(NOTE: The following is the eulogy I wrote for my sister-in-law who left us sooner than we expected, dying in her sleep. As you can probably guess from reading, the computer repair guy is my brother. They met when he would come to work on her company's computer. I share this because I think these lessons are key to our survival. After reading, call, text, email or hug your loved ones and let them know how much you love them. The clock is ticking.)
Lessons From Deb
The life path Deb planned was a difficult one, appearing to be uphill all the way. Yet she packed well for her journey. She passed along to me three tools for success, although she might not have realized she was doing so at the time.
1. Laugh often.
2. Love deeply.
3. If the computer repair guy is cute, make sure the system breaks down often.
Through the years we spent a lot of time laughing over the phone lines as we talked about life. I hear her laughter whenever I think of her, most often when I picture her saying "I told you so" about the length of her life. She saw the finish line a lot closer than I was willing to believe.
Deb loved with all her being. Love kept her moving forward when roadblocks appeared, and gave her the desire to succeed.
As for the computer repair guy, see lesson number two.
Deb's love and laughter helped carry me through some rough times and always reminded me what our purpose is in life. She lived the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:7 ~
"Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening."
Love you, Deb.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Home to Stay
That morning I was awakened by a phone call. As usually happens, the cell phone disconnected before I could get it to pick up. My brother’s name showed up on the caller ID.
That’s not good. They don’t call at this hour. Is something wrong with Bob?
I immediately hit the call button, but went straight to voicemail.
This is so not good. Who else would Deb be calling at this hour?
I set the phone down and waited, knowing she’d call again. When the phone rang I grabbed it. It had my other brother’s name on the caller ID.
What the hell...?
His wife was on the line. “Deb died in her sleep last night.”
I gasped.
No, she’s not gone. It’s not time yet.
We talked for a minute, then I called my brother as I walked down the hill to Mom’s apartment to break the news to her. My brother had to put me on hold and I quickly told Mom, so he couldn’t hear my voice break.
This isn’t real.
When my brother picked up I handed the phone to Mom and asked for hers in return. I called my daughters, neither of whom answered before the call goes to voicemail. They each called back as soon as they saw Mom’s name in the caller ID. The tears started as I told my older daughter the news. I was able to talk a minute later when the younger daughter called.
The older one cried with me. The younger said she’d let me go since I had the other one on hold. I learned later she called her husband and cried to him, shielding me from her pain.
I made it through work in a daze, the hours broken by calls to my brother and from my girls. It still didn’t really hit.
The next night I lay down and cried hard, but as soon as the tears came, my daughter called. She has a way of doing that. She talked about everything but our loss. She told me about the conversation she just had with my brother.
In her amazing way, she rambled to him about her memories of my brother when she was young. She reminded him of the Thanksgiving when she was two or three. She had stuck olives on each of the fingers on one hand and offered them to the grownups. Everybody ate their olives, except for Bob.
Bob didn’t like olives so he said no thanks. My daughter went on around the room, but found her way back to him. “Uncle Bob, it makes me sad that you don’t like olives,” she said, one olive still on the tip of a finger.
He caved. He ate the olive.
She laughed about it on the phone with him. “You must love me to eat olives.” She acknowledged that her fiancé wouldn’t do something like that for her, so her uncle must love her even more than her fiancé.
Bob agreed. At some point their phone call ended. The next morning he emailed my daughter and me to say thanks. After laughing with her on the phone he was able to go to sleep, something he’d been unable to do the night before.
Through the next few days, my younger daughter called to check on me, filling me in on the little things going on in her day. She knew how much I was hurting, even though she didn’t say so.
Within a week, life seemed normal again.
Wait, no, she can’t be gone. Let me call her and tell her...
She was only sixty. In my family, that’s so young. In hers, it was old. She’d told us for years that she wouldn’t make it into her 60s.
No, you can’t know that. You can’t just decide you’re old and leave. You have to wait ‘til we’re old, too. It’s the rules, isn’t it?
I laughed with my brother over the thought of her waiting for us at the Pearly Gates. She’d have her hands on her hips and be smiling. “I told you so.”
But, Deb, you can’t go...
I hear her laugh every time I picture her like that.
As the pain lifted, I noticed my dog slowing down. There was nothing specific, nothing to tell me to take him to the vet. Then one morning he woke up with his muzzle swollen. I assumed it was an allergic reaction to a bite, and in the next few days, the swelling lessened.
