During Recovery; the Hunt for Sewing/Quilting Apps

Surgery number two is done and over.  The recovery continues from the first surgery and now I  begin the process all over again with the second surgery.  Basically overall, one feels great after the anesthesia wears off.  The restrictions during recovery are a killer: first week absolutely no hair washing, and no showers.  After the first week appointment when the doctor said I could wash my hair and do some light walking I thought I had hit the jackpot.  Continuing into the second week or so: keep head above the heart, no lifting, no real exercising no bright lights, no sewing,  etc.  Now to someone whose hip is attached to her sewing machine, this is plain torture.   In other words sit, look pretty, watch TV, and do projects on the computer.  Reading a book was a little straining in dim light.  I am following the doctor's  orders to a "T"; something new to me.  The computer has become my new friend for now.  When not working on scanning old photos and making a picture book using Mixbook, I am browsing the web looking for sewing/quilting apps.

I like to make my life easy especially when it comes to anything dealing with math.  Thank goodness for apps, as I find them on the web,  I will share them on my blog.  Let the hunt begin.

• Quilting Calculators  by Robert Kaufman Fabrics and Quilters Paradise

 This app sounds like a quilter's math lifesaver.  The tools in this app will assist quilters with a variety of mathematical calculations: Backing and Batting Calculator, Piece Count Calculator, Pieces to Yardage Area Calculator, Binding Calculator, Border Calculator, Square-in-a-Square Calculator,  Set-in and Corner Triangle Calculator, Pieces to Yardage Area Calculator,  Binding Calculator, Border Calculator, Square-in-a-Square Calculator, and Set-in and Corner Triangle Calculator.

This app is for Androids: found  on Google Play Android Apps.  Rating: 554 votes, 4.4 stars.

For iPhone and iPad; found on Apple iTunes.  

• Quiltography : Quilt Design Made Simple By Christopher Oxley $14.99

The description reads as if it will do almost everything for you except actually sew your quilt.  This app features:  designing quilts, estimating yardage for quilts, scanning the fabric in your stash with the capability of  searching  and auditioning your fabrics,  templates, tools for designing your own block templates, creating and editing quilts, tools for turning a photo into a quilt and many more features.  For more information on this app, visit the publisher's description on cnet.

This app is for the iPad; found on Apple iTunes.  Rating: All versions, 629 votes, 4.5 stars.

• Color Wheel- Basic Color Schemes by Dmitriy Polyakov

This is a color wheel at your fingertips.  This app features: a cross functional helper, and a color palette using six different schemes.

For both iPhone and iPad; found on iTunes.  Rating: N/A

• Colour Wheel

This is a color wheel at your fingertips.  This app features:  palettes based upon the standard color designs of: Monochromatic, Complementary, Split Complementary, Triad, Tetrad, Analogic and Accented Analogic.

For Androids: found on Google Play Android Apps.   Rating: 886 votes, 4 stars

Goodbye Cataracts, Know Your Options

It has been too long since my last post.  I stopped creating last spring because my eyesight was getting worse, I was losing details and some of the colors were getting muddy.  I could see well enough, but the small details were fading, especially black on black.  With that problem, I stopped working on Finn because he had some dark colors; I stopped my art quilting altogether. 

I went for my yearly eye appointment in September.  To my surprise, my eye doctor said my cataracts are at a point where she could make a case with the insurance company to have them removed.   As a part of  our discussion, we talked about how my cataracts were not as bad as most of her patients when they get them removed.  She stated artistic people are bothered more by cataracts than the general population.  As you know, we are very in tuned to colors and details; the cataracts were robbing me of both.  I wasn't sure of either anymore.  Also, I had the famous halos which hindered the night driving.  I had a major concern, my age, I thought I was rather young to have my cataracts removed.   Again, she said it was because I was more aware of the effects of the cataracts than most people.  My eye doctor outlined my options for the replacement lens I could choose.   I wanted the bifocal lens that would eliminate the need for glasses.   I said I didn't care how much they cost.  Yes, they do cost quite a bit and insurance would not cover any of the cost.  She listened to my choice and then proceeded with her recommendation for me.  She recommended targeting my nearsighted vision.  Basically keeping me with my same vision and correcting it with glasses.  Her reasoning was because of my art work.  Yes, she considers art quilting art work!  She really took the time with her explanation.  She explained that whichever option I chose, there would be some compromises with my vision.  Further, she explained through her research and experience with other patients, she thought I would be most happy with this option.  It would give me optimal visual acuity for close up work.  I listened, but didn't really hear what she had to say, because I was in shock we were really having this conversation.  Well, I told her back in September, I would get it taken care of in January.  I had Christmas gifts and projects I wanted to complete.   I won't lie, I have been very scared these last several months, these were my eyes.  I knew it had to be done.  Everyone kept telling me it was one of the easiest, safest surgeries, but it was still nerve racking.   Every time, I thought about it a tear came to my eye.  Silly, I know, but reality.

