Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Color Me...what???

I will be the first to tell you...I have difficulty with color. When I was hooking rugs, I always second-guessed myself. Many times I simply did not trust my judgment, so I asked for help. From those I considered more knowledgeable. Which, by the way, most of the people I know fit that category where color is concerned. In my humble opinion.

So. When I first started quilting and needed to choose fabrics, I would ask for help from the lqs ladies. Now, they just laugh at me. Not that I have learned everything there is to know about color, but because I definitely know what I do NOT like. Which, to them, means that I know what I'm doing. NOT. Nowhere even close.

But, some things are fairly apparent.

Take this as an example. I thought that the white inner border line would be the right choice...lots of white in the central square, and all those white dots. Thought it might make things pop.

WRONG. Looks blah...

So, I took that white inner border out and replaced it with this blue...
and am now much happier with it.


Another example. I am working on part 2 of my DQS9 swap quilt. Here's what I showed on the flickr group...

I was planning to put a black border around it and then bind it in black polka-dot fabric. Many suggested, however, that I border/bind it with a bright color. Let's see how that works.

Okay, I like this...very dramatic, wouldn't you say? If that's what I'm going for.

Ready to see what it looks like with a bold color? Something, perhaps, that you would not expect.

Like this.

I LOVE it!

And, that's all I have to say!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Heaven...absolute Heaven!

Been saving pennies for a long time...and it's now mine!
Kashmir III fat quarter bundle.
I love this fabric collection!


Be sure to click on this photo to get a
good look at all 29 of the fabrics.

They are so yummy!



Sunday, July 18, 2010

DQS9...Another Little Quiltie!

The middle section was done almost a month ago...just haven't gotten back to it. Until yesterday. I've taken little bits of time these two days to get the little bit of it - that there was left to do - done. Measures about 15" square.

Having a lazy Sunday. Usually, my Sundays are spent trying to get everything done that I didn't get done Friday night or all day Saturday. Knowing that I don't work tomorrow sure has a way of changing my outlook, ya know?

Or, maybe it's cuz I don't feel good.

Friday, July 16, 2010

More Pneumonia Talk...and some sewing.

I'm home. I feel better. Perhaps not physically, but no more worries about hospitalization. Saw my own beloved Dr. Deaton today. Talk, talk, talk. Here are the results.

*Added a corticosteroid inhaler (Flovent).
*Added an antibiotic (Avelox).
*Continue with the Prednisone and the Albuterol inhaler.

*Have a CT scan of chest. Didn't have a base radiograph, so wants to take a real good look.

*Recheck appointment for Monday, though if I am feeling the same or better, I don't need to keep it (doc said).

*I am to be off work all next week. We'll see how I'm doing at the end of the week to determine whether or not I need more time off.

*Take it easy, stay in a cool environment (out of the humidity), drink plenty of fluids and don't overdo. I think I can do that.

So. That's that. I was feeling pretty crappy, so Claire (neighbor, landlady, vet, friend) offered to drive me. Thank you, Claire!

I'm hoping that these new drugs really kick this thing so that I can get back on track. But, I won't push it. Not going to relapse.

Thank you for all of your prayers, well-wishes, cares, and concerns. I appreciate you all far more than I can say.

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As for 'some sewing'. I worked in very small increments of time. Seriously small. 20-30 minutes. No more than that. Usually less. Was really starting to need to do something. Ya know? Here's what I accomplished...

From this...
To this...
To this!

Now to just piece it all together.

Have a great Friday night and a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Pneumonia...update.

So. Pneumonia. I thought I felt better on Monday. From the super-duper antibiotics I was given. On Tuesday, I wasn't so sure. No stamina at all. I mean, for pete's sake...couldn't even walk from one end of the house to the other without gasping for breath. How fun is that??? So, I called and made an appointment to see the doctor today.

It is so hot and humid that by the time I got to the office, I couldn't breathe very well...wheezing and coughing and gasping. Well, maybe not gasping, but certainly not breathing like a normal person. The doc and I talked about the meds I was on. She mentioned steroids...and had another doctor come and listen to me. Had me use a nebulizer (we used to use the same ones on dogs in ccu) then sent me for a chest x-ray. Both doctors came back to talk with me. Seriously considered sending me to the hospital.

BUT. Let's try this, first.

Finish out the antibiotics (tomorrow is the last one), start prednisone tomorrow, use inhaler as needed (instead of as prescribed at every 4 hours). Call if I have ANY problems.

So. I'm off work the rest of the week...and go for a recheck on Friday. We shall see from there. If the prednisone doesn't work, I will more than likely go to the hospital.

It's been tough to be off work and not get any sewing and/or quilty things done. Not that I had any energy to do anything, but still. I did sew some rectangles together to make side borders for a quilt I started last year, but that's all I've done.

