Prayers Needed

Surgery did not go quite as planned. I am still in the hospital since Wednesday ,at least in a room instead in one of the ICUs. Please PRAY that I can return home soon as it is very important to me and your prayers help. 

Friday Finds.....finally

  I sure haven't shared anything in a while, yet I have pinned up a few things.


   I see so many quilters making house blocks.  This one is a good reference for an assortment of blocks.  It is from Quilt Inspiration and provides a lot of links.  I am sure you will find inspiration there!














Connie at Freemotion by the River recently shared her block for the Garden Fence block.....along with some cute variations.  She has a pdf file for download as well as this handy instruction card to print out.   This is one I am putting on my list of small projects to make......soon I hope.

Bonnie Hunter recently did a guest post at C and T Publishing on her technique for perfecting the sew and flip triangles.  It is worth the time to read.  Her details are great.









I love this string quilt!  Great contrast and a good mix of color.  This is from facebook by Ruthie Reynoso on Pat Sloan's quilt along.    I hope she doesn't mind my sharing her quilt.  No pattern given, or really needed, just good idea here!









As for me..,.,.,I am off for surgery pre-op tests this morning.  The CT went well...as in, I did not cause the machine to malfunction this time.  I met with the surgeon and surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday the 22nd.  He will clean out the  right artery and improve my brain function.   Once I recover, then we move on to neurosurgeon for back/spine repair.  Or what ever it takes.   The left leg is weaker/less feeling/less control this week.  I know not a good thing, but wheelchair assistance  gets me to PT anyway.   "Tighten the tummy. tuck in the behind, shoulders back, remember to breath, and now walk".......that's my lesson for the week.  
Enjoy the weekend and happy stitching.

Another student finish!

  I taught a class for my local guild just before all the health issues began in May.  I shared their class progress here in this post.   One student,  Joan, and I emailed back and forth a few times as she worked to finish up her project.





   Today she shared it with me.   Pretty fantastic, I say!   I love her accents, and the overflow of the design into the border.
  The strong darks make the entire piece shimmer.  Such a great job.

Joan is a great designer of quilted garments.  Here is the link to her website.....Figure Flattering Quiltwear.   Be sure to  visit her site for some great eye candy designs and patterns.
Thanks for sharing your finish and letting me post the final finish.

  As for me, things are much the same.  Two finger typing is slow going.  The medications have helped reduce the pain..,,.,if only I could stay awake long enough to enjoy it.  Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers, and extra notes and cards.  They mean a lot.   Happy stitching.

Just make my day

  A very wonderful and day brightening email came last week.  This quilter found my blog via searching for watercolor quilts.  No surprise there, but what she created with the information and tutorial was so inspiring to me.  This just made my day.....think Clint Eastwood and arms full of fabric.

  Christine said....."you gave me the information, inspiration and confidence to have a go - especially useful were the tips on fabric selection.  Here's a pic. of my first attempt (indoor shot as here in S.E. England it has rained all week!)."

 I think she has a natural eye for value.   She did an amazing job with this first piece.  Her future plans include a cascade piece and then a full size quilt   Her next step is to collect more fabrics for variety.    Great job, Christine, and thank you for letting me share this here.  I do hope you will share future projects, too.

   More variety makes it easier to blend value for a watercolor.  

I set up a couple of photos to show the different fabrics I would typically use in a project.  The lightest fabrics on the left are what create the "glow"  in the watercolor. The next row is a medium light group   And the third is more medium value.

   This photo shows the range from medium to dark value.  Variety is  just as important.  It does not mean you need 50 cuts of one fabric, rather a few cuts of at least 50 fabrics.   And don't be afraid of the dark values....they add depth to the entire piece.

Thanks again to Christine for sharing and inspiring me.  I may not be able to teach locally right now, but sharing on-line is a great substitute for me!

  Health update......I have been referred to the Spine Center for testing and a specialist.  I know that is a good thing, but it scares the dickens out of me.   Also, I started some meds for nerve pain  and hope it will improve my functioning for now.  I am dreaming of being able to sew a little....it would feel so good to play with fabric again.    That would just make my day.....happy stitching.

My surprise

  Sir Old Man finished up this project for me.  Let's just say that I cried the first time I saw it.

Beautiful wood is curly maple for the drawers and the accent corners and top are cherry.  The frame is made of maple.  The wood was fumed in his home built fuming tent. The finish is natural not a stain. 

A side view to show the stacked design of the cabinet drawers.  No sides, just exposed beautiful wood.  The accent trim is actually the runners for the drawer guides.    Note the wheels instead of feet for ease of movement.

Rolled into the sewing room we did a little OT to fill it   

  It's my thread cabinet now.  Easy access to my favorite threads,  and accessories for Hot Legs--Tiara--- are in the top drawer.
  The bottom drawer will hold those extra large spools/cones that I have stashed in a couple of spots.  And I have room to spare for now.  One day I hope to fill it up!
Note those drawer pulls...,,..custom ordered for the detail.  I closed my eyes to the price, said yes.  Just because this beautiful piece deserved  a special touch.

  I plan on using this next to Hot Legs to replace one of the side tables.  That will give me easy access to threads and it will be in full view too.    Thank you, Sir Old Man....you are a keeper!



  Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement.  You can't know how much each one means to me.  Every time I have a crying spell, along comes a note from somewhere around the world to raise my spirits.  Each one gives me joy , and that is a good thing.    

I broke the scanner

    Yesterday was the hand evaluation with occupational therapy.  Let's just say I failed the tests.  A quick summation would be severe loss of protective and productive sensations in both hands.    And now we add, numbness in the left leg and both feet.    In general, they think it is compression of the nerve  in my neck.  More tests are ordered but I will be doing OT for the shoulder and neck area as of next week.

  I was to have the CT scan of the neck today for the vascular surgeon.  I was on the table, IV  in arm, and the machine died.   Guess I scared it too :)    So, things are rescheduled in 2 weeks.   I will just concentrate on the ot/pt for now.

Sir Old Man needs a break from the stress, so I will try to be good.  And I will try to take photos of a surprise  from the workshop.  It is a beauty.
Stitch a few happy stitches for me.