Pelotonia

So much has happened this semester but I will get to that in another post. This post is dedicated to Pelotonia. According to the website: "Pelotonia is a three-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism. Pelotonia raises millions of dollars each year for cancer research." 100% of the funds raised by each rider goes directly  to fund research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. You can learn more about Pelotonia here.

This August I will be joining some of my classmates and fellow students of the College of Veterinary Medicine and riding in Pelotonia. I am doing this in memory of my dad who passed Feb 5, 2014 from cancer. It is my hope that the money raised will eventually find a treatment (or even a cure) that doesn't cause more harm (or more cancer). If you would like to learn more about my ride or support my ride please visit my page here. Thank you for however you end up supporting me. Every little bit helps to fight cancer.

Rest, Relaxtion, Recharging

I meant to be better after the last post and post something before a month had gone by but alas I did not. That is alright though because there is not too much to say. After Thanksgiving it was study time. Finals were approaching and there was a lot to study in a short amount of time. I ended up having five finals over five days with a weekend in between the 2nd and 3rd finals. The final I most dreaded was on a Friday and is the one I spent the most time studying for. After it was over I was burnt out and spent less time studying for each successive final. In fact my last final I barely studied for. Overall I did well in my semester and as much as I want to take the credit for I can't. The reason I did so well is because of God and trusting him through out the semester to help me get where I needed to be.

The day after my last final I flew to NH to be with family. I ended up getting in six hours after I had planned due to a loose antenna on the plane and then the glue needing to dry. As disappointed as I was to have to miss bowling with friends I was still glad that I at least made it to NH. Christmas is not only a time to remember Christ's birth but it is also a time of laughter in our house due to my dog Ginger. Despite all that has happened, this year was no exception. We joke that Ginger's favorite time of the year is winter because she loves to sit out in the cold, looking at the world and that her favorite day of the year is Christmas. As soon as we pull out the wrapping paper and start putting presents under the tree she is there checking them out like a little kid. We never tell her which ones are hers but the ones for her are the only ones she gets into trouble with before Christmas. Come Christmas day she is right there helping us unwrap and being ever so gentle.

This year I bought her a feeding puzzle toy. I put her breakfast in it the night before. The I put it in a box and wrapped it up. I made sure Alex gave it to her first thing. She carefully pulled off the wrapping paper. I then joked that she would have to figure out how to open the box. Next thing I know she uses her nose to lift the lid and is happily grabbing her toy. She is one smart cookie. She spent the rest of the time getting her kibble out of the toy. Out of all the toys we have given her I think this one is the most successful. Whenever someone grabs it now she is right there hoping you put something good in it.

Usually I can't get Ginger to leave a bow on her head. I happened to find a spot this year where she didn't notice it and though it deserved a picture in front of our tree.

After my couple weeks of relaxation in NH visiting friends and family I went back to OH. I then visited some friends from undergrad in a quick whirlwind trip that included surprisings one of my hosts and getting there right before the new year. I don't quite remember how I got the nickname of ninja in undergrad but it has stuck with me even after. So much so that one of the families I stayed with combined my nickname with my love of baking to give me a ninjabread cookie kit. Sometime soon I think I will make them as I don't have anything I need to do until next Monday when classes start back up. Until then I will continue to rest, relax, recharge. TTFN.

Time Machine

 I guess it's been a rather long time since I've done anything here. You know school is keeping you busy and you're having a good time when you forget that you wrote letters to people. This week I  ended up getting a letter and a text from two different people saying they got my letter and enjoyed reading it. I read them and the first thing that came to mind was I had time to write letters and I actually did and sent them. When did I do that?

Since it has been so long I'll take you in my TARDIS, starting with Thanksgiving break and ending at my last post.

I had a clinical pathology final Monday before break. I did really well too. I have now passed two of my classes this first semester. I have been on Thanksgiving break since I got out of anatomy lab Tuesday afternoon. As I didn't have a car in Columbus, my grandparents came to pick me up. We went out for lunch and then we were on our way two hours northeast where I have spent a relaxing few days. Grandpa gave me quite the tour and overview of my new car while grandma took me for some retail therapy. Thanksgiving we had a lot of family over, which I hadn't seen in some time, and we had a wonderful time. I ended Thanksgiving skyping with my NH family and ended up getting a screenshot of us all.