Then it came back, and this time he would only eat treats, not his usual food. We went to the vet who thought it was an abscessed bite. After shots and a prescription we went home to get better.
The swelling went down, but he still didn’t eat. Now he only wanted soft foods. We went back to the vet.
“It could be that it needs more antibiotics so we’ll try them for three weeks. But it could also be an infected tumor.”
The word hit me hard.
He’s too young, only 13. Old for his breed, but my last Aussie lived to be 16. He has three years left.
He had three days left. The first day, he stopped eating at all, even when I forced liquids on him. He grew weak, but he still followed me around. The following morning he could barely stand and we went back to the vet.
“We’ll give him IV fluids and antibiotics while we wait for the biopsy results.”
But I already knew the answer. A day later the vet called to tell me he was gone.
But, wait! He can’t be gone! I’m not ready. I still have three years with him...I don’t want to play this game anymore. This isn’t what we agreed to, is it?
Around me people are doing the same things they did a month ago. Going to work, school, parties, parks. The little stray dog who rescued me still wants to play. The guinea pig wants his lettuce. Can’t they see something is wrong?
He’s gone. She’s gone. Can’t you see the hole where they are missing? Can’t you see the hole in me? They’re gone...
I picked up my dog’s ashes today. The receptionist petted the box as she carried it to me. “Here you go, Woody. Your mama’s here. You can go home now.”
Deb, take care of my boy for me. Woody, don’t bark when you see her, you always scare her. Watch out for Deb ‘til we get there.
The box is so small. It doesn’t fill the hole in me. But my boy is home to stay.
Deb Fish
December 17, 1948 - April 2, 2009
Ridgerunner’s Ebony Woods
March 1996 - May 1, 2009
That’s not good. They don’t call at this hour. Is something wrong with Bob?
I immediately hit the call button, but went straight to voicemail.
This is so not good. Who else would Deb be calling at this hour?
I set the phone down and waited, knowing she’d call again. When the phone rang I grabbed it. It had my other brother’s name on the caller ID.
What the hell...?
His wife was on the line. “Deb died in her sleep last night.”
I gasped.
No, she’s not gone. It’s not time yet.
We talked for a minute, then I called my brother as I walked down the hill to Mom’s apartment to break the news to her. My brother had to put me on hold and I quickly told Mom, so he couldn’t hear my voice break.
This isn’t real.
When my brother picked up I handed the phone to Mom and asked for hers in return. I called my daughters, neither of whom answered before the call goes to voicemail. They each called back as soon as they saw Mom’s name in the caller ID. The tears started as I told my older daughter the news. I was able to talk a minute later when the younger daughter called.
The older one cried with me. The younger said she’d let me go since I had the other one on hold. I learned later she called her husband and cried to him, shielding me from her pain.
I made it through work in a daze, the hours broken by calls to my brother and from my girls. It still didn’t really hit.
The next night I lay down and cried hard, but as soon as the tears came, my daughter called. She has a way of doing that. She talked about everything but our loss. She told me about the conversation she just had with my brother.
In her amazing way, she rambled to him about her memories of my brother when she was young. She reminded him of the Thanksgiving when she was two or three. She had stuck olives on each of the fingers on one hand and offered them to the grownups. Everybody ate their olives, except for Bob.
Bob didn’t like olives so he said no thanks. My daughter went on around the room, but found her way back to him. “Uncle Bob, it makes me sad that you don’t like olives,” she said, one olive still on the tip of a finger.
He caved. He ate the olive.
She laughed about it on the phone with him. “You must love me to eat olives.” She acknowledged that her fiancé wouldn’t do something like that for her, so her uncle must love her even more than her fiancé.
Bob agreed. At some point their phone call ended. The next morning he emailed my daughter and me to say thanks. After laughing with her on the phone he was able to go to sleep, something he’d been unable to do the night before.
Through the next few days, my younger daughter called to check on me, filling me in on the little things going on in her day. She knew how much I was hurting, even though she didn’t say so.
Within a week, life seemed normal again.
Wait, no, she can’t be gone. Let me call her and tell her...
She was only sixty. In my family, that’s so young. In hers, it was old. She’d told us for years that she wouldn’t make it into her 60s.
No, you can’t know that. You can’t just decide you’re old and leave. You have to wait ‘til we’re old, too. It’s the rules, isn’t it?
I laughed with my brother over the thought of her waiting for us at the Pearly Gates. She’d have her hands on her hips and be smiling. “I told you so.”
But, Deb, you can’t go...
I hear her laugh every time I picture her like that.
