Summer Quilting Project! (Part 2)

Well, I was correct in assuming that I would become completely absorbed in the crafting project!! M. gave me all of the materials 2 weeks ago, and today we surprised A. with the finished product!!  Here are some pictures documenting the rest of the quilting process. I had so much fun doing this, and it was amazing seeing the look on A.'s face!  She also asked that I am there when she gives the quilt to her mother-- I'm sure that will be an incredibly touching moment!!

Step 6: After finishing all 25 of the 12" blocks, I played around with the layout to see what design might look best.  I decided on a 4x6 block pattern.

Step 7: Sew the blocks into rows, then sew the rows together.  This is the finished quilt top (before the border). While I thought the green/blue squares (the center diagonal of each block) would be the prominent design feature, the solid blue squares ended up being the ones that really jumped out in the design.

Step 8: After shopping for batting and fabric for the border and backing, I measured out the border (blue) and stitched to the edges of the quilt top.  Then, laying the quilt top on the fabric backing, with the batting sandwiched inside, it was time to pin it all together in preparation for the quilting process

Step 9: The batting I chose suggested no more than 6" between quilted sections, so I decided to "stitch in the ditch" (sewing on the seams) after every third square, making a grid pattern.  While many people  machine or hand quilt in curlicues and shapes, I've never been brave enough to try that!  The trickiest part is rolling the quilt tightly enough to manage to feed it thru the machine.  Of course, doing this in 90+ temps was interesting too, as I had yards of fabric draped over my shoulders for hours at a time! :)

Step 10: After all of the quilting was finished, it was time to measure and cut the batting and backing to the correct size around all of the edges (while quilting, you leave at least 3" extra on each side to allow room to work)  I decided to use the backing as the edge (rather than a separate binding material) and I really like how the white fabric frames the darker blue border.  After turning under the edges, I hand stitched around the binding to secure it to the front with (mostly) invisible stitching!

The finished quilt is just shy of a twin size (it's big enough to cover a twin mattress, but is a few inches too short to have the proper drape over the edges of the mattress-- this is how big it is stretched out on my couch- with a fold in the middle!)   I was too excited to remember to take a photo when giving the finished product to A., but hopefully I will remember when we give the quilt to her mother.  I had so much fun working on this project, and was happy to have such a wonderful a reason to go into crazy crafting mode!!

Summer Quilting Project! (Part 1)

For those of you who haven't memorized my 101 in 1001 goals list (haha!) one of my goals was to make myself a  quilt.  I haven't made anything in a long time (thanks to graduate school!) but the "crafty bug" has been calling ever since I finished my dissertation.

In the past month or two I've been thinking about making a quilt, but wasn't finding any patterns that I loved, and the time that I went to the fabric store, I couldn't decide on any combinations that were really calling me-- and I decided that if it's a quilt for myself, I ought to really love the design/fabrics!

I've been on vacation during the entire month of August, so I kept thinking "what a perfect time to get over-involved in a project!" In the past few weeks, I've been resisting going to the craft/fabric store:  I didn't have a plan, and I really don't have the extra $$, and therefore I wasn't allowed to tempt myself by looking at the pretty fabric! haha!  Well, things have a lovely way of falling into place sometimes.....

On Sunday I was with a friend M., to do some back-to-school shopping for a volunteer event with my school (we'll also be participating in an event day for the kids next weekend, I'm so excited- it was tons of fun last year!)  And M. mentioned that her friend A. (whom I've met several times) had a bunch of her grandmother's clothes that she wanted made into a quilt as a gift for her mother.  M. said that A. isn't a "crafty type" and just wanted to hand it over and then get a finished product in return (and she was willing to pay!)  I talked with M. about the options, I looked at the fabric and realized that here was a quilting project, that I didn't have to pay for, falling into my lap in the last 2 weeks of my vacation--- what perfect timing!

Needless to say, I'm completely absorbed in my obsessive crafty mode-- I did all of the cutting on Monday, made 5 (of 25) 12" blocks on Tuesday!  Yesterday (the 3rd day) was a shorter day as I had plans with friends, but at this rate I *might* be finished by the time I start my postdoc!  (A. wanted the gift for a Dec 1st deadline, so I have plenty of time!!)   Here are some step-by-step photos to show what's happened in the last 3 days.  I have 5 blocks completed, and strips for the next 10 blocks ready for step 5!!