Yesterday we went and saw Big Hero 6 and then relaxed the rest of the day. Today I watched OSU beat that thing up north (*ichigan) and they WON! I guess I'm becoming a true buckeye.

 Now I just have about three weeks of classes and finals and then I will be in NH for a few weeks.

Two weekends before my clinical pathology final I was able to relax. There were no immediate exams I had to study for. I went on a retreat to Hocking Hills with Christian Veterinary Fellowship. We had an amazing yet cold time and got to know each other well while reflecting on God. Even though it is pretty flat compared to what I am used to hiking it was well worth it and had gorgeous views. We also had an amazing cabin we stayed in for the weekend. I look forward to doing it again next year.

A friend from CVF in front of a frozen waterfall.

Another frozen waterfall. I thought the way the sun was made this an interesting picture.

I also thought these rocks were interesting near the same waterfall.

The roots on this tree along with the stone wall caught my eye.

The sun hit this cliff section and I wanted to capture it.

What happened before Hocking Hills? I had four exams in four weeks. I passed all of them and that us all that matters. That was definitely a tough four weeks though going from studying for one exam to the next. Took a lot out of me. I was definitely glad when the Hocking Hills weekend came! And that brings me back to where I left off last time.

What about more non-academic stuff you say. Well I did end up getting a car and I will be driving it home tomorrow. My grandfather was quite excited to be able to find me a car and one that seems to have been gently used for a 10 year old car. Less than 70,000 miles and the person I bought it from was the first owner.

I will soon be helping out with kids ministries at church. I had an informal interview and was put on the schedule. I start the second Sunday of December. I look forward to it. So far I've found the time I have spent with kids from church to be refreshing after all my vet school stuff.

Clubs are starting to wrap up for the year. CVF had a going away potluck for one of our advisers and we have our last Bible study Monday. I signed up for snacks which means it is time to bring out the Mastin caramel corn as it is that time of the year. Food animal club is having a breakfast cook-off contest on Friday. I don't have any classes that day so I am trying to figure out if it is worth it to wake up early when I don't need to. Monday night the kickboxing group is going out to dinner and we are giving our teacher a Christmas gift. Tuesday I have a class secret Santa party which is also an honor ceremony for our cadaver dogs. Our class presidents organized this event. We will be having a potluck, exchanging gifts, and collecting items to take to a local shelter (which is in honor of our cadaver dogs).

That's about it I'm trying to figure out what I will do in Columbus for two weeks after I get back from NH but before classes begin. I am also trying to figure out what I want my summer to look like. I'm thinking of doing the business minor which is the only program of its kind at any vet school. We'll see where I am led.

Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with friends and family and you plan on having an awesome Christmas remembering the birth of our savior, Christ. 

TTFN

Midterm Survival

I survived! Or I think I survived my midterms. Over the last 2 weeks I had 4 exams. It was nice to get to the end of last week and realize I had a free weekend. No exams this week! We also had a short day Friday so I ended up going out to lunch with a couple classmates. Not much else to say in terms of school.

Food animal club has had wonderful Friday morning breakfasts. Not only that but I was able to do a TB wetlab where I learned about TB testing for cattle and even got to practice giving a TB test. I used a saline solution instead of the normal TB test but it was fun all the same. Surgery club had the introductory labs for first years. I learned how to do one-handed and two-handed hand ties. Then we had an instrument handling lab where I was refreshed on how to hold surgical instruments and how to do sutures. They were a lot of fun.

My big got me involved with the kick boxing group the second years started last year. Within the last couple weeks it became an UKBAF certified group and we can test for belts. What is really neat is the person training us was trained by Eddie Mapula who is a grandmaster.

I started looking for a car. According to my mom this won't be my first car because the family car with the one red door was the car I was always driving around back home. But this car will be the first car that I own so I am considering it my first car. I decided to enlist the aid of my grandfather who lives a couple hours away. 2 days after asking for some help he called me up to tell me I own a car. Apparently some friends of his from church were looking to sell a car and next thing you know, my grandfather had bought the car. Now to get the title transferred and buy some car insurance. Then when I come back from their house at Thanksgiving, I will have a car.

If you have any questions or want to know something specific about life in vet school let me know.

