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ayjaylauer.bsky.social
AJ Lauer
@ayjaylauer.bsky.social
880 followers 960 following 310 posts
Author, speaker, nerdy about leadership in STEM & HPC
Owner Thriving Ibis Leadership Solutions: thrivingibis.com

Formerly NCAR, CO School of Mines, Miami Dade College, UIUC

My Monster Mungo: https://www.amazon.com/My-Monster-Mungo-Imposter-Syndrome/dp/B0
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Reposted by AJ Lauer
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Everyone who visits our house compliments the stunning crochet blankets we have in the living room - all made by my extremely talented MIL.
Good news for y'all! She now has an Etsy shop. Check it out! www.etsy.com/shop/SmplyIn...

#crochet #handmade #gifts #fiberart #homedecor
www.etsy.com
June 9, 2026 at 2:52 AM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
I made.... something? Ha
I enjoy seeing how textile artists on IG play with layers of fabric, so decided to try.
This is just scraps from prior projects quilted with a random pattern and cut away to show layers.
This could be so satisfying with some intentionality!
#sewsky #quilt #craftsky #textile
A gray piece of fabric with wavy, vaguely mountain'y lines sewn over it in black thread The "after" of the project shows the space between sewn lines cut out to reveal various layers of colorful fabric
September 14, 2026 at 11:42 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
This is absolutely incredible! A little bit of joy for your Monday 😊
alexisdraws.bsky.social Lex Sugden 🌈🦇🪡 @alexisdraws.bsky.social · Aug 17
Omg it’s finally here! It was a career highlight to be able to spend my time making something like this! It came at a point when I was feeling very burnt out and it this was a project that breathed life into me again. I am so grateful to Cartoon Network for this opportunity

youtu.be/IarVMeWtFVU?...
Unravel | Cartoon Cartoons
YouTube video by Warner Bros. TV
youtu.be
August 17, 2026 at 9:57 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Most essential supply for back to school: reusable snack pouches!

Thought I'd never find a use for that awful blue and orange striped polyester from a Mood Mystery Box, but I think it will work well for the linings.

Couture snack bags?

#backtoschool #sewing #memade #madewithmood
A set of 8 fabric snack pouches, each about 5x6", on a brown counter. Two snack bags, one with the flap open to show the garish orange and blue lining.
August 9, 2026 at 11:16 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Birthday donuts!
August 6, 2026 at 12:51 AM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Got a call from the bone marrow registry last week that I've been matched with a leukemia patient.

I signed up as a donor 20 years ago so it was quite the surprise!

Sending a cheek swab to see if we're a deeper match.

Register to donate at nmdp.org

#savelives #stemcell #cancer
A white skinned hand holds a navy blue envelope that says "let's do this. Saving lives starts with a swab. Nmdp" there's a photo of two people hugging on the right side of the envelope.
August 3, 2026 at 2:28 AM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Last stop on the drive to #pearc26 : The Biggest Ball Of Twine in Minnesota!

I know there are Weird Al fans at @pearcconference.bsky.social !
A window with a 7 foot tall ball of twine behind it. A sign at the top of the window said "worlds largest Twine ball"
July 26, 2026 at 8:52 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Stopped at Wall Drug on the road to #PEARC26!
A white woman with brown hair taking a selfie with a wooden carving of a smoking man in a white cowboy hat.
July 24, 2026 at 12:32 AM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Stopped at Wall Drug on the road to #PEARC26!
A white woman with brown hair taking a selfie with a wooden carving of a smoking man in a white cowboy hat.
July 23, 2026 at 11:05 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
The road to #pearc26 includes Mount Rushmore!
A white woman taking a selfie in front of Mount Rushmore. She is wearing black sunglasses and a brown cowgirl hat
July 20, 2026 at 5:52 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
I just spent an hour meticulously unpicking a button hole that had accidentally caught another part of the garment.

When I sewed the hole again, this is what my machine did 😭😭🤬🤬🤬🤬

#upcycle #sewing #hobbies #fashion
A burnt orange piece of fabric with white pin stripes sits on a sewing machine. The two sides of a button hole are out of alignment and will need to be redone
July 11, 2026 at 10:37 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Hooray!
I've been waiting for this. Who wants to hang out at #PEARC26?
pearcconference.bsky.social PEARC Conference Series @pearcconference.bsky.social · Jul 9
🎤 The #ACM #PEARC26 Conference Schedule is live!

Plan your conference experience:
📅 pearc.acm.org/pearc26/conf...

🏨 Book your hotel ASAP: 2 of the 3 conference hotels are already sold out!
pearc.acm.org/pearc26/hote...

