2026

 Hello my friends and a Happy New Year.  After my life imploding as it did in 2022, I find myself healthier, happier and at peace.  I am proud that I still am rocking 100 miles a month for my life vitality besides at least 20 minutes of aerobic activity every day with a minimum of 8000 daily steps.  It seems my body is better and my health symptoms are reversing: Asthma, Diabetes II and inflammation.   That physical activity and staying away from the marital Stress I handled, Corn and ALL of it's by products have also been so beneficial.  Thank God.  

Come to find out I am highly sensitive to it as it raises all my inflammation blood components and also inflames me so much that it takes  at least 1/3 of my breath away if exposed to it so now I even carry an Epi pen.  Of course the stress I was under maintaining my home and assisting my "then husband" with his health,... leading him towards his heart Transplant and all the care afterwards while I suffered I now realize that the STRESS I endured was not an asset.  While he was in the hospital for 3 months awaiting a compatible heart donation the Drs. would come in and ask who is the patient?  I jokingly said "the one in the bed" if that is any indication of how labored my breath was. Coughing all the time, several elimination diets for a month or two and even in years for some food groups (gluten), so many tests, my perpetual exhaustion, O2 levels reduced, numerous medications, inhalers, Steroids, antibiotics,  treatments on my nebulizing machine (9X daily) aka 3 hours a day.  Appointments with 9 Doctors and 6 of those being specialists of one body part or another, all trying to find a cause/solution.  ANYHOW, while treating myself to a matinee and I had started intermittent fasting around that time per my Doctor's recommendations (? 2024), I bought a bag of popcorn for my breakfast at noon.  Them started coughing so much, even worse, which lead me to consider, CORN?  Many trials and more appointments later and YEP! it was  CORN !  My pulmonologist asked me how did I  ever figure this out.  It truly had been a 16 Year Quest.

So now After my heart break due to my Husband's infidelity and betrayal which actually happened throughout our whole marriage (48.5 years) as it turns out, I am good.  Happy and Thriving and creating again.  And it was worth it, as I had two beautiful children from that marriage and  being blessed with their offspring continues to this day. 

Friday night with friends then slipped more into Saturday

Hello -  Yes, I'm still alive but have been really getting stretched to "my MAX" more than ever lately.  Then on top of it I've been suffering with another bout of Bronchitis.  So here I go again with another round of drugs with those dang steroid kickers which makes me all jittery and even more edgy than my usual self!  UGH!!!!  Just what I need!    Now I'm not mentioning all the other side affects either that the latter has on my sugar levels, hunger issues....  blah.... blah....... blah.
So, I was eager to reconnect with some friends for our very late Christmas Holiday gathering last night  at a local restaurant with some of my circle of friends quilting group who could attend.  Seems like it's getting harder for all of us to have free time available on the same days and or evenings with everybodies' life schedules, so I was glad at least some could make it but missed those that couldn't. 
It's been ages since I've  connected with a couple of them and I do miss them, so it was an enjoyable evening despite being quick on my part due to another commitment already scheduled for another  friend's retirement party that I couldn't ignore.  Would you believe I made both functions and was back home by 9pm.  Talk about feeling like Cinderella with a time clock  deadline looming ever closer, I just wasn't wearing any glass slippers, TG!  
Both gatherings were enjoyable and seemed like the best possible medicine for me.   After getting home, while finishing packing up what was needed for the Guild's Saturday Meetig/AM trip, I watched the Olympics and managed to get my Block of the month done too.  Boy, that's when I remembered how nice it is to sit and sew, to  sit and eat, to actually just sit and drink, ahhhhhh making the time,  pure Heaven. 

 It so enjoyable to watch many of the races and events of the Olympics but I really love seeing the opening ceremonies for the Olympics with all the pomp and circumstance.  Wonderful to see the parade of nations with all of these talented and very focused atheletes shown with such  Joy, Pride and Hopefull Expectations etched on their faces.  (See how I used my theme word of FOCUS in there, lol).  This year's Olympics regalia seemed like one of  the best done yet.  Each year the sponsoring country always impresses me with their hospitality and pride of their nation.   Did you see the technology used while Russia presented their history.  It was so beautifully done and I was just awestruck.   

 

Which brings me to this AM and arising at 4:15 (uh-hum,  I still am not a morning person so it takes me awhile to wake up) that way I'd be ready to ride at 6:15 with a friend driving so we could travel to Glens Falls for our quilt guild meeting.  That's where I connected with even some more friends.  Another slot of time spent nicely and was enjoyable.  

After the meeting we stayed for a community service sewathon where with the neutrals Gina provided and the the guild had colorful sets of 2 1/2"wide  strips WOF in subsets of 36 strips to make our quilts we all worked as teams to construct some community project quilts.   Here's the link at All People quilt with the pattern, Skinny Strips that we used.    I've had that pattern printed out to actually make myself at some point so today's QAL was a win win for me, helping out and giving while tryng a pattern I've wanted to make for awhile now.    Great day.

