you will be doing. Revel in the wonderful weather!
It could stay exactly like it has been for the remainder of the year for all I care. Not hot (except for the upper 70s Tuesday or Wednesday of last week) and not too cool. Perfectly pleasant!
I dislike hot temperatures, and I grew exceedingly weary this past winter of grey, doldrum-y frigidiness. Something warmer than 55*F and cooler than 74*F is optimal; add sunshine, a drizzle here and there and you have the best weather pattern EVER! Why can't that be the norm? Where can a gal find such happiness?
Yesterday was picture-perfect, and I spent it with friends in Grand Ledge for a community concert, then at lunch, then in a quilt shop, and on the road. By the time I returned home there was dinner to make for 'boy junior' and jobs to look over for a bit. Then I capped the day with a smidge of daydreaming over what is to come on the large new quilt project (which I had a small angsty guilting session over, not having touched at all yesterday).
This morning, I settled in to watch Joel Osteen's sermon. Once done, I began cleaning up the latest mountains of 'decision' I had created since last weekend; all the materials pondered over, cut from, discarded, etc., etc., in the pursuit of finishing up row one.
I found I had somehow succeeded in amassing three separate groupings of material in different areas around the sewing area (and in it, too). I really needed to get it back under control...and locate everything I had formally had in some sort of order. I found things I knew I had but couldn't locate when I wanted it, so I now know I must be even more diligent about maintaining order whilst laying out the blocks.
There was a lot to put back in order, too. Too much, in fact.
On the plus side, the color pool is expanding by leaps and bounds, and I have worked my way over into the upper right-hand corner which contains a vast amount of blues, and several muddy reddish bits. So my little one-inch-square spectrum continues to grow!
I have decided my aim shall be to stay pro-actively ahead of the color curve requirements (if that's at all possible with this monster), and to scope out the next 100 pieces to see if I have cut and at the ready most of what will be needed. If not, then I will get to work ironing, measuring and cutting dozens upon dozens of little squares of what looks right and stacking them into little towers in my 'color palette.'
It's all good intentions on my part, mind you, so we shall see if I can keep up with it for the next thousand pieces. The cutting is tedious, and I most decidedly would rather be assembling the silly squares than cutting, cutting, cutting. But it has to be done at some point, right? 16,000+ pieces don't make themselves.
Yeesh!
Enjoy your day, whatever you will be doing. Revel in the wonderful weather!
1.02.2013
Well, it's dark again. Sun's down and the night grows darker and colder. And before you ask, today was a bit better than yesterday, so no complaints on my end.
I've been in the kitchen for the last hour or so chopping and saute'-ing; rinsing and pre-cooking; washing up dishes and pans and humming along with Christmas music quietly playing in the background.
Yes....I play Christmas music for quite a while past the holiday season, simply because I can't play it much throughout the correct time period as Brian hears more than his fill at work - starting in late October! So I take pity and wait as long as I can to start my jolly music around the house. And, I usually wait until he is away from home, too.
Karl doesn't seem to mind, and except for periodic forays out of his room, he rarely hears it anyhow.
Making a pot of bean soup, with a liberal dose of garlic. It's based on a recipe I came across online, so I hope it meets with happy faces after all is said and done. We'll see.
Got a little caught up on the Black Widow today; spending time making more adjustments to the blocks of the Greek border here and there. So it's coming together slowly but surely. Also spent a little time re-reading the 'syllabus' for the class I will be teaching this Saturday.
Yes, I have a pseudo-job as a contracted instructor for JAF. Beginning sewing....with a class of two....who paid half price for their class....and contractors are paid 60% of the fee collected - IF the students show up. I'll spare you the rest of my disappointment with the way JAF runs this program, as it has to do with instructors having to buy all the supplies OUT OF POCKET for each item demonstrated - with no reimbursement!
Ah, well. Right?
This is just me looking that 'gift hourse' right in its mouth! Right??
I guess I've got to start somewhere if the job market has a decidely unkind view of women my age trying to muscle their way back in after several years of uncommon (and temporary) employment in jobs that aren't quite 'mainstream'.
I have been gathering up items to demonstrate during the class. JAF's sketchy list of things to talk about and demo for "Sewing 101" leaves a few holes to fill, but I am up to the task! So let the games begin. ;)
OK, time to step away from this keyboard and get back to work around here. Have a nice evening, and stay safe and warm over the next few days - it's getting bitter out there.
I've been in the kitchen for the last hour or so chopping and saute'-ing; rinsing and pre-cooking; washing up dishes and pans and humming along with Christmas music quietly playing in the background.
