Groovy Stack n' Whack Quilt Layout
For me, there's almost nothing more fun than finding software that can support a craft addiction. I like software that can help me visualize the final product before I actually cast on a stitch or cut a single piece of fabric. With quilting, I'm finding that there is a lot of color to think about, and that having the chance to examine a layout before you start cutting and piecing can really make a difference when it comes to getting something you really like.
A couple of weeks ago I got my hands on a copy of Electric Quilt 5*. What a fun piece of software. It's relatively easy to use (I went through the first set of tutorial exercises and it covered most of the basics you need to get started) and it comes "programmed" with a number of standard quilt blocks and a small collection of fabric so that you can "paint" the blocks with any fabrics you like and put blocks together in any order to see how they look. You can plan borders, applique work and quilting patterns as well. And if you don't like the fabrics it comes with, you can use a scanner to scan your own fabrics and put them in and see how they work. The geek girl in me digs it quite a lot, especially since the learning curve is relatively shallow when it comes to doing the simple things that most people will want to do.
While it was a little too much work to try to model each individual square in my quilt, I was able to put something together to see how the background prints might work in combination with the Feeling Groovy fabric.
Right now I have the border of the quilt in the Feeling Groovy fabric. That could change if I find something I like better between now and when it's time to put the border on. But I think this image provides a reasonable estimation of what my final project will feel like when I've got the top all sewn up.
Other than that, I don't have to much to show tonight... to be honest, I've been feeling a little down and grumpy and fogged in by a carbohydrate haze. Last week I failed my one hour glucose tolerance test (by one friggin' point!) so right now I'm in the midst of a carb-loading diet in preparation for the three hour blood drawing extravaganza that I have to get up way too early for on Thursday.
I'm not sure why I'm dealing so badly with this... probably I just don't really like the feeling of having "failed" the first test (especially by what I consider a negligible margin) and having someone else tell me what I have to do (I've never been so good at taking orders from other people) combined with the fact that all this carbohydrate is making me feel like a bloated hippopotamus.
Yes, yes, I know all the reasons why it's important to do this...and even though I repeat them over and over, I'm still feeling grumpy about it. I know, too, that I am not alone in this. Plenty of women have to deal with it and most people who take the 3 hour test don't end up being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. No doubt the winds will change and my mindset will improve (making quilt blocks is very therapeutic at the moment) but for the next couple of days it's probably going to be somewhat rough going. Overall the pregnancy ride hasn't really been a bad one, but it sure would be nice to have a few weeks of being pregnant where I wasn't getting stuck with a needle...
* Yep, I know Electric Quilt 6 is out, but I got a great deal on Electric Quilt 5 and it's upgradable to Electric Quilt 6 when I feel motivated to go in that direction.
I'm sorry you have to do the 3 hour test. A friend of mine missed the cut off by one bloody point and had to do it. You're right though, most people don't get diagnosed and are okay. I'm hoping in a month when I have to do my GTT that I pass, I don't think I could deal with both hubby and I have diabetes! Hang in there!
Oh yes, I always wondered at the way the medical profession treats pregnant women. They make you wait, the put you into uncomfortable positions, stick you with needles and make you hold your pee. I know everyone wants a healthy baby, but it seems to me that a few less stressful situations for mom might help in that regard!
I had to take the three hour test for both pregnancies. In the first, they stuck me with a needle four times, twice in each arm. With the second, they put in an IV and drew blood from it. That was much preferable.
Mmm... I love a good tool. When used correctly, they can save so much time and effort. This program really gives that "taking a step back" perspective on the whole that can be lost when you're fiddling with tiny triangles and squares. It keeps you goal-oriented too, because you know how good it's going to look!
It's understandable that you're feeling grumpy. You want everything to be perfect and the results from the glucose test aren't perfect. I'm guessing that you'll do fine on the more intensive test, though. I'll be thinking about you.
Theresa,
I know the Glucose tolerence test isn't fun, I haven't had to do it but my son did when he was 13. The results were negative. and we got through it, you will too.
Good luck
Amazing how the stars sink in the picture, all i can see is the squares!
Pregnancy was when I lost all discomfort with my body in a doctor's office. I was poked & prodded so much that by the third child I'd lost all modesty & allowed all the interning nurses into the delivery room when no one else would.
Try not to worry. I had GD both pregnancies (borderline only the second time around) and dealt with it entirely by diet. I, too, hate having blood drawn and had to do it way too many times, but at least the possibility that you would have to have insulin shots (especially failing by only one point) is very small. My good thoughts are coming your way!
I'll ask Steph to drop you a note with her opinions on the glucose tolerance test. One bit of advice? Don't sit and knit during your three hour wait! That's pretty much a guarantee of 'failing' the test. Just ask her. Knit while walking instead.
If the thresholds are set the same in the US as in Canada, they're too damn low and get women worried when there's no need to be. A lot of MDs know this, and I participated in a study when pregnant with my son specifically about this.
Oh what a pretty quilt! Is it for baby Z?
I had the big "D" too - just watch your diet and take walks. It will help everytime!
Good luck with the three hour test. I expect it will come out fine. I'll send good thoughts your way.
I'm in exactly the same position as you. I failed the 1 hour by 10 points last week. I'm in day 2 of 3 of the carb loading diet and miserable! It's so much food! I go in Friday for the 3 hour.
Thanks to Rachael H. for the comment about walking between the blood draws.
Hope we both pass.
I flunked my tests by ONE POINT with both my kids ... four-hour test came back fine. Hang in there!
Uh, the test... In Finland, at least the city where I live in, they send you to the test if you're overweight no matter how good your blood sugar levels are. For my first baby I was actually told after the test that it seemed OK but I _still_ had to stay off sugar and fat for the remainder of the pregnancy because of my weight.
You might guess how grumpy I was... ;)
I had that during my pregnancy - gestational diabetes. It's not so bad, but you really have to watch your diet and eat your six meals a day and do your 20 minute exercises three times a day. I was diagnosed in week 34 and had my daughter week 39, so it wasn't that bad after all. And Natalie is perfectly normal as am I today. So it's manageable.
Oh no. This happened to me when I was pregnant with my son. I wish wish wish I would have asked to take the 1-hour test again. I don't want to freak you out, but the 3-hr test was really difficult for me. So much so that the second time i was pregnant, I really prepared for the 1-hour test and passed it with flying colors. I also passed the 3-hour test, but it was something I never wanted to repeat again. Is there any way you could convince your dr to let you take the 1-hour test again? Especially since you only "failed" by 1 fricking point? seriously.
Ah, I also failed the 1-hour, but passed the 3-hour no problem. I also felt very nauseous during the 1-hour and made DH come with me to the 3-hour as I was sure I would yark, but I actually felt fine. After the 1-hour, though, I nearly cried when they told me I failed -- hey, I'm not used to failing things, darn it! Especially when she told me it wasn't my fault, which I somehow took to mean it must be my fault somehow. Good times. But your e-quilt looks fab and I'm sure your real one will, too.
I'm knitting a Lavold vest (Ylva) and in searching on how to do the shoulder seams, your culdesac vest came up, but you said you stitched them. I couldn't figure why she left live stitches on the needle, so I googled more, and found YOUR directions for a Japanese three needle bind off. Thank you for the directions and pictures. Did you not use this technique for your Lavold vest because it didn't match the reverse stockinette?