Since it's a little over 2 hours to get there we headed out early enough to get back home at a reasonable hour.    DH fixed an enjoyable meal of Caprese Chicken with a spinach side dish, then we got settled in to watch more of the Olympics this evening.    So that's a snap shot of a 24 hour time slot, and I wonder why I feeling so stretched???    NO WONDER!  Slow down Janey, just breath or is it those reeving up steroids pumping me up again?     Yee gads, I'll be glad when my normal returns.

A big Congratulatioins goes out to Sage Kotsenburg for a great run!  Yippee!!

 

 

Now as for my creativity, that really slid into a corner somewhere.  I need to find which corner it's hidden in as well as my creativity Mojo to start getting some projects worked on.  I did just place an order through Red Rock Threads for some necessary thread to finish quilting those quilts from the quilt show that haven't been finished yet and will be venturing forth after they arrive.

Hopefully, as I get more energy, I'll be back to share what I'll be doing on a more regular basis.  (I have been such a huge slacker lately.)

 

 

As always, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment or two.  My apologies for not replying induividually to you as I like to do, beside time and commitment issues, my computer has had some issues as well  and I truly can only manage one thing at a time lately.  Nice to be back.

 

Jane

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy 81st Birthday!!!

 

Wishing my Mom a wonderful Birthday!  Mom, You rock and I love you so much.  Many times through our travels I always feel so blessed to be your daughter.  You are an amazing women, friend and Mom. 

 

Thank you for being you and sharing yourself so graceously while doing it so well.  I've been paying attention and hope I can do as well with my life.   

PS:  And did you notice I actually told every one how old you really are? 

lol  Evil aren't I?

Last weeks items:

1. Flowers stitched onto Lil Miss Shabby
2. 2 threads sewn onto Scaredy Sheep fob- did 6! 
3. Start the knitting the slouchy hat (Need to purchase some knitting needles, I have everyother size but these!)  Didn't do this but changed it up and did start knitting a dishrag!   Just could't find the required circular needle.
4. Label PGD#1 advent calendar - DONE!  Elfie, the elf on the shelf loves it too and actually sat in one of the advent pockets a couple of times now.  McKenna did an excellent job on her advent calendar and I hope she enjoys it for many years to come though she generously give it to her Mom for Christmas.

The list of four I wrote out didn't get totally done, only two of the items were done and the one I changed did get started so not too bad attending to three especially since I've been sick again with the yearly bronchitis, sinus, ear and asthma situation.  Both DH and I are wondering when we'll need to move south for our health.  Each year it's getting more difficult for my lungs.  SO I'm on antibiotics, steroids and more steroid inhalers besides the nebulizer treatments.  Never realized when I was sick how difficult my breathing was until my lungs started opening back up.  Can I say how nice it is to breath! 

 

So this weeks list of Four are:

1. Flowers stitched onto Lil Miss Shabby
2. 2 more threads on Shephards Bush scaredy sheep
3. Finish the completed CXS Santa and reindeer as a balsam pillow to hang in the master bedroom
4. Finish knitting dish rag with the wrap over technique every 5 rows.

 Meatloaf for dinner and while thats cooking will make up some spaghetti sauce to freeze for a

quick dinner another night.  Of course I need to start with my Christmas cards and

go downstairs to find some more decorating items for the kitchen. 

 

 

It's so beautiful outside with it snowing.   DH is plowing the driveway and the Christmas carols are playing. 

At least that bitter cold is now insulated with the 8 inches of snow covering our area. 

Enjoy your day.

 

Jane

 

 

Quilt Show entry #4 - All because of Trudy

My friend Trudy is a remarkable soul.  Her Birthday is today and I feel privileged to have her as a friend and a mentor.  This quilt otherwise known as Dragonfly Carnival, my fourth submission for our quilt show is the result of this friendship and came to be all because of Trudy.   I will hang it with love for all to see. 

 

To explain, here's a short narrative of this wall hanging.  I think it was in 2010 our circle of friends quilting group gathered at Trudy's house on Lake Champlain to work on a Ricky Timms' style Convergence wall hanging.  Yes, she's very hospitable and gracious that way.  We all brought fabric to work on and Trudy was teaching us since she had made several of these already.  Yes, she's an excellent teacher, so wise and can read people intuitively.   My fabrics wouldn't work well enough and Trudy gave me some of her Ricky Timms fabric to make mine, yes she is that generous and she had just returned from another of Ricky Timms conferences with another friend Cathy.   So we sewed, laughed and shared our day each making most of this.  Now during that time in my life I was still trying to "work with " all the medicines I need to take for the spinal cord injury and my brain was and still can be in a fog at times.  Not too many troubles though with sewing on it this that day and like all other days it came to an end. 

Life goes on... you know the drill.  Anyway, fast forward to the next year and while at a quilting retreat in Odgensburg I brought my wall hanging to work on since it languished as a UFO. Thankfully, I was sitting next to Trudy.   I assembled the center top and knew something was wrong with it but truly couldn't figure it out.  I pondered for about half an hour and  finally mentioned that I knew something was wrong it but with the Rx's and health issues I was just going to let it be and continue on with it having it represent the struggles I was dealing with.    She also noticed something amiss but didn't say anything and asked if she could look at it to figure it out.  Yep, she's that kind of person that knows yet doesn't force herself on you until asked.  Well she found the err in the construction and kindly offered her insight.  Being receptive to it, we ripped out the problem and I continued on sewing it together and being much happier now it proceeded.  Another weekend of sharing wonderful times with close friends.  That brings it to the next year when I finally made the time to lay out the fabrics to align colors best so it could be finished with the borders.  I know, I'm a slow stitcher and finisher but that truly is okay with me.  It was sewed all together and there it sat again while I  dreamt on about it.  There it was as a top, now what to quilt on it? 

