Some days I just need to quilt. Really. Need. To. Quilt.
It's great therapy for me. Time spent thinking about the person - known or unknown - who will be the recipient of the quilt I'm making. Prayer time. Time to sing to whatever music is playing. Time to listen to an audio book.
Sometimes it's just time for me, doing something I totally enjoy, not taking care of anyone else.
I got a little of this time today. Not as much as I wanted, but it was really good for me. In the process, I realized that it's been almost 3 months since I've had time to quilt. Far too long! That will change.
...may there be mercy in creative therapy.
Showing posts with label quilting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quilting. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
fruits of our labors
The fruit of our labors indeed. After 3 days of quilting at the beach with my friend Kim, we had a ton of finished projects to show for all our work. The picture above is of the pool table covered with all the stuff we had done.
We each took several unfinished projects that were clogging up our creative process. It felt great to get 'em all do
ne!
Here are some other shots of the individual items:
Pillowcases that Kim made for her baseball loving son:
Placemats I made for a friend:
Pillows I made for my sofa:
More pictures will follow as I find 'em.
...may there be mercy on our creative processes...
Monday, January 19, 2009
UAQ
Poor little Ugly Ass Quilt. It's become the Charlie Brown Christmas tree in my heart.
I still think it's totally ugly, but I feel so sorry for it that I am finally finishing it today. Well at least the piecing part of it. I'll take it to Kim's in the next couple weeks with some other (prettier) quilts to do the quilting on her long-arm machine.
...may there be mercy and the UAQ be a much loved treasure for the one who loved these fabrics.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
quilt of love and hate
It's National Quilting Day and yes, I'm spending today quilting away. This quilt is for my friend, coworker and the Official Office Big Brother, James... who has inoperable, terminal liver cancer.
Last year I made 5 quilts for friends with cancer. As I sewed, I prayed for each of them. For healing, for comfort, for the awareness of how much each of them is loved, for strength in the treatment process, for peace.
And for a year not filled with making quilts for friends with cancer.
Thus far, each of them is kicking cancer's ass... even Dwight, who has pancreatic cancer and we know that he probably won't see Christmas. But he wasn't supposed to see last Christmas, so the fact that he is still with us, fighting with all he has, means he is kicking cancer's ass.
But James... sweet, loving, caring, generous, big-brother James... his health has been so bad for so long that he doesn't have that much left in him to be able to fight as hard. Bless him, he hasn't given up yet, but his ability to fight as hard as others might... well, it just isn't there.
So I'm working quickly on this quilt. For many reasons, I love this quilt. For other reasons, I hate it.
I love it because the fabrics are rich and lush, yet simple in the designs. They speak to me of James. Civil war reproduction prints that are beautiful. I hate it because James is so much a part of my life and he is being taken away from me.
Love it because it's tested my ability to allow imperfections without fretting about them. Love isn't perfect, and it's about letting people be imperfect. Hate it because James won't be able to enjoy it for very long.
Love it because the quilting in the border is symbolic of hugs and kisses and the hope that he feels wrapped in love when he uses it. Hate it because I so hate cancer for the suffering and pain it causes.
As I stitch, sometimes the tears block my vision so badly that I can't tell what I'm doing.
Enough rambling... I need to dry my eyes and put the binding on this quilt of love and hate.
...may there be mercy in the sorrow and joy in our time left with James.
Last year I made 5 quilts for friends with cancer. As I sewed, I prayed for each of them. For healing, for comfort, for the awareness of how much each of them is loved, for strength in the treatment process, for peace.
And for a year not filled with making quilts for friends with cancer.
Thus far, each of them is kicking cancer's ass... even Dwight, who has pancreatic cancer and we know that he probably won't see Christmas. But he wasn't supposed to see last Christmas, so the fact that he is still with us, fighting with all he has, means he is kicking cancer's ass.
But James... sweet, loving, caring, generous, big-brother James... his health has been so bad for so long that he doesn't have that much left in him to be able to fight as hard. Bless him, he hasn't given up yet, but his ability to fight as hard as others might... well, it just isn't there.