Tag, however, has been ecstatic. We have spent a lot of time together in the big easy chair...sleeping, eating, reading, sleeping, napping...you get the idea, hey?

I'll post photos of new fabrics some other time. I am behind on my new projects, too. Well, it'll be worth the wait.

But, just so you don't feel too bad...lookie here! I took this out my son's front car window as we were driving 80 mph toward Eau Claire. Not bad, hey?

Have a good rest of the week!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Pneumonia.

Never had it before.  Started with a scratchy throat and deep dry cough on Thursday night.  Went out of town as planned...ask me how much fun I had visiting while this pneumonia developed?!  I did make it to The Calico Shoppe and bought some fabric.  Good thing my BFF Janer was with me...I pretty much knew what I wanted and she got it all for me.  Thanks, Janer!

Went to Urgent Care this a.m....Plenty of fluids.  Antibiotics.  Inhaler.  Cough Medicine.  Blah!!  Off to bed for more rest.

Photos and more info later in the week.  Promise.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I WON!!!

Yep, I did! I won a giveaway! I haven't won anything for a long time, so was extra excited to win this one! Natalie, over at Beyond the Reef, was giving away one yard of Paris Park fabric. And, I won! How exciting is that!!! Here's the photo I snagged from her blog...
Thank you so much, Natalie!

I am going to make a quilt for Kaylynn. (you're surprised, right?) She has the flannel one I made, but not a quilt like I made the other grandkids. I think this would be so fun with dots and stripes and dots and well, who knows what I will find to go with it! Time will tell!

Tag is going in to work with me tomorrow and will have a physical exam and vaccinations while I am slaving away working. He's good about injections (he gets monthly allergy shots), so it'll be no biggie. He is all set to go. I washed/dried his warthog. As Tag's 'security blanket', the warthog needs to go along...and needs to be clean. I gave Tag a bath last week, and today I cleaned his ears, brushed his teeth, combed him, and clipped his nails. He is one handsome brown boy! {grin} The girls will be swoonin' for sure!

Not much else going on. BUT, I will have some fun things to show & tell very soon!

Stay cool!

Monday, July 5, 2010

DQS9 & a Parting Gift...

Here is what I've done so far with my doll quilt swap quilt.  I'm thinking it looks okay.  Except for the mistake I made.  I am going to leave it, though...don't think it takes anything away from it.  Plus, I'm being lazy.

 
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Dr. Sophie Petersen, the neurologist who treated Allegra last fall, is leaving the VMTH.  I am very sad.  Not that I know her well, but because now I won't get the chance to know her.  She is moving closer to her family...cannot fault that reasoning.

For those of you who don't know anything about Allegra, she was my little collie girl...diagnosed with a lower brainstem lesion last fall.  She was euthanized on Halloween.  I was so impressed with how Dr. Petersen was with her...so very kind, soft-spoken and gentle.  She took her time examining Allegra every single time I showed up at work with her.  She was always willing to answer my questions and was generous with her time & explanations.  

If you're interested in reading more of what went on with Allegra, just enter her name in the search bar...or go to 'what I write about' in the sidebar and click on her name.

Dr. Petersen's last day is this Friday and I wanted to give her something to show my deep appreciation.  So, I made a table runner for her.  I had always intended to make her something...but you know how that goes. 

This table runner measures 15 3/4 x 32 1/2 inches.  I quilted with straight lines, one on each side of each seam.  Most of the fabrics are from the Iced Mocha line...one of my absolute faves...


Back to work tomorrow, but only for 3 days. 

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Pinwheel Table Topper

I got a few things done...this being one of them. 

Holy Schmoly!   That red is red!
I was a bit worried about it bleeding
onto the light backing, so
I used a color catcher sheet...
and no bleeding!
If you're not familiar with these life-savers,
click here to read all about them.

I have another table runner all put together...
need to handsew the binding on.

Hope you had a great day!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

More Iced Mocha?

I have a plan.

Finally.

Been pondering this for 2 days.

I'll be cutting into this fabric in a bit.
A very special project for a very special person.
She is leaving the vet school.
I have 5 days to get this done.  

And, of course, more iced mocha scraps can only mean one thing!  
(psssst Sharon...are you paying attention?)

Friday, July 2, 2010

4th of July weekend...

I don't have anything exciting going on...
but I do have 3 days off!
woohoo!!!
I might go over to Claire's for a cookout.
And, of course, I have lots of sewing projects to work on.  

I hope to have some fun & exciting news
to share with you all next week! 

Kaylynn has graduated from preschool...
off to kindergarten this fall!
Difficult to believe she's that old already.

Have a great weekend!