novamade

walking feet across a striped star

I made a thing! I meant to blog about this in pieces--in process as it were, but obviously, that didn't happen.  In any case, look at this little mini quilt! I am so pleased with it. It's not perfect, and I don't care at all. There was a great deal of learning involved, which was really the point. Also, I finally got to use some of the fabric I purchased in France 8 years ago (8 years!!). So, there's that.

I was never one for the mini quilt, but now that I am interested in exploring processes of quilting (literally--like the actual quilting of a quilt), it's sort of a helpful thing. I knew that I would use this mini-quilt to try out straight line quilting with a walking foot. I tried it a few years ago and it was a disaster. I am pretty sure I had a faulty foot because when things work as they should, the quilting itself looks amazing, a lovely quilt is produced in an efficient way, and the act of quilting doesn't make you hate your life. 

This walking foot did have a hiccup on me, but it turns out that it needed to be cleaned and oiled a little bit. Once I took care of the walking foot, it took care of me. There is a section or two that are not as cleanly quilted.  Meh. This is still the best quilting I have ever done. And I do mean ever.

I did add fabric to the edge (see above--see the seam right next to binding, yeah, don't care) and pieces of the quilt top (center of the star--not going to lie, I felt like a genius when that worked out) as I was piecing it together because things didn't match up properly (one of my French fabrics was really bias-y).

Also, I used the walking foot on the quilt binding as well just out of curiosity.  It's the prettiest machine sewn quilt binding I have ever done. I mean, you'd not want to do it for a quilt going into a show or anything, but a gift that going to get washed 80,000 times, yes.

I have no idea why I have not employed this tool earlier. Every one of the sewing machines I have ever owned came with a walking foot (or even feed foot, if you prefer) I believe. Like I said, I did try it once before, but I should have tried again. Reading Jacquie Gering's Walk was very inspirational, too. So, I am sure I will gain further inspiration as I work through that, but I am loving this straight line quilting right now.  It's a beautiful thing. You will see it on a ton more quilts. Probably soonish.

The Thing: Striped Star Mini Quilt (link goes to a great pattern/tutorial so you can make your own, you'll need to design your own quilting plan though--the one provided is pretty simple, which is fine, of course)

The Thing's Designer: Purl Soho /Purl Bee (obviously a specific human, but I am unsure which one)

The Thing was Made with: Cotton fabric, cotton thread, cotton batting and considerable patience

The thing Measures: app 21" x 21"

the ruby that wasn't

I crocheted a blanket. A throw. A lap thing. It’s not huge, but that was intentional. This blanket started out as a Ruby. You remember that, right? I thought I’d make one for my family (I have no idea why...seemed like a good idea at the time?).

I made two hexagons and realized that Ruby was not a journey that I would be taking again anytime soon. But I had all this yarn. And then an opportunity presented itself. Someone I spend a great deal of time with really loves this yarn (I mean, it is soft) and she commented that she wanted a blanket made from it really badly. And thus, a mission was assigned whether she realized it or not.

It’s not overly fancy, but it’s not meant to be. It’s a small blanket to keep a special someone warm while she studies. I have one of these crocheted by my husband’s grandmother (the erstwhile Ruby, actually), and I use it when I read and study in my office (it's decades old and made with Red Heart with some questionable color combinations--it has charm and character and it's indestructible).

I’d like to imagine the giftee will do the same with her's when she is off to college in Colorado next year. It’ll be a little graduation gift. A little something to let her know that she is cared for and her presence is missed.

The Thing: Lap Afghan/Mini-throw?

The Thing’s Designer: Me, I guess (It’s granny striped because I didn’t feel like doing a bunch of motifs)

The Things was Made With: Vanna’s Choice (Lion Brand) Yarn, Various Colors

The Thing was Crocheted With: J Hook, 6mm

i guess we can have nice things, actually

The alternative title to today’s post could be, “that’s what he said.” So, I finished a thing, or two things, really.  They aren’t really anything for me to brag about per se, but they are the finishing touch on a project done by Son, the Elder. So, obviously, I am going to brag about them.