 

 

 

 

Ahhh, finally inspiration came, dragonflies! A spirited symbol that  she and I both admire. Off again on my merry way until the time to quilt the borders and there it sat. So I registered this wall hanging in June for the October quilt show to push me to get 'er done and stop this dalliance.

 

 

The above photo shows a dragonfly head that I wasn't super happy with and was working on.  It looked like a derriere(or breasts) with eyeballs stuck on it!   What's that phrase I use lately?  oh yea,  "perfectionism is a very crippling agent to creativity".  Anyway I progressed along with the deadline looming ever closer.  The next photo  shows a couple of the dragonflies and you can click on any of the images to get a better glimpse of the details if you wish.

 

Next came the finishing touches, piping and binding on it.  Here's where I shared a peek about it in a September post.   

 

 

The label was made when I was feeling silly I guess, it really stretched out my artist's skills, lol.

 

So here she is- the fourth quilt show entry and it's all because of Trudy- the Dragonfly Carnival.

. 

 

Thanks my dear friend and Happy Birthday!  I Love you loads!

Jane

Plodding along and some friends think I'm nuts!

The list of four tasks were pretty much completed by this past weekend. 

With DH's Batik Reprieve aka his 40 Diamonds Quilt,  (one for each year of marriage) I am on my fourth side handstitching the binding onto the back.  What a bugger it is to stitch through that minkee backing.  Found a new trick about stitching on Minkee, so do you want to know what I figured out?  Use Joan Shay's petal play Appli-bond needle.  It works much easier than a traditional quilting and sewing needle.  I even made a bright green piping by machine to edge this quilt and it seems perfect.  With the quilting I did an echo stitch on all the sashings & cornerstones and then outlined stitched the diamond shapes by turning back the edges on those "on point diamonds" just like you do for a cathedral window effect, thus 20 shaped diamonds and 20 stitched diamonds making the 40 Diamonds that's also now in it's  name.  Crafty aren't I?  lol    The only bits I need to do on this project after handstitching the binding is to make the label and then attach muslin sleeves for the show that will be held on the weekend of October 12th and 13th.  Piece of cake!  Those muslin sleeves will be pinned on and not permanent after I finsih using them for all the machine quilting.  This finished at 103" x 85", a very nice size.

The Dragonfly Carnival is totally done and I love it.

Ripped out one of the horiontal rows on the Tweet Camping quilt and was able to get all the borders on her.  Also  got it layered this morning and used another pieced minkee backing for this one too.  I just love the fliudity of a quilt made with the minkee backing.  SO cuddly and has a nice weight and drape.  Tomorrow I'll  start machine quilting it.  I plan on doing circles in the white background areas, for the blue borders- a meander of right angles and I am still pondering what to quilt in the bird fabric (may just do a worm-y meander in that part) and finally for the dark brown sashing perhaps a 1/4" echo stitch or a swishing back and forth design flowing along those frames.   The boxes I'll be leaving alone at this point.  I may do a stitch in the ditch quilting for that area.   This will finish at an 88"  x 88" in size, perfect for the camper's master bedroom.

For this next week my list of four are:

1. Totally finish DH's  40 Diamond/ Batik Reprieve quilt.
2. Quilt the Tweet Camping Quilt and Pipe? / bind it by machine- hand stitching to finish next weekend.
3. Make the Jack in the Pulpit wallhanging.  I think this will end up becoming a pillow to compliment the Adirondack (Radiant) Star Quilt that I still need to finish for this show too.  I'll be making this in a more slip shod manner and tear it apart after the show.  AM thinking of doing a pillowcase method for the edges and then a quick quilting with water soluble thread to just  call it done since I filled out the registration form saying it wouldbe a wall hanging not a pillow.   
4. Wash and iron the backing for the Adirondack Star and perhaps get it layered by Friday, yup, that's only 4 days away.    This will need to be totally done in one week's time after that.  I was thinkin gof trying to trapunto some assymetrical diamond in the second border on two corners and the opposing two corners traputo a pomegranite vine but then I won't be able to totally quilt it before the show.  I just may continue on this way and save much of the feathering and stippling for afterwards since it's not a judged show.  Time will tell on this one.

I am pushing and will be getting these all done with one day to spare.  Uh humm...That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!!!  Thank goodness we have a hot tub to soothe my aches and pains in my neck and shoulder areas.  I swear while hand stitching I can do about 3- 5 stitches then I have to rest my arms with the pins and needles from my pinched spinal cord and arm and feet nerves bothering me.  After resting for 4-5 minutes then I can resume and do another 4-5 stitches.    On and on, sew on and sew forth...... but I will prevail and it will be done.  Amen and Alleluia.