So I'm working quickly on this quilt. For many reasons, I love this quilt. For other reasons, I hate it.
I love it because the fabrics are rich and lush, yet simple in the designs. They speak to me of James. Civil war reproduction prints that are beautiful. I hate it because James is so much a part of my life and he is being taken away from me.
Love it because it's tested my ability to allow imperfections without fretting about them. Love isn't perfect, and it's about letting people be imperfect. Hate it because James won't be able to enjoy it for very long.
Love it because the quilting in the border is symbolic of hugs and kisses and the hope that he feels wrapped in love when he uses it. Hate it because I so hate cancer for the suffering and pain it causes.
As I stitch, sometimes the tears block my vision so badly that I can't tell what I'm doing.
Enough rambling... I need to dry my eyes and put the binding on this quilt of love and hate.
...may there be mercy in the sorrow and joy in our time left with James.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
one for me
According to my sweet husband, I've made quilts for everyone in this solar system and then some... and it's about time that I made one for myself.
He's cute, but he tends to exaggerate a bit.
In spite of his exaggerations, he's right in that I've made a lot of things for other people. I've only made things for myself if it was for a particular class in order to learn a particular technique. I had not taken the same amount of time and care and love to plan a quilt for myself.
This afternoon, I finished the first quilt simply made with careful planning, designing and love for ME. It's wonderful and makes me smile.
The fabrics were mostly gifts, with a couple that I found to add into the mix. The black and white theme is what I'm changing my house to be... all black and white with my quilts, my husband's trains and our photographs to add color.
In this black and white quilt, there is a bit of purple sprinkled in. The purple speaks to me in many ways. The biggest heartspeak is because it was a gift from a dear friend.
When I wrap myself in this quilt, that purple reminds me that she sends big hugs to me... and that makes me happy.
...may there be mercy in the warmth of my quilt and my friends.
He's cute, but he tends to exaggerate a bit.
In spite of his exaggerations, he's right in that I've made a lot of things for other people. I've only made things for myself if it was for a particular class in order to learn a particular technique. I had not taken the same amount of time and care and love to plan a quilt for myself.
This afternoon, I finished the first quilt simply made with careful planning, designing and love for ME. It's wonderful and makes me smile.
The fabrics were mostly gifts, with a couple that I found to add into the mix. The black and white theme is what I'm changing my house to be... all black and white with my quilts, my husband's trains and our photographs to add color.
In this black and white quilt, there is a bit of purple sprinkled in. The purple speaks to me in many ways. The biggest heartspeak is because it was a gift from a dear friend.
When I wrap myself in this quilt, that purple reminds me that she sends big hugs to me... and that makes me happy.
...may there be mercy in the warmth of my quilt and my friends.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
completion
Excitement is the word of the day since I completed my sister's quilt last night. I have to say that I absolutely love this quilt... probably my favorite that I've made so far! It's queen-sized, for her bed and a total surprise. She has no idea that I will be bringing it to give to her when I head to San Diego at the end of the month. A picture will be posted later because I don't have time for that right now... gotta get ready for work.
...may there be mercy as I enjoy the completion of this quilt.
...may there be mercy as I enjoy the completion of this quilt.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
owie!
Well Gang... apparently in honor of the day, it being National Nurses Day and all... I have managed to need to see a lovely nurse named Amber at our local doc-in-a-box. No idea the name of the nice doctor I just saw, but the nurse was very cool.
Probably because she called me a trooper. ;-p
Also probably because she was soooo gentle with me when cleaning off all that blood... and while telling me that I won't be sewing or quilting for a week or two. I think she knew that would be the more painful part!
Oh... ya wanna know what stupid thing I did?
Managed to cut off the side/end of my finger (including a chunk out of the side of the nail bed) with my rotary cutter while cutting a piece of batting for the purple quilt that I am making for a friend to take to chemo treatments.
Ding-dang-dumb thing to do. I always check one extra time before cutting to ensure that I do NOT do this... but got in a hurry.