In the following weeks, I talked to many people and even strangers, when I heard them mentioning cataracts.  This was a major life changing surgery that would forever affect the way I see.  I loved the idea of not wearing glasses ever again, but and the big but, was my art quilting.  After speaking with several people, I learned I was fortunate to have a doctor who presented and explained the different options.  In addition, I am lucky she took the time to know and understand how important my art quilting was to me.  I spoke to a member of  my quilting guild who recently had cataract surgery.  She claimed she had no idea there were so many options.  Her doctor corrected her vision for farsightedness, now she has to wear reading glasses and carry sunglasses.  She feels she doesn't see her close up work as well as she would like to see.  Unfortunately, hers is not the only story of not knowing the options.  Most people I talked to had their eyes corrected for farsightedness even if they had been nearsighted.  As in my case, they liked the idea of not having to wear glasses to drive, etc.  Now, they have some regrets because they have to carry around reading glasses and sunglasses.  I did hear one story that confirmed my doctor's research of  implanting lens for targeting seeing details in close up work; an artist.  I still pondered my options for weeks.  Another appointment was made with my doctor, this time dragging my husband along, to talk about the surgery and options again.

January 18th rolled around and the cataract in my right eye was removed.   A new lens was implanted correcting my vision for doing close up work.  It has been one and a half weeks and I have no regrets.  After my second appointment since my surgery,  I can see very fine details close up.  My close-up vision is sharp and clear.   I can see details and colors like I haven't seen in quite a while.  I am driving my husband nuts because I am constantly looking at objects and pictures holding one hand over my right eye and then my left eye comparing the two.  It is truly amazing the difference.  Unlike my right eye, I am ready for the surgery on the left eye.  I am ready for the healing process to begin and end.  I am chomping at the bit to get back to my art quilting.  Also, I am anxious to see one piece of work.   I remember thinking the colors of the trees were just too dark, and I used inktense pencils to lighten and brighten the colors.  Now, I wonder without the cataracts how the colors look.  I don't mind the thought of wearing glasses after the surgeries because that is what I know.  Many family members and friends do not understand my lens choice, but they are not quilt artists.  Also, I should mention I was nearsighted before the sugery, therefore this was not a radical change in vision for me.  There are many factors to consider when selecting the option that is best for you.  My only advice is make sure you find a surgeon who understands your lifestyle and explains all of your options.  Thank you, Dr. Melanie Sobel.

Finn's Pattern

There is nothing worst than having something, especially a textbook, fall smack on the top of your foot.  To top it off, it had to be my right foot, yeah that foot.  The foot you drive with and most importantly, the foot I "sew" with, ugh!  Luckily, I am not ready to quilt.

I retraced Finn and the highlights.  Had my daughter take a look at the pattern, and she said it looked like her dog.

 Taking a double look at the pattern and the picture, I went back and retraced some of the lines.  Then I numbered the pieces to match the material.

Now He Looks Like Finn

 

 

 

 

This looks much better.  I tried to capture too many highlights in the last attempt.

 

He's Not a Zebra

Well, I printed my pattern and Finn looks like a zebra.  In comparing the pattern to the original picture, it is definitely what I do not want.  Back to the drawing board.

Finn Dog Sketched in Blue

It didn't take me as long as I expected to retrace Finn.  It is nice when I can get in the zone and loose the outside world.  I was able to concentrate solely on the task at hand, got the eye-hand coordination going and got it done.  Now, I need to decide on a size and print him out.  

Finn Dog

Over my spring break, I drove to Oklahoma to visit my Aunt and Uncle.  Every thinks we are crazy to make that 3,000 mile drive.  We kept posting  pictures of the beautiful scenery on our drive along 81 and then 40 west.  We also made a side tour to Cade's Cove in the Smokey Mountains and Red Rock Canyon in Winton, Oklahoma; you can't do that on a plane.  Our slogan with each post was: This is why we drive.

My next project is a portrait of my daughter's dog Finn.

Using Photoshop,  I removed the background.  Then, I decided to outline the  major highlights in white.  I converted the picture to grayscale and printed it.  I used too small of a white line, and when it was printed, it didn't show up clearly; lesson learned.  Now, I am in the process of retracing it on a layer in blue, so I can save it as an outline.  Afterwards, I will trace the outline to make my pattern.  This should take me a couple of days since I will have only the nights to work on it.