Artful Homemade Quilts Have A Way

[freedombecki]

Oooh that's colorful.

Mr. H., the colors aren't quite the same brilliance on the computer as they are in real life. Soon I will be adding my new copier, but not until I get my January quilts done. So far, I have 5 or 6 tops stacked up and hope to work this one to some semblance of completion by the day's end or tomorrow. I'm doing it quilt as you go style. that just takes longer.

It's no quite 2pm yet, and all 24 squares were done an hour ago. The antibiotics really worked! No more tail-dragging today.

Autumn Quilt Blocks #'s 21, 22, and 20. They're a bit out of order, but oh, well. I'm excited about getting back in the sewing room and working up the sashes and joining everyhthing. that's the best case scenario, really it is.

 

[freedombecki]

Here are blocks 23 and 24 plus as close a color as I could do to the Khaki-toned sash fabric, which is a solid. the fabric came out so light onscreen, I colorized it, which eliminated the weave, which is nothing out of the ordinary, it's just Kona cotton (tm Robert Kaufman fabrics), my very favorite for its sturdiness and all-cotton strength. I love everything about it.

 

[Sunshine]

It took just under 4 hours to do 6 blocks. Seems they went faster than on days I had the earache. My medicine worked okay. Now, it's back to the sewing room after this post.
Wouldn't it be lovely to get all the blocks finished, sashing cut and sewn, and this puppy finished by nightfall!

Blocks 17, 18, and 19:

I couldn't imagine. Quilts are so labor intensive.

 

[Sunshine]

Well I did it. I got up this morning and found a body on the floor. I rolled it over and it was my job! LOL. I gave my retirement notice today for mid May. They wanted 6 months notice, but the decision is mine. I decided 2014 is just too far away.

1 in 2 to 3 million people get this disease. 3 years after diagnosis 20% of us are still alive. May will be about 2 years post diagnosis. The temperature here dropped 50 degrees in 24
hours. My body just told me that it doesn't want to work another summer or another winter.

 

[freedombecki]

It took just under 4 hours to do 6 blocks. Seems they went faster than on days I had the earache. My medicine worked okay. Now, it's back to the sewing room after this post.
Wouldn't it be lovely to get all the blocks finished, sashing cut and sewn, and this puppy finished by nightfall!

Blocks 17, 18, and 19:

I couldn't imagine. Quilts are so labor intensive.

Well, the day didn't go as planned. My husband, who was requested to load the clothes "forgot" after 3 trips downstairs, so it was just time to follow him downstairs, reminding him what he was told to do. lol It's easier to do some things yourself, but I try to keep him engaged in life as best I can. He does just fine if you shadow him along with a couple of prompts. He's a wonderful guy and deserves to be walked through his dementia. It's all I can do for him some days. Stuff has been going on for 20 years, when I sat down and thought about it one day. His doctor's diagnosis a couple of years back helped me a lot. At least I know why some things now.

Anyway, tomorrow is the quilt's day, if all goes well. I'll have to give him extra attention early.

 

[freedombecki]

Well I did it. I got up this morning and found a body on the floor. I rolled it over and it was my job! LOL. I gave my retirement notice today for mid May. They wanted 6 months notice, but the decision is mine. I decided 2014 is just too far away.

1 in 2 to 3 million people get this disease. 3 years after diagnosis 20% of us are still alive. May will be about 2 years post diagnosis. The temperature here dropped 50 degrees in 24
hours. My body just told me that it doesn't want to work another summer or another winter.

Sunshine, I hope all goes well, and your condition and progress are on my prayer list. Things may go better for you when the pressure cooker is taken off the burner. When you retire, you may be able to zero in on things that help you.

If you want to beat the cold, purchase 3 or 4 pairs of long handles for ladies. Wear them under nightgowns a night and suits during the day. You won't believe the difference in your comfort level if your disease is autoimmune in nature, or even if it brings you enough comfort to make it livable. tops should go all the way to the wrists, bottoms should fit like skin all he way to the ankles. They're the equivalent of getting the best massage you ever had in your life in cold weather. Just sayin.

 

[freedombecki]

Today was spent embroidering all 24 squares through 3 quilted layers. It was fun!

The thread is a variegated lime on a huge spool. It will do many quilts.

