Chemistry Couture

Mapping the Mind for Anne

Anne is a wonderful member of two bees I am currently a part of, Snip.Sew.Send and the Stitchin' Bee.  June was her month for S.S.S., and she requested that we make her a map block.  It could be any kind of map using any technique.

Mine is finally done and on its way to Anne, who hopefully will forgive me for being so very very late.  I did enjoy making this block, though, and since it might seem a little abstract, I'll give you my thought process for coming up with the design.

When Anne sent out her introduction for the Stitchin' Bee, she mentioned that she is married to her best friend.  I find that incredibly romantic . . . and I have read many many scientific articled about pair bonding between two humans, what causes it, and how it is sustained.  For instance, did you know that when you see someone you are in love with your brain sends out bursts of chmicals called oxytocin and serotonin?  These chemicals give you a sense of euphoria, and you are literally addicted to the other person . . . the process also occurs when drug users get a fix :) 

For some couples this chemical reaction occurs for only a few years, for others it can last through their entire lives.  Thinking about this made me remember a book I bought some time ago about human brain development and function: Mapping the Mind, by Rita Carter.  I love this book, its like a cool text book/coffee table book hybrid.  Very easy to read and lots of nice pictures, but very informative and interesting.

The cover of the book has a "map" of brain function.  So this is the image I chose to recreate, using embroidery floss in the colors from the "map of the states" fabric Anne sent to us for inspiration.  I didn't sketch it out first, or anything, I just kind of started working on it.  I did fold the fabric sometimes to get a straight line to follow, but otherwise it was all freestyle.  I really like it.  I think of it as an homage to Anne and her husband, as well as a nod to my love of both science and sewing.  A union of left brain and right brain, if you will. 

So there you have it.  Possibly the coolest and nerdiest quilt block I have ever made.

Forgive me, Anne!  The block is on its way.

This One's For Kate

Thank you to the very few people who replied to my last post.  As always, most of you remain silent, which I will assume means that you like this blog just fine :)  To those who sent me a suggestion, thank you so much!!!  I aim to please, so there will be some more interesting things on the way.  Life is a little bit hectic right now, but I should be back on track soon.

So this one's for Kate, who said she liked the science tidbits.  I totally stole borrowed this from PhDcomics.com and the brilliant Jorge Cham.  The nerd in me thought this was hillarious, maybe you'll think so too!

Prest-o-change-o!

About a year ago I bought a t-shirt for Randy.  The design on the shirt was a little bit inappropriate, it said "I'm a F***ing Genius."  I have NO idea why I bought it, he kind of said 'thanks but no thanks," so I kept it and used it a jammies every once in a while.

Well, the other day I was flipping through this book and realized that my fingers were itching to make something hand sewn.  So I picked out the corset top pattern and got to work cutting up the offensive tee and turning it into something cute and appropriate.  I just sat down in front of the tele and stitched it all together while watching The Simpsons and Family Guy.  I'd say it took about an hour to make.  The seams are on the outside, and you can really see all the little stitches in the close-up picture below.  I used navy quilting thread and a millinery needle, and my stitches came out suprisingly even. 

Now my cute little corset just says "Genius," with only a little bit of the other words showing . . . not enough to cause a ruckus should I step out in public wearing it.  I like it!  I checked around on flickr and found this top and this top, using the same pattern, so cute!  I would love to make another one sometime, using a larger shirt so I can make the corset longer to fit me properly.  Overall a fast and satisfying project.  Since I already owned the shirt and the supplies, I'd like to think this top was made for free!  Sometimes it's good to get out from under the sewing maching :)

Happy Things!

Friday was a great day!  I finished the Peony dress and wore it to work . . . it got rave reviews!   I got so many compliments on it that I might just wear it every day.  It is such a great feeling to have people admire something you made yourself.  I think Randy is going to take some better pictures of me later (I'm picturing an open field and a sky full of white fluffy clouds), but here is one of my amateur shots for now.  You can't tell from the image, but this dress has pockets!

Also, this makes me very very happy.  You don't really have to know WHY, just know that it DOES.  I'm talking about those four faint little spots on the agar plate.  Those are colonies of cells.  And I love them.

This one isn't mine, it's Dan's column, but who said chemistry can't be attractive!  Love those colors, just in time for spring.

Have a great Easter weekend!