As the pain lifted, I noticed my dog slowing down. There was nothing specific, nothing to tell me to take him to the vet. Then one morning he woke up with his muzzle swollen. I assumed it was an allergic reaction to a bite, and in the next few days, the swelling lessened.
Then it came back, and this time he would only eat treats, not his usual food. We went to the vet who thought it was an abscessed bite. After shots and a prescription we went home to get better.
The swelling went down, but he still didn’t eat. Now he only wanted soft foods. We went back to the vet.
“It could be that it needs more antibiotics so we’ll try them for three weeks. But it could also be an infected tumor.”
The word hit me hard.
He’s too young, only 13. Old for his breed, but my last Aussie lived to be 16. He has three years left.
He had three days left. The first day, he stopped eating at all, even when I forced liquids on him. He grew weak, but he still followed me around. The following morning he could barely stand and we went back to the vet.
“We’ll give him IV fluids and antibiotics while we wait for the biopsy results.”
But I already knew the answer. A day later the vet called to tell me he was gone.
But, wait! He can’t be gone! I’m not ready. I still have three years with him...I don’t want to play this game anymore. This isn’t what we agreed to, is it?
Around me people are doing the same things they did a month ago. Going to work, school, parties, parks. The little stray dog who rescued me still wants to play. The guinea pig wants his lettuce. Can’t they see something is wrong?
He’s gone. She’s gone. Can’t you see the hole where they are missing? Can’t you see the hole in me? They’re gone...
I picked up my dog’s ashes today. The receptionist petted the box as she carried it to me. “Here you go, Woody. Your mama’s here. You can go home now.”
Deb, take care of my boy for me. Woody, don’t bark when you see her, you always scare her. Watch out for Deb ‘til we get there.
The box is so small. It doesn’t fill the hole in me. But my boy is home to stay.
December 17, 1948 - April 2, 2009
March 1996 - May 1, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Fairy Follow Up
It appears the holidays took over my life, as I quit posting once I got busy sewing. Since the last post shows some of the plotting for the fairy quilt, I'll start there. Want to see the finished project?
Instead of using one of the layouts I plotted in EQ6, my daughter used her graphics program to get her ideas across. I added the wavy seam between the borders so I could play with my new toy. I really love those Amy Brown blocks, and want to make one for myself.
Instead of using one of the layouts I plotted in EQ6, my daughter used her graphics program to get her ideas across. I added the wavy seam between the borders so I could play with my new toy. I really love those Amy Brown blocks, and want to make one for myself.
Monday, October 6, 2008
New Toy!
I am not a visual person. Well, I see things through a vague haze when planning a quilt. I have a hard time getting what's in my mind's eye onto paper, and then in fabric. So I splurged and bought EQ6.
What a kick! It will take me a while to learn, but this morning with the book open in front of me, I downloaded pictures of some Amy Brown fairy blocks and some fabric I recently purchased and began playing.
I wanted abstract. The recipient is not a traditional kind of gal. I scrolled through layouts until I found something that came close. Then I added fairies and fabric and came up with this:
I liked the blocks being offset, but the rest was a bit dull. So I moved fabric around.
I like this so much better! If I use the other new toy I got, the Wave Edge Ruler, on the straight edges, I'll like it even more.
I wasn't sure how to get rid of the little block and sashing lines in areas that won't be broken up, but I can visualize them not being there. I have a few more weeks before I'll actually make the quilt, so I might change my mind all together!
What do you think?
What a kick! It will take me a while to learn, but this morning with the book open in front of me, I downloaded pictures of some Amy Brown fairy blocks and some fabric I recently purchased and began playing.
I wanted abstract. The recipient is not a traditional kind of gal. I scrolled through layouts until I found something that came close. Then I added fairies and fabric and came up with this:
I liked the blocks being offset, but the rest was a bit dull. So I moved fabric around.
I like this so much better! If I use the other new toy I got, the Wave Edge Ruler, on the straight edges, I'll like it even more.
I wasn't sure how to get rid of the little block and sashing lines in areas that won't be broken up, but I can visualize them not being there. I have a few more weeks before I'll actually make the quilt, so I might change my mind all together!
What do you think?
Monday, September 8, 2008
Art is...and other progress
In the Fiber Art Traders group, we are making embellish felt leaves with inspiring messages to trade.
I first tried to needle felt some leaves with some orangish roving I had, but that turned out awful. I took the brown felt I had planned for backing and felted some baby camel wool onto the front. Loved the look, but since the brown felt is acrylic, the camel wool didn't stay attached. Thank goodness the silk yarn I sewed on for veins held most of it, and the beads and tag words helped.
