A silly little project: 102 hexagons basted

A couple weeks ago when my sewing machine broke I decided I needed a hand sewing project. I decided to make something out of 1 inch hexagons. I cut paper templates and squares of fabric to baste to them (as shown here). The first one I made was super slow. But since my speed has improved drastically and I have made 102 of these silly little things.

Fabric folded over and basted at the corners

102 Hexagons Basted

I have been thinking about what to make once I have more of these made. My initial thought is to make a set of placemats (roughly 12"x18" or 12"x16") which according this fancy paper piecing calculator will require about 80 hexagons for each placemat. This website shows how to do all the math yourself as well, which if I was feeling more inclined I could do.

Using the fancy calculator

I have been thinking about possible ways to arrange the hexagons. Here are some ideas:

Left to right: Diamonds, flowers (with matching centers), flowers (contrasting centers) and stripes.

If I make 6 placemats I will need roughly 480 hexagons, so I am 21% done the first part of this project.

I am definitely enjoying it so far.

GeoMama

Fog Day

I woke up to a thick blanket of fog covering my Mom's house this morning. It reminded me of many many mornings back in my former 'geophysicist hiking the north' days. Fog was always a welcome sign in the morning if the job was helicopter supported. You can't fly a helicopter in the fog. Often it would mean a few hours of downtime while it burned off and cleared up. Sometimes it would last all day and you could get a nap and recover from the long days you had been putting in. Foggy days are the most quiet in the remote places I worked. The fog muffles any sounds made by streams, birds, even the sound of your generator if it was far enough from camp.

The only time fog was a problem was if you were many miles from camp and it was close to the end of the day. Fog in late afternoon could mean the helicopter would be unable to pick you up and you would be spending the night in the cold outdoors. If there were trees you would be building a fire, if not you would be relying on a survival bag with tent to help keep you warm.

Anyway, it was nice to see fog this morning and not have to worry about making it home at the end of the day.

Here are some of my favorite fog photos from my 3 years in the wilderness.

Fog over a river near Baker Lake, Nunavut Fall 2008

Fog hiding in valley behind camp outside Ross River, Yukon

Fog at a mine site near Lac De Gras, Nunavut

Looking down from the Mt Roberts Tramway in Juneau Alaska

Valley full of fog near Rainy Pass, Alaska

Bits of fog that haven't burned off near Rainy Pass, Alaska

Flying just over the fog near Rainy Pass, Alaska

GeoMama

Week 1 Fitness Update

If has been a great first week of my new fitness/health plan. Part way through the week I was offered a chance to trade some babysitting time at a local CrossFit Gym for an unlimited pass. I will be babysitting during the Mom & Babies class time 2 days a week, and will be able to attend 3 other days when child care is offered (or at other times during the day, but then I need to leave kiddos with GeoDaddy or Grandma). Today I went for the first time to see if I wanted to add CrossFit (http://www.crossfit.com/) to my workout routine. And the answer is totally YES! After just my first class I can sense that the environment is great for achieving goals. Everyone was very positive, encouraging, and honest that it may take time to learn the exercises. There are a couple more Moms in the class with babies about the same age as LB. I have never done squatting, deadlifts, or pressing - so most exercises here will be a whole new thing for me (and I like learning new things). Yoga and walking with the kids will be great on the days I am not doing the CrossFit workout.

I have decided that I will keep a record of my chest, waist and hip measurements, as well as keeping tabs on my weight. Here are my starting measurements:
Chest (below the breasts): 37.25 inches
Waist (1/2 inch above belly button): 42 inches
Hips (widest part): 51 inches

And here is my summary of the week:

Feb24: Wrote my big long list of excuses and realized I was my own worst enemy for getting anywhere on my goals.
Feb25: Gym - 25 minutes on the elliptical & 2 rounds through Set A (see end of this post)  from my personal trainer.
Feb26: Online Yoga - 45 Minute Fusion class
Feb27: Dancing with Monkey 15 minutes, 30 minute walk with both kids
Feb28: Online Yoga - 45 Minute Fusion class
March1: CrossFit WOD (Workout of the Day) (I did this Jerk and worked up to 65 lbs - I am proud of myself)

More updates later on in March.
Thanks for everyone who has sent encouraging words and tips.

GeoMama