Yes....I play Christmas music for quite a while past the holiday season, simply because I can't play it much throughout the correct time period as Brian hears more than his fill at work - starting in late October! So I take pity and wait as long as I can to start my jolly music around the house. And, I usually wait until he is away from home, too.
Karl doesn't seem to mind, and except for periodic forays out of his room, he rarely hears it anyhow.
Making a pot of bean soup, with a liberal dose of garlic. It's based on a recipe I came across online, so I hope it meets with happy faces after all is said and done. We'll see.
Got a little caught up on the Black Widow today; spending time making more adjustments to the blocks of the Greek border here and there. So it's coming together slowly but surely. Also spent a little time re-reading the 'syllabus' for the class I will be teaching this Saturday.
Yes, I have a pseudo-job as a contracted instructor for JAF. Beginning sewing....with a class of two....who paid half price for their class....and contractors are paid 60% of the fee collected - IF the students show up. I'll spare you the rest of my disappointment with the way JAF runs this program, as it has to do with instructors having to buy all the supplies OUT OF POCKET for each item demonstrated - with no reimbursement!
Ah, well. Right?
This is just me looking that 'gift hourse' right in its mouth! Right??
I guess I've got to start somewhere if the job market has a decidely unkind view of women my age trying to muscle their way back in after several years of uncommon (and temporary) employment in jobs that aren't quite 'mainstream'.
I have been gathering up items to demonstrate during the class. JAF's sketchy list of things to talk about and demo for "Sewing 101" leaves a few holes to fill, but I am up to the task! So let the games begin. ;)
OK, time to step away from this keyboard and get back to work around here. Have a nice evening, and stay safe and warm over the next few days - it's getting bitter out there.
1.01.2013
Too bad
Sadly, today was not a good day.
It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good. It was a wash. A waste. A lost cause.
And what's more - it felt like another Sunday, too. This would have been the third inside of a week if the days could be arranged (or, re-arranged) in that way. That's the trouble with holidays, as I see it, they mess up the flow of a perfectly good week!
Yes, I'm serious.
If a holiday falls on Sunday (maybe even on a Saturday), well, then the week is OK...normal. It stays on track. But heaven help us if the holiday falls on a weekday and either prematurely ends a week in progress, or breaks up the Monday-through-Friday flow. Those "long-weekend" holidays are equally as irritating, and just as destructive to the routine of a week, if you ask me.
But I know you won't, so let's simply agree to disagree, shall we?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I took advantage of some daylight hours to get a little work done on the Black Widow, and due to circumstances beyond my control I wound up burning a good deal of the day on repairing, recalculating, and re-cutting to come up with something workable for the next time I pick up working on that particular quilt.
It was very disappointing to find the beautiful hand-dyed batik I had planned to use for the center of the backing (surrounded by my usual borders) is chock-a-block full of small - but harmful - holes! I ended up having to substantially reduce the center medallion square by trimming away all of the unusable portion(s) and adding far more mass to the additional sashing bits all around. That took some time to be certain everything was 'just so' for the next steps in the construction process.
After which, I labored over the Greek eternity blocks I am constructing freehand. Mostly just one block....one pain in the asterisk block. One of the corner blocks which needs to be sized correctly or the turn at the corner could look truly bad. Hoping the next time I sit down with this project I can get more accomplished, because the hours spent today really didn't yield a whole lot - and it's a little disappointing.
Ah well. Day is done; gone the sun. The last of the meager winter daylight fast is evaporating behind the houses across the street, and I should move on to something else - perhaps dinner?
More tomorrow, but until then, welcome to 2013.
It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good. It was a wash. A waste. A lost cause.
And what's more - it felt like another Sunday, too. This would have been the third inside of a week if the days could be arranged (or, re-arranged) in that way. That's the trouble with holidays, as I see it, they mess up the flow of a perfectly good week!
Yes, I'm serious.
If a holiday falls on Sunday (maybe even on a Saturday), well, then the week is OK...normal. It stays on track. But heaven help us if the holiday falls on a weekday and either prematurely ends a week in progress, or breaks up the Monday-through-Friday flow. Those "long-weekend" holidays are equally as irritating, and just as destructive to the routine of a week, if you ask me.
But I know you won't, so let's simply agree to disagree, shall we?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I took advantage of some daylight hours to get a little work done on the Black Widow, and due to circumstances beyond my control I wound up burning a good deal of the day on repairing, recalculating, and re-cutting to come up with something workable for the next time I pick up working on that particular quilt.