My kid built a couch, such as it is. Last year, he decided that he wanted a couch and he couldn’t find what he was looking for so he decided he was going to build his own.  Great.  He opted to figure things out on his own.  As in, no research. Like, there are all things--tutorials on the internet and books and plans out there, but no…let’s reinvent the wheel. So he planned what he wanted, did some trial and error (prototyping, if you will or you must) and made the couch the way he wanted it.

It’s not the way I would have made a couch. But it’s not my couch. Also, I wouldn't have made a couch. This is why Ikea exists, but that's me.

He was pretty satisfied with the way things turned out structurally, but then when it got to covering the cushions he was pretty specific in what he wanted there as well. He also expected that I would do it for him. He basically wanted two slipcovers, as in pillowcases.  I told him there were YouTube videos!  There were tutorials involving staple guns (I thought I’d finally have an excuse to get one!).  He totally shut me down when he said, “I’m a boy. Also, I hate germs. The cover will get dirty and I’m going to want to wash it. You can’t wash something stapled on. So, something like a pillowcase that will come off easily, please.”

Sensible, I guess.  And he asked nicely. But a staple gun, you guys.  Staple gun. I guess I have to give it to him, he knows what he wants and if he can’t find it he’ll just manufacture…oh, wait, it’s like I’m describing myself.

Thing(s): Slipcover/Cushion Cases(?)

The Thing(s)’ Designer: Me and Son, the Elder

The Thing(s) were Made with: Upholstery (Heavyweight) fabric from Jo-Ann’s

The Thing was Made with: a few sewing machines, but that’s another story for another time

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novakkah 2014, day 8

novakkah 2014, day 7

novakkah 2014, day 6

with regard to my long absence; and, i made a thing

So, that was a long blog break. Since I last blogged in 2014 I have aged, moved to another state, moved house twice, started a Ph.D. program, finished the coursework for said Ph.D. program, sat for my comprehensive exams, sat for sub-field oral exams and started writing my dissertation (I am still doing that, it's not as glamorous as I thought it would be. And I did actually think it would be glamorous. I know). I did all of this while working, presenting at conferences and mothering, wife-ing (is that verb-able? Sure.) and making few things here and there. So there, we're all caught up.

My dissertation committee chair recently told me to enjoy the process. And while I am pretty sure that he meant this in academic terms regarding the process of writing my dissertation, I figure he probably wants me to make things too because that is when I am happiest. So I made a thing. I hat, specifically. Have you seen Hilary Grant's Knitting from the North? It's beautifully styled and the finished pieces look worth the investment of time. I was especially drawn to the Barley Hat. Some people may like this hat because of the colorwork, and while that is appealing, I just really liked the pom. I had a pom-pom maker in a box that I purchased 6 years ago, I figured it was time to use it. I am all about using things in my possession this year--it's not a resolution, I don't do those, really. In any case, pom. The pom is brown, not very peppy. It might be worth knitting this again just for the sake of a peppier pom.

I made this with some Knit Picks Palette I had in my stash. The yarn is probably 4 or 5 years old, so it was probably time it got used for something. This hat didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. And I blocked in on a balloon, which was a first for me. I have never done this before and I am not really sure why, I have never had a hat fit so perfectly as this one, so I will probably now block all hats on balloons--even though trying to get a wet hat on a balloon is a ridiculous process, I am not going to lie.

It has been an age since I have done a "finished object photo shoot." I was almost deterred by the weather. Also, lack of time is a serious issue. I started taking pictures in the grocery store thinking, done is good. But, that seemed a disservice to the hat, which I kind of love. So, photo shoot. At sunset. In a field. In twenty degree New England weather. If you remember Little Sir, who is now 11 (and kind of  a grumpy and angsty tweener), he took many of the pictures, he captured the moment best: "Oh, we're doing this again." I appreciated that it wasn't a question so much as a woeful statement of fact. Yeah, we're doing this again.

