The rest of the circles

   I needed this finish for the month.....I needed the satisfaction of seeing a project to its end.  But what makes this special is the story it tells to me.
    November 2015, I began the year long journey of the Quilty 365 challenge. Make a circle a day and in a year you have enough for a large quilt.
I sailed along until May 2016, and ended up in the hospital and rehab for months.






    Included in the circles are fabrics that create a picture of memories.....events, trips, people I hold dear, and some special fabrics shared from blogging friends.   And several cardinal fabrics claimed a spot too.
    During the months of therapy, I would go thru the stack of circles that I had, laying them out in different ways.






   Lots of floral fabrics--of course---and sewing notions are there too.  A few duplicates worked their way in and I let them have a place in this story.  They are a reminder to me that I often do repeat quilt patterns because that pattern or design fills a need in my creative soul.  
  I broke up the border on this one by inserting some extra squares and a few small circles made just for the border.   I like the contrast, and change in the fabric and size of the circles.  It says, "Don't take yourself so seriously".






   And don't forget to flip this one over!  I had some extra circles.....half circles, and a couple of full ones....but not enough to complete a full row on the front.  I stitched the half circles together and created the offset row for the back.    There was a lot of labor in these circles and halves.....I did not want to waste a single one.









   A better back view shows the quilting better.  Through out the center section I used a meandering curl.....between the circles and over the circles.  The stitching is open---not dense--to have a softer feel.  In the border I used several motifs....feathers. swirls, stacked teardrops, leave and vine.

The label was sewn to the back before quilting.


  This  is called "The Rest of My Story", a companion to The Therapy Quilt.

I thought it was interesting to compare the different arrangement for the layouts.    The Therapy Quilt (on the right)  has 3 extra large circles with selected circles laid out block to block around them.  A solid border finishes it off.

The Rest of My Story has a staggered layout with half circle blocks at alternating ends.  The border is broken up with the added squares and circles.
   And that's my story for February, it seems!  Plans for next months....up next.  Happy stitching.  

January was full!

   And I have a couple of finishes!  A small one first.....the watercolor banner or table runner.  I had intended to add some applique and then changed my mind.  Adrift is plain and simple.
  I began both of these last year.  November...here is the post  as they were completed as tops.

    Pineapple Profusion got bound.  I actually began the blocks in September and October.....here is that post.  So after a white it was just time to get it done.
   The finish size is 48'' by 62''....nice throw size.    I used 2'' floral strips for the construction and the pattern is from Quiltville.com.  It's  the Pineapple Blossom  pattern.





    The center section is quilted with swirls all over, and the plain outer border is done in endless feathers.

The Therapy Quilt was a finish early this month......here is that post.   I feel like this is cheating to call it a 2017 finish.....it was 90% done and just needed border quilting and binding.









   The second half of the Quilty 365 circles were joined into a top and now just need borders and quilting.  I have to admit, just looking at these 2--- quilt and top---just make me smile.  Each circle represents a day in my life.  Some are precious memories, and some represent loved ones.   The Therapy Quilt is loaded with pain and struggle, determination and stubbornness.   Each day here is a miracle, and that is why I smile.






  The rest of the month was filled with lots of bits and pieces of things I started.....the coffee cup wall hanging for the kitchen, string blocks, soul searching block in purple (for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge),  a bargello top,  batik squares in a block,  mug rugs, table runner, and more 9 patch blocks.


   Some days I made only one block, other days I went on over load and made dozens.  It all depended on my energy level.    Reviewing all of this makes me feel I really did accomplish things!   And I got to scratch a lot off my list.....which means I need to get a February plan in place.    Here's to keeping the list full......happy stitching.

Stitching on the 13th

 

    Nothing unlucky here about the 13th......okay, just a few stitches to unsew, but sewing is a good thing.   And sunshine abounds and circles look good in the sunshine.
 

   This quilt will be like the "Rest of the Story" to follow the Therapy Quilt.  For now it has no borders and will rest on a hanger until I decide on a finish.  I have an idea or two but nothing solid......just impressions that flash through my mind when I look at it.
  I am sure I will run across something that will inspire me to finish it up.  

  Surprise, surprise......I found a set of strips--florals, you see--- organized and partially sewn together.  I remember beginning the process of selection and arranging in the early part of last year.
   I finished the rows, pressed and made some cuts.  Random cuts of 1 1/2'', 2''. 2 1/2'' are now hanging on the design wall and ready to join.  A lot of columns to join and it will shrink in width quite a bit.  That's okay as I did not find any notes to self with ideas on it.  I will make it up as I go.