Just really glad I reacted so quickly and did not get blood on the fabric.
...may there be mercy and a fast healing so quilting can be resumed!
Probably because she called me a trooper. ;-p
Also probably because she was soooo gentle with me when cleaning off all that blood... and while telling me that I won't be sewing or quilting for a week or two. I think she knew that would be the more painful part!
Oh... ya wanna know what stupid thing I did?
Managed to cut off the side/end of my finger (including a chunk out of the side of the nail bed) with my rotary cutter while cutting a piece of batting for the purple quilt that I am making for a friend to take to chemo treatments.
Ding-dang-dumb thing to do.
Just really glad I reacted so quickly and did not get blood on the fabric.
...may there be mercy and a fast healing so quilting can be resumed!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
mama's hands
Maybe because today is Mama's 74th birthday, I've been thinking a lot about her this week. About how much she did for us as kids. About the things she taught us to do. About the things she taught us to love.
When I was 18 months old, I had corrective surgery for crossed eyes. I actually remember being in the hospital and kicking the doctor in the chest because he wanted to look at my eyes with a light... but my eyes hurt and I didn't want him to look.
But I remember more the fact that Mama stayed with me the entire two days I was there. Waking up every hour in the middle of the night, scared because I was not in my bed and there were bandages over my eyes so I could not see, saying, "Mama?"
And her hand on my forehead, smoothing my hair back, her sweet voice in reply, "yes, baby, I'm still here."
When I went home from the hospital, I had a brand new pair of glasses that Mama let me pick out. Smart woman that. Knowing that if I got to pick my favorite color, I'd wear them. Never caring when I picked pink, red, purple... didn't matter to Mama. She knew I'd wear those darn glasses because I got to pick them. And because Mama made me new dresses to match my glasses!
Yep, I was a clotheshorse that early.
I learned to love sewing by watching Mama make my dresses. When I was really small, I'd stand on a stepstool, elbow on the edge of the machine, chin on my hand, eyes riveted to the movement of the fabric... head bobbing up and down in time with the needle. As I got older, the only change was the stepstool. Didn't need it anymore since I got so tall so early.
And I could hardly wait for Mama to teach me to sew. She made such pretty things with all that sewing. Dresses for my sister and me... and our dolls. Shirts and pants for my brothers. Curtains for our windows. Purses and aprons and pillows. She could sew anything!
And my favorite part of watching Mama sew was to see how her hands held the fabric... and how she used them to pin... and how those beautiful hands would guide the fabric through the machine... fingers jumping out of the way of the needle. Pop, pop, pop... out of the way, one by one, just at the last second.
I saw Mama's hands today as I sewed.
My hands hold the fabric just like she did. My hands pin fabric just like she did. My hands guide the fabric the same way... fingers jumping out of the way of the needle. Pop, pop, pop... out of the way, one by one, just at the last second.
It was very cool to realize and felt like I'd gotten a big hug from Mama today.
Happy birthday Mama... I love you so very much.
When I was 18 months old, I had corrective surgery for crossed eyes. I actually remember being in the hospital and kicking the doctor in the chest because he wanted to look at my eyes with a light... but my eyes hurt and I didn't want him to look.
But I remember more the fact that Mama stayed with me the entire two days I was there. Waking up every hour in the middle of the night, scared because I was not in my bed and there were bandages over my eyes so I could not see, saying, "Mama?"
And her hand on my forehead, smoothing my hair back, her sweet voice in reply, "yes, baby, I'm still here."
When I went home from the hospital, I had a brand new pair of glasses that Mama let me pick out. Smart woman that. Knowing that if I got to pick my favorite color, I'd wear them. Never caring when I picked pink, red, purple... didn't matter to Mama. She knew I'd wear those darn glasses because I got to pick them. And because Mama made me new dresses to match my glasses!
Yep, I was a clotheshorse that early.