My encouraging words are:
create/believe/achieve
art is/joy/beauty/life
be/creative/yourself
hope/create/believe
I think I like the "art is" group the best. I might have to do a series of pieces with those words.
The words are written on painted lutradur. It's a stiff but semi-sheer product with many uses. I wanted to see how it took paint from some paint pens I recently bought. It ended up a bit more opaque than I wanted. Next time I'll try thinned-down acrylics for a hint of color.
Another project I am working on is a quilt for my younger daughter to give her mother-in-law for Christmas. My daughter found a pattern online, then found some fabrics she liked. I ordered it all and this weekend, made a sample so they could see how it all worked. We (my daughter, son-in-law and I) agree that we like the dragonfly part, but not the borders. So, we've decided that an in-person meeting is needed to dig through my stash and see what we like best. I'll post another photo of what we decide!
I first tried to needle felt some leaves with some orangish roving I had, but that turned out awful. I took the brown felt I had planned for backing and felted some baby camel wool onto the front. Loved the look, but since the brown felt is acrylic, the camel wool didn't stay attached. Thank goodness the silk yarn I sewed on for veins held most of it, and the beads and tag words helped.
My encouraging words are:
create/believe/achieve
art is/joy/beauty/life
be/creative/yourself
hope/create/believe
I think I like the "art is" group the best. I might have to do a series of pieces with those words.
The words are written on painted lutradur. It's a stiff but semi-sheer product with many uses. I wanted to see how it took paint from some paint pens I recently bought. It ended up a bit more opaque than I wanted. Next time I'll try thinned-down acrylics for a hint of color.
Another project I am working on is a quilt for my younger daughter to give her mother-in-law for Christmas. My daughter found a pattern online, then found some fabrics she liked. I ordered it all and this weekend, made a sample so they could see how it all worked. We (my daughter, son-in-law and I) agree that we like the dragonfly part, but not the borders. So, we've decided that an in-person meeting is needed to dig through my stash and see what we like best. I'll post another photo of what we decide!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday Progress
I got to play with fabric and fiber today, and had time enough to take photos and write about it. That's almost as close to a perfect day as I can get!
I finished another purse using appliqued drink glasses from Pat Sloan's "Five O'Clock Somewhere" pattern.
I used one of the embroidery stitches on my sewing machine that reminds me of streamers, it feels somewhat party-like.
Isn't this the perfect use for hunk fabric, lining a bag with it? Well, my daughter would say a better use is having it on the outside, but I'm thinking the older, more mature recipient of this bag will appreciate it's being inside where she can steal a peek with no one knowing.
I also got to cut and wind some fiber spools for a trade with the Fiber Art Traders group. The top left two are a mohair type and metallic blend, and next to them is a soy/wool blend. Bottom left is a silk/wool blend, center is wool, right is mohair. They'll go to 10 different swappers, and I'll get 10 in return. Can't wait to play with the new fiber I receive!
I finished another purse using appliqued drink glasses from Pat Sloan's "Five O'Clock Somewhere" pattern.
I used one of the embroidery stitches on my sewing machine that reminds me of streamers, it feels somewhat party-like.
Isn't this the perfect use for hunk fabric, lining a bag with it? Well, my daughter would say a better use is having it on the outside, but I'm thinking the older, more mature recipient of this bag will appreciate it's being inside where she can steal a peek with no one knowing.I also got to cut and wind some fiber spools for a trade with the Fiber Art Traders group. The top left two are a mohair type and metallic blend, and next to them is a soy/wool blend. Bottom left is a silk/wool blend, center is wool, right is mohair. They'll go to 10 different swappers, and I'll get 10 in return. Can't wait to play with the new fiber I receive!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Kidnapped!
My daughters decided my presence was necessary on their road trip to Las Vegas last weekend.
We filled Saturday with sight-seeing, as Andi, whose birthday we were celebrating, wanted to do more than just gamble and shop on this trip.
We started at Madam Tussauds.
When my younger daughter, Aspen, was in high school, everyone remarked on the resemblance between her and Cameron Diaz. When she smiles big enough, it can be shocking to suddenly see Cameron before you. I tease her and say she is channeling Cameron when she talks.
It is hard to believe I once resembled Lady Diana. She's only an inch taller than I, but she had on heels. (I wonder if I'll ever get my weight back down there!) My daughter Andi is a month younger than Prince William, and Aspen is a couple of months younger than Prince Harry, so I really felt connected to Diana.