   One more thing before I go to start dinner.   A winter blue set of scraps turned into a small pieced table runner. The pattern is from Connie at Freemotion by the River .   I altered it a bit and left off the border.....I ran out of fabric.   But it will be a good one to finish up and donate to the guild for next year's auction.
   Enjoy the weekend and stitch on.

More of those circles

   A quick glance at my project list and plans for the month shows I have been moving right along.  This list was begun in mid-December and just carried over to January.  The last 2 things for the month concern  the rest of the circles and 9 patch blocks.








  The remaining circles went up onto the design wall and I shifted and played around with the lay out for a day or so.    You have to let things simmer sometimes to be sure of what you want.  It helped that I came down with a stomach virus and couldn't do much of anything, too :)

   This photo shows that I have a couple of sections joined.....note the layout used.  I resorted to my original staggered layout for a couple of reasons.  I have 3 sizes of circles because of the size of scraps I used.  The mixed sizes--big, small and in-between-- looked a little "off" to me when laid out in regular rows.   I had a lot of "half circles" already made for the ends and I did not want to waste them.  And finally, less precise matching was less stressful for me.  Or that's my story and I am sticking to it.   I have a few more rows of circles to join, and then a decision on borders.

  In the midst of sewing rows and sections of circles  together, 9 patch blocks marched on.   My stack of strip units have turned into great little 9 patch blocks and total about 80 to date.   This will be up next to decide on finally layout and such.






   Bread.....my sourdough flopped and the starter died.  The 2 loaves I made were awful and Sir Old Man put them in the back yard for the deer/birds/wildlife.   The starter requires a lot of  patience and maintenance to get going.   I resorted to my favorite recipe for herb bread and made a nice loaf.




To share......
   If you are interested in making a few or a lot of blocks for the Women of the Bible quilt/sew alongs that are going on  check out this source.   Quilter's Garden quilt show is sharing blocks on their website and the info will be available for only 2 weeks.  So download while you can, and be sure to sign up for the newsletter to keep up to date with the blocks and info.  Thanks to Cheryl at Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting blog for sharing this.

 

  And this is my positive note for the week.  A friend who recently lost her husband shared this on FB.  It seems someone else understands my obsession with those red birds, aka cardinals.
They are reassuring signs of hope for me and always seem to pop up when I get low.  Just like the notes and comments from old and new followers, a few words lift my spirits when I seem to be struggling with the frustrations of the situation.    Thank you all.
  It has warmed up here for a few days after sleet, freezing rain and snow of last weekend.  I intend to bask in its glow for a little while today, before I finish up those circles.  Happy stitching.  

The Therapy Quilt

  The Therapy Quilt is so named because I had to learn to sew again this year.  I took for granted the dexterity, the fine motor skills it requires for each block to be made, for a quilt to be assembled, for a quilt to quilted , and for a quilt to be bound.

  I was in the middle of making circles for the Quilty 365 challenge at Quiltyfolk blog, when my world crashed down around me.  So in  August when I returned home,  I began OT/PT as an outpatient.  My desire/dream/goal was to sew again.  I tried and had a lot of disappointment.  I kept at it with the attitude that I did not have to be perfect, banish the quilt police, just sew.   And so the idea of the Therapy Quilt came to me.

   I pulled out my box of circles and found ones that I wanted to use first.....Birds, Blooms, and Bits from Friends.  That was the way I defined the selections in my head.  If  I was going to reclaim my passion, it was up to me to figure out how to sew again.  Even my excellent therapist could not help me there.

   By trying each day to piece two circles together, and then to join them into a 4 unit section, etc, I began to see my fine motor skills improve.  Not each intersection matched,  and some are only close enough.  Before I would have ripped forever, today I move on.
   I graduated from OT/PT in November.  Able to walk again, to write again, I can accomplish many daily tasks, but still with numbness in my hands and feet and legs.  Such is life.

