Two Year Hiatus - Life Happens?

Don't ask me why I've been compelled to post onto this.  The past few years have been a whirlwind of change and growth to me.  I now reside in Worcester, MA, where I'm slowly coming to love the city (after a year of residence thus far!).  It has its own unique charm that I feel most overlook. 

Why am I in Worcester?  Because just under two years ago I took on a Registrar position at the Worcester Art Museum!  I am the Assistant Registrar for Image Management, and I couldn't be happier.  Sure, it's hard work, but I feel gratified on a daily basis for what I do.  Essentially I oversee the photo archive and coordinate photography.  OH and handle rights and permissions (that's not the fun part, obvs). 

I also get to work behind the scenes in a museum and see art in its most private state.

 

Stella is still a ham and a half and loves our digs.


 It's weird living on my own, but very satisfying when I can "do it myself". 

I have nurtured a wonderful small circle of friends who have made me feel welcome!

Sewing has been chugging onward!  I've made at least two quilts in the past few years, and more bags to count.  I get such a thrill when someone notices my bags/quilts and raves about them!  I have a large bag order to fill at the moment because I recently finished a crowd-sourced fundraiser to send me to Vienna for a conference!  The bag ploy was a huge hit--but now I need to get the rest done!


Why am I going to Vienna for a conference? Because I'm PRESENTING!!!!!!  I get to discuss the application of FRBR as an organization method when cataloguing a photo archive in a standard collection management system.  I'm incredibly excited and I cannot tell you how bless I truly am to have received the love and support from those who donated and shared news about the fundraiser.  You all ROCK. 

So yes, I'm making loads of bags, but I'm also slowly working on a quilt...FOR ME! Yes, I'm finally treating myself to a larger sized quilt.  It's gorgeous and tediously fun to create the blocks. 

 

So pardon the ramble, but that's my life at the present.  Could I go back over the past two years? Yes, but why bother?  I'm two years older and wiser.  Let's not relive the past, but always focus on the present.

A for Effort

Hello All!

It's been too long, I know.  I have been working seven days a week (until I crack and take a day off), because I have tow part-time jobs and an internship.  Yay professional growth and sacrifice!  This is what the post-grad life is all about, right?

Things are a-chanin' though for me!  Can't say much right now, but things are looking up and a potential full-time job with bennies could be coming my way!

Over the past few months I've decided to really dive into my sewing a stress outlet and have produced a couple bags--what I've dubbed to be my mini-inventory for my new Etsy shop!!

CreativelyHobbit

Check it out!!

Stella's doing well. We're in the middle of Winter, though yet again, it hasn't been much of one.  I gave myself a mini-vacation to Florida mid-January.  I'm sooo excited for that!!

Ta!

I'm walking in a Surreal Dream..

'Ello all!

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind! I've been down to JMU and back! I think the interview went well!!  I should find out about their decision within the next week or two.  Keep your fingers and toes crossed!  I've fallen for Harrisonburg, so quaint and GORGEOUS! It's surrounded by mountains...no really...

That's the view from my hotel!

We had great discussions concerning future ideas of MDID and my brain was in overdrive the entire time!  The search committee went above and beyond with the "southern hospitality."   Thanks guys!

In order to keep my mind busy and not wandering, I've been sewing up a storm!  I finished Martha's bag...yaaay!

Along with that I started and completed another bag for my mum's co-worker! 

I definitely love making the Teardrop style bags! It's so easy and quick! 

That's what is new in my small world!

Oh...and Stella tried to assist me with the sewing as well...

What can ya do?

Life sure has its curveballs!

Memorial Day Weekend has arrived!  It's a time to welcome Summer, and take a quiet moment to thank and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served protecting our country.

Since my last post, I had a skype interview, and I honestly didn't know how it went. Evidently it went well, because JMU contacted me to invite me down to campus June 3rd-June5th for the final interview process!!! I was soo shocked and humbled! I can't wait to go!  I have to give a presentation teaching scanning to a non-tech savvy individual.  I couldn't have asked for a better topic.  I LOVE teaching scanning, it's so important to preserving our history for the future!  I've begun work organizing to cogs in my brain and consulting the DAIL Procedure Manual which I wrote during my final  year at USM.  Regardless of the information I'm providing, I have to think about how to present the information.  I've decided to practice and play with Prezzi for my presentation format.  I never had time during my time at Simmons to sit down, play, and use Prezzi, so since I have a week and a half to prepare, I figured I'd give it a shot.

I'm liking it so far.  Yes it's "bouncy" but I prefer it to standard PowerPoint because I can display screen captures in a more unique way, so I can explain, move, and move back without breaking a rhythm.  The presentation's halfway along, so I'm going to guinea pig on my parents who are the ideal non-techy candidates to test run this and tweak it! 

Aside from these opportunities, I've continued sewing and have made some progress on my research advisor's bag! 

Basting Canvas to the Panels.

All of this will end up as a bag!

Exterior Panels, pleated with attached handles.

I think the bag is coming along nicely!  I'm SO pleased with the coordinating fabric and the patterned panel fabric.  This is SO Martha, and she's going to love it!












I also took some time to organize my growing mess of pattern pieces.  My recommendation is using enclosed folders -- works great!