Surviving School: the non-class stuff

So after a month I'm still loving it. I managed to pass my first anatomy quiz even though there were only 20 questions but loads of information. This week starts off an exam a week. Cell bio midterm is tomorrow. Then clinical pathology is the following Monday. Then the Monday after that is Anatomy. Enough about school though, I promised to talk about clubs the next time I wrote.

There is a plethora of clubs on campus and each one you have to pay dues to join. The cost varies from free (extremely rare) to $55 or more. So what clubs did I join? I joined the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association which by joining for 4 years gets me into the midwest veterinary conference for free (the cost of which one year is equal to OVMA membership for 4 years). SCAVMA is another one I joined. This is the student chapter of the American veterinary medical association and just about everyone joins to try and be a member in good standing for the perks after graduation.

Surgery club is one that everyone joins because of the way school is set up. During your first two years you have lecture based learning. Your third year you get more of the surgery/hands on learning. Then 4th year is all clinical. From day one you can go into the hospital whenever you want but it is on your own. Surgery club augments your learning and helps you learn the skills you'll start learning 3rd year. You end up getting a jump on things. This week is the start of the required technique labs for surgery club. These are basic hand tying, instrument handling, and suture labs that are the basis for surgery.

VBMA is the veterinary business management association. It provides lunch and dinner lectures (with really good food) that gives you business information. They also have a certificate program that can show an employer you have learned about topics in business. It is not the business minor program. Zoo animal club I joined to be exposed to exotic and wildlife animals.

The last club I joined, which doesn't have dues, is Christian Veterinary Fellowship. They have weekly Bible studies, are planning a retreat to Hocking Hills and are trying to figure out either domestic, international, or both mission trips. I look forward to getting to know this great group of people.

Outside of school I have found a church. It is called Veritas and has two campuses. The one I go to is located in an elementary school. I also joined a community group from that church. I went once and thought I wouldn't be going again because CVF was changing their Bible study time to what I thought was the same time. However, they ended up changing to a different day entirely so I guess I'll be able to keep going.

That's all for now. Better head off to church and then spend the rest of the day studying. TTFN.

Biking Around

I have now finished my second week. We got eased into things in terms of the number of days we went these first two weeks. We started August 27th and went for three days. Then we had a long weekend which made this week only four days. We have not been eased into our classes that much though. From day one we jumped right in and have a massive amount of information thrown at us. As one professor put it we are in a language immersion course. It is definitely true because there is a lot of new terminology that we have to figure out. It is used repetitively though so after a bit we get used to it.

Wednesday we have our first anatomy quiz which is on the muscles and bones of the thoracic limb. That is a lot of material and it will give us an idea of just how massive our future exams will be. Overall I am enjoying classes. Some of them are review. Others are slowly teaching us how to read CBCs. That class is much better after the initial shock of the amount of material and getting used to the terminology. Right now it is turning into one of the classes I enjoy the most.

Not only are we having information thrown at us in classes but in clubs as well. Clubs at the vet school are in recruitment mode right now. What this means is about everyday during lunch you get free food (if you RSVP). It also means that you are writing checks because in order to join clubs you have to pay dues. So far I have found a few that I am looking forward to joining. I'll write more on clubs later.

You might be asking yourself - does she have any free time? The answer is not really. If you want to have free time when you don't study or do anything school related you have to make time. So far I have made time to join a group of 2nd year girls who started a kickboxing group their 1st year. My big sib is part of it so I thought I'd try it out. I also make time to bike around the city.

This may not be the best of bikes but so far it has gotten me around pretty well. Near the veterinary campus, close to the towers and the football stadium there is a trail called the Olentangy River Trail. It can be crowded but it is very nice.

This is the river that runs along the trail. At various points on the trail there are bridges that cross it. As you go across you can see many geese. Today I even saw a man fly fishing.

At points along the trail there are sections that merge. This is one such section. In the background on the left is Schottenstein Center where a few weeks ago I went and picked up my football tickets.

Today on my way past I biked close to the football stadium (the horseshoe or shoe for short). Come  tomorrow the area will be packed for the 1st home game of the season.

I will eventually sit in this stadium but it won't be until later in the season. Yesterday I got a little taste as I watched the marching band practice their routine for tomorrows game. They are really something to watch in person and will be amazing to see in the stadium with all the fans. I should probably go study. Until next time, TTFN!