After Madame's, we wandered down to Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden. At one time I had wanted to work with the big cats, so I really wanted to see what they had to show us. I was not disappointed.
They have a glassed-in enclosure where tiger cubs get socialized with handlers. There is a lot of glare on the glass, so getting a good photo can be hard. You are also aiming at a moving target most often, as they have the tendency to turn their heads at just the wrong moment.
This poor guy (gal?) had been trying to nap on a shelf, but a littermate decided it was time to play.
Finally, one of the white (there were 3 whites and one orange) cubs came over right in front of us and I was able to get a decent shot.
We wandered on to the large animal enclosures. Since it was 100+ degrees out and humid by Las Vegas standards most everyone was sleeping.
Won't this one make an awesome art quilt? These are white lions, as you can tell by the washed-out manes.
We also hit the dolphin pools.
You can view the pools through plexiglass and watch the dolphins in action, or go to the second pool where a baby, his mother and older sister play.
At this point I was ready to all it a day. The misters and trees kept the animal enclosures somewhat comfortable, but the sun was just unbearable. We decided to head inside, the kids to gamble, and me to think about quilts to make from my photos.
We filled Saturday with sight-seeing, as Andi, whose birthday we were celebrating, wanted to do more than just gamble and shop on this trip.
We started at Madam Tussauds.
When my younger daughter, Aspen, was in high school, everyone remarked on the resemblance between her and Cameron Diaz. When she smiles big enough, it can be shocking to suddenly see Cameron before you. I tease her and say she is channeling Cameron when she talks.
It is hard to believe I once resembled Lady Diana. She's only an inch taller than I, but she had on heels. (I wonder if I'll ever get my weight back down there!) My daughter Andi is a month younger than Prince William, and Aspen is a couple of months younger than Prince Harry, so I really felt connected to Diana.
I snapped this shot just because!
After Madame's, we wandered down to Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden. At one time I had wanted to work with the big cats, so I really wanted to see what they had to show us. I was not disappointed.
They have a glassed-in enclosure where tiger cubs get socialized with handlers. There is a lot of glare on the glass, so getting a good photo can be hard. You are also aiming at a moving target most often, as they have the tendency to turn their heads at just the wrong moment.
This poor guy (gal?) had been trying to nap on a shelf, but a littermate decided it was time to play.
Finally, one of the white (there were 3 whites and one orange) cubs came over right in front of us and I was able to get a decent shot.
We wandered on to the large animal enclosures. Since it was 100+ degrees out and humid by Las Vegas standards most everyone was sleeping.
Won't this one make an awesome art quilt? These are white lions, as you can tell by the washed-out manes.
I sat down to rest by this guy, who seemed to sense my camera on him as he turned around almost immediately so I could catch his face.
We also hit the dolphin pools.
You can view the pools through plexiglass and watch the dolphins in action, or go to the second pool where a baby, his mother and older sister play.
At this point I was ready to all it a day. The misters and trees kept the animal enclosures somewhat comfortable, but the sun was just unbearable. We decided to head inside, the kids to gamble, and me to think about quilts to make from my photos.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
An Addiction Begins
Last Saturday I taught my daughter to use her sewing machine. Somehow I had it in my head that I was teaching her to make a tote bag, but it quickly kicked in that I had to teach her to sew first. From where to stand while rotary cutting (get your butt around this side!) to how far apart pins can be spread, we went step by step.
The results were amazing, don't you think?
She caught on to rolling the seams to seat them together, then pin, for a perfect joining.
On Sunday, she made a bag for her sister and added pockets, all with a few instructions over the phone by me. Talk about a quick study!
Monday night over the phone I introduced her to fabric acquisition. I gave her the URLs to my favorite fabric search engines, the FabShopHop and Quiltshops.com. Then I sent her over to Fabrics.com to check out sales. She ordered fabric for several Christmas gifts - tote bags, of course!
I don't know if I'll ever get her into quilting, but it is so fun to share my bag fetish with her. Watch for us to get an Etsy site soon, as our family isn't big enough for what we'll produce!
The results were amazing, don't you think?
She caught on to rolling the seams to seat them together, then pin, for a perfect joining.
On Sunday, she made a bag for her sister and added pockets, all with a few instructions over the phone by me. Talk about a quick study!