Credit for patterns/instructions goes to:
http://quiltville.com/scrappytripspf.html


Step 1: Take a bunch of housecoats and cut them up into evenly sized strips of fabric (2.5" x 16")

Step 2: Group the strips into sets of 6, hoping for some consistency but without getting too obsessive (9 different fabrics, but not all of them had the same amount of usable fabric! I had enough to make 25 blocks, so I will either do a 5x5 or 4x6 block design, depending on which design looks better!)

Step 3: Sew the six fabric strips together.  Press & sew into a tube (not pictured)

Step 4:  Cut into new 2.5" tubes so that each strip has all 6 fabrics. Then, using a seam ripper, open the tubes into strips with a stair-step pattern so that each strip has a different fabric as the top (not pictured)

Step 5: Sew the strips together into a 12" block!  Repeat until the quilt is big enough (or until you run out of fabric, as in my case!)  When assembled, the blocks will make a diagonal pattern-- which can be made into diamonds, zigzag, or kept in rows. I love piecing blocks, but the most fun might come at the end when I decide what pattern to make!

The green/blue fabric in the center was the largest piece of fabric (and the most contrasting) so I've decided to make it the center row on each block-- that should help make interesting designs when it's all put together... I guess I'll just have to hurry up and finish so I can see for myself! :)

Update: 101 Goals in 1001 Days

Update:  101 Goals in 1001 days

Start Date: November 5, 2011

Completion Date: August 2, 2014

Goals Completed thus far: 58

Goals about 101 Goals

• Participate in 101 in 1001
• (done 11/10/11) Generate a list of 101 Goals
• (done 11/5/11) Create a blog to track & share progress
• Inspire someone else to participate in 101 in 1001 (and follow their progress)
• (done 11/11/11) Overcome my perfectionistic tendency by posting this list without obsessing; while giving myself permission to make changes if/as needed

Academic/Career Goals

• (done 11/21/11) Complete Internship Applications
• (done 3/20/12) Complete testing comps
• (done 4/12/13!!) Complete dissertation
• Finish internship (official last day is August 13th!)
• (done 5/18/13) Walk at graduation
• (done!! 2/27/13) Obtain postdoc position
• Submit for a publication
• (done 5/20/12) Say “no” to an extra commitment
• (done 12/18/11) Purchase new suit/shoes for interviews
• (done 8/27/12) Beautify my work space
• (done 8/30/12) Identify and implement a clinical ritual/tradition

Entertainment Goals

• Identify a list of top/classic movies and watch 20 (in process: 4 of 20)
• Identify a list of top/classic books and read 10 (in process: 5 of 10)
• (done 6/1/13) Re-read a kids book series
• (done 6/28/13) See a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas
• (done 3/29/13) Watch the Twilight movies
• (done 3/16/13) Sing at Karaoke night
• Create 2 CDs for long drives/stuck in traffic
• Choose 10 countries and read an author from each one
• (done 11/28/11) Listen to a book on tape

Health/Fitness Goals

• (done 2/15/13) Go for a 20 minute walk (or dancing) 3x/week for 1 month
• (done 7/12/13) Complete exercise goal at least 30 minutes 3x/week for 6 months
• (done 3/15/12) Return to Belly dance classes
• (done 2/4/12) Eliminate all caffeine use (to evaluate link with headaches)
• (done 8/2/12) 6 months without caffeine
• (done 1/26/13) Participate in three 5K walks
• (done 7/7/12) Ride my bike to the beach (~10 miles round trip)
• (done 7/29/12) Ride my bike to a neighboring beach (~20 miles round trip)
• (done 11/26/11) Go for a hike
• Kayak in the Ocean
• Donate blood to the Red Cross
• (done 6/11/12) Update my glasses prescription
• (done 6/11/12) Obtain prescription sunglasses

Financial Goals

• Pay $100/month towards student loans for 6 months
• (done 8/18/12) Close my account at the Big Name bank and transfer to local/credit union
• (done 2/25/13) Establish & contribute to college fund for my niece