The squares are not joined yet, that's probably going to take 2 days and locating some more flannel.

 

[freedombecki]

This morning, the idea it might be easier to complete Autumn equinox with 6 more blocks rather than sashing, so instead of proceeding, more time to think it over is needed, so planning "Tootsie Pops Quilt" in bright 30s prints around chocolate centers became today's focus. Below are he start of the plan and one corner block done. It sure looks little, but there was only a yard and a half of the white material, which will make a 35x55" quilt before borders. There isn't a smidge left over of the white fabric, which was purchased last year. That means it would be a great good fortune to find it, or to find something that is complementary to it. I'm outta here to the quilt store as soon as this is posted.

 

[freedombecki]

Yesterday at sewout time, there was a slight problem. The worksheet said "4 pinks," so I did 4 pink squares. I can't even blame not having enough fingers, but it took 5 blocks of pink. Reviewing the picture, yep, that's right, there are 5 blocks, not 4. Doing a rough draft is supposed to prevent fuzzy math, not promote it! Doh!

To do penance, yesterday I did another pink one under duress, all the red blocks and this morning, all the orange blocks. This afternoon it will be yellow and possibly green. There were 13 orange blocks, and it seems they went fast. Hopefully, that is the correct number of blocks. If not, that individual block sewing is a waste of time and thread.

There will be a lot of strips to cut for the yellow quilt. I had enough orange strips in the sewing room to not repeat any orange prints, and there are twice that many in the storage room. The green one will be cake unless I go lime. I have a ton of green strips already cut to size. Hopefully, a ton.

Oh, and the first 4 blocks comprising the upper left corner (as shown on worksheet with error) are stitched together. It really is time to get out the new bigger printer screen and give it a whirl. At least you could see all the blocks shaping up. Here they are for now off the 8.5x11" scanner/printer already set up:

 

[Sunshine]

This morning, the idea it might be easier to complete Autumn equinox with 6 more blocks rather than sashing, so instead of proceeding, more time to think it over is needed, so planning "Tootsie Pops Quilt" in bright 30s prints around chocolate centers became today's focus. Below are he start of the plan and one corner block done. It sure looks little, but there was only a yard and a half of the white material, which will make a 35x55" quilt before borders. There isn't a smidge left over of the white fabric, which was purchased last year. That means it would be a great good fortune to find it, or to find something that is complementary to it. I'm outta here to the quilt store as soon as this is posted.

Yum!

 

[freedombecki]

Hi, Sunshine girl!

Didn't find the exact same print, and will probably stick with the original plan after all. I did manage to find the most exquisite tiny floral that will be perfect for an aqua and salmon log cabin quilt locally for our shelter children, on another day.

Today we visited Trinity, TX quilt store--"thread haven" and saw a fabulous flock of Great White Egrets up in the sky. They must have been having a rendezvous--there were hundreds of the elegant ballerinas up there flying around, showing off their grace and beauty, while my heart did flip flops.

I stocked up on a few pieces of unique lime greens for the little white quilt that had just enough to do the inner part of the quilt. I decided to use a narrow strip of brown as the outside border rather than white. It's the same as the brown centers, and I have a 3-yard bolt end left if I ever need a good chocolate brown on something else. Now, I'm going to try to sew a little more tomorrow if possible.

We also stopped at the feed store in Trinity and got 25 pounds of birdseed. I need a place to store them away from the moths. We have to put everything in sealed glass jars out here in the country. the beasties are smarter than me! So all the fabrics are promptly sealed in clear plastic tubs. Tomorrow will have to be the yellows and greens. Shopping wears me out. Time to get some sleep. I was up early doing orange squares to complete a 4x4 section, which didn't happen. Will post pictures tomorrow am if all goes well.

Be well!

 

[Sunshine]

Hi, Sunshine girl!

Didn't find the exact same print, and will probably stick with the original plan after all. I did manage to find the most exquisite tiny floral that will be perfect for an aqua and salmon log cabin quilt locally for our shelter children, on another day.

Today we visited Trinity, TX quilt store--"thread haven" and saw a fabulous flock of Great White Egrets up in the sky. They must have been having a rendezvous--there were hundreds of the elegant ballerinas up there flying around, showing off their grace and beauty, while my heart did flip flops.

