Thursday, October 3, 2013

Blue and Yellow and Denver


Do you ever just have one of those weeks months? I mean, seriously. Nothing major has gone wrong. I mean I have my health (poison ivy itches are mostly gone), I have a fuzzy cat, a loving husband, a great house, and a good job.


But, seriously.

Why do I feel like I have not sat down in six months?

Why is being the partner of a graduate student sort of like going through grad school a second time? I think I have learned what people mean when they say marriage is a partnership in the past couple of weeks. We are riding this crazy train together.

Not that I would ride the train with anyone else and, honestly, how do you get anywhere unless you get on a train anyway?

I do not mean to complain in this space. I sound like such a whiner (poison ivy, grad student husband….). This is just a space for me to shout it out. There has been so much talking about the future in my life lately, this blog is a nice place to say, hi friends, I am going to tell you about the right now.

Now, the four of you who haven’t clicked next on your reader feed probably want to know what it is about this finish I have here (hi mom!).

As I write this, I am jetting to Colorado.

You may not know this about me, but I lived in Colorado for 6 years before I moved to North Carolina. I met my husband in Colorado. I drank my first beer in Colorado. I went to undergraduate and graduate school here. Very important things that have made me who I am today.


Derek has a conference in Colorado this weekend (oh hai German Studies Association Annual Meeting 2013) and I decided to tag along. I wanted to see the mountains and revisit some old Denver haunts.

Derek’s family still lives here too.

Naturally, I decided to make Derek’s mother a quilt. What else could I possibly bring her?

This St. Louis 16 patch was a little bit of quiet for me when I needed it this summer. The colors are calm and the quilt just soothes me. It was relaxing and quick to make.


I used this excellent tutorial.

It makes me feel a little old-fashioned. Quilting is totally therapy.

Salutations,
Sarah

Quilt Stats:
Size: 56" x 70"
Fabric: Kona Snow, Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House, a Lana Jansdotter print, Joel Dewberry, Bonnie and Camile, a Moda basic dot, Summersville Spring (?), and I think that blue dot is from an Aneela Hoey line. I am sorry about this… these were long stashed fabrics…
Quilting: Figure 8 or infinity quilting with Aurifil Thread (I like to stay firmly within my comfort zone).

PS – My graduate advisor asked me to give a talk to his graduate student tomorrow, because why not go on vacation and have to prepare an hour long lecture? Also, am I the only one who feels like they cannot say no to their advisor? It has been nearly five years since I left, but I still feel like he could give me an “F”. 

9 comments:

  1. I agree, it is plain and simple, yet does even give me a calm feeling in the photo. I'm sure your mother in law will treasure it. Have a great trip. Colorado is so colourful this time of year.

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    1. Thanks! Sometimes traditional is best... My Mother-in-Law loved it!

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  2. Love your quilt and sad you're having a wonky month! Can't wait to see you!! Ps, totally know what you mean about not being able to say no...I once let a stranger stay with me in my 317 square foot apartment because the president of my grad school asked;)

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  3. Well, I hope Colorado is providing a bit of a respite, even though you have to give a lecture! The quilt is lovely--I'm sure the mother-in-law will love it!!

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  4. I love your quilt. I hope you are enjoying Colorado! See you soon!

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  5. The GSAAM? Never been. Nice 16-patch and you used my favorite quilting style. I am sure your MIL loved it - if not I'll take it.

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  6. Treat yourself to some bacon.

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  7. Great job! Matt and I drove through CO and stayed just outside of Colorado Springs. It was so gorgeous!

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