Stay well and have fun creating,

Jane

 


 

Get it DONE- May Report/June Goals

Looking back so I could link what I had planned on finishing for May and I now see that I never even posted it on my blog.  Now how did that happen?  Being spread way too thin, that's how!  After DH's procedure was over and he was better, I became sick for several days.  Seasonal allergies, stress, etc..so I took it easy and chilled.  My throat is raw and so sore still and the fluid in my ears so I've been popping Benadryl besides the Claritin D that's already prescribed and have been sleeping like  a baby.   Dh and I was able to put the portabel ACs in and that seems to be helping.  Anyway, thank goodness I note my Get It Done lists in my sewing journal calendar it helps keep me on track.    Anyways, here's the MAY list which was way too much for me to even contemplate working on  anything last month. 

May's List to Get It Done was:

1- Superman capes- 2 - DONE in April and were happily received by the youngest grandchildren.
2-Lil' Miss Shabby block- worked on it but still not done, will be moving this onto June's list.
3-Tea Wallet Caddy- Not Done
4-Iron Caddy- Started at a Retreat in April actually but still not done
5-Assemble the 10 minute block into a top, Not Done
6-For the Birds Challenge- DONE by the 13th
7-A Little Something Jacket- Butterfly print, cut out but no stitches yet.
8- Convergence Wall hanging- Still needs quilting, etc..
9-Kindle Bag/Organizer, Not Done
10- Straight Baby Quilt cut out- Not Done

So only 2 were achieved this past month, one totally finished and the other a start on the camper quilt. 

 June's  Getting It Done Challenge is:

1-Lil' Miss Shabby Block (carryover from May)  DONE
2-The Tammy Project Challenge- due on the 14th  DONE
3-Tea Wallet Caddy,  (carryover from May)  DONE
4-Iron Caddy,  (carryover from May)
5-Assemble the 10 minute block into a top, (carryover from May)
6-Magic Eyes Organizer Bag
7-A Little Something Jacket- Butterfly print, (carryover from May)
8- Convergence Wall hanging- (carryover from May)
9-Kindle Bag/Organizer, (carryover from May)
10- Straight Baby Quilt cut out- (carryover from April/May)
11-Also want to get the BORDERS on my Camper-For the Birds Quilt when I receive that dimple dot brown I ordered I can only hope it matches with what already has been used.

My first priorities are #1,#2 and #3 just to keep me sane and not so overwhelmed.  Hopefully this first week of June,  all of these will be done!!  Now if I can only knock out 3 projects a week, I'll be ahead of the game come July.
Now that DH is feeling somewhat better with the procedure done on the 23rd, I really believe I can find some time to sew.

 

Hear yea,

Hear yea....

FIFTEEN minutes a day is hereby enacted and planned for June. 

Can you hear the bells tolling while this announcement is read, I can.  (So formal like too, lol) 

Once I schedule 15 minutes to actually get into my sewing room, I tend to stay longer.  The time escapes me yet  so much seems to get accomplished that way.  

 

Anyways THAT'S my plan and I will be giving it my all.   Check out Judy Laquidera's blog to see other bloggers links. 

 

Stay cool,

Jane

Stash Report #18, 2013

The stash numbers this week continue showing more of the stash getting used, Yippee!  

it also shows more being purchased as well, a Double Yippee!!  

(sometimes there's just nothing better than a little retail therapy!) 

 

With finishing those three pillows and the linings for them all, it pushed it to three yards used for the projects finished this week.  But, I also bought another 6.5 yards while being in Vermont this past Wednesday for DH's appointment.  He's in heart failure and thankfully a heart transplant will be a ways off, we continue to hope and pray that it's even years before he needs one, if at all.  We'll know better after this next procedure and the post procedural appointment.  His Ejection Fracture which is his cardiac output is in the pits,  his current numbers are 10-15, that range is minimal (normal ranges are 52-77).  The Doctor thinks another Ventricular lead for his pacer defibrillator may be a benefit, but can't give any guarantees.  He explained it by saying that with a quad lead attachment of this one Ventricular lead, it will afford the Doctors some ability to further tweak his cardiac output.  AND by replacing this ventricular lead we were hopeful that the lead being replaced was the one on the Medtronics recall list, sadly it 's not.  Anyway, he'll be having that done whenever they schedule it and let us know.    So sewing helps keep me sane whenever I can find the time or should i say make the time.  You can be sure I'll have some handwork ready to take with me while he's in the Hospital out of state.   Sorry for so much information, but my fingers did the talking for me  and I allowed them sometimes you just need to vent.

Now back to my  stash report, with my fabric gain, two yards of the new stuff  has already been sliced up and is currently being used.  I also am taking a Bonnie Hunter class through my guild this week, so I picked up a few items for that.  The rest of my purchase will go for the "For the Birds Blog Hop" that is happening this and next week. Mary from I piece 2 is our cheerleader and this hop is another brainchild of Madamme Samm of Sew We Quilt.  can you just imagine being able to creep into her brain and see how it works?  What a creative and gracious lady!  Her Quilt Diva that she made has been sold and the profits are going for another sewing machine to help out ladies in need.