Monday night over the phone I introduced her to fabric acquisition. I gave her the URLs to my favorite fabric search engines, the FabShopHop and Quiltshops.com. Then I sent her over to Fabrics.com to check out sales. She ordered fabric for several Christmas gifts - tote bags, of course!
I don't know if I'll ever get her into quilting, but it is so fun to share my bag fetish with her. Watch for us to get an Etsy site soon, as our family isn't big enough for what we'll produce!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Quilters Helping Flood Victims
I heard about how quilters are helping Iowa flood victims to replace their stashes. Some are raiding their own supplies, and others are buying their favorite lines/designer fabrics and patterns to send. I just got a newsletter featuring my favorite Bohemian Manor fabric at less than half-price, I think I have a new excuse to go shopping!
Read more about how you can help here.
Read more about how you can help here.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Flower Quilt Motif
See the pretty flower? It's centered on the dark purple square. I left paper here and there to make it easier to find the stitch lines. You'll probably have to click for the larger photo to see it.
This is a motif out of the book, The Art of Feather Quilting by Judy Allen. Love this book!
The borders on this quilt are free-motion feathers ala Sharon Schamber. All four of the purple squares have the flowers, as do the small pale squares within the wheel.
The four lighter diamonds have an enlarged version of the flower surrounded by feathers. In the center, there is an 8-pointed star, each point of which will have a feather motif from the book.
The outer light area is free-motioned with the curls seen in the first photo.
I have to decide tonight what to do in the wheel itself. I would like to do something that winds around the circle but am limited in the amount of room I have to work in. I'll probably do a vine with heart-shaped leaves, since it's something I know I can do. I am hoping to get this done and in the mail this week, so it can be displayed at a show, advertising a cancer auction coming up in October. I just hope it turns out good enough.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Flamboyance
Pat Sloan asked in her blog what we are doing to add flamboyance in our lives. I thought it very apropos, since I have been trying to do just that since my friend Jennie lost her battle with cancer.
I've shown some of the photos here, but I have a stack of fabric waiting to be molded and shaped into the magic my muse has in store.
The most recent step was to make curtains for the little windows in one wall. The big windows all have white wooden blinds. I couldn't do anything that drab for these little ones.
Aren't they loud and wonderful? I want to do one project a week or so (it might take longer to figure out a slipcover for my chair) and I promise to add photos as I do.
I've shown some of the photos here, but I have a stack of fabric waiting to be molded and shaped into the magic my muse has in store.
The most recent step was to make curtains for the little windows in one wall. The big windows all have white wooden blinds. I couldn't do anything that drab for these little ones.
Aren't they loud and wonderful? I want to do one project a week or so (it might take longer to figure out a slipcover for my chair) and I promise to add photos as I do.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Summer Treats
An online quilt group I am in traded gifts for the summer solstice. These are the goodies I received from my birthday-twin Susie.
Such fun stuff, and all perfect for me!
That flip flop fat quarter was just screaming "new purse" so I found a coordinating lime green in my stash (I have almost as many lime green prints as I have lime green shoes!).
At my LQS, The Patchwork Penguin, I rummaged through the sale room and found those darling star buttons. The packaged set was called "Island Sunrise" which made it perfect for a summer flip flop purse. I had the bamboo handles waiting for just the right purse. I combined elements from some of the patterns I have made recently and came up with this.
While rummaging through the sale room I also grabbed some bolt ends of Jane Sassaman's Floral Fantasy fabric. Wait til you see my studio when I finish! I'll get photos of the curtains up here tomorrow, and the rest as I finish things.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Attack of the Giant Dust Bunny!
I really need to vacuum more often!
Meet Clyde, my house bunny. He's litter box trained and we recently came to an agreement that his run wasn't big enough for a playful young bunny, so he now has the run of my studio apartment. The photo shows him having discovered he can get on top of the mess under the quilting frame. (I am rearranging everything, slowly, so there is a lot of chaos.)
I had to do some interesting things with cords, like the iron, and pick up the sewing machine foot pedal when not in use, and crawl on hands and knees to be sure no pins were lying around. My floor is cement, so at least they won't get buried in carpet.
Clyde has toys that he plays with. He loves anything he can toss in the air, or move with his nose. I gave him an empty plastic spool yesterday and could tell where he was hiding by following the sound of it repeatedly being dropped.
Happy Bunny!
Meet Clyde, my house bunny. He's litter box trained and we recently came to an agreement that his run wasn't big enough for a playful young bunny, so he now has the run of my studio apartment. The photo shows him having discovered he can get on top of the mess under the quilting frame. (I am rearranging everything, slowly, so there is a lot of chaos.)