I stocked up on a few pieces of unique lime greens for the little white quilt that had just enough to do the inner part of the quilt. I decided to use a narrow strip of brown as the outside border rather than white. It's the same as the brown centers, and I have a 3-yard bolt end left if I ever need a good chocolate brown on something else. Now, I'm going to try to sew a little more tomorrow if possible.

We also stopped at the feed store in Trinity and got 25 pounds of birdseed. I need a place to store them away from the moths. We have to put everything in sealed glass jars out here in the country. the beasties are smarter than me! So all the fabrics are promptly sealed in clear plastic tubs. Tomorrow will have to be the yellows and greens. Shopping wears me out. Time to get some sleep. I was up early doing orange squares to complete a 4x4 section, which didn't happen. Will post pictures tomorrow am if all goes well.

Be well!

When I was traveling I worked in 2 prisons in TN. The trip down was through a kind of swampy area. There were big white egrets there, gazillions of them. You could stop to look all you wanted. But the minute you hauled up your camera to snap a pic they were off. I never got more than 2 or 3 in a shot. Smart creatures. There is also a flock of pelicans on KY lake. They blew here in a hurricane. Most don't recall hurricane Ike. But when Ike made landfall he upgraded and about blew us out of the trees up here. I can't recall what cat it was, but it was significant.

Did you know that those large popcorn tins they sell around Christmas are really good to keep things like bird seed, dry dog food, and dry cat food in? I live in the woods. I know bugs! LOL.

Well I'm getting stoked about retirement. I worked in offices a few years after high school, then stayed home with the kids for about 10 years before I went back to school. The hubby died when I was in college at age 38. From that day to this I haven' t known a time I didn't have to get up and get out to work and I can't even exclude the year I was off going to Vanderbilt for the master's because it was so much work. So, I'm looking forward to it. I chuckle when I think that I could have spent my entire life as a housewife then when retirement came, nothing would really change. This will be a big change in my life. My retired patients complain of boredom. But I still have a lot of things to keep me busy and to finish up while I still can.

I had to put the cross stitch down for a week. My shoulder caught fire! LOL. Can't think of a better way to describe it. I think it must be tendonitis. But I'm picking it back up tomorrow. I got a massage and let it rest a while so it's better.

When I think of the places in the US I still want to go, I realize that with the exception of a couple of places most are on or near the perimeter of the US. So, I think I am going to plan a 'perimeter tour' of the US. Just drive the perimeter of the country and see the sights. Have a trip to Hawaii in the plans as well. I have enough hotel points for 10 free nights. Picked most of those up while I was traveling for work. One of my nurses at Vandy the other day was a travel nurse. I'm still on with the travel agency, so if they come up with a good travel location, I might go for 3 months or so after I turn 66 when I can make all I want. Regardless, it will be a BIG change. I also am CEO of my own company with which I have done nothing for too many years. I need to pick that back up. Oh dear. It does seem that my time is going to be filled to overflowing!!! (When I do the perimeter tour, or IF I do it, I will have to make a point to stop and visit you. You shouldn't be too far out of the way!)

Was going to give you some rep, but I have to spread it around. LOL

 

[freedombecki]

Thanks for the tip on dry birdseed, etc. I have two such tins, and that will be a big help.

Sorry you got tendonitis. I once got carpal tunnel before fibromyalgia set in. We went to Hawaii right after my sweetie retired, and while we were there, his father began the process of dying. He died while we were in the air between Honolulu and Atlanta, not sure where. We did get to see the entire island of Oahu, Waikiki, a glass-bottomed boat to see exotic fish, the highlands, and a drive around to see all the beaches. I hope you get to do all that and more with no trouble like we had. After the funeral, I had to come home and take care of pets, while my sweetie spent a month helping his mother with getting established on her own.