Oh where does the time go?  Boy, I need to get ready for all of those events and soon!  So, without further adieu, my report is:

Stash In: 6.5 Yards

Stash Out: 3 Yards

YTD In: 54.25 Yards

YTD Used/Out the Door: 34.5 yards

That's a stash gain of 19.75 yards for this year.

 

 

 

Actually I did start A New FO for May yesterday. It wasn't even on my list of 12 for 2013, just something that caught my eye and lit my fuse, opps, I meant lit up my muse.   LOL  Though I've used up 2 yards of a dark brown dimple dot by Gail Kessler from Andover fabrics that was just purchased, I can't consider any of that used for the stash report until the project is finished.  The brown  is just the sashing pieces running through out the quilt. Want a peek? 

 

No, the brown fabric shown is not the dimple dot, this is another brown I'm using on the same project.

A pattern I saw in a magazine which finished at 40"X50" and wouldn't work for a full/queen bed I loved.  The pattern didn't list any other dimensions for it, so I refigured the pattern with my own dimensions to make it similiar to the stacked blocks bsby quilt, but finishing the top section in a 60"x74" before adding any borders.  We'll see when I finish assembling it together how it needs to proceed, it's aWIP now.  

 

I started some of my Spring cleaning, starting with the foyer and Dining Room.  Need to get to that front porch too.  It's so dirty and dusty from these winter months, the siding looks so bad it looks like I'll have to chisel the dirt off.  Since I don't want the cart before the horse, I'll wait to do the windows until DH gets the siding washed.  No since doing a job twice if you can do it once.  I'll have to request that chore higher on his list, perhaps this week.  Even knowing that by doing that, it'll be on my list of chores since he can't do it without me helping.  Can't wait to get the crud off these windows and let the sun shine through.  There's something uplifting to me about clean windows.

 

Looks like Spring has finally decided to arrive in these parts.  

My daffodils are blooming, the hyacinths have bloomed and a forsythia bush is also starting to make it's presence known, but that is all so far.  

 

As for outside work, the list is long.

 

regular sized Jonquils

Multi flowered tete a tete daffodils, so sweet.

Allelulia, first of May,
Outside playing begins that day!

 

 

 

 

I did throw some pansies into the planters on the back deck just to have a bit of color while the temps. are still too risky for the other types of flowers I usually keep in them.  It makes it nicer during our breaks with ice water to rest. 

See all those plants on the bench part?  More outside playing when I know it won't be killed by the frost.  The deals were too good to pass up.  Even though they may die back, I am a gardener at heart and know the efforts will be worth it next year even if that happens. 

What else has been going on?
More playing with the grandchildren. 

Cupcakes turned more into a science experiment with color. 
We only used yellow, red and green with varying intensities and mixing those bits together too.  Just see all those colors. 
Don't look to close though, I wouldn't want you to lose your dinner.  lol 
The kids  loved doing them and eating them too, happy day.

 

 

 

While in a neighboring state for DH's Doctors appointment,  I saw a store sample of a frairie garden.

We picked up the necessary supplies thinking that PGD#1 would love to craft this. 

She's always looking for projects to make or do together. 

 

So I explained the order of how and snipped some of the larger plantings to be individual and smaller sized trees and bushes for her and let her go to town.  She placed the lights on the fence, laid the base layer of plastic vegetation and then played with the best scenerio for the little trees, mushooms and Miss Fairie. 

 

Tried to get a better photo showing the lights, but it wasn't happening.

She did it all by herself.

Isn't it beautiful!

Just Perfect!

Mostly it sits on the coffee table in the Living Room and while it's lit at night, those little lights shine and it's restful.

For the photo, I placed it on the dining room table where there was better lighting.

I really should let her take it home,

but I did ask her to make it for Papi and Meme.

Thankfully, she complied nicely so I will keep it.

Geting off this computer and on to some paperwork  calling my name.

Have a Good night and

Enjoy your week,

Jane


This will be starting soon.....

Tuesday, May 7

http://www.fiberbabble.com

http://Sewincrediblycrazy.blogspot.com

www.SquawkThat.com

http://Scrapatches.blogspot.com

http://Kwiltypleasures.blogspot.com

www.sowingstitches.blogspot.com

www.justquiltit.blogspot.com

http://krislovesfabric.blogspot.com

http://apassionforapplique.blogspot.com

http://dancingmoon-carla.blogspot.com

http://bumbleberrystitchn.wordpress.com

http://Sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com

http://Ipiece2-Mary.blogspot.com

http://sharon-dancingthruthreads.blogspot.com

http://www.iliketoquiltblog.blogspot.com/

http://catsnqlts2.blogspot.com

 