I learned to love sewing by watching Mama make my dresses. When I was really small, I'd stand on a stepstool, elbow on the edge of the machine, chin on my hand, eyes riveted to the movement of the fabric... head bobbing up and down in time with the needle. As I got older, the only change was the stepstool. Didn't need it anymore since I got so tall so early.
And I could hardly wait for Mama to teach me to sew. She made such pretty things with all that sewing. Dresses for my sister and me... and our dolls. Shirts and pants for my brothers. Curtains for our windows. Purses and aprons and pillows. She could sew anything!
And my favorite part of watching Mama sew was to see how her hands held the fabric... and how she used them to pin... and how those beautiful hands would guide the fabric through the machine... fingers jumping out of the way of the needle. Pop, pop, pop... out of the way, one by one, just at the last second.
I saw Mama's hands today as I sewed.
My hands hold the fabric just like she did. My hands pin fabric just like she did. My hands guide the fabric the same way... fingers jumping out of the way of the needle. Pop, pop, pop... out of the way, one by one, just at the last second.
It was very cool to realize and felt like I'd gotten a big hug from Mama today.
Happy birthday Mama... I love you so very much.
...may there be mercy and many more birthdays for Mama.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
fabric, fabric everywhere
With the crazy winter storm we've been having... during my vacation... I've been spending a lot of time quilting. Since I lost 3 months of prime quilting time for Christmas gifts, this is not such a bad deal.
Freezing and beyond freezing outside - 6 degrees with the wind chill yesterday! - so what else would I be doing?
It would be nice to go to the museums in Seattle or over to the San Juan Islands with our cameras, but since we can't, we're just enjoying the absolute rest of this down time.
Since Monday, I've made 2 lap quilt tops, gotten those 2 plus a twin-sized quilt "quilted" on the long-arm machine my friend has, a 4th quilt is almost completed with the quilting process here at home, all the binding has been done, and tomorrow I'll start on a quilt for my sister-in-law for her Christmas gift.
It's been a very productive vacation!
Freezing and beyond freezing outside - 6 degrees with the wind chill yesterday! - so what else would I be doing?
It would be nice to go to the museums in Seattle or over to the San Juan Islands with our cameras, but since we can't, we're just enjoying the absolute rest of this down time.
Since Monday, I've made 2 lap quilt tops, gotten those 2 plus a twin-sized quilt "quilted" on the long-arm machine my friend has, a 4th quilt is almost completed with the quilting process here at home, all the binding has been done, and tomorrow I'll start on a quilt for my sister-in-law for her Christmas gift.
It's been a very productive vacation!
...may there be mercy and plenty of fabric.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
great weekend
Quilting retreat was a blast! Much laughter, much conversation, much pampering, much good food... and much productive quilting time. Yay!
I did get FIL's quilt top done, with the exception of the border. Once I got it to that point, I decided that the fabric I'd chosen for the border just did not look right and would not work. It was too busy. So I stopped there and worked on another project.
Missed this wonderful man who happend to be my sweet husband. Need to spend some time with him now.
It's good to be home.
I did get FIL's quilt top done, with the exception of the border. Once I got it to that point, I decided that the fabric I'd chosen for the border just did not look right and would not work. It was too busy. So I stopped there and worked on another project.
Missed this wonderful man who happend to be my sweet husband. Need to spend some time with him now.
It's good to be home.
...may there be mercy on us tonight.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
packed and ready
In spite of the fact that fabric lines the walls and is stacked on my cutting table, there is an empty space in my sewing room and it looks funny to me.
I've packed up to take everything to the quilting retreat at my friend's beach house.
Sewing machine... check!
Cutting mat and rotary cutter... check!
6 sizes of Omnigrid rulers... check!
components to FIL's quilt... check!
extra thread, bobbins, notions, etc... check!
book with pattern in it... check!
extra fabric... check!
iron and ironing board... check!
new camera... check!
clothing, jammies, toothbrush... check!
corkscrew and a bottle of wine... check!
I'm good to go and excited that I'll be able to dedicate the entire weekend to quilting. Even better, someone else cooks and cleans up for us... and the someone who does all the work is my mentor, spiritual mom and very dear friend. Extra cool that I'll get to spend some time with her.