The Thing: Barley Hat

The Thing's Designer: Hilary Grant

The Thing was made with: Knit Picks Palette, Oyster, Garnet Heather and Merlot Heather

The Thing was Knit on: US 4.0 needles (I went up for gauge, that's how I roll)

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novakkah 2014, day 8

novakkah 2014, day 7

novakkah 2014, day 6

novakkah 2014, day 5

novakkah 2014, day 8

As birthdays go, this one has been by far the most... I don't even know.  I spent most of the day at the hospital waiting for K while he was waiting to be seen by someone in the ER.  Oh, and I was waiting with Little Mister, as he was "sick."  I am pretty sure he was playacting that whole scene.  In any case, I was promised a postponed celebration, which really isn't necessary; but, well, you know, I will take it.

Today's gift is a smorgasborg.  So yeah, a little of this and a little of that.  That sort of thing (I think it's the best gift, actually).

To be considered for the gift for today, please share any old thing you want!

I will take comments for this post, and only this post, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Tuesday, May 13th--since I am posting this late and all; all other posts need to be posted by 11:59 tonight. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person. Giftees will be selected on the 13th 14th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

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novakkah 2014, day 7

novakkah 2014, day 6

novakkah 2014, day 4

novakkah 2014, day 7

Well, if it applies, Happy Mother's Day!  If you didn't call a maternal figure in your life today, you should do that now.  The high point of my day was going for a bike ride with my kids, I got a new bike last month.  It was like an early birthday gift (well, that is how I am thinking of it).  Before getting my new bike (which, it must be said, is awesome), I hadn't ridden a bike in well over a decade.  Sad.  

Since we are working with the theme of my favorite things, I thought I would make photography today's theme.  So today's gift will be some sort of photo-related thing.  Don't worry, you (the recpient) will like it!  I am really good at this gift-giving thing, she says humbly.

To be considered for the gift for today, please share a gift that you have gotten that may not have necessarily been a birthday gift; but, was so awesome or extravagant that you kinda had to push it into the birthday gift category  (you know, like a bike or a longarm quilting machine, ahem).

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Monday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

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novakkah 2014, day 5

novakkah 2014, day 4

it's that time of year again...novakkah 2014, day 1

novakkah 2014, day 6

It just occured to me that yesterday's post went up after midnight, which means that you get two posts in one day,  eh, whatever.  It's my birthday, I can blog how ever I want to?  In any case,  I spent my day doing all sorts of things related to baseball.   I think it's fair to say that baseball isn't something that I love, personally; but, at least one of my kids loves it (Little Sir) and the other just goes along with the flow of things for the most part as long as we give him snacks (Little Mister) and he kind of wants to be like he big brother, though this is a thing he might be outgrowing as it starts to tax his energies more and more.  

Most people would, undoubtedly, get constuctive and knit or something while sitting and waiting watching their kids play baseball, but this seems to never work out for me--I have tried.  So the whole baseball thing, it's pretty much a huge time suck.  But you know what?  The Littles thought it was awesome that I was there today, so yeah, I will take a hit for the team for their happiness.

Please share with me your birthday tale of self-sacrifice.  When did you take a hit for the team, what did you do?  Was it appreciated?  Today's gift is food/beverage related.  Because who doesn't love eating or drinking good things?  

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Monday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

 

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novakkah 2014, day 5

novakkah 2014, day 4

it's that time of year again...novakkah 2014, day 1

novakkah 2014, day 5

With the change of seasons comes a change in focus for me, particulalry when it comes to handcrafts.  I like to knit when it's cold.  I think this is by virtue of the fact that I don't knit with cotton, really.  I prefer to knit wool based yarns, and knitting that stuff in the summer can get sweaty and gross.  Just me?  In any case, I find that there are a few things that I do all year long, quilting being the primary thing, the other: embroidery and cross stitch (mostly embroidery, if we are being honest--I find cross stitch a bit tedious more often than not).  I really like the idea of drawing with floss.  And also, it's not terribly difficult to do basic designs; and, if you are considering economy, it's not a bad craft to commit one's self too.  All things being equal, I am pretty sure my family wishes that I only did one craft, and that it was embroidery/cross stitch.  Or maybe not? These are things we will never know, mostly because this is a question I don't really want to know the answer to.