Wednesday, May 8

http://sunshinequilting.blogspot.com

http://feltfree-p.blogspot.no

http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com

http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com

http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com

http://patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com

http://ecoughlindesigns.blogspot.com

http://mywhittleadventures.blogspot.com

http://SewMuch2Luv.blogspot.com

www.natilittlethings.blogspot.com

http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com

http://ncweekendquilter.blogspot.com

http://Selinaquilts.blogspot.com

http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com

http://abis-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

http://roseprairiequilts.blogspot.com

http://marlarockscrafts.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 9

http://englating.se/wp

http://lauraluvsloons.blogspot.com

http://marjoriesbusycorner.blogspot.ca

http://ruffhaven.blogspot.com

www.pigtalesandquilts.com

http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com

http://why-knot-kwilt.blogspot.com

http://beaquilter.com

http://gwenbru.blogspot.com

http://pccrafty.blogspot.com

http://pumpkinpatchquilter.blogspot.com

http://sherry-blessingsfromournest.blogspot.com

http://zellerwear.blogspot.com

http://crafting365days.blogspot.com.au

http://charlottescreationsanew.blogspot.com

http://Janesquilting.blogspot.com

http://Ipiece2-Mary.blogspot.com Robin Sheaffer

Friday, May 10

http://ssparrowinflight.blogspot.com

http://Hillvalleyquilter.blogspot.se

http://mcsqrd.blogspot.com

http://loveitsewit.blogspot.com

http://piecepeacenc.blogspot.com

http://grammieq.blogspot.com

http://meadowbrook-Kristen.blogspot.com

http://scrapbook-ChickADoodle.blogspot.com

www.craftyshenanigans.blogspot.co.uk

http://Stitchingbythebeach.blogspot.com

www.thebusybeequiltshop.blogspot.com

http://morestarsincomanche.blogspot.com

http://lesquilts.blogspot.ca

http://suebeesworld.blogspot.com

http://mtnmommy2.blogspot.com

www.thatlookslikeitneedsstitches.blogspot.com

http://www.freshcutquilts.com

Monday, May 13

http://www.quiltsmiles.blogspot.com

http://sewdarnquilt.blogspot.com

www.cindycraftycreations.blogspot.com

http://madebymeinred.blogspot.com

http://featheredneststudio.com

http://cmyprims.blogspot.com

http://ukcitycrafter.wordpress.com

www.gracieoliverarts.blogspot.com

http://quilterinthecloset.blogspot.com

http://quilttotheedge.blogspot.com

http://aroundthehomestead.blogspot.com

http://sewpeacetopeace.blogspot.com

www.caliquilter.com/blog/

http://pamela-kieffer.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 14

http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com

http://mychellem.blogspot.com

www.thimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com

www.quiltingandsewingarts.com

http://Sewgratefulquilts.wordpress.com

www.aquiltingsheep.com

http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com

http://sewmanyyarns.blogspot.com

www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

http://bethstrand.wordpress.com

http://quiltoo.blogspot.com

http://teatimecreations.blogspot.ca/

http://secretlystitching.blogspot.gr/

 

Wednesday, May 15

http://cariboucrossingchronicles.blogspot.ca

www.notionnanny.blogspot.com

http://crookedgulleyartquilts.blogspot.com

http://Karamino.blogspot.com

http://celticthistlestitches.blogspot.com

www.sewmolliesue.com

http://devotedquilter.blogspot.com

http://mystitchin-n-stuff.blogspot.com

www.quiltscapesqs.com

http://kocanquilt.blogspot.com

http://createinthesticks.blogspot.com

http://terrysquiltingtime.blogspot.com

http://Sewwequilt.com

 

 

Can't wait to see all the creativity these bloggers will share, the projects are always so versatile and it's enjoyable to meet new friends along the way. 

 

Sounds doable..

Barbara from Cat Patches has been hosting the New FO for the 2012 calendar year and 2013 will be hosting it again.  Sounds like it could be fun and instead of always working on my UFOs this coule be  the  excuse  incentive to start a new project.  lol  What can I say?   Sometimes the muse within me just wants to play!  So I'm linking up.  Check out her blog post here explaining how it works and the giveaways she offers monthly when you remember to link it back to her blog at the end of the month.  Hopefully I'll be able to remember that! 
Soon I'll add her widget to my side bar.  There are tutorials out there explaining how to do that.  I know Connie from Quilting by the River notoriety, shares many tutorials and information on saavy computer  tips besides quilting tips so I'll be checking that out shortly.

Another block for the lil' Miss Shabby is Done. 

 

 Et viola-

 

September's block:

Have you ever been in the middle of a project and then that ah haa! moment arrives?
Well it just happened to me while working on the September block. 













I started around  the 5th block of LMS construction  to do a floss toss.  Figuring out which color to put where especially with taking the neighboring block colors  into consideration.   I listed the DMC numbers on the printed out pattern  to make the  legend. 

When selecting my colors for this project initially,  I pulled out all the thread colors from 5 storage containers of DMC threads.  Placing these thread bobbins onto binder rings so it kept them all together and secure until I could use them. 

But while stitiching and removing some of the threads from the binder rings, it wasn't long before my thread bobbins turned to a mess.  Flipping bobbin over after bobbin to find the correct number written in for that part of each block. 

Then it struck, how about containing them neatly so they are easier to find. 

DUH! 

So I changed it to this.

Since I didn't have an empty storage container, I emptied the one that stored my DMC rayon threads and used that for organizing my "current project".  You can't see the label with the angle that this photo was shot, but it clearly says Rayon on the front edg of the cover.

I plan on purchasing another container so I'll have a container for the current project  I'm workin on  with my next Michaels coupon.
It is so much neater and easier!  Now why didn't I think of that sooner?