Things to make/create

• Make a quilt for myself
• Finish costume for S.R.
• (done 6/25/12) Finish Cross-stitch project
• Label Italy photo album
• Print photos from Germany trip
• Create/label Germany photo album
• (done 5/3/13) Personal update to blog 1x/month for a year
• Outline major events in my life/autobiography
• Journal life stories for 5 minutes/day for 1 month
• Draft a short story for one event in autobiography
• Find and make 20 new recipes
• Open a cookbook to a random page and make the recipe
• Make a loaf of homemade bread
• (learn how and) Make a batch of homemade jam
• (learn how and) Make a homemade pie
• Build a gingerbread house
• (done 2/28/13) Make baked goods and share with classmates/colleagues

Relationship/Social Goals

• (done 5/20/12) implement/hold regular date night
• (done 12/16/11) Have a coffee/lunch date with friends 1x/week for 1 month
• Mail Christmas cards to friends/family
• Call/talk to A.E. 1x/month for 6 months (in process)
• (done 8/2/12) Attend a family reunion
• Send holiday/birthday gifts to my niece (in process)
• (done 3/31/12) weekend getaway
• (done 4/16/13) Send a handwritten note/letter to 5 friends
• (done- 2011-2012 practicum) Develop a new friendship
• (done 2/16/13) Host a birthday party for myself
• (done 1/29/12) Cook/host a dinner for friends

Self-Care Goals

• Get a manicure/pedicure
• (done 12/4/11) Get a professional massage
• (done 5/7/12) Buy flowers for myself
• (done 12/10/12) Get a haircut every 3 months for 1 year 
• Practice mindfulness for 5 minutes/day for 2 weeks
• Practice mindfulness for 5 minutes/day for 1 month
• Make a list of 50 inspiring quotes
• Color an entire coloring book (in process)
• (done 12/4/11) Lounge in a hot tub
• (done 3/19/13) Buy and use an entire bottle of bubble bath

Travel/Tourism Goals

• (done 3/31/12) Visit somewhere new in California
• Visit somewhere new in the US
• Visit somewhere new outside of the US
• See the California Redwoods
• (done 4/27/12) Visit Big Bear Lake
• (done 4/1/12) Stare at a waterfall
• (done 11/27/11) Watch the sunrise & sunset on a single day
• Go to 5 museums I’ve never been to before 
• Visit 5 national/state parks (3 of 5; Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree)

Personal/Other Goals

• (done 7/13/12) Sort through, purge, and donate old clothes
• Sort through, purge, and organize box of papers
• (done 7/10/12) Organize file cabinet/hanging folders
• Read Grandma’s book
• (done 12/10/12) Find & compile Grandma’s short stories
• (done 6/16/12) Update my professional wardrobe
• (done 8/17/12) Try a new type of ethnic food
• (done 11/10/11) Help a random stranger
• Volunteer 20 hours of service (in process: 5 of 20)
• Generate list of 50 places I want to visit in my lifetime
• Go 1 week without logging into facebook
• (done 11/29/11) Go 1 week without playing online/computer/video games
• (done 8/2/12) Go 24 hours unplugged (no phone, TV, computer, etc)

Graduation!!!

Well, after 10 years of college education (spanning from 1997-2013) I have *finally* reached the endpoint of my educational career.... !  Despite what my family says (ah-hem, I'm talking about you little brother!!) I will not truly be a "forever student" and I really have reached the end of the line...   If I ever decide to return to school, it would be for a career change, as I've gone as far as possible within this field. And frankly, I like what I do (!) so, I don't think that will happen anytime soon.   (Now, going back to school for dance/theater/fun classes, that certainly wouldn't count, right?!?)

I won't "technically" be done with my degree until I finish my dissertation edits (I'm soooo close, but it's hard to find motivation to work on that!!)  and my internship in mid-August.  But, it is definitely downhill from here!  Thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout the years, it has been a long journey, and I'm grateful to feel so satisfied & rewarded in the work I do!  (now, let's just hope the motivation & drive last for a more few decades... or, at *least* long enough to pay off my student loans!!)   :)

Gratitude

Let me begin by saying, internship year is challenging... period.  It is exhausting, stressful, requires personal reflection/growth/introspection...and you are under evaluation the whole time!  Not to mention, that is how it is "normally", before all of the rest of "life" starts interfering! :)

I certainly feel that I've had my share of tough "life" moments this past year (I'm a "forever student" and will probably always think in academic years, not calendar years!!).  But, despite the hard moments -- and perhaps, in part, due to them -- I am feeling incredibly grateful and satisfied.  I have continued my journey towards my career goals, I have found satisfaction in being good at what I do, and I have continued to "discover" myself, and work towards living the life that is fulfilling and satisfying -- by MY definitions, not anyone else's expectations!

