Living Like A Vampire

It's been a good long while since I've posted.  And, yes, I'm up at 2:45 a.m. writing, and not necessarily because it's when I do my best writing.  My explanation is simply that I have been working nights around the corner from my home for the past three months, and I have been trying to adjust to sleeping during the day and being up all night, even on my days off.  While this would seem to be a perfect scenario on weekends for a person who likes to sew at night while it's quiet and no interruptions, the problem I am encountering is that I find myself having to recuperate after a full week of very physical work. So to avoid sewing mistakes, I have been avoiding sewing when extremely tired.  I believe I now know what it's like to be vampire.  You see, while the majority of the population is up and about during daylight hours, I'm sleeping (or trying to) in my dark bedroom--blinds closed--preparing myself for another eight hours of lifting and carrying heavy boxes and standing on my feet.  Additionally, to sustain an adequate energy level, I've taken to drinking low fat fruit smoothies (Oh, blood that is. LOL), taking vitamins, and eating as nutritiously as possible, which is a good thing.  However, I still have to play mental games with myself to continue with this crazy idea of mine.  At the time I decided to do this, I thought that this job would be perfect because I would be more physically active and would still be able to teach sewing without changing my students' schedules, and quilt for customers and myself.  In other words, I would be able to continue to do what I enjoy--among other reasons.  Well reality is that this is only slightly true.  I still teach sewing but have had to change schedules here and there, and I am currently making a quilt for a customer--yeah!  I do have to admit, however, that my energy level is not the same and I haven't been sewing for myself.  I also find that during the evening hours, it's all about squeezing in laundry, cooking dinner, and resting before going to work.  I am living like a vampire!  A vampire who sews, cooks and cleans, and works nights.  What was I thinking?  I have always had a great amount of respect for all the healthcare professionals and other working professionals that work through the night--those that ultimately make life easier for the rest of the population during the day--but my respect has been taken to a higher level. To the vampires who started their careers working nights and have been doing it all or most of their working careers--you truly have "eternal life" in my book.  I'm not so sure I will.  Oh well, the sun will be rising shortly, so it's time to start thinking about sleep.

I'll be posting the quilt I'm working on in a couple of weeks but hopefully I'll be back to chat sooner than that!  Good night, or day?!?!

The Panda Gift

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have a checklist of projects to do.  So far I've hemmed my daughter's sheers for her bedroom window (check) and have just finished my grandson's teacher's gift (check).  Even though the sheers needed to be altered, I didn't bother taking pictures because, really, it was a pretty mundane task and not worth photos.  However, the gift I made for my grandson to give to his teacher is quite different.  Before I share pictures with you, I'd like to first share the reasons for making it.

This was my grandson's kindergarten teacher's first year teaching at the school my grandson attends.  Upon entering her classroom, you will find many wonderful visuals and aides that promote learning of course.  The theme throughout her room is that of the Panda bear and the environment in which it lives--done in a happy child-like style.  One day, after volunteering to work along side her in her classroom, I inquired about her classroom theme because it was so delightful.  She told me that previously she had a cowboy theme at the school she had taught at the year prior but came across this one shortly after and liked the Panda theme better because they had adopted a daughter from China, which is also where Pandas are found exclusively.  Because the Panda bear has such special meaning to her, I thought it would be nice to give her a Panda bear to add to her classroom as a gift.  After checking with my daughter and grandson, I found just the right Panda bear to make her--one that is a little unique and would also identify as being from our family.  This bear is actually a quilted bolster pillow with what is called a broken dish block design on its body (for added interest) but, of course, his paws, ears, eyes and nose have the more traditional Panda (black and white) coloring.  The design is from Stash Happy Patchwork by Cynthia Shaffer.

Here he is at different angles:

Tyler, my grandson, will be giving this to her tomorrow--the last day of school.  I hope she and her new class will enjoy him next school year.  I can just visualize him sitting on top of one of her bookshelves watching over her class.  BUT should she decide to change her theme, she'll always have it to take home to keep and/or give to her daughter.

Okay, back to my to do list.


Have a great week!


Denise

I List Them

In order to stay on top of the many projects ahead, I list them and check them off as I go--especially when there are so many projects due within a short period of time.  If I didn't know any better, I would believe I was smack dab in the middle of the holidays again.  The only difference is that when I look outside I see that the grass is now green and when I'm in my sewing room the sun comes through a great deal longer.  Thank goodness for natural light; it does wonders for these eyes!