I had to do some interesting things with cords, like the iron, and pick up the sewing machine foot pedal when not in use, and crawl on hands and knees to be sure no pins were lying around. My floor is cement, so at least they won't get buried in carpet.
Clyde has toys that he plays with. He loves anything he can toss in the air, or move with his nose. I gave him an empty plastic spool yesterday and could tell where he was hiding by following the sound of it repeatedly being dropped.
Happy Bunny!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Brassiere Redux
As I mentioned, I needed to make another shopping bag for my daughter. I made a selection of 6 or 7, so she could give 4 to her friend and keep the rest for herself. When she saw the bra fabric, she asked if I had more. She wanted to give one to her friend and keep the other.
Hey, what mom can deny her offspring when they like something she made them?
And what mom can resist a bit of a prank when it comes to choosing the lining fabric?
Obviously, not this mom!
Hey, what mom can deny her offspring when they like something she made them?
And what mom can resist a bit of a prank when it comes to choosing the lining fabric?
Obviously, not this mom!
Leaves on Leaves
It's so nice to scratch another one off the list!
I sewed down the last inches of the binding on the maple leaf quilt. I do have to make a label for it still, I always forget that step. But after a quick wash to get all of the thread bits left from all the frog-stitching I had to do while quilting this, I can fold it up and put it in the gift box.
I chose a meandering vine with heart shaped leaves. For some reason I can do heart shapes well, so I have a feeling a lot of quilts in the future will end up with this design.
Tonight I need to make one more bra bag (see the shopping bag photos) for my daughter, then work on some swaps. And take a photo of something, anything, so I have something to write about!
I sewed down the last inches of the binding on the maple leaf quilt. I do have to make a label for it still, I always forget that step. But after a quick wash to get all of the thread bits left from all the frog-stitching I had to do while quilting this, I can fold it up and put it in the gift box.
I chose a meandering vine with heart shaped leaves. For some reason I can do heart shapes well, so I have a feeling a lot of quilts in the future will end up with this design.
Tonight I need to make one more bra bag (see the shopping bag photos) for my daughter, then work on some swaps. And take a photo of something, anything, so I have something to write about!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Almost Done
Thanks to a UFO challenge, I have made some progress on one of the quilts I have in various stages of unfinished.
It surprises me to see how gorgeous some of these projects are, and I wonder how I kept setting this one aside. Another group I am in is collecting comfort quilts for a cancer center, and I will be giving this one up when I get it finished. As much as the colors please me, I hope they comfort someone in need.
This goes on the quilt frame this week, so by next weekend I hope to mark it "done"!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunny Bag
I finished the June bag last night. Isn't it cheerful? I decided I needed to use it as a purse. It only has a cell phone pocket, though, which isn't enough organization for me. I made a glasses case for my sunglasses, and next weekend I will make an organizer like this one. Isn't that handy? Then I can easily switch from bag to bag to match my shoes, or my mood, or whatever!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sunday's List
I am a list maker, are you? The best part of doing anything is being able to cross it off the list.
A friend detailed her quilting list went step by step, including sashing, binding and label. (Hey, I might remember to label quilts that way!) I am trying that now and find I get a lot more done, at least on paper!
The first project today is a new shopping bag made from the scraps from a spring charm swap last year. The red square is from the swap, and will add a nice "pop" to the softer colors.
The rest of my sewing time will be divided between the quilt on the frame and the jeans quilt. I have a UFO that has to be finished by the end of the month for a challenge, so I will get at least one step done there.
I also list the cleaning and gardening and such that needs doing, because otherwise I would forget them until I see dishes in the sink at 9 pm, or a poor potted plant withering in the early morning light as I run to the car on Monday morning.
My life has gotten rich enough now, though, that I don't have to pad my lists with things like shaving my legs and washing my hair. Not that I remember to do those all the time, but my lists are now long enough that I don't want to get overwhelmed.
Off to start my sewing!
A friend detailed her quilting list went step by step, including sashing, binding and label. (Hey, I might remember to label quilts that way!) I am trying that now and find I get a lot more done, at least on paper!
The first project today is a new shopping bag made from the scraps from a spring charm swap last year. The red square is from the swap, and will add a nice "pop" to the softer colors.
The rest of my sewing time will be divided between the quilt on the frame and the jeans quilt. I have a UFO that has to be finished by the end of the month for a challenge, so I will get at least one step done there.