I've packed up to take everything to the quilting retreat at my friend's beach house.
Sewing machine... check!
Cutting mat and rotary cutter... check!
6 sizes of Omnigrid rulers... check!
components to FIL's quilt... check!
extra thread, bobbins, notions, etc... check!
book with pattern in it... check!
extra fabric... check!
iron and ironing board... check!
new camera... check!
clothing, jammies, toothbrush... check!
corkscrew and a bottle of wine... check!
I'm good to go and excited that I'll be able to dedicate the entire weekend to quilting. Even better, someone else cooks and cleans up for us... and the someone who does all the work is my mentor, spiritual mom and very dear friend. Extra cool that I'll get to spend some time with her.
... may there be mercy as we travel and enjoy a little pampering as we quilt.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
a quilt for father-in-law
Been busy cutting out the pieces for a quilt for my wonderful father-in-law. And already I'm very pleased with how this one is going to turn out.
My father-in-law, or FIL, is an amazing man. He has taught me much over the years, and I'm certain he has no idea how much I've learned from him.
Mostly I've learned about how to truly love someone who has become very unlovely. (I still hate Alzheimers.)
But I've also learned a lot about how to enjoy what I have... about generosity... about joy in small things... about perseverance... contentment... planning for what I will do in 20 years, even if I was over 80 years old... staying young no matter my age... learning something all the time...oh, how the list can go on!
Last year, FIL gave me this very cool quilting, sewing and embroidery machine. And then I exploded into the world of quilts, quickly falling headlong into a love affair with fabric and stitching that will last me the rest of my life. And FIL has been encouraging me every step of the way. He praises my every effort and rejoices for the person who will receive the current "masterpiece".
It's time he got to be the recipient.
I've been planning this all year, but only found the pattern I liked enough to make for his quilt a few weeks ago. Found it while I still could not quilt and had my wrist in that splint. Didn't matter that I could not actually do the work at that time, the picture zinged in my head and screamed, "make this one for FIL!!!"
So... fabric has been chosen and cut. I've started sewing pieces together. And thankfully there is a quilting retreat this weekend so I can get it done fast. Hiding my projects from him is hard!
My father-in-law, or FIL, is an amazing man. He has taught me much over the years, and I'm certain he has no idea how much I've learned from him.
Mostly I've learned about how to truly love someone who has become very unlovely. (I still hate Alzheimers.)
But I've also learned a lot about how to enjoy what I have... about generosity... about joy in small things... about perseverance... contentment... planning for what I will do in 20 years, even if I was over 80 years old... staying young no matter my age... learning something all the time...oh, how the list can go on!
Last year, FIL gave me this very cool quilting, sewing and embroidery machine. And then I exploded into the world of quilts, quickly falling headlong into a love affair with fabric and stitching that will last me the rest of my life. And FIL has been encouraging me every step of the way. He praises my every effort and rejoices for the person who will receive the current "masterpiece".
It's time he got to be the recipient.
I've been planning this all year, but only found the pattern I liked enough to make for his quilt a few weeks ago. Found it while I still could not quilt and had my wrist in that splint. Didn't matter that I could not actually do the work at that time, the picture zinged in my head and screamed, "make this one for FIL!!!"
So... fabric has been chosen and cut. I've started sewing pieces together. And thankfully there is a quilting retreat this weekend so I can get it done fast. Hiding my projects from him is hard!
...may there be mercy and he get to enjoy this quilt for a long time.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
quilting day
Today I started working on my Christmas gifts. I'm making quilted placemats for my family. Need to make 36 at this point, plus a couple other quilted items.
In January, my local independent fabric store had a private, by invitation only, sale. It was a great sale… 45% off of everything in the store.
Since I was on the invitation list, I came up with a simple pattern for placemats, figured out how much fabric I needed, and bought it all at a huge discount.
A few days ago, I realized that I simply did not want to make these placemats in the pattern I’d designed. It was boring!