Buckeye Land

It's crazy to think that in a matter of days I will be starting classes at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine! I spent my two weeks off spending time with a bunch of people I won't see for some time and in general getting spoiled. I started my 3D tree challenge quilt but didn't quite finish it. It's almost there though. Just some finishing details that I should be able to finish in my time off before classes start.

Just need to outline part of the tree and add a backing maybe even a border.

Last Friday, mom and I went and picked up the rental minivan. I then spent the day packing up everything I was planning on taking to Ohio and putting it into the minivan. As I won't have a car (at least the first year) and I live pretty close to campus, that included putting my bicycle in the van.

This was a picture of the packing process part way though and you can see the wheel. Once I was done packing though, unless you look closely, I don't think you can see the wheel.

My aunt was very impressed with how I packed and told me I would be in charge if she ever moved. Last Saturday we spent 14 hours driving to Canal Fulton, OH. I drove the whole way partly because I goofed and didn't check the passenger seat when I started packing (there wasn't much leg room for me) and partly because I knew mom doesn't really like to drive. We drove the final 2 hours Sunday and started moving me in. 

I live with a 3rd year and two 4th year veterinary students. I've met two of them and they are awesome and super helpful. As you probably notice from the picture of the van I didn't bring a mattress. One of my housemates sold me a custom built loft bed frame but I had to find a mattress. I ended up sleeping the first night on the floor but made getting a mattress a priority the next day.

Mom stayed through Wednesday helping me unpack and get the things I needed for my room like a desk, bookshelves, and various other items. She also came with me to get my Ohio license. She then flew back the same day orientation started. The OSU CVM has a big sib program where you are paired up with a second year (big sib) who is there to help you though the year. My big sib is awesome and has really taken me under her wing. She met me at the big recreation and physical activity center (RPAC) and showed my around. Not only that but she has made sure if I hang out at parties I have a way home as I have no car.

I didn't realize there would be as many vet students living in houses by me but once I started meeting my classmates and upperclassmen, I found quite a few that live near me. Friday was our convocation ceremony where we were officially welcomed to the vet school, signed the veterinarian's oath, and spoke the oath. Then we got to see all the clubs at the big merchandise sale as well as get our baby pictures taken. The baby pictures will be in our baby book and is how the professors get to know our faces.

Throughout this week I have been asked 'Are you excited?', 'How was it?', 'Are you having a good time?' and while I am excited I don't think I am as excited as I would have been. Let me explain that. I am ready for school to start and have been excited/ready since I was accepted in December, I was excited to move, and I was excited for orientation. I'm someone that doesn't really show it much though. I also have been finding there might be a reason for not being extremely excited.

I got thinking last night that it's been about 6 and a half months since my dad died. I think that has something to do with my excitement level. It's not that I'm sad but I am missing him and wishing he could have been here to see me on campus as a first year student. I think this is something I might deal with every time a major event comes up in my life. I'm sure over time I won't think about it nearly as much but right now it is somewhat fresher. The convocation ceremony had many families there. For me, having my mom help me move in and dragging her around campus to run errands was my family convocation time. But, I didn't get to do any of that with my dad. I think if he were physically here, it doesn't even have to be in Ohio, and not with God I would have been even more excited. Don't get me wrong, I am excited it just felt incomplete. While I am sure I won't get used to it, it will not be so immediate in the future and I might start to feel like things are complete.

Now, I just have time to relax before classes start on Wednesday. I am looking forward to all I will be learning as well as what God has in store. I'm starting to think it might have something to do with thriving. Pastor Mike played Thrive by Casting Crowns at the end of each service I made before I left. Also at convocation they talked about not just surviving but thriving. Definitely check out the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ71RWJhS_M 

Until then TTFN

To Be Loved

I have been blessed with so many amazing people that I see everyday. Yesterday was my last day working my job at Hannaford. That gives me two weeks before I move to get everything in order. The week leading up to my last day I heard from so many people how much I will be missed and how even though they weren't working that day they would come in. Half way through my day the store manager called a huddle on the front end. It was the largest huddle I have ever seen in that store. He explained that normally they don't have huddles for people moving on as it happens frequently but this was a special case. I was headed right where I wanted to be and that was special. He then let everyone know that they were able to have the jean dress down day because I had used all my front end 'dress down coupons' to purchase the dress down day. After the huddle I had so many hugs, hand shakes, good lucks, and congratulations. I had a card from the store and a card from a coworker. Near the end of my shift one of my coworkers who hadn't worked that day came in and asked how it felt to have only 20 minutes left. She then stayed and chatted while counting down the time for me. Going to punch out I was stopped by numerous people wanting hugs and wishing me well. In the end it took me 10 minutes after punching out to leave the store. Over the next two weeks I look forward to hanging with some of the amazing people in my life. I hope I can inspire the next group of people I meet in the same way I have the people I have spent the past year and a half if not longer. I also hope I can show God's love to them as well.

