LIfe in Ohio...

Hello blog.  It's been a while...

I moved to Ohio.

I started a new job.

REPEAT is over.

I am not quilting quite as much as I was a few months ago, but getting into the groove of life post-grad school has been less painful than imagined.  For example, I actually am capable of waking up at a normal hour, staying awake all day, and not sewing every few hours.  Sigh...

Turns out Maybe and Also got a bit spoiled with their momma home being a sewing slob for two years.  They HATE spending the day alone.  So much so that Also spends her days at doggie daycare bonding with her manny and the other pups.  Maybe whines at home all day.  They need to get real.   

I have done some sewing.  Had to break in the old sewing room...I've had two awesome quilt finishes since I got to Ohio.  First off, I finished a quilt that my grandma and I pieced last summer.  Grandma just recently celebrated her 90th b-day, so she deserved a quilt, and then some!  This massive chevron monster is hopefully keeping her warm as she watches Dancing with the Stars.  She may be 90, but this lady knows what is up in the world of celebrity gossip.  My classy brother and sister got her a subscription to US Weekly, so she can read that from under her quilt.  BONUS - It has 90 quilting lines to match her 90 years...cliche! 

The next big finish was my Backbone quilt.  A Carolyn Friedlander quilt, this bad boy is one of my favorite quilts I've ever made. 

 

Too many quilts, not enough space.  Hence the quilt ladder.  I've always wanted one, but the reality of this one isn't quite right...

And here are the little pups.  I haven't had a couch in two years, and while I may have one, I usually don't get a spot on it.  

Quilt Retreat

Many thanks to Susan Brown of TQM Products for welcoming me and Madeleine to her quilt retreat in Okoboji, Iowa!  'Boji as it is referred to by those in the know, is a vacation lake spot in Northeast Iowa.  We stayed at the Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp (my first bible camp experience). 

Packing up all my supplies was pretty stressful. Even for a quilter like me who tends to avoid a lot of tools, knick, knacks, etc, but the time you get your machine, cutting supplies, ironing stuff, and fabric together, it's enough to pretty much fill the Prius.  Especially combined with Madeleine's sewing accoutrements. 

ready to sew!

We arrived ready to roll.  After setting up our gear, we went to bed.  Nothing could prepare us for the reality of quilt retreat...

In the zone.

We got right to work on Friday morning.  As our fellow sewists arrived, we remained focused, not yet disrupting the quiet peace.  Slowly, as we became accustomed to our new environment, we let loose and chattered the rest of the weekend.  Surprise, surprise...

Swooning

Little did we know, but at quilt retreats people stay up sewing all night.  Literally all night.  The champion quilter stayed up until 5am and was back at it at 8am.  Whoa.  Madeleine and I created unattainable goals the first night and stayed up until 4am, however we slept in.  The Swoon block above was my goal for the 4am night. 

Also is very helpful

The Six Swoons

 The following day at retreat, I continued to pound out the Swoon blocks.  All the cool kids have been making this quilt for months, so I figured I should too.  I used to be one of those quilters who proudly proclaimed "I do NOT use patterns."  I was a graph paper snob, but realistically my creations for variations on incredibly common pieced quilt patterns.  That said, the lack of patterns in my quilting life was a point of pride (wow, I am so LAME).  Over the last few months, as I continued to perfect my procrastination skills through the thesis writing process, I began to gravitate towards quilt patterns.  It was easier to have mindless sewing while watching trashy TV to distract myself rather than have to pretend to exert creative energy while reinventing the nine patch again and again.  I started with some free patterns on blogs, and luckily I found one that I LOVED which resulted in me mass producing the blocks for it.  Due the the unfinished gift nature of one of these quilts, I cannot reveal the pattern.

Another step in my new found love of patterns was helping Carolyn Friedlander by testing one of her new patterns.  Again, no pictures or identifying information, but it was super fun, and I learned a new skill, paper piecing!   

So, that gets me to Swoon.  In order to become complete social media junkies, Madeleine and I got a Twitter account for The Printed Bolt.  Like quilt patterns, I used to be against Twitter.  Well, I pretty much still am against Twitter, however, I have found both a sociological crater and some quilting inspiration on Twitter.  Although, I do feel like a bit of an outsider looking in to all these weird personal conversations, but in a sort of Nancy Drew/Carmen San Diego investigator sort of way...Anyway, someone had a link to a Swoon quilt with something other than a white background, it was a black newsprint.  Since I don't really understand Twitter and just click around, I have not been able to relocate said image.  I was determined to make the Swoon quilt and not do the whimpy shabby chic color combination in the picture for the pattern.   

