Goodbye Yesteryear....

At our apartment complex there is a thrift store...This $1 plaid dish towel was too high to reach.A friend helped me take it down.  I made it into a simple string bag and left it on her door knob from Secret Santa...So much fun.

I am finally finished making these chapstick holders...Alas, I cannot find the bag of chapsticks...This has been such a frustrating project....I will never make them again...First of  all turning them was almost impossible...Many a bad word said in my sewing room.  Then I had to restitch a few of them as they were not tight enough to hold the chapstick.  Anyway, I have 20 done to share with folks to make them happy...and Done is Done..  There are many tutes on U-tube for this.

My neighbor just turned 85.  In the middle of my midnight sewing spree, I made this for him...an insulated can holder..Sew very easy made quickly and nicely.  He is a handiman and has helped me so much.

More potholders...my favorite design item. They are very graciously accepted....A wonderful gift, because they are potholders.  If  you do not like the colors, in the drawer they go.

The one below was for the lady upstairs who always brings my mail down when it is addressed to her room instead of mine.  I found stamp fabric for the center and the backing.

This one is for a kind and talented sewist who has Parkinsons. (also a dog)

Both were fun to make.

Above this nice picture of Aoife from last year...love.

Now, in the  New Year, there is the flu everywhere.  The hospitals are closing for visitors.  Those old masks are coming out.  I think I will use the pretty fabric ones I made.  I  know that the mask business people will be worried about their bottom line if we do this, but I do not care.  I have some with a slot for filters and I even have some filters left. 

Our place also has the flu..It seems to go on for days...Ugh!!

The new holiday lights I bought this  year are draped over my sewing area by the window.  They have a remote that changes them to red and white for Valentines day and green and white for St. Paddys day.  I think I will keep them up to cheer my grey winter days.

Since I am posting now on the New Year....I hope it will set a precedent for more blogging and more sewing for 2026. xo

Quirky and Fun

Five  year old Aoife visits Santa.  She asked him for a baby racoon. 

 My daughter in Portland shows off, for Christmas, part of her pet family....yes!! This is the kitchen table... Rosie, the Australian shepherd mix by the tree, our dear cat, Stitch and of course Bak-Bak...Aoife's favorite hen.

Above my grandmother's antique candelabra from about 80 years ago...

Those tiny lights that get so hot. It has been rewired.  Great memories. 

Now my family here....My dear grands... and my DIL. I love them so.

Above cool solar outside Christmas lights.

Below the birthday present my daughter made for me.

Guess what kind of basket this is??

My girl has gone poultry crazy!!

Swedish stickers from Linda

My lovely stain glass necklace made by Betty, with love

I do not own a hat...Sherry made one for my birthday...so lovely...

The energy for blogging is diminishing...Actually all my energy is lessening...darn....

This is the first year since moving that I have decorated my apartment for Christmas..

My quilting is down to making things for others...Very gratifying.

Still waiting for my sleep study appointment.

I certainly  hope there may be more kindness in our world this season.

Christmas means hope to me.🙏🙏🙏.

Happy December

Our Stitch, the sewing cat...comfortably enjoys the  view of Mt.St. Helens from my girl's fabric studio in Portland.  He knows that he is "all that"!

A lovely visit from Diane Numero dos...brought not only friendship but these delightful potholders .  Childhood  fun now comes in many colors to weave....How fun!!!

Here is our Diane sporting her home made outfit....From the Goodwill came the flannel shirt.  It was adorned with letters made from her aunts vintage aprons and other nostalgia from her family growing up.

Dylan, two months before he turns 16, showing out on his dirt bike...He has asked his grandma for a muffler for Christmas...Dear me....Sorry it is dark...my baby grandboy should have been home in bed...Oh....no longer a baby.....Stay safe my love...

One more adoring picture of my new fireplace...

Guess my photography is not too good...below is my holiday "tree" on a design board...Gifted ornaments placed  here..

This is my  last post at age 77....Tomorrow I will be 78...OMG!!!

I found this interesting note on the web:

During World War II, paperclips in the lapel were a symbol of Norwegian unity against the German occupation forces and the NS authorities . All such forms of expression of discontent were banned as soon as they were discovered. If you were caught with a paperclip in your lapel, it normally resulted in arrest and fines.