I am working on a couple of embroidery projects at the moment.  Why aren't you?  The theme of today's gift is embroidery.  Just starting out?  Want to build skills?  I'd like to help you in that endeavor.  I am nothing if not helpful and accomodating.

To be considered for today's gift, please share a birthday disaster.  I am currently living with a birthday disaster.  Weep for me, friends.  I threw my back out last week, and in an amazing show of sympathy, Special K decided to do the same; but, you know, worse this week.  He is completely out of commission (it's really hard to celebrate when you are carefully rushing your spouse to the hospital for injection of pain medication in his back...in case you were wondering about this, now you know), which means that Novakkah celebrations have been hampered.  I mean, I am still celebrating, but the celebration is ringing hollow when K isn't around to roll his eyes and chuckle at the extremes of mycelebraory practices.  Honestly, I feel guilty even contemplating celebrating...well, not that guilty.  I mean he is asleep, might as well do something fun, right?

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Monday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

novakkah 2014, day 4

You know what I did today?  No, probably not.  In addition to doing a little physical therapy for a back injury, I also had acupuncture.   If you are thinking, "Nova, you don't seem like the sort of person to subscribe to the theory of acupuncture solving your problems," I would have been inclined to agree with you last week.  I tried it for the first time last week after no pain relief, and I was magically mobile.  You know what?  I am not going to question it.  If it works, it works.  So it's a sort of gift to myself, really.  

If someone had told me prior to this go around of back pain that I would be paying someone to stick needles in my body, I would have said that someone was insane.  But well,there you are.  In any case, the back thing is bringing me down.  I have a lot of quilting that I need to get done.  I have a graduation quilt to get done as well as a quilt to finish for a farewell gift for a co-worker.  In case you were wondering, back pain is not conducive to getting any quilting done.  But that being said, since I am thinking of quilting, how about we make that theme of today's gift: could be fabric or notions, or patterns, or all of that.  I dunno.  The gift recipient will have to see. 

If you interested in being considered for this gift, please share: the best gift you have ever given someone, and why you believe this to be so... I have given a lot of gifts that I thought were pretty fabulous.  I think I got the best warm and fuzzies this past January when I gave Special K a pair of handknit socks for his birthday.  My husband is a practical man.  He doesn't really care for fancy, he cares more about  functional.  I had some old school, buy-it-from-the-craft-store sock yarn, and I knit him some socks with it.  I didn't think they were that special; but, he loved them (the handknit wool socks keep his feet warm when shoveling snow, pro tip).  I love it when other people love the gifts I give them; and,  if they don't, I love it when they lie about it.

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Monday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.

novakkah 2014, day 3

What happened to day 2? Sorry.  I missed yesterday due to back pain and medication to treat such...so I guess a day of no blogging was my gift to myself yesterday?  Anyways...did anyone else go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this year?  I went with my family and we efficiently saw everything we wanted to see and buy everything we wanted to buy in a relatively short amount of time.  We were able to squeeze in a trip to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania before driving back home to Connecticut all in one day.  You may call it crazy, we just consider ourselves intrepid road warriors.

 

In any case, my purchases at the festival were all fiber related.  To be honest, I wasn't planning on buying anything; but, when your 5 year old (who understands the power of his cuteness and ruthlessly flaunts it to get his way whenver he feels it necessary) gives you puppy dog eyes and tells you that "if you knit a hat out of special yarn that you spin out of special fiber [he] will love you forever," you are pretty much going to let that kid pick out some fiber and buy it...with every intention to spin it into yarn and knit a hat with it.  Oh, just me?  Sure.

 

Today's gift is "spinning related,"  let's be honest here, it's probably going to be fiber to spin or felt...or not?    If you want to be a candidate for today's gift,  tell me the gift you are most hoping to receive for your next brithday. I am just hoping for more time.  I need more time to get things done, to spend with my family, etcetera.  So if anyone out there has a magical stopwatch, please feel free to wrap that up and ship it my way.

I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or 2359, should you prefer that), Monday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post.  One entry per post/person.  Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.