I bought the pattern online, and I'm sorry, but even in my limited pattern experience, I was not impressed.  Yes, I did figure it out, and yes it is super EASY, but there were a few fatal flaws that caused me to almost drop F-bombs every ten seconds at Lutheran Bible Camp.  Not a good situation.  For example, there are two square sizes that you need to cut out, however they are both the same size in the drawings, WTF?  Second, there are two colors used in addition to the background.  Color 1 refers to the secondary color with fewer pieces.  That does not make sense.  Color 2 is the main color, but it is second.  There is a giant 1 floating above something that is supposed to go with Color 2, FML.  Let's just say it's a good thing I wasn't using the minimum fabric requirements since I effed up cutting a million times. 

Many of the ladies questioned my color scheme for the Swoon, but as I had already named it the Greatest Color Combination in All of Quilt History, there was no turning back.  And I am glad I didn't!  I LOVE IT! 

Many thanks to the sewing crew around me for literally swooning over the quilt, motivating me to stay up too late, and keep going.  We met a fellow quilt blogger, Tasha from Ric Rac and Ribbons, who kept us laughing all weekend.  She's going to start her own Swoon soon, so I am anxious to see another interpretation!  While the quilt was originally going to just be four blocks, I increased it to six, and then after careful consultation with Rita, she convinced me to go for it and make three more blocks to balance out the colors. 

Really bad picture of the fabric that will help me make three more Swoons.

Momma Rushman was in town the last few day with her dog Lola.  Fortunately Maybe and Also were good hosts in the sense that they didn't eat Lola.  Maybe almost accidentally ate Also though...I think she mistook her for a bunny, but she definitely scared Also.  Maybe *might* be showing some signs of aging...

work, work, work

So much to do, so little time.

Important upcoming events:

March 1st - I-Make/U-Buy: Textiles in the Electronic Retail Age - Check out the details here.  The Printed Bolt will be sharing the story of how we began...

March 2nd - Modern Quilting: DIY Discourse - In return for their generous scholarship, I am presenting my research findings to the Lincoln Quilters Guild.  5:30 PM at the IQSCM.

March 3rd - DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO REPEAT. You should probably enter...

March 19th - The old thesis MUST be turned into my committee

March 22-25 - My first quilt retreat in Okoboji, Iowa...Yahoo!

April 2nd - Thesis Defense

(there will probably be things of note between these two dates)

February 2013 - QUILTCON!  The Modern Quilt Guild is hosting a conference in Austin, Texas.  I will be presenting my thesis and curating a show of Modern Historical Quilts.  Denyse Schmidt, Bill Kerr/Weeks Ringle, Anna Maria Horner, and more will be lecturing/hosting workshops.  There's going to be a quilt show with cash prizes and a vendor fair so everyone can bring home something special!  Check out all the details here! 

Sadly, I have no photos of my neurotic quilting I have been obsessing over of late.  But, the dogs are as photogenic as ever...

Also wrapped herself up in my scarf to stay warm.  Its been around 40-50 degrees during the day, so we have pretty much turned the heat off.  Momma can't handle another gas bill over $100...Good thing the dogs are resourceful.

Maybe just woke up from a whole day nap.  Rough life.  Also likes to eat Maybe's collars, so she got a really intimidating leather collar with metal embellishments to ward off her little friend.  Seems to be working...

*Original post had all the above dates listed in May...what the hell is wrong with me...?

Busy Bee

Between The Printed Bolt/REPEAT, school, and work, it would seem I might not have time to quilt.  Thankfully this has not been the case...However, for many reasons, my quilting pursuits of late are top secret.  Here are some hints...

Lincoln was graced with A LOT of snow last Saturday.  The desert dogs were pissed, but I was thankful I had power to fuel the Bernette for the day...

If this is any measure of my productivity, I threw away three grocery bags filled with these little guys.  Sadly I didn't bag them up before the dogs distributed them throughout the house...

Also's ear is finally (knock on wood) better!  She has been bandage free for almost two weeks.  Her recovery also means that her mischievous streak is back with a vengeance.  And for unknown reasons she has started humping.  A lot. 

TPB/REPEAT is hosting a launch party at my ghetto fabulous home.  In an attempt to make up for its nasty interior and somewhat haunted aura, I cleaned up my sewing area.  WOW. 

2012

It started a little while back, but I have been preoccupied driving back to Nebraska and mentally preparing myself for the final semester of grad school. 

Since I didn't blog for too much of 2011, it doesn't seem worth exploring all my craft accomplishments, so here are my goals for 2012:

• learn how to free motion quilt 
• finish all the quilt tops I have laying around 
• use up all my fabric (mainly so I don't have to move it...)
• Ohh, and I guess I should probably get a JOB after grad school...*

*If this list was in order of importance, this last line should would be moved to the top.

Knit cowl. Pattern on Ravelry. Basketweave Infinity Cowl by SuZan Bare. Natural dyed yarn; yellow=marigold and tan=black walnut.  Model: over tired/cold me.

Maybe and Also. Maybe craves my attention while Also rests peacefully, head nestled on hard plastic cone reinforced with duct tape. 

Pile o'homework.  Rivet-yawn-ing.