So I started searching the internet for patterns that might work. There are a boatload of websites that provide free quilt block patterns. Several of those websites have over a thousand free patterns available.
Found something I liked, figured out if I had enough fabric for this pattern, and started cutting this morning.
Ended up cutting:
Light blue speckle fabric:
144 – 2.5 inch squares
72 – 2.5 inch by 4.5 inch rectangles
72 – 2.5 inch by 6.5 inch rectangles
Medium blue with multi-colored squares fabric:
72 – 2.5 inch by 10.5 inch rectangles
72 – 1.25 inch by 14.5 inch rectangles
Dark multi-colored print fabric:
72 – 2.5 inch by 4.5 inch rectangles
72 – 2.5 inch by 6.5 inch rectangles
Green print:
36 – 2.5 inch squares
It takes some serious time to get all that cut! But… I was able to start sewing also. I got part of the fabrics sewn together and then decided I needed to see one of the placemats completed before going further.
And it’s good that I completed one first. I wasn’t certain how it would look with the border I added to the 10 inch block pattern… but I like it!
I had opportunity to go to KC’s house today to sew with her, but I decided that would be too much work. Oh, KC isn’t work. It’s just that I’d have to pack my sewing machine and all the supplies into the appropriate cases, load up the car, drive 40 minutes to her house, unload it all, sew for a few hours and then pack it all back up, load the car, drive 40 minutes home and unload it all again.
Have done this before and it’s been fun. But… this weekend was about rest and relax time. That just felt like too much work. KC totally understands that concept since she's still recovering from her surgery.
I know I spent the day working on this project, but I puttered at it most of the day. Stopped to read for a while, spent time chatting with my sweet husband about his trip to Chehalis yesterday, looked the train pictures he took, etc.
Besides, quilting is such a stress buster for me!
I’m not quite as refreshed as I’d hoped to be, but am feeling much better than I was on Friday. Tonight will be early bedtime so I’m ready to work tomorrow.
… may there be mercy on our rest.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Post Shop Hop
That Shop Hop was so much fun! We had a blast and came home with about 40 different patterns for quilt blocks and the fabric for them. Those were given to us by the shops we visited...
... and of course I bought a bunch of fabrics!
Some of the shops we won't go back. Not enough inventory for the lengthy drive. But several are near enough for a girls day out and are really great shops.
I'm tired today, but it was worth it.
... and of course I bought a bunch of fabrics!
Some of the shops we won't go back. Not enough inventory for the lengthy drive. But several are near enough for a girls day out and are really great shops.
I'm tired today, but it was worth it.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Shop Hop!
Time for the Western Washington Quilter's Shop Hop... I'm taking the next few days with my best girlfriend and we are going to try to visit about 47 of the 54 independent fabric stores in Western Washington.
www.westernwashingtonquiltshophop.com
Can't figure out how to make a link, but that's the event description...
It's an annual event and there are prizes and giveaways and fun, fun, fun! Each shop designes a quilt block and gives away the fabric and pattern to each person who visits. So by the time we are done, we will have enough blocks to make a quilt... cool!
It will be extra fun to spend this time with KC. We've got a 20 year friendship going on and have walked with each other in all of the good, bad and ugly... and amazingly beautiful places in our lives.
We're off... on an adventure into quiltland!
www.westernwashingtonquiltshophop.com
Can't figure out how to make a link, but that's the event description...
It's an annual event and there are prizes and giveaways and fun, fun, fun! Each shop designes a quilt block and gives away the fabric and pattern to each person who visits. So by the time we are done, we will have enough blocks to make a quilt... cool!
It will be extra fun to spend this time with KC. We've got a 20 year friendship going on and have walked with each other in all of the good, bad and ugly... and amazingly beautiful places in our lives.
We're off... on an adventure into quiltland!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
current projects
It's been several days since I've been able to get to my sewing machine. Just been too exhausted to even turn it on, let alone try to work with fabric and be all creative.
And yet there is still this need in me to get some project in process! So...