Yesterday, PGD#1 had to turn in her school project where she created  a gingerbread cookie.  The school handed out the pattern and a piece of  brown 11x17 construction paper.  Each student had to embellish their own cookie.  

First we hunted through my different boxes of trims and such so she selected the buttons and ric rac that she liked.  We came up with making a gingerbread girl and how it could be done.  She loves doing art and is patient about doing so. 

Here she is and what she did.

This was started at my house and was finished at hers.  Notice the rubberband eyebrows?  Too cute!  So this was painted, colored with crayons, colored pencils, and a magic marker, glued, glittered, as well as all the add ons of the cotton balls, buttons, ric rac trim and broken rubber bands.  I think she did great job for 2nd grade!   Well done Honey! 

DH and I had to travel to Albany for another Drs appointment mid week and thank goodness the weather was cooperative.   Because of that, we had a couple of days off with the grandchildren/preschool agenda that is the normal around here.    Thankfully we were able to finish up the Christmas shopping while we were downstate.  Ahh, that feels good.  The only bad part  is that with me doing all the driving, I'm in pain and rather useless for a couple of days after straining my back and arms driving.    I knew it would happen, but it was necessary so I will cope. 

Getting off this computer now to get some things done around here. 

Enjoy your day,
Jane
 

 

Meandering on the Big EZ

Not too much going on just now.  Recovering from a nasty flubug that gripped me quickly on Sunday.  Uhhh!  Thought I was actually passing another kidney stone or two but no just neuro muscular pains.  Probably from heaving so thoroughly. The  Official diagnosis from Dr, I kid you not "You've got a case of the "Pukey poopies".  Hows that for a proper dx?  LOL
Sums it up nicely and it's just what it was.  Though my insides still feel like a huge battle was fought and lost,  but I am starting to feel at least human again.  TG!


For my creations I've been trying to add a couple of threads to the Miss Shabby Chic I started last year.  I'm on my 5th block now and doing the August one.  Hopefully I'll be done that be this weekend and can start another block, maybe I'll do the September one next.  I made more headway this past Saturday when our Circle of Friends Quilt Group met at the local fire station.

Perhaps I can push my efforts on this and try to get the other 7 done by the end of this year.  That means one block a week so I should be close to the year end if I can keep up. 

Also, I played around for awhile trying to get a good quilting design for the Lil' Miss' Big EZ quilt.   Drawing on the white board is such a great concept and so simple which I dearly thank Dawn Ramiriz, The Pajama Quilter for.  Ever since I saw it on her DVD, I have been using it and besides the apparant auditioning the design it also helps muscle memory to draw it out so it actually comes out better as you progress.  Practice.... practice... practice. 

My final decision was for  a wonky stylized flower. 

Here's a peak or two.

I'm only about 1/4 th of the way done but here too I'll be putting forth a small effort each day.  I was thinking if I sew 2 bobbins worth of thread each day, then by Thanksgiving if not sooner it'll be quilted and ready for the next step.



I use big yellow pins to mark where I need to start the next day
when I hit a road block while quilting.  Makes it easier to start
right back up without searching. 

I was progressing along fine and then my tension seemed to slip. 

I could see my bobbin thread looping on the top (aka: eyelash) and knew I needed to lower my top tension number. 

So I decided that was enough for today

and will clean my machine

and do the adjustments needed

to start fresh tomorrow. 

 

 

Oh why, oh why  does this have to happen just when I'm on a good flow?  Beats me!  But I will prevail.  

Que sera!

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your day,

Jane

A Lovely Surprise!

Friends are so important in the skeem of life.  They are their through think and thin.  They are people who share like interests and it's always nice to spend time with  having fun all the while making fond memories along the way.   They listen, care  and share life stories with laughing, crying or sometimes just being there with understanding and solace.

After my recent illness, many  notes, cards, calls and emails were sent my way and some even brought over  meals and offered to help driving DH to his doctors appointments or do shopping if needed.  WOW!     I thank you all so much.   I can't express in words how your thoughtfulness made my days easier and the pain easier to bear.    I do appreciate and  value our connection.    I am ever so humbled by this showing of love and support. 

My neighbor brought over dinner and with it, a lovely surprise. 

A lovely scarf hademade by a mutual friend of ours, Trudy.  I knew she was knitting them and when I went to visit her several weeks ago, I saw this basket of scarfs she was working on but I didn't know she was making one for each of us within "Our Circle Of Friends" quilting group.    It's gorgeous and so soft.  The lighting and my photography skills leave a lot to be desired and truly don't do it justice.  Thank you so much Trudy, I love it! 



Another shot to show you the texture and the depth of colors of the yarns.



Jane

Stash Report week 8 of 2012

Ginger Rose 2012 BOM
designer, Nancy Murty

Used this Week: 0 yards

Used year to Date: 9 yards

Added this Week: 33.625 yards

Added Year to Date: 68.625 yards

Net for 2012: A gain of 59.625 yards

Another of my favorite quilt shops, Loose Threads had a 25% off their notion wall, patterns and books this past weekend and there is this ruler I've had my eye on that it seemed like a perfect time to purchase it.  So I went there with honorable intentions of acquiring said ruler.  Oh No.... the BOM shown there from Nancy Davis Murty was just gorgous.  Of course they were sold out of that BOM with the Ginger Rose fabric line as shown o n the right.  This photo does not do that quilt any justice, it just sings! 