The following verse I feel sums up my time in New Hampshire and is something I want to live out in Ohio.
"Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!"
Romans 12:15-16 NLT

Until Ohio! TTFN!

It was the worst of times, it was the best of times

It's been far too long and so much has happened (some bad, some good, and some amazing). I guess I'll start from where the last post left off and do it in sections.

The Bad: My Dad

A lot of people will know what this update is about. It's not one people like to hear either. On February 5, 2014, after a lengthy battle with cancer, my dad is at peace and is with God. Before he went he knew I had been accepted to vet school and that I would be going to The OSU CVM. Our family has been asked a lot how we are doing. Although we explain we are fine they don't get it. We knew it was coming. The chemo was only an effort to extend his quality of life and not a cure. As such we came to terms with him being gone before he died. We also have hope because we will see him again when it is our turn to be called to go home to God. I think the people constantly asking us how we are doing don't understand that hope. Yes, while it is tough without him we can still be happy. I miss him everyday (some more than others) and wish he could still be here but am glad that I was able to have him around for the 17 extra years he was given.

The Good: Quilting
After going back to Houghton, NY for a friend's wedding I finally came up with some sketches for a quilt challenge I was given. A friend I met at youth group over this past year challenged me to create a 3D tree quilt. I took that and decided to do a hybrid 2D/3D quilt with the tree being mostly 3D. Here are the sketches:

The tree-like blob in the middle of this one is where the tree will go. The tree will be on a hill in front of a lake. The lake will be surrounded by mountains and there will be a sunrise. The background will be flat compared to the tree.

This tree is a sketch of what the previous blob will be. It is really hard to draw a 3D tree so this 2D tree currently represents it. It is based off of the Tree of Life in the Field of Dreams in Houghton, NY. That tree is a bur oak. I still haven't decided what season I am going to have the scene be in. To simplify things I may have it in winter or in fall but with all the leaves already off. It is my hope that during my vacation weeks before I move in mid-August, that I will be able to create and finish this quilt so that I can have a new quilt in my new room.

The Amazing: Veterinary School

I GOT IN!!!!!!!! I was invited to interview at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in November. I chose December 18 as my interview date. I flew out the day before. I was supposed to get into Akron, OH around dinner time and then I would have dinner with my grandparents. Due to weather issues my connecting flight in Philadelphia didn't make it to the airport. I had rushed off my flight from Manchester because we left late and had gotten in just in time for boarding to start on my connecting flight. I got to the gate to find we had no plane and it was up to us to find a new flight. I called the number I was given only to find out I had been rescheduled on the later flight into Akron. God was looking out for me!

The next day Grandpa and I drove 2 hours to Columbus for my interview. I made sure to review my applications and everything I knew about the field of vet med. I prayed before my interview. Normally during an interview I an fidgety and nervous. Not this time. God settled my nerves and I was able to keep eye contact and have a conversation with my two interviewers which was a completely different experience from my last interview there. The flight home the next day I had no problems and even got in early.

I didn't expect to hear back until February but I was in for a surprise. On December 23rd, I had a message on my phone from Dr. Lord wanting me to call back. Unfortunately I couldn't call back that day and she wasn't going to be back in the office until after Christmas. I looked online the next day to see what my application status was only to find I WAS IN! Then in February I got an email saying I was going to receive a $10,000 scholarship for my first year for being an outstanding applicant!

Since then I have found a place to live with three current vet students only 10 minute walk from campus. I have met some classmates on facebook, bought OSU football tickets, got a book and supply list, and had a pre-orientation course. Recently the schedule for the year has come out. Things are picking up and I am looking forward to moving to Columbus in mid-August. God is so good!!! He knew I was needed at home this past year but that I am meant to be a veterinarian.