It was very disappointing to find the beautiful hand-dyed batik I had planned to use for the center of the backing (surrounded by my usual borders) is chock-a-block full of small - but harmful - holes! I ended up having to substantially reduce the center medallion square by trimming away all of the unusable portion(s) and adding far more mass to the additional sashing bits all around. That took some time to be certain everything was 'just so' for the next steps in the construction process.
After which, I labored over the Greek eternity blocks I am constructing freehand. Mostly just one block....one pain in the asterisk block. One of the corner blocks which needs to be sized correctly or the turn at the corner could look truly bad. Hoping the next time I sit down with this project I can get more accomplished, because the hours spent today really didn't yield a whole lot - and it's a little disappointing.
Ah well. Day is done; gone the sun. The last of the meager winter daylight fast is evaporating behind the houses across the street, and I should move on to something else - perhaps dinner?
More tomorrow, but until then, welcome to 2013.
12.04.2012
The time has come
I am excited to say the time has finally arrived for the first entry of my lovely PQ1 into a competition!
Deadlines were missed late last year/early this year because of film jobs and a number of classes butting in during what would have been prime finish-that-quilt time.
So I sat expectantly on my precious "egg", waiting for JoAnn Fabric to start the entry period for their third annual "Quilt Your Colors" contest. Since their requirements were that every scrap of material used in the creation of your entry HAD to be purchased from them, I was limited to what colors I used to build my beautiful quilt.
When I couldn't finish in time for the 2011 contest, I consoled myself with the thought that it would be ready (and so would I) for the following year...I just had to keep it under wraps until then. NOT an easy thing to do given how proud I am of the way it turned out.
Patiently I waited for the end of summer for the first announcements to appear - and the sign-up period - but it didn't come. I called and emailed their corporate office to ask the question again and again. "When will the contest be announced?"
As it turned out, the answer was "never."
They could have said that MONTHS ago! If they had, I could have been teaching and drawing an income all summer/fall/now!
You see, employees cannot enter their contest, and I am certain PQ1 is a winner. I thought that once it won, then I could teach at JAF and enter the quilt in other competitions around the US, or internationally.
Sadly, now they are no longer in need of quilt instructors at the three closest stores, so here I am at square one - BUT....
The deadline for entry into the AQS competition is literally around the corner, so I am earnestly readying my paperwork and photos, and trying to finish up a secondary piece to enter at the same time. Monetarily it is the best thing to do. If I can't get the second offering done by the 15th, I am OK with only entering PQ1 this time around.
Yes, normally this would have been the sort of thing I post at www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com , however, since it is a cross of mild ranting, a bit of a daily update, and of interest to me (my life, my blog, etc.), this is where I chose to post it.
Photos of the secondary quilt entry can be seen on the quilt blog (listed above), but photos of PQ1 won't be made available until March. When you see it you'll understand why.
;)
Deadlines were missed late last year/early this year because of film jobs and a number of classes butting in during what would have been prime finish-that-quilt time.
So I sat expectantly on my precious "egg", waiting for JoAnn Fabric to start the entry period for their third annual "Quilt Your Colors" contest. Since their requirements were that every scrap of material used in the creation of your entry HAD to be purchased from them, I was limited to what colors I used to build my beautiful quilt.
When I couldn't finish in time for the 2011 contest, I consoled myself with the thought that it would be ready (and so would I) for the following year...I just had to keep it under wraps until then. NOT an easy thing to do given how proud I am of the way it turned out.
Patiently I waited for the end of summer for the first announcements to appear - and the sign-up period - but it didn't come. I called and emailed their corporate office to ask the question again and again. "When will the contest be announced?"
As it turned out, the answer was "never."
They could have said that MONTHS ago! If they had, I could have been teaching and drawing an income all summer/fall/now!
You see, employees cannot enter their contest, and I am certain PQ1 is a winner. I thought that once it won, then I could teach at JAF and enter the quilt in other competitions around the US, or internationally.
Sadly, now they are no longer in need of quilt instructors at the three closest stores, so here I am at square one - BUT....
The deadline for entry into the AQS competition is literally around the corner, so I am earnestly readying my paperwork and photos, and trying to finish up a secondary piece to enter at the same time. Monetarily it is the best thing to do. If I can't get the second offering done by the 15th, I am OK with only entering PQ1 this time around.
Yes, normally this would have been the sort of thing I post at www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com , however, since it is a cross of mild ranting, a bit of a daily update, and of interest to me (my life, my blog, etc.), this is where I chose to post it.
Photos of the secondary quilt entry can be seen on the quilt blog (listed above), but photos of PQ1 won't be made available until March. When you see it you'll understand why.