So just off the top of my head, as of today, my sewing/quilting list looks like this:

-  Make gift for grandson's teacher - due next week.

-  Teach applique to Maria (my sewing student) for a graduation gift she's giving to a friend
    - due May 23

-  Guide sewing students on their projects for our booth at the Sprint Campus - due June 19

-  My prep for booth set-up--Project NiniQuilts to be at Sprint Campus - due June 19.  
    That is, make one display plus 12 each of the following summer themed items for sale:

                  13 coin purses
                  13 totes
                  13 picnic mats with cloth napkins
                  13 sun glass cases
                  13 water bottle holders
                  13 headbands - help sewing students
                  13 quilted cuffs - help sewing students
                  13 beer or soda can cozies
                   garments worn by sewing students
                  1 or 2 quilts for display
                  1 bunting with company name & logo


-  Prepare order forms, business cards, and fliers with sewing classes offered

-  Plan, design and make quilt for hubby for Father's Day - due June 16

-  Make 3 pillows for daughter's sofa & modify sheers for bedroom window - no due date

I believe I'll be staying out of trouble at least through mid-June--don't you? What do you do to stay on track when you have a lot going on?  Do you use a calendar, smart-phone, bulletin board, or make post-its along the way?
      

      

It's Been Awhile

I hope all has been well with everyone!  I haven't posted in awhile as I am sure you've noticed.  My household has been very busy of late and things are starting to settle down a bit - yeah!   Even though I haven't posted, I've still been busy sewing.  Since I last dropped in, I've made window treatments for my daughter's new home and have volunteered at my grandson's school and helped with making pillows for a senior citizen's home.   All while these things were going on, in the back of my mind I knew I had volunteered to participate in another swap at the quilting guild for which I am a member.  The guild didn't specify what we were to make this time, but it couldn't be a pincushion, or a mug rug, or potholders.  Initially I thought about making a wristlet, and I did -

Although it was fun to make and has some nice detail, being zippered and pleated and colorful and all, but it just didn't really seem fitting for a quilter.  So I wracked my brain trying to come up with something . . . but it wasn't until yesterday, after scouring over blogs and websites, that I found something that gave me inspiration.  I happened to have taken a look at Martha Stewart's site and found this:

The above is a very simple sewing machine cover made with a tea towel and some purchased ties.  So I took the idea and ran with it.  I selected fabric from my own stash and measured and wrote down the dimensions of  my sewing machine and began cutting and piecing and sewing.  Here's my version:

My version (cover) is quilted within the pieced border of triangles and rectangles; I made my own ties, and have added beads at the bottom for embellishment.  Even though my gift is simple and understated, I feel so much better about it.  It's colorful and the print fabric I selected does have a sewing motif of buttons and various sewing notions.  The swap is tomorrow - wish me luck.

I'm so happy to post again--it's been too long.  Until next time!


Denise

We're Gonna Make Real Clothes!

I mentioned in my previous post that I would share my student's reaction after she received my gift.  She was so surprised and excited, and she loved the skirt!  I am also happy to share that after she finishes her current project, which is a carrier for her doll, she'll be making a skirt for herself and other articles of clothing not yet determined.  This is just what I had hoped!  And to every one's delight, she'll not only be learning more techniques, she'll be making some things that are a bit more functional and practical.  I'm sure her Mom will be pleased when she starts seeing some spring and summer garments coming home with her daughter.  Mission accomplished! 

Denim and Ruffles

Several days ago, a mother of one of my students presented to me her slight dismay concerning her daughter only showing interest in sewing doll clothes.  Her daughter who is 10 and about to approach that in-between stage--you know--the stage that's too old for dolls and too young for boys, is still holding on to those final days of baby doll love.  So to encourage her to venture in other directions, I've decided to make her a skirt and show her the possibilities of what she could make (although they would be simpler designs for now).  So this is my gift to her - a gift of encouragement, incentive, and a diversion all in one!   I don't think I'll have a problem, though, getting her to shift gears once she sees this:
  
Front view - 

 pleated white denim floral skirt with a yellow under-ruffle and a yellow & lavender tie at waist

Back view

 yoke waist and zipper

What do you think?
 
My plan now is that she'll alternate making clothes for her and her doll, or make coordinating outfits as suggested by my friend and guild member, Shea.  Thanks Shea!

I'll let you all know how this goes over in the next couple of days.  She'll see it at class tomorrow afternoon.  Wish me luck.


Happy Saturday!