I also list the cleaning and gardening and such that needs doing, because otherwise I would forget them until I see dishes in the sink at 9 pm, or a poor potted plant withering in the early morning light as I run to the car on Monday morning.
My life has gotten rich enough now, though, that I don't have to pad my lists with things like shaving my legs and washing my hair. Not that I remember to do those all the time, but my lists are now long enough that I don't want to get overwhelmed.
Off to start my sewing!
Saturday Results
My sewing on Saturday started according to plan. I got the remaining shopping bags done for my daughter and her friend.
The lefthand three in the back were already done. My daughter has a fun sense of style, so the loud ones and the bra fabric are for her.
I then checked my list. I was supposed to quilt the project on the frame, and work a few steps more of a UFO that's in a challenge. But when I got to the cutting tabe, this bag sat glaring at me.
It contained the jeans circles and flannel squares that I had cut out over the last few years to make a quilt for my daughter.
Organizational tip of the day:
If you finish a project or use up some fabric, you don't have to find a place to put it.
It's going together rather quickly, I think. I didn't draw my squares big enough and had sewed the first seams before I realized why that was a problem. Some of the flaps might not be the same size, but this is a throw-in-the-car-just-in-case quilt made from my daughter's old jeans, so it's not worth stressing over.
On to Sunday!
The lefthand three in the back were already done. My daughter has a fun sense of style, so the loud ones and the bra fabric are for her.
I then checked my list. I was supposed to quilt the project on the frame, and work a few steps more of a UFO that's in a challenge. But when I got to the cutting tabe, this bag sat glaring at me.
It contained the jeans circles and flannel squares that I had cut out over the last few years to make a quilt for my daughter.
Organizational tip of the day:
If you finish a project or use up some fabric, you don't have to find a place to put it.
It's going together rather quickly, I think. I didn't draw my squares big enough and had sewed the first seams before I realized why that was a problem. Some of the flaps might not be the same size, but this is a throw-in-the-car-just-in-case quilt made from my daughter's old jeans, so it's not worth stressing over.
On to Sunday!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Ruler Method
A friend recently mentioned using the ruler method, as described here to store fabric. I tried it with a few pieces and decided the folded fabric really does take up less space than when I just fold it as it comes out of the bag or box. I told myself that as soon as I had something better to use than totes for storing the fabric, I would redo all my fabric.
I got bored last night so I went ahead and refolded a tote-full of fabric. I now have room to spare in the tote, and I have the fabric grouped for easier access. One stack is stuff to be used together, one stack is miscellaneous pieces, and the third stack (yes, I get three stacks in my tote!) is backing pieces.
I have some shopping bags to get mailed this week, but as soon as I do, I will start folding my remaining tote and adding it to the rest. In theory, this means I'll empty a tote-full of fabric sooner than if I sewed it all up. Does that mean I can start buying fabric that much sooner?
It was tempting, but instead I made a list of what makes up most of the "goes together" stack. When I finish with those, plus a few other already-planned quilts, then I'll let myself shop.
On that list I wrote down the name of the pattern I planned to use with the chosen fabric sets. Now I have now excuse to spend my day browsing for a pattern when I could be sewing.
Hmm, I think my next list should be the patterns I have printed to make someday, and see what fabric I have that would work with them. When I get ready to make one I will know what fabric to buy already.
Wow, this is starting to get scary! What will happen to the world as we know it, if I become completely organized in my quilting? I shudder to think.
I got bored last night so I went ahead and refolded a tote-full of fabric. I now have room to spare in the tote, and I have the fabric grouped for easier access. One stack is stuff to be used together, one stack is miscellaneous pieces, and the third stack (yes, I get three stacks in my tote!) is backing pieces.
I have some shopping bags to get mailed this week, but as soon as I do, I will start folding my remaining tote and adding it to the rest. In theory, this means I'll empty a tote-full of fabric sooner than if I sewed it all up. Does that mean I can start buying fabric that much sooner?
It was tempting, but instead I made a list of what makes up most of the "goes together" stack. When I finish with those, plus a few other already-planned quilts, then I'll let myself shop.
On that list I wrote down the name of the pattern I planned to use with the chosen fabric sets. Now I have now excuse to spend my day browsing for a pattern when I could be sewing.
Hmm, I think my next list should be the patterns I have printed to make someday, and see what fabric I have that would work with them. When I get ready to make one I will know what fabric to buy already.
Wow, this is starting to get scary! What will happen to the world as we know it, if I become completely organized in my quilting? I shudder to think.
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