The paperclip's ability to "hold together" was the reason it was found suitable to mark resistance. In the fall of 1940, a group of students at the University of Oslo agreed to use it. "The news spread like wildfire across the city, and the next day half of Oslo walked around with a paperclip in its buttonhole. [...] An innocent office accessory had suddenly become a political emblem, which would prove to be of the 'most dangerous kind' and lead to riots and mass arrests," wrote Finn Bø in the book Forbidden frukt , Oslo 1945.

This Holiday Animal Fair

We are leaving the chickens out this time....well..maybe just a note:

A mad scramble in the chicken yard...lots of white feathers on the ground....missing is Clover....Awful...The next day, as  they were ready to bury feathers and say a  prayer....who came crawling out from underneath the deck...Tough and brave Clover.....safe and sound.. 

 Aoife loves Llamas...every year she goes to the llama Christmas show and last summer, the family took a llama trip to the mountains.. 

Family cat, "Stitch" meets up with Australian shepherd, Rosie...Love at first  sight....well, almost!!

I love this!!

Here is my new fireplace...Sherry spent 5 hours putting this together...I love it so. Unfortunately, it has a  chipped corner....trying to get a replacement....3 rd party seller and I cannot get thru to Amazon..sigh.

Terrible picture, but I could not wait to share.

Lost in my mess...and found again...My grandmother's favorite holiday pins...Miss my grandma so much, but really....I am almost 78.  Most of us no longer have our grandmas.

She was  born in 1896 and died in 1996

A full day with physical therapy...an awesome Quilters' Christmas Party and friends hanging out in  the diner for hours.. The gloomy outside was outdone by the cozy inside...Now to sewing...Have had great expectations of sewing so much for my friends...but no energy here...Oh, well...Why do I  only want to nod off in front of the fire when I have tons to do???

Christmas came with no warning...just an overnight surprise.

Loving the Glimmers

Today was a great day....on Amazon there are small pillows made for comfort...especially when you are sick...perfect for putting on your lap for a tray, perfect to hug when life looks grey, perfect for repositioning self for comfort....A friend of mine is struggling with cancer...she loves sunflowers...I covered the small pillow with fabric quaranteed to spread joy.   I gave it to her today ...  A glimmer of happy.

Next, small thing with great joy. A birthday potholder for a friend who has been a missionary in Africa for  years.  Below a potholder made with snips from different African fabric.

Dr. Suess fabric given away in an impulsive destashing...ugh...given back for a requested potholder to be gifted for Christmas..

A hostess gift...all ready to be gifted....

In Oregon, family chops down their own lovely Christmas tree.

In our art studio my " Christmas Charm " quilt...A divided 9 patch arranged with every center of a different fabric....thus "charm"

My girl in Oregon has started to excite her chickens with the holiday season....

Such a great day.  I actually slept last night...a rare thing... Had a lovely two hour lunch with like minded folks;  a card game with friendly favorites; My cleaning lady and her daughter saved my day, as they always do; a chat with online friends; putting my tree decorations on a design wall; and...working on some WIPs...needed to finish for the holidays.

The few negatives:  cannot for the life of me figure out a birthday present for a dear friend...I need a hernia operation and must lose more weight for that .   Instead, I am drinking red wine and feasting on junk....Sigh.  A friend just delivered the hard to find local peppermint ice cream...sigh and sigh again...No willpower here!!

With all my work on my sewing machine by the mechanic and my friends...what do I find tonight....but a needle threader all broken and hanging by a thread on the edge of the machine... and it is a month out from an expensive servicing!!!!

Winter is finally here in Charlotte.  Below freezing in the morning and glorious trees albeit cloudy days.  I love living here... So many great friends and meal served...no cooking for me.. I have been putting my tree decorations on a cleared design wall...

We have started a new quilting group beginning in January with lots of interest. and my favorite quilting friends continue to come visit on Wednesday s....Did I mention that life is good??!!

A Lazy Day

 Instead of sewing my list of projects....or my holiday list, I made these  ....They have been sitting around for a year or two.

A butterfly potholder

My girl shows off her chicken diaper...she made with love, but not practicality....

Ten year old family cat. Stitch....never blinked an eye as he was transported to Portland, Oregon from his latest NC home.  Here he claims the chicken quilt I made.

The grands and me as we said good=bye to our family home...I miss them so much..'

They are with their wonderful mother now...She is only 40....I am soon to be  78...sigh..