 On another, sad note.  My friend Emily and I had one last Berryline Adventure this week before she ships back to Iowa to start her post-grad adventure!  I'm going to miss her so much, and it's surreal that she leaves tomorrow.  All the best to you Em!  Here's my favorite photo of Emily and Stella snuggling for one last time.

Well that's all for now!

Ta!

Quiet Panic

Happy Mother's Day to all of those moms out there!  The museum was steady, but not ridiculously busy as it was this time last year.   Made a few sales (would've been nice to make a few more), and ended up leaving a squeak early to appease my crafting mind.

One of my friends is having a birthday within the next few months. So whilst I await the rest of the fabric for my research advisor's bag, I decided to get that bag out of the way since I had the pattern and fabric all in my stash.

I pulled it from the Amy Butler bag sewing book which I received for Christmas this past year--it's the Teardrop Bag.  Since this was my first time make this particular bag pattern, I knew that I had to anticipate quite a few Butler quirks that weren't intuitive to most sewing techniques.  Sure enough, the handle was the biggest challenge.  I line my bags with canvas instead of interfacing because it's sturdier and provides more of a cushion support in the straps region.  All of Butler's projects recommend interfacing, so I think the technique she was trying to get across would've been more successful with that material.  Anyhow, You were supposed to attach the right sides of the handle pieces together, sewing entirely down one side, leaving the ends open, and then sewing down another side leaving 6" to pull the fabric through.  With a safety pin on one end you're supposed to be able to use the pin as a guide and get the whole strap turned right-side out seamlessly and press it neat.

...nope.

After quite a few failed attempts at coaxing the pin and thick wad of canvas through a 1" gap of space, I gave up, seam-ripped it apart and re-ironed to start over.  Alternatively, I put the right sides together, sewed down one end, then pressed the open, towards the center of the strap, and pressed that complete side, right-side out.  Then I folded and pressed a seam on the incomplete side, and then edge stitched it closed.  I then edge stitched the other side for continuity, and it looks as good as if you followed the directions and they turned out as they should.

From then on out the rest of the bag was a breeze to assemble!  Here's the finished product!

View - Overall

Detail - Body

Detail - Interior.  Notice pleating and hint of pocket!

 Other than sewing away and attending comedy shows with Austin, I'm adjusting to post-grad life well.  I keep panicking about finding a job and dealing with the stresses of living in the city.  I know it's not worth stressing over, because that's just how life is here in Boston, but I'm ready for a break from this hussle and bustle and playing sardines every morning during the commute.  Hopefully JMU sees me as an excellent candidate for the position so I can uproot, get resettled and dive into my desired career as a visual resources professional.

The Graduate Commencement Ceremony is this upcoming Friday (EEP!).  I can't believe it came up this fast! I'll be relieved once I have that piece of paper in my hand, justifying my authority as a librarian...of sorts :-P  I had lunch with some GSLIS girlfriends this past Friday, and it was so nice getting together and seeing everyone before we get our diplomas.  Half are dispersing to other regions of the US to pursue their studies further or for employment opportunities!  I'm going to miss them so much!  I've really developed a bond here in Boston and with everyone all the best!!! *sniffle*

Well I've rambled on for enough today!  I hope you all enjoyed another day in the life of me and the projects I'm delving in to!

Until next time...

Let the crafting begin!

This whole "free time" concept is still bizarre to get used to.

I have been working diligently at the MFA, selling memberships and interning in the Visual Archives.  The Slide Bank has shrank 5 cubes since the beginning of the project over a year ago! Crazy!  That's a lot of archival space that will be gained in the end!  I hope to empty another cube once I'm through processing the Asian Art section.

Heather Bailey- Nicey Jane : Lindy Leaf - Pink

I'm finally getting my butt in gear and have started developing new sewing projects again!  My research advisor deserves a bag, completely!  Here's a sneak peak of what it's based off of:
Pics of it's development will follow once I get the rest of the fabric in!
Oh, and it's just like the Amy Butler Cosmo Bag that I made for myself (featured in a previous post).

Also, I'm going to finally complete the quilt I started when I was 11.  The quilt top is finished, now I just need to sandwich it all together and do the binding.  Lot's of fun projects on the side to keep me busy.

What else is new in post-Grad life? Job applications.  I've finally received some solid rejections from positions which I had applied for back in JANUARY!  But that's OK, life takes you somewhere.

BUT in other SUPER exciting news, my DREAM job contacted me for a skype interview next week! EEEEE! Keep your fingers crossed because this position is why I went to graduate school.  I'm just flattered that they are acknowledging me and giving me an interviewing chance! 

I saw the Avengers with Austin and his friends, and was pleasantly surprised!  It was amazing. Joss Weydon did an AMAZING job with the characters and overlapping storylines.  A++  Go see it!

So I've reached the finish line, again.

Hmm...well I guess the craziness of this final semester at Simmons can be attested to the fact that I didn't post AT ALL these past few months!

I've been swimming in slides, XML and managerial practices.

I've been selling memberships at the MFA.

I've been trying to stay afloat with my social live.

and now....

I'M DONE!

Allllllllll done!  What do I do now!? Well the real job thing, but good things come to those who wait, right?!

So now this blog is jumping in to phase, my life after Grad school!  I'll continue to document my sewing projects, random thoughts about photographic preservation/art librarianship, and fun stuff I discover in Boston!  This "Neue Stadt" continues to be new to me even after two years!

Onwards with my new life!