I was doing an exercise with a group of Veterans at work the other day (based on the ACT model, for those who are curious) and it involved helping them to discuss and work towards identifying the Values they hold in life, that will bring satisfaction & meaning to their lives (regardless of challenges/struggles). In line with trying to demonstrate what I was teaching, I participated in the activity as well... I had considered my values before, but hadn't given it much thought in recent times...  As part of the exercise, I asked the Vets to look through a series of cards that had various Values suggestions (things like perseverance, independence, family, caring, etc)... even though I was familiar with the exercise, it was powerful to realize my current "top three" values: Genuineness, Caring, and Growth.  Those are values that I want to demonstrate in my life, regardless of my personal struggles, regardless of how others treat me, regardless of the feedback I receive.  Those are values that are intrinsically meaningful to me, that I want to continue to prioritize in my life, so that what ever challenges I might face around the next corner, I can find satisfaction in knowing that I am living my life in a meaningful way.  

Update:  101 Goals in 1001 days

**Updated 6/23/13**

Start Date: November 5, 2011

Completion Date: August 2, 2014

Goals Completed thus far: 56

Goals about 101 Goals

• Participate in 101 in 1001
• (done 11/10/11) Generate a list of 101 Goals
• (done 11/5/11) Create a blog to track & share progress
• Inspire someone else to participate in 101 in 1001 (and follow their progress)
• (done 11/11/11) Overcome my perfectionistic tendency by posting this list without obsessing; while giving myself permission to make changes if/as needed

Academic/Career Goals

• (done 11/21/11) Complete Internship Applications
• (done 3/20/12) Complete testing comps
• (done 4/12/13!!) Complete dissertation
• Finish internship
• (done 5/18/13) Walk at graduation
• (done!! 2/27/13) Obtain postdoc position
• Submit for a publication
• (done 5/20/12) Say “no” to an extra commitment
• (done 12/18/11) Purchase new suit/shoes for interviews
• (done 8/27/12) Beautify my work space
• (done 8/30/12) Identify and implement a clinical ritual/tradition

Entertainment Goals

• Identify a list of top/classic movies and watch 20 (in process: 4 of 20)
• Identify a list of top/classic books and read 10 (in process: 5 of 10)
• (done 6/1/13) Re-read a kids book series
• See a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas (scheduled for June 28th!!!)
• (done 3/29/13) Watch the Twilight movies
• (done 3/16/13) Sing at Karaoke night
• Create 2 CDs for long drives/stuck in traffic
• Choose 10 countries and read an author from each one
• (done 11/28/11) Listen to a book on tape

Health/Fitness Goals

• (done 2/15/13) Go for a 20 minute walk (or dancing) 3x/week for 1 month
• Complete exercise goal at least 30 minutes 3x/week for 6 months (21 weeks down, 3 to go!!)
• (done 3/15/12) Return to Belly dance classes
• (done 2/4/12) Eliminate all caffeine use (to evaluate link with headaches)
• (done 8/2/12) 6 months without caffeine
• (done 1/26/13) Participate in three 5K walks
• (done 7/7/12) Ride my bike to the beach (~10 miles round trip)
• (done 7/29/12) Ride my bike to a neighboring beach (~20 miles round trip)
• (done 11/26/11) Go for a hike
• Kayak in the Ocean
• Donate blood to the Red Cross
• (done 6/11/12) Update my glasses prescription
• (done 6/11/12) Obtain prescription sunglasses

Financial Goals

• Pay $100/month towards student loans for 6 months
• (done 8/18/12) Close my account at the Big Name bank and transfer to local/credit union
• (done 2/25/13) Establish & contribute to college fund for my niece

