Post Birthday...

Thank you one and all for the birthday wishes that I received via snail mail/email/Facebook/blog, etc.  You helped make my special day even more special!  I had a nice birthday.  No partying...no whooping it up.  Just spent time with family.  

Late in the afternoon, I received a call from the nursing home...letting me know that me Mum was on the way to the ED because she had fallen and hit her head on the bathroom sink.  She had quite a gash.  So, I spent 3 hours there with her.  She is doing okay and the staples (10 of them!) come out next week.  

On Saturday, I took my homemade angel food cake over to the nursing home and spent more time with my sisters and Mum.  (The cake was so good!)

I have been working on my 4th charity quilt for SBB Heart Builders.  The blocks are done...I just need to sew them together and then get the quilt top into the mail.

The #sewingavillage party over on Instagram is in its 3rd week...so to be on track, 24 houses have been made.  I am trying to keep ahead of the game by making a few every day or so.  The total number of houses for this village quilt is 132.  That makes for a lot of planning and cutting and sewing.  Mine will be mostly scrappy, but scrappy AND random is sometimes difficult for me to do.  I have so many scraps...and I am trying to decide what other scrappy project I can have in the works as long as I have scraps everywhere I look in my sewing room!!  Here are more of my houses...  

Week 2 houses

Week 3 houses

Remember the polka-dot quilt I showed a few posts ago?  Well, I was calling it the Dot quilt.  Funny story...Jill (recipient of the quilt) decided that, since Dot is an oft-used nickname for Dorothy, she would call her polka-dotted quilt, Dorothy.  But, then...where was Toto?  So, I made a Toto pillow cover for her!!!

Toto pillow cover

I also made a few more cloth napkins for my niece, Michelle (Jill's daughter), whose birthday was the 21st.

So, that's what is going on here...how about where you are?



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

The One...

So, taking up where I left off (yes, almost a month ago...my bad)...here we go!

In my last blog post, I showed you a sneak peek of the super scrappy pineapple block quilt...I am happy to say that it is now with the longarm quilter. I should be getting it back very soon.

The next project on my list to show is this trio...little zipper earbud holders. They measure about 4", I think.  

These pretty florals are from Cathy of Pink Petunia Cottage.

They were used to make this quilt...

I absolutely love it...so old-looking and soft and full of crinkly goodness.

I am not sure if you've been keeping count, but I actually made three quilts from my scraps (and still have a lot of scraps left!). The scrappy log cabin blocks were started in March, but then I got distracted by the super scrappy pineapple block quilt. I finally put the blocks together, using a Moda Grunge (some color gray) fabric for the sashing and made this quilt for Mum.  I made it to her specifications...long and narrow.  It measures about 46 x 64 inches.  I quilted it with curvy lines...and I am happy to say that I love how it turned out!  (So is me Mum, by the way.)

I am a fan of Merchant & Mills, though I have never bought anything from them.  I have just drooled over everything I've seen from there.  Well.  I saw these and I bought them...books for my sewing book collection (which now numbers 3).  The Workbook was the one I really wanted, but there are a few projects I'd like to make in the Sewing Book, too.  The Sewing Skills book was an inexpensive add-on.

This month, I am trying to get some abandoned projects done and out of here.  Sometimes, when Cathy sends boxes of fabrics, they include projects that she has started and never finished. Sometimes I put them together into quilt tops.  Sometimes they sit here and I do nothing with them.  But, now, I am working on putting finished blocks together to make quilt pallets for dogs and cats at the animal shelter.  Here are a few that I am working on...

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Me Mum is doing pretty good in the nursing home...although there are still some adjustments being made.  It certainly did not help that her hearing aids went on the fritz in all of this change.  She has one working hearing aid now, so that's all for the good...the other is being repaired.  We visit every day...at least one of us three daughters.  Mum is getting involved with the daily activities there and seems to enjoy most of them.  She also has a new and easier hairstyle. I don't know how many thousands of years she wore her hair backcombed, but this is so easy...and I think it looks good.  She also got a manicure recently, so that made her feel good.  

  

I think that's all I have for now.

Have a great month of July!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

How Many Parts Will It Take to Catch Up?

Well, I am definitely feeling like a total stranger here on my own blog.  Time to make myself sit here and do some catching up.

First of all, there have been some major changes with me Mum. Julie is no longer her caregiver.  I lived with Mum for 5+ weeks while we were deciding what was going to happen next.  I am not sure how Mum felt, but I definitely treasure that time together.

After much discussion of several different options, we all agreed that a nursing home was the next step for Mum.  And, yes, 'we' includes Mum. So, we were able to get her into our first choice of the nursing homes here in Canon City.  Mum is slowly making the adjustment.  It doesn't help that her hearing aids seem to have gone kaput at this time, but we are working on that issue.    

 There are a ton of activities that Mum can take part in.

Here are some recent photos of Mum at Skyline...

playing BINGO...

outside in front of the nursing home...mountains as her backdrop...

playing cards with me and Jill...