;)
8.27.2012
Infinitely frustrated
Infinitely frustrated with the weather. I cannot quilt with this much humidity!
The material is so damp that it won't slide over the bed of the machine (under the needle) without a tremendous amount of effort. The stitches either end up too long or the material becomes hung up, causing the needle to drop in the same place twice. The later issue causes an ultra-short stitch length or a build up, just because I can't get the material to move!!
This is the second lost day to the crap weather, and time is desperately short for this project!!!!!
[primal scream]
8.22.2012
Ho-hum
I truly wasn't going to post my last entry. And after writing it, I 'sat on it' for the better part of a week thinking I would eventually change my mind and would simply delete it.
Too much vigorous ranting, lately. But hey - I've got a pretty low BP, so I must be doing something right!
I let myself become busy doing other things around here. Looking for work (as always), cleaning out storage stuff and dusting cobwebs, quilting, quilting, quilting. Aaaa, you get the idea.
I really felt as though I had nothing worthwhile to say - on anything - and therefore opted to remain silent for a few days.
Well, I guess you can tell I was still bugged by the dropped 'playdate' thing, so I posted the blog.
Oddly, I still don't feel like posting anything else, though.
I feel empty. Lackluster. Unimportant. Inconsequential.
I feel 'ho-hum.'
Finally managed to finish piecing the commissioned quilt I have been working on, both top and backing, so today will be spent stretching and basting it in preparation for quilting. With any sort of luck I will needle the first lines into by this evening. I still have ten days before it needs to be in the buyer's hands.
[sigh]
7.30.2012
How does that happen?
I had a very busy weekend. Lots of activity, lots of friends, but very little actual (tangible) work done or progress made.
Bear in mind this is NOT a complaint. I am just amazed with (and maybe a smidge disappointed in) myself for not having gotten much done outside of having fun. And I did have fun, trust me!
Maybe I should stop feeling badly about having spent time with friends doing fun activities, and just relish the fun I had without any guilt whatsoever!
Thank you...I believe I will. So there!
Maria and I went to the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild show Sunday afternoon and walked it, shopped it, examined it and commented on it - learning things about technique, about our (my) own skills, and the importance of planning, just from viewing other's offerings. I am more pleased than ever in my own skills; with the care I take in seaming perfection, matching points and seams, and generally producing a very high quality every time I sit at my machine.
And my FMQ is pretty darned good, too.
I guess I was somewhat underwhelmed with the works hanging in general, both in quantity and in quality. For as large as that guild is (purportedly), there was a small representation of quilting prowess in evidence. The gems were few and far between, and when we found one, it was worth the extra time to stop and soak it in. Sometimes we were right on top of it examining the way it went together, or the mediums used.
BUT, the main thing was that Maria and I managed to get together in one place, and have some fun catching up and sharing laughs.
Thank you for sharing your day with me, Maria - and for lunch!
Saturday was spent giggling and shopping - sort of. Brian needs new work pants, and I am searching for a few more summer tops to wear to sweat through the remainder of the hot weather to come. Karl also needed another pair of cooler bedtime pants, and maybe a short sleeved Oxford to bum around in when he goes out...but he would have none of it.
Jean, Barb and I high-jacked boy jr., but had little success all the way around.
We did a bunch of driving but really didn't land much in the way of booty. However, Karl did learn an invaluable lesson about poking mom in the head and back repeatedly.
Thank you, NCIS.
;v)
We did make it to one store Karl enjoys traipsing through - Trader Joes. (whew) Now stocked up with enough lemon and cracked pepper noodles to last a little while.
On another note, I need a haircut (and so does Karl), so that will be something to tackle this week. One of many items on the agenda.
How is your week stacking up?
6.29.2012
Sour grapes?
Totally not pleased to realize that if I could have gotten the competition quilt completed in time to register for the JAF 2011/12 deadline, 'UnderwrapsQ1' would have had a real shot at taking home a top prize! Ugh.
And yes, I am feeling a bit smug and prideful, 'UnderwrapsQ1' turned out beautifully, and I can't wait to reveal it!
The winners and top finishers for the initial contest in 2010/11 were far and away better than the crop we've been able to see for the current year...but I guess that's all subjective and personal opinion, right?
Anywho...take a look for yourself (2010 and 2011) and then keep your fingers crossed for me, please. ;v) The entry period for 2012/13 will begin late this fall, so I only have to sit on my lovely little quilt for a bit longer.
Oh, yeah, and it's hot! [picture melting letters and steam rising]
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