   The Therapy Quilt got pinned finally and was ready to quilt.  I had attempted free motion quilting on a couple of small projects and thought  I was up to this size.  There's not a lot of open space between those circles.....so wiggly lines and some meandering would just have to do.   It was a challenge and I was not exactly thrilled or happy with  the first section or so.  
Yet by the time---2 days later-- that I finished the center portion, I was feeling better about it all.    I moved on to the border  after practicing the leafy vine by drawing a few dozen pages in pencil.   And a few days before Christmas, it was almost done.    My confidence back, I went on and quilted my bow ties quilt and got it finished first.

   From Pat at AmityQuilter blog, came the circle in the bottom right corner.    The Charlie Harper cardinals are from Wanda at Exuberant Color.  She's a treasure and I look to her as an inspirational mentor.

The Therapy Quilt is 42'' by 50''.  The  small circle squares are 4 1/2''.

   So here's to starting a new year off with hope....hope for healing, hope for recovery, and hope for future and the quilting I love.

Linking to Quilty 365.

Happy stitching.

Some bits and pieces

    I finished up a few more Quilty 365 circles that I had partially done.  And then I added  quite a few half circles that I will use on the ends of my staggered rows.  My tally is 275 circles and half circles.  That is good for me considering the year I have had:)
   So all the remaining circles will go into a second quilt.....just adding it to my list of "to-dos".

    Nope, not starting it until I move something else along.  Why?  It's my Rule of 3 in the sewing room.  I mentioned it before and got a ton of questions/comments about it.  I was going to do a post on it and thought to look back into the past.
Here is the post where I completely explain the Rule of 3 and how it came to be.

   I have 2 tops to pin and quilt and one on the design wall.....the pineapple blossoms.  I am letting the blossoms  simmer while I get the other 2 pinned.   Not sure if I want to go any larger, but do think I want a border.....so let it simmer a while:)

   I keep 2 journals close to my sewing machine.  The Scrabble cover one is for free motion quilting motifs that I have conquered or used on quilts I have made.  The extra papers in the back are motifs that I want to try my hand at.

  The open journal is my idea and thoughts journal.  I note future plans by month maybe, or list quilt ideas that I want to explore.  And all important....lists of needed things to get/order, ---like fabric, thread, etc.   I am really glad I started these a few years ago, since the lack of  B-12 has affected my short term memory.    The memory has improved but still needs help like my lists.


 
   Sir Old Man started it already...... messing with my mind over the time change that happens this weekend.  Just wake me up in time for coffee, okay?
Happy stitching.

September odds and ends

  I have missed participating in Let's Book It----hosted by Sharon at Vroomans Quilts blog.    Each month brought a new opportunity to pull out a book, or magazine, or printout, and pick a new project.   Some times my project carried over several months, and others were quick and small.  So this month I determined to get a small part of my quilting life back......yep, I started a project!!!

   Last week I showed this test block I tried for the Pineapple Blossom from Bonnie Hunter.  Then I began digging thru the closet to find some neutrals to chop up for the corners.  Then I pulled out the floral strips, and began to cut.

Yay!  Four blocks done and on the design wall.  They are not joined yet....but at least I have a start.  That makes me smile.

  I'm not sure how many I will do.....maybe just a small throw size.  And it will take me a few months, and that's just fine for now.  Thank you, Sharon for enabling me to claim a bit of my quilting life.








   Circles......I made a few more from the fabric from Cheree.
The fat quarters were from the State Birds collection, so of course they needed to be circles.  I have completely lost count as to my total, so I am just making a few when I want.   I think the count is close to 200, and that is OK.


   I gave away a quilt last week.  A friend's daughter is facing a long battle against a genetic form of breast cancer that is awful.  She is only 26......but smart enough to purloin her Mom's quilt.  I immediately lifted a quilt off the quilt rack and said take it to her.  Quilts need to cover those in need of comfort.
  And that will wrap up my month.   I will link to Let's Book It.
 Saturday and Sunday are the quilt show, we do our display set up Friday.
Be sure to vote for your favorite quilts at the Blogger's Quilt Festival at amyscreativeside.   
   Happy stitching.

September odds and ends

  I have missed participating in Let's Book It----hosted by Sharon at Vroomans Quilts blog.    Each month brought a new opportunity to pull out a book, or magazine, or printout, and pick a new project.   Some times my project carried over several months, and others were quick and small.  So this month I determined to get a small part of my quilting life back......yep, I started a project!!!

   Last week I showed this test block I tried for the Pineapple Blossom from Bonnie Hunter.  Then I began digging thru the closet to find some neutrals to chop up for the corners.  Then I pulled out the floral strips, and began to cut.