Anyway, I found a beautiful floral fabric line in brown with pale green and mauve that I could imagine in that pattern and of course it would be perfect for the master bedroom.  The rest they say is history, I just wish I knew who they were.  



All laid out with notes on where I'll be using them.



As if I needed more fabric OR projects yet.  

Since DH and I have been dealing with medical problems of appendicitis with emergency surgery thrown in for a patient with a bad heart and with me having a  "mild"  case of the Shingles (per the doctor, all I can say it didn't feel mild) , can I say a major OUCH! Nothing else has happened this past week, just time to heal.   It was Friday before I started feeling human again and I think I overdid it too soon.  I am in such discomfort right now and through the night I was miserable and hardly slept.



There are still 10 more wonky houses to make and the 12 - 6" signature blocks that I need to do send out so they are received by March 1st.  I plan on doing 2 houses today, that is with my health and the pain permitting.  Wow, thats a whole new perspective with putting shingles on something.  I am satisfied that I went to the Doctor yesterday to make sure I wasn't contagious before allowing myself to touch blocks meant for other people. 

After reading different topics about shingles on the web, would you believe that I boiled the clothes I wore.    The time line was something like this:  DH with diarrhea since 2 Tuesdays ago.  We both thought he had a GI flu since the youngest grandchildren just the week before had it.  Wednesday night DH started experiencing pain that increased in intensity so we called for the ambulance Thursday morning.  At the local Emergency Room it was confirmed that he had appenditis going on and would need surgery.  Cardiology was called in to approve that he was okay for surgery.  Huh?  If he didn't get it he'd have a ruptured appendix, subsequent septsis and die, what alternative is there!   Any way, the Doctor very intelligently said yes surgery was necessary and he was approved.  Then  a couple of fresh frozen plasma units were ordered  as well as a couple of Vitamen K injections to counter act the Coumadin therapy that he is on. 

Surgery happened at 4:30 pm and all went well, thanks God.  A very long day and finally he got to a hostipal room at 8pm.  I was tired and noticed discomfort and a small lesion in the braline under my right arm.  Asked daughter in the OR area to place a bandaid on it since I thought it was stress and perhaps something that got snagged within my bra to irritate my skin, I am very sensitive you know.  lol



2012 Star Club Inductee, makes a grandmother proud!



The next day I didn't go to the hospital until the afternoon since the youngest granddaughter was being inducted into the STAR Club at school for positive behavior.  Both parents couldn't attend and I thought someone needed to witness her success so I gladly went.  Visited DH all afternoon but left the hosital earlier, around 6:30 pm since he was totally out of it with the morphine to control his pain.  Went shopping for a couple of items and groceries that way when DH was discharged the following day, I wouldn't have to go to any stores other than to get his R'xs filled, boy I was super glad later that I did that!    At home, I noticed a couple of smaller lesions now near the now larger initial lesion and more pain and discomfort reared it's head when I slowed down.  That's when I knew I had shingles.  Did a google search on the topic and read about it on computer.  One of the articles noted that it can't be spread through clothes if they were boiled.  SO that is what I did Saturday morning while I still remembered which clothes I had on.    Picture me over a boiling stock pot, swirling said garments like any modern witch.  To expidite any possible germs survivng that, I then placed the hot garments outside on the back deck to FREEZE them to death  just in case.  Then I went for medical help at the local Fast Track, filled R'xs and saw DH to let him know.  That's the last time I visited him in the hospital.  With his compromised health, I suggested to both children that he may have to go elsewhere whenever he'd be allowed to go home.  His discharge was Tuesday this past week AND he ended up going to my daughter's house.  It seemed strange having the house to myself and truth be told, kind of nice.  Everything stayed in it's place, no cabinets or doors to shut behind somebody else, coffee drips and water splatters to mop up, chairs to push in, papers to complete and put away,  etc ..... I think you get the picture.   But it did seem like dating again talking with him on the telephone.  So Friday, I had a Doctors appointment and asked DH if he wanted to go and  have a luch date too.   He said yes.  It felt romantic just a touch since we had been apart for 6 days.  Luckily the Doctor told me I wasn't contagiuos and he couldn't be hurt by living next to me so our date ended up with him coming back home to stay.  ;~)

I'm off to play and I  hope you enjoy your day.  Thanks for stopping by and the kind messages and links you leave when you leave a post so I can  see what you've been doing.  It's amazing how much time I can spend on this computer. lol  I recently found Eileen's blog at My Quilting Porch and thoroughly enjoyed all of her quilts and projects.   Check it out if you have time.  I love several of her quilts but especially one from 2008 called Vintage Stitches.  How sweet that one is.  Will share more soon.

Jane

PS: Recently I found Kate's  blog, Life in Pieces, and thought yes, I can do that.  So for 15 minutes last night I cut the fusible paper needed for my wonky houses, am tryinganother style to get them done.  How liberating and educating this project has turned out.
Today, I'll be choosing fabric and pressing them out for 15 minutes  or more.