Future

I will try to keep posting on life as it happens. From rabbits, cows, dogs, etc to exploring Columbus, meeting new friends, and hopefully still quilting. Until then take life as it comes knowing each day can be a wonderful day no matter what happens and that God is there with you walking by your side and crying when bad things happen to good people. Until then
TTFN

Autumn's Renewal of Mind

Autumn's Renewal of Mind is what I titled the quilt I finally finished.  Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." and this is where I took the renewal of the mind for the title. Although autumn may not seem like a time of renewal I see it as such.  In Ephesians 4:22-24 we are told to put off the old self and to be made new in the renewal of our minds that way we can put on our new self which is created to be like God.  This is what I see in autumn which is a period of rest and shedding of the old.  It is a time of preparation for when the new will be put on.  Autumn is a slower season wrapped up in anticipation of winter which allows one to reflect and contemplate the world around her.  All these thoughts are what led me to the name as this quilt is a picture of a farm in autumn.

Here are the pictures of the finished quilt:

I made my first quilt sleeve with which to hang this quilt.  I also experimented a little with free motion quilting.  This project has made me realize I would like to do more free motion quilting and so I have found some fabrics I can do that with and will probably turn them into postcards and ornaments.  I may even raffle, auction, or sell them off when I am done with them.  Although it took me a few months to make it I enjoyed every minute and will be sad to see it go.  What makes me happy though is it is going to a great home where it will be loved and appreciated.  I hope the next quilt of this size that I make will be done in a much more timely manner.

Shameless Plug

Thanks to the Houghton Drawing Board I am now going to give you a 'shameless plug.'

From Houghton Drawing Board issue 108. Published Nov 17, 2011.

The real plug is this.  I now also have a facebook page and you can go there and 'like' it.  Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/soaringheights13

Mostly I will be using that page to link to my blog here but who knows I may put pictures up there that I don't here.  I will also be using my facebook page to raffle and auction off practice pieces, quilts, and personalized quilts.

You may be wondering your blog is titled Soaring Heights and your facebook page is titled Soaring Heights Quilting, what is with the title Soaring Heights?  Well the Soaring Heights comes from Isaiah 40:31 where those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles.  I know my hope is in God and so I thought the title fitting.  Quilting is my way of exploring the beauty that God gave us in nature.  I take photos of this beauty and turn them into art quilts.  Quilting has been in my family for a few generations and I have watched my mom experiment with quilting styles and art quilts.  Now I am experimenting with art quilts and using that to show God's love to people.  Most of the quilts I create I do not keep but give to others.  My photos are my main record of my quilts.  I actually enjoy quilting that way and find I do better if I have someone in mind for gifting my quilt to.  It is my hope that through quilting and eventually veterinary medicine I will be able to bring God's love to many people.

Now make sure to check out that facebook page and like it and keep coming back to see the latest in my adventures in art quilting.

Between Rocks

My personal goal for this quilt was to have it done by August 1st.  I had to set a goal because I kept putting it off and I really wanted to work on it.  It has been a lovely quilt to work on and try new things.  However, I will be going away for two weeks starting Sunday so ideally I want to finish it before I leave.  This is actually feasible because it is almost there.

Trees were added trying a new approach where I just cut large 'confetti' or 'snippets' and have them fall onto the fabric.  I found I should have placed a green piece of fabric behind so I didn't have to make sure all the spaces were covered and there were no small white spaces peeking through.

Fields were added next.  However, if I were thinking I would have put the trees, bushes, and barn down after the first field and before the second but things still worked out.

The last fields and the road were then added.  After ironing things down and thinking about it a little more I would have made the upper two grass pieces one piece so the distant stone wall could be moved around a little more instead of having to cover the seam of the pieces.

The trees, bushes, and barn were added.  I really liked the look of the orange trees and will be making more of them with that fabric for future quilts I am sure.

The quilt has really progressed but then I hit a stone wall, not quite literally but close to it.  The black spaces in the photo are where I will be putting in stone walls.  However, I have never created stone walls with fabric before and found it to be quite challenging.

At first I attempted to create a stone wall free hand. Although my mom said it looked good I just was not satisfied with the look so I tried again.

This time I didn't do a free hand approach but traced the pieces onto fusible webbing from my design and went from there.  I was much more satisfied with this piece so I added it to the quilt.  I also added the last fabric details to the barn.