Tonight's project was a simple one. My father-in-law needed a rice bag for his back. Four simple straight lines to sew and fill the bag with rice. Nothing difficult, and yet it filled a part of that need in me.
My last project was a set of placemats for a precious friend. She couldn't find any in the colors she wants, so she asked me to be on the lookout for the right colors of fabrics for her. Took a while to find 'em - 4 fabric stores checked frequently over 2 months - but finally, one had everything.
Found the fabric, but had 3 other projects that had time sensitive deadlines. Two weddings and Mother's Day. This last weekend, I finally got to those placemats... and I'm very pleased with how they turned out.
My friend is thrilled, too.
Now to find some time this weekend to spend quilting... and a new project to enjoy!
And yet there is still this need in me to get some project in process! So...
Tonight's project was a simple one. My father-in-law needed a rice bag for his back. Four simple straight lines to sew and fill the bag with rice. Nothing difficult, and yet it filled a part of that need in me.
My last project was a set of placemats for a precious friend. She couldn't find any in the colors she wants, so she asked me to be on the lookout for the right colors of fabrics for her. Took a while to find 'em - 4 fabric stores checked frequently over 2 months - but finally, one had everything.
Found the fabric, but had 3 other projects that had time sensitive deadlines. Two weddings and Mother's Day. This last weekend, I finally got to those placemats... and I'm very pleased with how they turned out.
My friend is thrilled, too.
Now to find some time this weekend to spend quilting... and a new project to enjoy!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Sewing... sewing... sewing
Still working on the table runner project... but number 5 of 7 is now done. Yay! I need to take a break from these because I'm getting bored with the construction process.
I do love how pretty they are when done.
I've got a list of other things I need to make for Christmas and birthday gifts, so I'm going to start on those now and then come back to the last 2 table runners. One is for my office gift exchange, so it can wait a few weeks.
Working overtime, so I'm tired. Early bedtime... may there be mercy on my sleep... and mercy on my day tomorrow.
I do love how pretty they are when done.
I've got a list of other things I need to make for Christmas and birthday gifts, so I'm going to start on those now and then come back to the last 2 table runners. One is for my office gift exchange, so it can wait a few weeks.
Working overtime, so I'm tired. Early bedtime... may there be mercy on my sleep... and mercy on my day tomorrow.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Where are my Blogs?
I have a project I’m working on for my family and friends for Christmas. I’m 
making quilted table runners. They need to be done so that I can have them in people’s hands around December 1st. I want them to be able to enjoy these for the entire Christmas season, so they are getting their Christmas gifts early… if I can get them all done.
I’ve got 4 done now and 3 more to go... maybe 4 or 5. I might actually get the table runners done in the next 10 days. If I keep sewing each evening and my sweet husband can tolerate a long series of fast and fairly simple dinners. Maybe that’s if I can tolerate that series of dinners! I do love to cook.
There are a couple other sewing projects for Christmas gifts, for those people who just would not appreciate (or use) a table runner.
My mother will get a sweatshirt embroidered with a dachshund on the front… and a funny saying like “in my next life I want to be Mama’s dog!”
My Father-in-law will get a shirt with his initials embroidered on it… and also a lap quilt for the colder evenings.
My Mother-in-law will get a pretty shirt with kitties embroidered on it… she loves kitties, especially Siamese, and still remembers what they are. (Have I mentioned lately that I hate Alzheimer’s?)
Things have been crazy lately, but I have been making time to sew… and sewing is such a relaxing tool for me…
Monday, September 12, 2005
Completed Project
My first quilt is now a completed project. Tomorrow I'll hang it on my wall. Tonight, I sit and enjoy looking at how pretty it turned out.
I didn't think I'd ever take up quilting. Never thought I had the patience for a hobby that took so much time to actually complete something.
Rubber stamping, there's a hobby for someone who is into instant gratification! Stamp the designs on paper and voila! Instant greeting card. Stamp the design on a candle and voila! Instant gift. Stamp the design on my wall and voila! Instant re-decorating.
Still love rubber stamping, but for years now I have missed sewing projects.