Yay!  Four blocks done and on the design wall.  They are not joined yet....but at least I have a start.  That makes me smile.

  I'm not sure how many I will do.....maybe just a small throw size.  And it will take me a few months, and that's just fine for now.  Thank you, Sharon for enabling me to claim a bit of my quilting life.








   Circles......I made a few more from the fabric from Cheree.
The fat quarters were from the State Birds collection, so of course they needed to be circles.  I have completely lost count as to my total, so I am just making a few when I want.   I think the count is close to 200, and that is OK.


   I gave away a quilt last week.  A friend's daughter is facing a long battle against a genetic form of breast cancer that is awful.  She is only 26......but smart enough to purloin her Mom's quilt.  I immediately lifted a quilt off the quilt rack and said take it to her.  Quilts need to cover those in need of comfort.
  And that will wrap up my month.   I will link to Let's Book It.
 Saturday and Sunday are the quilt show, we do our display set up Friday.
Be sure to vote for your favorite quilts at the Blogger's Quilt Festival at amyscreativeside.   
   Happy stitching.

Lagging behind

This has not been a great week.  More one of those weeks you take steps backward and feel like you are lagging behind.

First a slight change in my symptoms........the neuropathy in my legs is moving up.  It is approaching my waist now, and the therapists were quite concerned.  So after several conversations, I am scheduled to see a neurologist at the end of the month.  PT continues to work on balancing exercises.....I am improving, and it is exhausting.

Another slight change in the neuropathy, affects my right hand.  I noticed numbness along and above the wrist.....that hasn't been there.  So i was glad I had been scheduled for lab work to check my levels of B-12 and D.  And guess what nice surprise I got.....denied by that Medicare agency.  I was told I could not have levels rechecked for 3 months, for coverage of costs.  It does not matter that the doctor ordered the tests, etc.  So I said....do the tests, bill me, and I will fight this out with the numskulls in Washington or wherever.   I see the doctor on Monday for the results.

And the right arm/shoulder got some attention.  My OT therapist spent the last session poking, pulling, massaging, lifting, moving the arm.  Then pressing on the shoulder and etc.  It is two days later, and it feels so much better.  I should be able to do some exercises today :)  Gentle ones.

But the good news and accomplishments.......

• Sir Old Man helped me make a Banana Pudding from scratch for my brother.
• I went to the grocery store and walked....got that....I walked about 2/3's of the store before having to sit while Sir Old Man finished the shopping.
• We pulled and sorted the quilts, and wall hangings that we will use for the quilt show display.  The small wall hangings are pinned to background fabric to make hanging them easier.
• While at therapy this week, I realized it was 2 months ago when I went to rehab.  I could not sit up, stand, or walk at that time.  To borrow an old phrase....you've come a long way, baby!
• And I sewed.....smile.

Circles, I sewed the circles together.  I feel like this is an accomplishment to smile about.  I am not sure of how to border them, so they are resting on the design wall for now.  

 

   A close up of some of the fabrics I used.  

When I was moving a  stack of papers and books, I saw these two books.   I barely remember picking them up at the library book sale the week before I got sick!  So I did have some fun browsing them.  I am sure I will find some inspiration between the covers.

Cooler weather arrives for a few days, so I can read  my "new" books as I sit on the porch.  Happy stitching.

Circles for Quilty 365

I haven't joined in for a few months.  But circles have been front and center on the design wall.  I reached 175 before my health issues and pneumonia dropped me.    This is a partial group of selected circles......theme of birds, blooms and winged things.    Several blogging friends sent me fabrics and blocks and I wanted to feature them in this small version.   The larger circles just evolved for some variety/interest.

    I had a couple of questions about this larger circle.  It was a play time experiment back at the first of the year.  Technique used is fused collage of florals.  The fussy cut parts were fused down and then stitched in place.  I had intended to try a couple more, but that might not happen for a while, so better to use it here.  

   My stitching may not be perfect....but better done than not.  I only have three rows assembled so far.....with hopes of the next section this weekend.  I have practiced stitching and having control of the fabric this week, by stitching strings, wonky blocks and a few 4 patches.  So I hope to be up to the task.  

And this photo gives a close up of some of these very special circles.

Linking to Audrey at Quilty Folk.