Now all that is left is the last stone wall which should go much more smoothly now I have practiced.  I also just have some threaded details.  Then it is deciding whether to add a border or just give it the backing.  I am very excited to finish this up and get it to its wonderful owner.  I guess I need to start thinking of names for it.  I am also very excited to go to Pennsylvania and hang out with a horse vet and a food animal vet.

Wandering Feet

It's been a while and not because I have been traveling.  Been reading and working a lot.  I even spayed some more cats.  Today I have finally started to really work on what I call Molly's Quilt.  No real name for it yet but I probably will once it is done.

As you can see the sky is done.  I am hoping to work on the main tree section and have that done by tonight.

In other news I will be traveling to PA where I will be for a few weeks.  I will be doing an internship of a sort.  There is an equine vet some friends of mine were able to connect me with who is willing to have me ride along and is also willing to talk to another vet who does cows to see if I can split my time between them.  She left the time I will be going up to me so I just have to get back to her about then and I will be set.  Well back to my quilting break and them hopefully more art quilting!

The Fourth is with Me

Today is Star Wars Day so I thought I would post a picture I found.  The fourth or rather God is with me because I had an unexpected job interview this week.  At the end of February/ beginning of March I submitted my resume and cover letter to an emergency veterinary clinic that was reopening in Meredith under new ownership.  However, they did not have any positions left at that time.  I had dropped them from my mind after that, thinking I would probably be stuck at the store until veterinary school.  This Monday I received an e-mail from the manager asking for a phone interview.  The manager wasn't asking to have the interview down the road but that week.  I had the interview Tuesday and I am now waiting to see if I will be working at an emergency clinic until vet school.  God is very good!

I have finally finished my design and can get on to the actual fabric part.  I don't really need a physical design.  I could have jumped right to the fabric but I always feel better with a design in front of me.  This picture is a combination of the two photos I was given.  It is not the actual design that I drew out but can give you some idea of where I am going with this quilt.  There are some things that are going to change from this image but you can wait until I post pictures of the quilt as it progresses to figure out what those changes will be (That means you get to play spot the differences).  Until then may God bless you and may the fourth be with you!

A Rags and Strings Raffle

Recently I 'raffled' off a quilt on my facebook page.  This is what I had posted:

RAFFLING OFF A QUILT. DEADLINE TO ENTER: MIDNIGHT, APRIL 8TH. TO ENTER COMMENT ON THIS POST. In order to start a new quilt project i am raffling off my next quilt. I don't know what I am going to create but it will be a wonderful quilt. Just look at my picture album Kara's Quilts to see some of the quilts I have created over the years.  I will randomly pick the winner from the comments.  The winner will be notified and asked to provide a selection of pictures so I can create a unique wall quilt.  The quilt, once finished, will be delivered to the winner.

The winner was randomly selected using an online random number generator.  I then sent that person some questions and asked for a few photos they had taken preferably scenery.  The two photos below were the ones I received.  Both are gorgeous.

I am not quite sure what I am going to create yet but there are many ideas floating around in my mind.  I have decided the size will be 11" x 14".  Normally I would pick one of the images and recreate it as a quilt.  This time I may take elements of both and put them together.  I hope to have the design finished by the time I head back to Houghton for senior week.  Until then its lots to do and so little time.

The Art of Giving

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family.  Then I decided that since I was home and didn't have that much I needed to do I would start working on some Christmas projects.  I ended up creating 8 Christmas ornaments that I will take back to school with me and give out to 8 lucky individuals.

First four of the 8.  The top right is like my four seasons quilt except in just winter.

For the backs I ended up using a fabric that had snowflakes and made sure each one had a large snowflake. I then put my name and the year on each back.  Sometimes I had to get creative about where I put it so it could be seen.

Last four of the 8.

Back of the last four.

These all came out very well.  For all those who are wondering about how long these took me I think I spent 18 or so hours working on all 8 of these.  In all it doesn't take me that long to make one.  The length of time varies depending on how detailed I want to be and how involved the design I have in mind is.