#ResearchComputing #RCD #PEARC #ResearchData #HPC #Minneapolis2026
July 10, 2026 at 1:12 AM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
The next time I say I'm going to make a collared shirt or shirt dress, someone please remind me that collars and buttons are the two most exasperating parts of sewing 😅
July 5, 2026 at 11:33 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Ms Tindra is starting to look like a real dress! I'm obsessed with the back 👀

Pattern is the #Fibremood Tindra.
Fabric is a thrifted duvet cover.
Buttons will be from the infamous Elfriede's in Boulder, when I get in the mood to deal with 11 button holes 😅
#sewing #upcycle
A burnt orange dress with wide-spaced white pin stripes hangs on a dress form. It has a collar ans breast pockets. The rest of the visible room is a mess of sewing supplies. Back of a burnt orange shirt dress. It has a gather at the waist that makes the skirt fitted and the shirt portion blousy. . The rest of the visible room is a mess of sewing supplies
June 28, 2026 at 1:04 AM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
It's National Sewing Machine day! Here's a photo of my gorgeous late-1950s all metal stamped machine. That turquoise! That chrome! That font!
My Bernette just came back from being serviced (which took FOREVER) so i will quite happily be using her today 😁
A lovely 1950s sewing machine in turquoise, white, and chrome. It has fins on the top line a corvette, and the width and length knobs have a classic 1950s font.
June 13, 2026 at 5:51 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
We climbed Mount Blue Sky today! Kids' first time above 14,000 ft! Obvs had to be posted here ☺️

#bluesky #Colorado #kids #summer #14er
A family of white people, including two young kids, smile at the top of a mountain
June 12, 2026 at 10:08 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Everyone who visits our house compliments the stunning crochet blankets we have in the living room - all made by my extremely talented MIL.
Good news for y'all! She now has an Etsy shop. Check it out! www.etsy.com/shop/SmplyIn...

#crochet #handmade #gifts #fiberart #homedecor
www.etsy.com
June 9, 2026 at 2:52 AM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Quite happy with how the pink flatlock hem breaks up the intensity of the black and white print on these shorts!
Fabric is from my local thrift store, shorts are self drafted based on my favorite pj shorts.

#sewing #upcycle #MeMade #fashion
A white pair of shorts with a black grid pattern that almost looks like looking closely at a screen shot has a bright pink ladder pattern at the hem. The shorts are held up by a white person's hand and a sewing machine is visible in the background.
June 7, 2026 at 8:48 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Why give your #26grads an inspiring but ultimately useless book written by a dead, racist, white guy when you could give them an actionable book by someone who actively works to promote diversity every day?

bookshop.org/a/103170/979...

#graduation #gifts #inspo #BookSky #BookTok #ImposterSyndrome
An infographic comparing the book My Monster Mungo to Oh the Places You'll Go. In the column for My Monster Mungo are listed: Inspiring message. Cute illustrations. Written by a white woman who actively works each day to advocate for diversity and anti-racism. Author has a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies. Gives readers actionable, research-based intel that will help them get to the places they want to go. In the column for Oh the Places: Inspiring message. Written by a dead white guy with a track record of creating racist imagery. Author called himself “Dr.” but had no qualifications. No actionable information provided. Cute illustrations. The bottom of the image features text that says, "Get your copy of My Monster Mungo from Amazon or Bookshop.org!"
May 21, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by AJ Lauer
romcomapologist.bsky.social
My latest sewing project has proven VERY CONTROVERSIAL. I’ve never gotten as many compliments from strangers, but also people coming up to me just to tell me they hate it (good-naturedly).

Loosely inspired by the Schiaparelli ant suit, but without any of the artistry and much more kitsch.
May 12, 2026 at 11:13 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Look at this stunning machine!! I found her at our annual neighborhood yard sale! She works beautifully, too 😍
Definitely a uni-tasker though- she only does zigzag stitches.

#sewsky #antiques #retro
A teal, white, and chrome 1950s sewing machine.
May 9, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Reposted by AJ Lauer
mpoltonsimon.bsky.social
Clothing and labor are always inextricably linked.

Every garment is made by hand, there’s no automated process for sewing your fast fashion shirts. How we value display and acknowledge that labor is so much of the story
May 5, 2026 at 5:58 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Congratulations! You have unlocked the sewing achievement "Blood, Sweat, and Tears"!
This is granted when you slice a finger with the rotary cutter for the first time.
Achievement grants +1 dexterity and +3 vigilance.

#sewsky #rpg #crafting
A white person's left hand with their thumb sticking up. The thumb has a bright yellow and pink bandage. In the background is a black and white patterned fabric sitting on a cutting mat with a pattern piece, rotary cutter, and two pairs of scissors on top.
April 23, 2026 at 11:46 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
Kiddo has been looking for the egg hidden in the towel at his knees for half an hour 🤣

I do love the egg hunt!

#Easter #easteregg #spring #parenting
A small child in pajamas kneels on a black stool in front of a stove top. Two towels hang fun the oven door handle. One is orange, the other black. The black towel hangs between the child's knees.
April 5, 2026 at 3:31 PM
ayjaylauer.bsky.social
7 year old on evolution:
"So the dinosaurs tried to make a baby but accidentally made a bird!"
Me: "Yup! That's basically it"
😂
🦖 🦜
March 29, 2026 at 3:36 PM