And, that is that...in a nutshell.

My goddaughter/niece, Jody, came for a visit with her daughter, Kalyn.  They live in Los Alamos...about 4 1/2 hours from here.  We all had a great time!

I didn't get much sewing done when I was with me Mum, but I have some projects to show!  Working with my scraps, I made 25 log cabin blocks.  Here is a small representation...

I have a plan to put them together in a fun way.  Stay tuned (but don't hold your breath).

Right after I finished those blocks, I started another scrappy project...this time, making pineapple blocks.  Those were very time-consuming, but I loved making them.  All 49 of them! 
And, here is a small representation of them...

 Okay, that's it for Part One.  So much more to show you...I'll be back to do that very soon!  I promise!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Getting It Done...

It's been a busy time getting me Mum and sister settled in their new place.  It's going as well as can be expected.  Some parts of unpacking are more fun than others.  I truly enjoy unpacking the kitchen. Filling the walls with pictures, etc. is also enjoyable. However, going through boxes and trying to decide what one has room for and what must stay packed or gotten rid of (in one manner or another) is not so much fun.  But, we're pushing through it.

In the meantime, I finished this table topper for Mum...

A few years ago, I finished a quilt for my friend, Loretta.  In return, she gifted me with a charm pack and some yardage of Nature's Basket by Blackbird Designs for Moda.  (Thanks, Loretta!)  This table topper is what I did with it.  Finally.  It is perfect for their small table, especially with the ceramic bowl that Julie gave Mum several years ago. 

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Here's a photo from Mother's Day...isn't me Mum beautiful?

Hope your weekend is good!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Family and More...

It has been a busy week.  Me Mum and sister arrived in Canon City on Tuesday!  We are so excited!  Jill and I had found a very nice duplex for them and we had the truck unloaded when they arrived. It all worked out so well.  Less stress than it could have been, for sure.    

Not sure if you knew, but me Mum - who is 85 years old - has Parkinson's Disease. She does very well with it, but does require help and cannot live alone.  Julie has lived with Mum for almost 4 years...Jill and I are very happy that they live here so that we will be able to help with Mum.  

Tomorrow is Mother's Day!  It has been several years since Mum has had more than one or two (of the 4 of us) with her on that special day.  We are looking forward to celebrating together.  

I have not had much time with Naomi Janome, but I did manage to make what I had originally planned to be a mini quilt into a pillow cover.  Cuz, you know how much I love pillows!  It's the envelope pattern by Carolyn Friedlander.  I rather enjoy paper piecing, and need to do more of it.  The fabric is Doglandia by Peter Horjus.  I have made other pillow covers and cloth napkins with this fabric...seen here and here.

Speaking of paper-piecing.  I have not done anything with my wonderful little hexies.  Trying to decide what to do with them...several options are available.  

I have been slowly working on a t-shirt quilt for my niece, Jody. She is a very patient woman...I say that because this should have been done a year ago.  But, with the move and all...well, it just wasn't happening. BUT...I now have all of the t-shirts interfaced and cut to size and I am beginning to cut/sew the filler strips.  It's going to take concentration and planning...which I am not in huge supply of. However, my plan is to have it done in time for Jody when she comes for a visit in late July. 

In other news...I am still putting my apartment together.  I got some barn siding boards a few months ago.  I needed to sand them down somewhat, otherwise the paint would flake off and they would be difficult to dust.  So, I sanded them down and put 2 coats of sealer on them.  I found the perfect iron brackets and got the long shelves put up this past week.  

Here is what I have on the living room shelf thus far...it will primarily be for family photos.  The shelf is 6.5 ft. long...  

So far, the 4 ft. long dining area shelf looks like this...    

Well, I think that is about all that is going on with me.  

Have a great weekend.  






"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Just Shoot Me Now!

I am going on a short vacation this next week.  Just 3 days to visit me Mum and sisters, as well as a few friends and other relatives.  As mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, sisters Joyce and Jill are traveling to Wisconsin!  I am so looking forward to spending some time with them!  And, as I also mentioned in that post, I am busy making gifts to take with me.  That is the reason for my absence from this blog.  I have been taking photos, as promised, so you will eventually see everything that I made.  As of last night, I only had one more little quickie thing to make and then every single item on my list would be checked off. 

Except.  Me Mum decided that she wanted a small lap quilt.  Mind you, she has a lap quilt that I made for her.  See it here.  However, she wanted something smaller...like 3 x 4 feet.  So, this morning, I dug out the Saltbox Harvest fabrics (2009 collection by Deb Strain) I had in my 'someday going to make a quilt with this' container and started planning.   

I know, I know.  I did it to myself.  I could have told her (as sister Joyce pointed out) that I would buy her a fleece blanket for $5.00.  But, no.  I said, "hey Mum...how about if I make you one...and bring it with me when I come in 3 days"  or something like that.  I said what?  Nothing like putting myself under the gun.  So, just shoot me now!