These ornaments will be given out during one of my regular 'drops.'  Throughout the semester I have given some of the girls I know, who live in the dorms cookies with encouraging notes.  It all started last semester with a couple girls who lived on my floor.  They were in East Meets West, which is the honors program I did, and had papers to write on the weekends.  Knowing what they were going through I anonymously made goodies and left them outside their doors with notes.  Eventually they found out it was me and I have been doing it ever since.  Fridays have become cookie days and I have expanded the number of people I give cookies and notes to.  At the end of December though, I will be graduating so I won't be around to give them goodies anymore.  For the last 'drop' of the year I have cooked up something special and hope they all will like it.  I have enjoyed giving to these girls and encouraging them throughout the semesters.

My next project will be caramel corn.  However, there isn't much room in the car that is going back to school so I will just end up making it there.  I have a lot to make this year.  I have a request to provide some for "The Biggest Bestest Christmas Party Ever" that is taking place at my house hosted by two of my housemates.  Every year they have one and it just keeps getting bigger.  I then have lots of other people I want to make caramel corn for.  When I am done making it at school I get to go home and make even more.  Although I get tired of making it, I enjoy seeing the people I give it to enjoy it and that is what makes it worth going to so much effort to make it.

Just three weeks of classes and finals left before I am done with my undergrad years.

Who's That Doctor?

Before I came back to school I had mentioned I might get to spay a cat.  Well I actually did.  This cat was a stray that the hospital had.  A doctor was in the room with me the whole time but was just observing and explaining while I did the surgery.  Although I was nervous it ended up being a lot of fun.  Other than explaining the doctor also took pictures while the surgery was going.  I think she was just as excited as I was to have me be in surgery.

The surgery went well and the patient did fine.  She was adopted three weeks ago and is named Nellie.  After the surgery I was told that if I want to I can have more cats lined up for me when I get home from school.  Sounds like I am going to have a fun semester off in the spring.

We are now almost halfway through my last semester and it is going fast.  A couple of weeks ago I went to a conference in Pennsylvania about propionic acidemia.  During Mayterm I had done a research project among the Amish focusing on this disease so it was interesting to go to this.  I am also doing an independent study that is following up the Mayterm by doing a literature review.  This weekend is homecoming and Saturday night will end with me being in SPOT.  It is going to be really fun.  TTFN.

...Go, Going, (Almost) Gone

Here is the progress I have made since the last post.  My mom has allowed me to use the fusible webbing that she has so I have made significant progress.  Anytime I have stopped I have taken a picture of the quilt.  I had originally thought I might give this away as a gift but I have since grown too attached to it.  Not only did I have the idea for several years before I actually started to make it but I have spent a lot of time on creating this quilt.  I think it will look very good as a bedroom quilt.  Just means I need to make a smaller traditional gift sized quilted picture for a gift.

This is after I had finished the sky.  I really liked the way it turned out.  I was trying to think how I could do it like the Ecuador Sunrise but then I found I could offset each color and it turned out much better.

After the sky I added the mountains.  What is the interesting thing about this quilt is it is one mountain range spanning across the four seasons.

The lake was then added next.  The lake consists of several layers of wavy water color fabrics.

Hills were then added between the mountains and the lake.  It is just two hills but like the mountain range the hills span through the four seasons currently making then seem like more than two hills.  Also added were evergreen trees between the mountains and the hills.

A reflection was added in the lake along with the near side bank of the lake.

After I had fused all the pieces on I then added 1/2" strips of brown to create the window.  However, I found that the mid line would cut through the trees so I moved the mid line up and cut a small strip from the bottom so that the top and the bottom would be equal in length.

This is how it looks without the strip hanging out near the bottom.  I also added a shear white piece over the winter portion of the lake to act as ice.  My brother is the one who asked if I was going to have the lake iced over for the winter.  At first I thought no but then decided it looked good with it.

I have now gotten the window frame added to the quilt and am ready to quilt parts of the inside.  After that I will put a backing on it and it will be ready to be a wall quilt.  I may or may not add some trees or something to the different seasons but it depends on how much time I have left to spend on it.  It might just be done as it is.

I will visit Tuft's on Tuesday, have my last day of work on Friday, and then leave Saturday to go back to Houghton.  I may or may not get to spay a cat before I leave.  I was supposed to last Thursday but the cat had escaped the trap.  It seems like Dr. Tighe really wants me to spay a cat before I leave.  If I don't then I can probably look forward to doing one when I am done with my undergrad years in December.