Things to make/create

• Make a quilt for myself
• Finish costume for S.R.
• (done 6/25/12) Finish Cross-stitch project
• Label Italy photo album
• Print photos from Germany trip
• Create/label Germany photo album
• (done 5/3/13) Personal update to blog 1x/month for a year
• Outline major events in my life/autobiography
• Journal life stories for 5 minutes/day for 1 month
• Draft a short story for one event in autobiography
• Find and make 20 new recipes
• Open a cookbook to a random page and make the recipe
• Make a loaf of homemade bread
• (learn how and) Make a batch of homemade jam
• (learn how and) Make a homemade pie
• Build a gingerbread house
• (done 2/28/13) Make baked goods and share with classmates/colleagues

Relationship/Social Goals

• (done 5/20/12) implement/hold regular date night
• (done 12/16/11) Have a coffee/lunch date with friends 1x/week for 1 month
• Mail Christmas cards to friends/family
• Call/talk to A.E. 1x/month for 6 months (in process)
• (done 8/2/12) Attend a family reunion
• Send holiday/birthday gifts to my niece (in process)
• (done 3/31/12) weekend getaway
• (done 4/16/13) Send a handwritten note/letter to 5 friends
• (done- 2011-2012 practicum) Develop a new friendship
• (done 2/16/13) Host a birthday party for myself
• (done 1/29/12) Cook/host a dinner for friends

Self-Care Goals

• Get a manicure/pedicure
• (done 12/4/11) Get a professional massage
• (done 5/7/12) Buy flowers for myself
• (done 12/10/12) Get a haircut every 3 months for 1 year 
• Practice mindfulness for 5 minutes/day for 2 weeks
• Practice mindfulness for 5 minutes/day for 1 month
• Make a list of 50 inspiring quotes
• Color an entire coloring book (in process)
• (done 12/4/11) Lounge in a hot tub
• (done 3/19/13) Buy and use an entire bottle of bubble bath

Travel/Tourism Goals

• (done 3/31/12) Visit somewhere new in California
• Visit somewhere new in the US
• Visit somewhere new outside of the US
• See the California Redwoods
• (done 4/27/12) Visit Big Bear Lake
• (done 4/1/12) Stare at a waterfall
• (done 11/27/11) Watch the sunrise & sunset on a single day
• Go to 5 museums I’ve never been to before 
• Visit 5 national/state parks (3 of 5; Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree)

Personal/Other Goals

• (done 7/13/12) Sort through, purge, and donate old clothes
• Sort through, purge, and organize box of papers
• (done 7/10/12) Organize file cabinet/hanging folders
• Read Grandma’s book
• (done 12/10/12) Find & compile Grandma’s short stories
• (done 6/16/12) Update my professional wardrobe
• (done 8/17/12) Try a new type of ethnic food
• (done 11/10/11) Help a random stranger
• Volunteer 20 hours of service (in process: 5 of 20)
• Generate list of 50 places I want to visit in my lifetime
• Go 1 week without logging into facebook
• (done 11/29/11) Go 1 week without playing online/computer/video games
• (done 8/2/12) Go 24 hours unplugged (no phone, TV, computer, etc)

Dissertation Defended!!

From an idea sparked 3 1/2 years ago, through countless hours of hard work, frustration, and even more hours of procrastination (!), I can finally breathe a sigh of relief--- I passed my dissertation defense!!

Some of the largest hurdles along the way now seem small in retrospect: Getting accepted into the program, completing my dissertation prelims, passing my competency examination, obtaining my #1 internship site, obtaining my #1 postdoc site, and now passing my defense! Aaahh... it feels good.

There are still some hurdles (although relatively small ones) standing between me and the "true" finish, but completing my defense means that I am allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony in May.  Also, if I implement the corrections/edits and re-submit by the end of this month, then I won't have to pay for summer tuition, which will save me a nice chunk of money (the changes should be easy enough, although the last thing I want to do at this point is go back to working on my document!!) Good thing I have a strong motivation -- $$$--- to prevent me from procrastinating too much!

Oh, in other news, today also marked the completion of my exercise goals for 3 straight months!! whoohoo!  It feels great to be marking off these accomplishments, and moving/looking forward to exciting things to come!