Actually, it won't be so bad.  Except, then I decided to make a snowball quilt.  No just sewing charm squares together for me...nosirree!  Must make it more complicated than it needs to be.  Still and all.  It's a small quilt and I am going to tie it, not quilt it.  And, I am not going to bind it...just going to put right sides together, sew around the edges and turn it right side out.  Easy peasy.  Yes?  


Yup, this will work...

Lot of trimming goin' on...

One row done...

Me Mum's going to love it!  And, the best part?  I have all the necessary parts here!  woohoo!

I have something fun to tell you about, but it will need to wait until I get back.  

What are you up to this weekend?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Dandelion Girl Broke Her Wheel!!

I slept  in today.    Got up at 7:16...very unusual for me.  Of course, I didn't get to sleep until around 3:00 a.m., so I guess that is why I didn't wake up until after 7:00.  It surprised me a bit that Tag hadn't gotten up and bothered me...he is usually wanting breakfast at anytime after 5:30.  He slept in, too!   

 I've been spending the last two days looking through my quilt books...trying to find the perfect pattern.  I am making me Mum a quilt for her bed.  I'm using the Dandelion Girl fabric collection, which debuted back in 2007.  It's a Fig Tree for Moda line...always wonderful to work with...(thanks, Cathy!)  I am very much looking forward to working on this one.  (The 'jelly stars' quilt pattern shown in this photo is not the quilt I'll be making.)

I was totally inspired by this quilt... 

flickr account name pookie & schnookie

The blocks are called 'broken wheel' and this one is made with the Dandelion Girl fabrics!  How's that for inspiration??  Mine will be different, because I'll be adding borders, and because the blocks will be half the size that these are.  I have 4 pieces of yardage and I have 3" strips...those strips limit the size of the  squares I can make.  Luckily, I found that someone had redone the math...my blocks will be 6" finished.  All 54 of them!

I made me Mum a lap quilt back in 2009...click here to see it.  This will be the first quilt I've made to actually be used on a bed...and the largest quilt to date!  Mum had recently started talking about redoing the colors in her bedroom, which would involve buying a new bedspread.  I suggested that she let me make her a quilt for her bed.  And, I just happened to have this luscious fabric here waiting to be used!  

I am very much looking forward to getting started...I'll keep you informed as to how it is going.

I still need to lay out the bowtie quilt to check it over one last time before I sew the 6 rows together.  Then, that will join the others waiting to be quilted.  ~sigh~  I really must start getting those done!  

Have a good evening.  

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

There's No Place Like Home...

I am home.

Back from my vacation

to Eau Claire.

Visited family and friends.

Am so happy that I went.

But, am happy to be home.

Ya know?

Here's a photo of me Mum...

She has Parkinson's Disease.

At 82 years of age, she is doing alright.

I think she is beautiful.

That is the only photo I took.

Oh!  It snowed while I was there...

9 inches worth.

On May 2...really???

Yeah, and did I even think to

take a photo of my car buried

under all that snow?

Nope. 

What?

I've spent today doing nothing.

Well, if watching tv is doing nothing.

Must do something tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Back...For Better or Worse!

I am back.

Finally.

I have a computer...a laptop!  woohoo! 

I have internet access.

What could be better?

Well, am sure there are better things, but for right now, right here...this is it.  I sure have missed posting...and it is a bit difficult to comment - at least more than a few words - on your blogs with my phone...so hopefully, you will see more comments from me on your blogs. 

In the meantime, I've some photos to show you.

Not sure if I mentioned this before, but I pretty much gave up on knitting socks...until (if) I take a class.  In the meantime, I have been knitting these...keeping my hands busy while I am too unsettled to do much of anything else.  I plan to make many of these for Christmas gifts to give my coworkers.  This is a fun - and easy - design called 'double bump'.

Me Mum and sister Julie were in town...we spent some time playing cards.  Dimes.  I won 60 cents that day, so it was a good time.  {grin}

I have slowly been getting unpacked.  Decided to go through my cedar chest...look what was there?  These dresses were worn by my sisters in my wedding.  Way back in '74.  Junior bridesmaid and bridesmaid.  I might have to make something out of them.  For fun.  What else would I do with them?  Don't really have a reason to keep them,  ya know?

I put this together last weekend when I just had to sew something!  Ya know?  I think it will be a giveaway.  When finished.  Should be in the not too distant future.

And.  A few posts back, I posted this photo...

No one said anything.  "cat got your tongue"?  {grin}    

Yes.  This is Kisa.  My sister's cat.  Or, should I say...used to be my sister's cat?  Yup, that's right.  She now lives with me.  And, Tag.  Julie wasn't able to take her to the apartment she's living in with me Mum, so...

Never having had a cat before, I am finding the experience quite interesting.  It was one thing when we all lived together in a large house...now it's just Kisa, Tag and me in this small apartment.  Kisa is a very nice cat, though not real outgoing.  In the time we have been here, though, she is becoming more social.  And, she keeps Tag company.  

So.  Here we are.  That's all I have for now. 

What are your weekend plans?





"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11