I discovered that I have always had the patience for quilting. For pity's sake, I used to make bridesmaid's and wedding dresses! If those don't take patience to make, I don't know what does.
It really had to do with my desire to learn the art of quilting. Now that I have the desire... and a completed project under my belt... I can hardly wait to take a class to learn how many mistakes I made and how to do it better next time.
I'm tired tonight. But my quilt is done and I feel good.
I didn't think I'd ever take up quilting. Never thought I had the patience for a hobby that took so much time to actually complete something.
Rubber stamping, there's a hobby for someone who is into instant gratification! Stamp the designs on paper and voila! Instant greeting card. Stamp the design on a candle and voila! Instant gift. Stamp the design on my wall and voila! Instant re-decorating.
Still love rubber stamping, but for years now I have missed sewing projects.
I discovered that I have always had the patience for quilting. For pity's sake, I used to make bridesmaid's and wedding dresses! If those don't take patience to make, I don't know what does.
It really had to do with my desire to learn the art of quilting. Now that I have the desire... and a completed project under my belt... I can hardly wait to take a class to learn how many mistakes I made and how to do it better next time.
I'm tired tonight. But my quilt is done and I feel good.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Chaos and quilts
I spent time working on my first quilt tonight. Sewing is a great relaxation tool for me. Now, the top is completed and this weekend I will put the layers together and do the actual "quilting". I can hardly wait!
Right now I need the relaxation tool. Stress is huge and I have to do something to break it for myself.
Work is chaotically busy. We just got the numbers for August and it was almost a record breaking month for new orders.
A co-worker has been treating me terribly for a long time. I finally came to the conclusion that I never did anything to her to deserve this treatment and that she has chosen to be miserable... and to try to take everyone she can down her path of misery. I refuse to go with her down her path. Misery is not my way... too much to enjoy in life. So the next time she acts ugly to me, she's in for a shock. I'm not going to ignore it and act like everything is fine. She and the other co-workers will be quite surprised.
My sweet Mother-In-Law has Alzheimer's. She doesn't know who I am now... which breaks my heart for my husband, who will be next. It's horrible to watch an intelligent woman who has been politically savvy all of her life, degenerate into a childlike mind that can only tell us that she wants to go home. And yet, we love her each moment we still have her.
My sister is getting married. Normally that would be cause for a celebration. The man she is marrying is not committed to her... sets off all my alarms that he is an abuser... and I am afraid for her. Her loneliness is screaming and she is not paying attention to anything or anyone else.
Chaos and stress everywhere.
And so I quilt. It's a new hobby and craft, but it relaxes me. I find joy in seeing small pieces of fab
ric come together to form a beautiful whole.
And so I quilt.
Right now I need the relaxation tool. Stress is huge and I have to do something to break it for myself.
Work is chaotically busy. We just got the numbers for August and it was almost a record breaking month for new orders.
A co-worker has been treating me terribly for a long time. I finally came to the conclusion that I never did anything to her to deserve this treatment and that she has chosen to be miserable... and to try to take everyone she can down her path of misery. I refuse to go with her down her path. Misery is not my way... too much to enjoy in life. So the next time she acts ugly to me, she's in for a shock. I'm not going to ignore it and act like everything is fine. She and the other co-workers will be quite surprised.
My sweet Mother-In-Law has Alzheimer's. She doesn't know who I am now... which breaks my heart for my husband, who will be next. It's horrible to watch an intelligent woman who has been politically savvy all of her life, degenerate into a childlike mind that can only tell us that she wants to go home. And yet, we love her each moment we still have her.
My sister is getting married. Normally that would be cause for a celebration. The man she is marrying is not committed to her... sets off all my alarms that he is an abuser... and I am afraid for her. Her loneliness is screaming and she is not paying attention to anything or anyone else.
Chaos and stress everywhere.
And so I quilt. It's a new hobby and craft, but it relaxes me. I find joy in seeing small pieces of fab
ric come together to form a beautiful whole.And so I quilt.
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