When he got back, he was showing a lot of signs of dementia that made me wonder what was wrong with him. (I was not acquainted with dementia). He couldn't keep his mind on a completion of almost everything he otherwise would have, and just a lot of little seemingly meaningless little things. His handwriting grew erratic for the first time. He was preoccupied with toy cars and erector sets like those he had growing up. He fell in love with an online porn star, and he visited her on my computer, leaving a trail. He said she didn't mean anything to him, but he couldn't stop visiting her. I had to tell him he couldn't do that at work in front of the employees and women customers. I might have well been talking to a rebellious teenager. I wasn't seeing the big picture due to working 80 hours a week, trying to keep a business viable and my wounded pride under control. It worked. I told him I was moving to Texas to be near my sister 15 years later, and that he was invited to come if he liked or or stay if he didn't. He decided he would come. (I still did not know).

We got a diagnosis on his dementia a year later, 20 years after he started showing small signs of dementia about 3 years before he retired. I'm glad I was able to get over my angst, forgiving daily the things I did not understand, and keeping my doctor's phoneline handy to help me deal with whatever he brought home. After I told him it was wrong to bring diseases home, he lost interest at home. My faith helped me adjust and forgive without retaliation whatever. It's clear his care for the duration will take away all our wealth. I don't care. My Christian duty is to him, his well-being, and his care, and nobody else. My adult children grew up to be independent and are not affected. I have a full and rich life and can usually shut out loneliness for companionship by keeping my mind occupied with quilting projects. I'm just grateful his dementia has not gone toward Alzheimer's yet. He can still do a few things, but I am preparing myself to do more as the demand arises. I worry that he spends too much time napping, though, and make efforts to keep him engaged with some outside tasks. He couldn't chop a tree down a few monhs ago that was threatening the garage foundation, so I had to do it. He was afraid of swinging the axe. I can imagine his confusion had to do with coordination efforts not coming together that most of us take for granted. Me chopping down the tree didn't add any hair to my chest, so I guess it's okay if a girl does some things. <giggle>

 

[Sunshine]

Thanks for the tip on dry birdseed, etc. I have two such tins, and that will be a big help.

Sorry you got tendonitis. I once got carpal tunnel before fibromyalgia set in. We went to Hawaii right after my sweetie retired, and while we were there, his father began the process of dying. He died while we were in the air between Honolulu and Atlanta, not sure where. We did get to see the entire island of Oahu, Waikiki, a glass-bottomed boat to see exotic fish, the highlands, and a drive around to see all the beaches. I hope you get to do all that and more with no trouble like we had. After the funeral, I had to come home and take care of pets, while my sweetie spent a month helping his mother with getting established on her own.

When he got back, he was showing a lot of signs of dementia that made me wonder what was wrong with him. (I was not acquainted with dementia). He couldn't keep his mind on a completion of almost everything he otherwise would have, and just a lot of little seemingly meaningless little things. His handwriting grew erratic for the first time. He was preoccupied with toy cars and erector sets like those he had growing up. He fell in love with an online porn star, and he visited her on my computer, leaving a trail. He said she didn't mean anything to him, but he couldn't stop visiting her. I had to tell him he couldn't do that at work in front of the employees and women customers. I might have well been talking to a rebellious teenager. I wasn't seeing the big picture due to working 80 hours a week, trying to keep a business viable and my wounded pride under control. It worked. I told him I was moving to Texas to be near my sister 15 years later, and that he was invited to come if he liked or or stay if he didn't. He decided he would come. (I still did not know).

We got a diagnosis on his dementia a year later, 20 years after he started showing small signs of dementia about 3 years before he retired. I'm glad I was able to get over my angst, forgiving daily the things I did not understand, and keeping my doctor's phoneline handy to help me deal with whatever he brought home. After I told him it was wrong to bring diseases home, he lost interest at home. My faith helped me adjust and forgive without retaliation whatever. It's clear his care for the duration will take away all our wealth. I don't care. My Christian duty is to him, his well-being, and his care, and nobody else. My adult children grew up to be independent and are not affected. I have a full and rich life and can usually shut out loneliness for companionship by keeping my mind occupied with quilting projects. I'm just grateful his dementia has not gone toward Alzheimer's yet. He can still do a few things, but I am preparing myself to do more as the demand arises. I worry that he spends too much time napping, though, and make efforts to keep him engaged with some outside tasks. He couldn't chop a tree down a few monhs ago that was threatening the garage foundation, so I had to do it. He was afraid of swinging the axe. I can imagine his confusion had to do with coordination efforts not coming together that most of us take for granted. Me chopping down the tree didn't add any hair to my chest, so I guess it's okay if a girl does some things. <giggle>