  As my health improves, and hands get better, I do plan on adding to my circles.  My original goal was 300, and I think I could make it eventually.  I need something to work towards and this will be it  for now.  

Happy stitching.

And I stitched

  Yes I did!
 This group of circles from the Quilty 365 project has been on the design wall since May---before I went into the hospital.  After coming home I played with the arrangement and added the larger circles for fun.  All the circles are birds, blooms, or winged things :)  Wanda from Exuberant Color sent me the Charlie Harper fabrics that feature cardinals.  So of course I had to use them.  I also included other gifted fabric and circles from friends/bloggers around the world.  The top 3 rows are sewn together.  Not perfect, but at least started.











  I took some good advise and moved on to some string piecing.  Edges from my bucket of selvages were stitch to batting and turned into a couple of mug rugs.
I counted this project as my OT for the day :)

  Yesterday I worked on a couple of wonky blocks, but forgot to take photos.






    I got sidetracked on hemming black fabric.  Sir Old Man brought home unused fabric from the woodworkers guild-----it had been bought as drapes for  their auditorium.  Only they did not get to use it as it was not fire retardant.   So why do I need black fabric?  As a backdrop for a display of watercolor wall hangings.  Earlier this spring I was asked to do a feature display of my water color quilts for our guild quilt show in October.  Then the health issues happened and I was going to back out.  Sir Old Man would not hear of it and will do the set up for me.   Thus the black fabric  for the smaller pieces.  I hope to get them arranged and pinned to the fabric, so it can just simply be hung at the show.  At least that is my plan.
Now for some quiet therapy time in the sewing room....happy stitching.

Still here......

I'm still here.  I am trying to get thru a lot right now.
  I experienced a problem with my vision after our trip to Michigan.  Doctors and hospital tests.....no word on any of it yet.  Was it a stroke or a fluke....who knows but things seem fine with my vision now.   I know something could be lurking, and I will jump over that bridge when/if needed.
  The challenge is now numbness in my fingers.....it is hard to do anything.  The numbness came and went while we were gone. That long ride sure did not help.   I have had problems for a couple of years due to tendonitis and that danged pinched nerve in my back.   It could now be compressed, so I have appointment next week with the doctor.   I have dumped the chicken on the floor, dropped most everything I touch, and am afraid I will slice a finger if I use the rotary cutter.   Typing is a challenge.....so I probably won't post or comment much until things improve.   I managed to clean my sewing machine and change the thread but sewing is another story.


   I am way behind on my circles....but did get some re-arranged on the design wall.  I want to add another column in the center I think before I change my mind again.  I am trying to stick to birds, blooms, and fabrics from friends in this combination.  And I have not decided on a border or not.
 

   And that's where I am.  Hoping things improve soon......happy stitching :)

 

Playing with a layout

  I got in a little design time and made a couple of circles.  I so loved this scrap from Wanda at Exuberant Color.  Mr. Cardinal was a bit large--5'' head to tail---so I had to rethink how to use him.  Inspiration struck last week from somewhere.....I actually woke up one morning and knew how to use him.   I had to carefully add slim bits to the top and one side to get a full circle, but  it can hardly be seen.
  So a 5'' circle needed a larger background square.  I debated on piecing the background and then I found this snowman print mixed in with the uglies.  The grey was a perfect match....worked for me.

  In January I showed this collaged block that I played around with.   The pieces are fussy cut and fused and then stitched down.  It was not intended as a circle for the 365 project, but it has found a way in after all.

   Last month I showed this crazy layout.   It would involve a lot of  fill in piecing.  It's still a possibility for the light background squares.....or leftovers in the end.   Or this might be a good one for just floral fabrics.

  But on to the latest idea.......

  Here is the first try as I mix in very large circles with the 4 1/2'' size.   I began by clumping similar background squares , thinking they would balance the large squares.       Viewing it on the computer now, I see a possible better arrangement.   Shifting things around I can frame the large squares and make them appear to be overlapping the smaller ones....maybe?

  Also I discovered a couple of duplicates....oops!  Good reason to plan a couple of smaller quilts :)




  I have the quilts pulled for the trunk show for next week and  now I need to pull together the samples for the workshop and gather all the extra stuff.   Next week's calendar is packed with appointments and things after that, so I may take a break  from posting.
  I need to get some things done....just done!  As today is one of power a la Star Wars.......May the forth be with you.    Sorry, could not resist this pun:)
Happy stitching.