OMG. I love this thing.  I have been a Kindle hater for years.  I want to touch the paper...however, I got a kindle for Christmas, and always one to admit when I am wrong, I was wrong.  This little thing is amazing.  Good news: I am reading a lot more. Bad news: the book I plowed through in two days was called The Bigamist. 

Holidays...

The Arizona break has been exactly what I needed.  Warm weather, relaxing, continued dog drama...Also managed to mangle her ear in a rose bush resulting in emergency veterinary care (stitches, bandages, a cone).  She is coping surprisingly well, but we could have done without the whole charade.

Sadly, I did not bring my sewing machine, so I have been doing some knitting.  I did find a forgotten stash of batting at the house, so I will be able to finish some of the million quilt tops waiting in Lincoln. 

Little Angel Also with her "halo" also referred to as an Elizabethan Collar in our instruction manual. 

Fortunately the cone does not get in the way of Maybe and Also's loving relationship...

With all members of the family now 21, we had numerous booze themed gifts, including these beers matched to the personality of each recipient.  Classy.

Settlers of Catan is an epic board game.  With a novel length rule book, no one really knows how to play, so cheating abounds. 

The tree Christmas morning...

I did some creative wrapping.  This rodent-reindeer-vampire was for my brother...

He was attacked while unwrapping but should survive.

Home Sweet Home

After only 22 hours in the car the dogs and I arrived in Arizona to spend the holidays with the entire family...I left my sewing machine in Nebraska, so binding quilts and knitting cowls will have to suffice until 2012.

For everyone who worries about who slept in their bed at a hotel, it might have been these two if you are in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Flagstaff looming in the distance...

Whenever Betsy (the GPS) announced an upcoming turn, Also got very agitated thinking "who is this bitch?"

The ever classy white Christmas tree.  Very fitting for a desert Christmas.

Holiday art courtesy of my Grandma, possibly the most festive human on earth. 

Check out the M with the ice skating elves holding hands...

Real flowers to compliment the fake tree.

Stockings and trees.

Tinsel tree.

Maybe and Also are so excited to spend approximately 23 hours per day on their couch...

Awwww...

The dogs are just too cute.  They are struggling to adjust to the winter weather, so they have been spending even more time than usual lounging around in bed.  Our upcoming journey to the desert will be a welcome dose of warmth for dogs and humans alike.  

On the craft front, instead of finishing Christmas gifts, I have gotten sucked into a new knitting project.  Ravelry is so addicting...And on the homework front, I am taking procrastination to new levels.  What happened to that over-achieving perfectionist? 

The Fiber Fun Addicts had a holiday gathering today, complete with a gift exchange.  I received some awesome cards from the talented Julie...check out her blog!

Maybe and Also wondering "why don't you just write that paper already?"

Maybe and Also wondering "its cold, do we have to get out of bed?"

Also is such an intelligent little thing. She managed to wrap herself up in the flannel sheets.  Why can't she master lay down or shake?

Oops.  I dropped a bag of flour on the dogs today. 

Latest knitting project - natural dyed yarns!!!  I am so glad the dogs don't have cat-like instincts when it comes to yarn.  Also just likes to admire my handiwork. 

The cards from Julie obstructing the paper that I pretty much have no choice but to write.

Holiday attire.  Goodwill was out of ugly sweaters, so we did what anyone would do, rocked ugly 80s dresses.  Maybe is thinking "you aren't leaving the house in that, right?"

Fence Weaving

Fence weaving - the act of weaving fabric strips into chain link fence.  Related to the concept of "yarn bombing" however it is less in yo face and more elementary school tangram-ish.

I like to have a plan.  This semester I took a class where there were no plans.  I rolled with it as best I could, and while I wouldn't necessarily like to repeat the experience, it has turned out pretty swell.  Prompted to dream up whatever we wanted, I chose log cabin blocks.  We were supposed to explore our idea using two non-loom techniques and weaving (okay, so maybe there was a little bit of a plan).  I did some knitting and some weaving, and somehow managed to avoid crocheting (I want to like crocheting, but I just hate it).

After the trip to Houston, I needed to present a proposal as to what I was going to make for my final project.  Running on limited sleep, patience, and time, I was lost.  I was in the backyard with the dogs, watching them like a helicopter mom because the fence is wimpy, the bunnies are so slow the dogs can catch them, and the squirrels are everywhere.  To top it off, on the other side of the fence is a playground, so between rodents and children, there are too many distractions for the dogs.  BINGO.  Weave the fence.  Create a visual barrier so the dogs won't kill any other living creature.

My proposal was less than convincing.  I hadn't even really convinced myself.  After a few weeks avoiding the project for fear that it would be a complete disaster, I finally gathered my materials and got down to it.  WOW.  I want more chain link fence.

The beginning.  Word to the wise, fence weaving is better suited to the warmer months.

One block done...

It glows!

More blocks done...must keep going.

Also yawned on Maybe's face and it was scary.