The number if dementia diagnoses I have made in my age group is staggering. First they come in complaining of depression. So I treat their depression to no avail. They also have a lot of anxiety which doesn't respond to anything. So, I do a series of labs and a CT scan. Usually the CT scan shows the cerebral cortex is shrinking. Sometimes the labs are a bit off and correcting folate and B12 helps. But usually the intractable anxiety and depression are due to dementia. Meds like Abilify, Galantamine, and Exelon help considerably. They don't bring anything back, but they slow the downhill slide. Sometimes the dementia is due to Parkinson's. That is a tough one to treat.

 

[freedombecki]

The doctor said his type may have come from a severe blow at an earlier time in his life. He was hit by a car twice while he was growing up and was severely beaten in the head when he was a teen. Not sure what started it off. It doesn't matter to me. I will care for him as long as I am able. I miss his old self, though. He was a great husband and father to my two children for 42 years.

 

[Sunshine]

The doctor said his type may have come from a severe blow at an earlier time in his life. He was hit by a car twice while he was growing up and was severely beaten in the head when he was a teen. Not sure what started it off. It doesn't matter to me. I will care for him as long as I am able. I miss his old self, though. He was a great husband and father to my two children for 42 years.

There are several types of dementia. Some come from injuries like you describe, some from alcohol use, some from stroke or 'mini stroke', some from tumors or other lesions, some from things like Parkinson's or MS, some from virions - mad cow, etc., some for no apparent reason at all. Medical science figured out how to prolong the life of our bodies but not the life of our minds. That is sad, really. I see people every day who make me glad that I will not live to see the day they are seeing.

 

[freedombecki]

He's had a very good life until his issues started, as near as I know, 20 years ago, but they didn't make sense until the diagnosis. Then things started fitting together as to why this little thing and why that one. The first thing I noticed going was focusing on a destination. The other problem was loss of certain inhibitions. I'm glad I didn't go judgmental when upsetting things happened. Keeping my head saved us both a world of grief. Now I understand what I didn't fully understand back then. Our physician in Wyoming never had a clue. When my sweetie is hurting, he tells the doctor he's "okay" when asked. lol I finally had to just barge in to his appointments to let the doctor know what he issue was to prevent wasting a trip! He's so believable. Everybody buys it. Except me. I also have to know what is prescribed so he will not omit medicines he doesn't want to take (for unknown reasons). then I have to make sure he takes the medicines. Nagging doesn't work. turning the tv set off works but not consistently. Marching him downstairs to the medicine works if I make sure he takes and swallows the pills and is 100% effective, because he knows what "good boy." means.

 

[Sunshine]

He's had a very good life until his issues started, as near as I know, 20 years ago, but they didn't make sense until the diagnosis. Then things started fitting together as to why this little thing and why that one. The first thing I noticed going was focusing on a destination. The other problem was loss of certain inhibitions. I'm glad I didn't go judgmental when upsetting things happened. Keeping my head saved us both a world of grief. Now I understand what I didn't fully understand back then. Our physician in Wyoming never had a clue. When my sweetie is hurting, he tells the doctor he's "okay" when asked. lol I finally had to just barge in to his appointments to let the doctor know what he issue was to prevent wasting a trip! He's so believable. Everybody buys it. Except me. I also have to know what is prescribed so he will not omit medicines he doesn't want to take (for unknown reasons). then I have to make sure he takes the medicines. Nagging doesn't work. turning the tv set off works but not consistently. Marching him downstairs to the medicine works if I make sure he takes and swallows the pills and is 100% effective, because he knows what "good boy." means.

LOL. When a spouse shows up to my office with a patient, I just look at them and say 'I take it I'm not getting the big picture.' It usually gets a laugh, but it is dead on!

 

[freedombecki]

Here are some of the squares done over the last 4 or 5 days. Progress has been disappointing, but there is a lot to do in making a quilt that repeats none of the fabrics (except all the lights are the same piece of white I nearly ran out of).

 

[freedombecki]

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go... The 13 yellow blocks have one more 5.5" log apiece and they're done! Just have to go sew now. <hugs> & good night!