Denise

The "Age" of Creativity

There still seems to be this stigma with home sewing--particularly quilting--that these are crafts for women "of a certain age."  More often than I would care to admit, when the topic of quilting comes up, automatically we think of our grandmothers, or great grandmothers, or a group of ladies in their golden years gathered around fabric with needle and thread in hand.  Yes, this was typical back in the day, and in some instances, still is.  But as with anything else--things change.  Today, machine piecing and machine quilting seems to be the rule rather than the exception and those who are doing it now are grandmothers like me BUT the young and hip, the artists, the urban dwellers, and the young wives and mothers are filtering through, and it's refreshing!   The problem is because of this stigma and a host of other factors, this new "age" of creativity needs a little more momentum.  I am very excited though; I'm excited because I would like to introduce you to Allison over at Fabulous Average Girl http://fabulousaveragegirl.blogspot.com/, a young wife and mother, who enjoys sewing, quilting, and cooking and has a wonderful blog for which she shares her insights and talents.  Today, I've asked Allison to share her thoughts concerning the challenges that goes with her "age" of creativity, and for others like her,   And now, here's Allison -
 

Thank you Denise!  I’m so excited to have a different audience today!  I have been quilting as a hobby since I was 23.  I started longarm quilting in 2010 and have since made it a business instead of a hobby for the last 6 months.  This has really caused me to take a good, hard look at quilting in general.  I find that even at 32 years old I am still one of the ‘younger’ quilters most places I go.  Where are the other 20-somethings?!?  Where has the ‘art’ of just having a hobby in general gone?  (There is a whole post on my blog dedicated to this.) 

Recently, someone asked me why do you seem concerned with just the girls?  Not to be mean to my loving counterpart, but men don’t seem to have any issue with having a hobby. They have cars to fix up, wooden things to build, pictures to take, stuff to weld, etc. You can sign up for a men’s league sport just about anywhere you go.  Women tend to shy away from hobbies these days. Just because you create something from nothing does not make you a home-body, old fashioned, country, retro, etc.  It means you have creativity inside you that you expressed in some medium!  My medium is fabric!  I gravitate towards quilting, but I love making bags, curtains, and all kinds of other things.  My creativity also comes in a hurry too….  So no hand sewing for me! 

 

So how do we get younger people to quilt? I say exposure is the biggest thing. Next time you go to a show, take your daughter, granddaughter, neighbor’s daughter, anyone!  Then let’s get them introduced to the basics.  I love Modern Quilting.  I think that is really going to pull in a younger, urban crowd to this industry.  Embrace it!  Embrace the different styles and techniques they can bring to the table.  The fabric is already out there.  Have you noticed the colors and patterns are brighter lately!?!  There are four quilt shops near my house.  With the variety that has been added they could each carry 20 lines of fabric and never sell the same bolt.

 

Personally I am a traditional quilter who hates to follow patterns. Don’t worry….  That makes no sense to me either!  I am just beginning to really embrace the modern quilt movement too.  It doesn’t mean I’ve stopped making the quilts I’ve always known and loved.  I recently made my first art style ‘landscape’ quilt.  Very cool challenge! 

 

There’s another post on my blog about the right way and wrong way of doing things.  Let’s make sure we don’t shut out the next generation by making rules for what should be an enjoyable hobby.  Nobody wants rules on their off day! 

 

My other non-favorite classification is ‘fabric snob’.  Meaning you only purchase the highest quality quilt shop fabrics.  While I fully support local quilt shops and just drool over their fabric, it doesn’t mean it’s the only option.  I’d rather see someone make a quilt with $2 a yard fabric from a chain store, than to not make a quilt at all. 

 

My next challenge is to get into Career Day at the local high schools next year!  It might not be someone’s next career, but their life and career may be more enjoyable if they have a hobby like quilting.

Allison, thank you so much for sharing your perspective on changing the mindsets of young women and others as it relates to quilting, and hobbies in general.  Also thank you for suggesting that we encourage  young girls by exposing them to this art form.   As simple as it sounds, it doesn't happen often enough!  I am delighted you came by and am excited to see new and exciting things by way of your blog.  I hope you will come again soon, because as a young female entrepreneur, I believe you are inspiring those who read this today and those who will read this for days to come.  At the very least, we can hope that you are adding a little more push to the momentum.

Friends, followers, and first-time readers, thank you for stopping by.  Before I leave, however, I would like to share one more thing:  Another way to encourage quilting (or any creative hobby) for young women is to direct them to Allison's blog at http://fabulousaveragegirl.blogspot.com and others like her.  Search and you shall find!
  

Denise