It is hard to say goodbye to yesterday

No use being morose...life goes on...I want to say, "How could they grow up???"   Or/and "How could I grow old??"  This was 3.5 year ago....

On the other hand, I am still here, they are doing well....and this is the life!! Grateful....

Today was morose...I did not sleep last night....morose until I stepped outside on my patio to a stunning sunny day...Fall crispness, Carolina blue sky, warm and beautiful....friends dropping by to visit...and sewing..three books on my lap just in case....

Funny how when a  person gets out of themselves, the good life happens..

BIG Disclaimer!!!  I have been told by my girl that this is NOT a chicken diaper, rather it is a cat harness so she can take Stitch for a walk...Silly me....:)

Quilting Makes Life Better

 Concentrating on the good stuff:   My new funky compression socks...fall leaves, Celtic knots, etc and Christmas ones on the way.  My legs already feel better!!  Crazy Compression socks 

 Daily I am getting more energy.  Patchwork resumes!!

 Here are some of the things I am continuuing with:  

Cutting new 5.5 inch blocks for scrap donation..quilt   

Steam a Seam light for applique, run thru my cool and awesome electric Accucutter

It is so invigorating to be sewing again!

For some of life's reasons, sadness has been hanging around.  My misbehaving son continues to break my heart. He is 40 now... Missing my husband....and of course grandmother and mother, etc.  My niece died 6 months ago, at 38  leaving my sister and nephew in a sad fog.  My hip recovery is so slow...However, my daughter in Portland is grand with her chickens, cat, dog and family...She insists that having six egg laying hens is heaven.. I have to believe her when she insists that chickens are not only pettable..but kissable too....OMG..  I have never even seen an upclose chicken, never mind pet one or have one on my lap. Hmmmm....

This is my latest poultry possession...Sorry, Emily.....This is the best I can do!!

Quilt Patch Fabric in Stallings is selling Pearl Cotton for $1.99.  I could not say no.....

My brand new walking foot...Now Little Red travel machine has been put away...

My 8900 is heaven...

Why is blogging so slow...age is upon me????

The weather is lovely including some leaves changing.  I have great support here with an awesome pool, cards, sewing, great  new friends...Finally I am driving....I cannot  wait to go to the library and connect with old time friends. Leaving yesterday is hard for me.  Concentrating on the gratitude of today means all the difference.  Sad to say that  my exercise consists of my strong and growing PayPal finger...And, relaxation is on the pool deck reading in the sun.

 

New Friends, etc

Yesterday the weather was 72 and sunny.  Last night it was 35 and snowing...Big fat white flakes...amazing...Guess winter is here.

Above, my girl makes an apron for her girl to use while harvesting eggs..See the pockets :)

Below a new friend of mine made me a crochet bowl...

Our 10 year old family cat , Stitch, now lives in Portland with my daughter.  Here, Stitch meets Bock-Bock...hmmm

Below Stitch meets Rosie...hmmm Rosie wants to play, our Stitch holds his own.

I am not blogging because I am not sewing.  I am 6 months into recoup for  my hip replacement ...doing well, but not fast enough!! I saw the shoulder surgeon last week.  He said the shoulder has to be replaced.  It is in very bad shape.  He refuses to do it until my hernia is repaired...My Oh My...is old age fun!!!  I will be looking at two more surgeries in the upcoming future.  

I ordered some sale fat quarters on Spoonflower...What else would a woman do to cheer her day???

Sewing friends drop by tomorrow...Wednesdays at 11 am for lunch...in our Bistro...new/old friends Welcome.  My tiny, one bedroom apartment with a lovely patio has no dining table and no sofa...What it does have is bookcase after bookcase of what is left of my fabric collection of 60 years.

Yesterday I was strong enough to update my driver's license and get my real ID.  I got an appointment in two days.  I took my passport and mail and old driver's license etc, etc.   I asked where the handicapped seating was...It was empty but for me.  In five minutes I was called up...no eye test, no written test...just important paperwork to prove I was legit....out in 20  minutes...OMG  A miracle in North Carolina.  It is good for 5 years since I am considered old...ha ha ha ha ha  I have not driven in at least 8 months...Wahoo...a new teenager...World, I am back!!!

All is well today.  Leaves are changing; Weather is changing and I am not what I used to be... 

Sunday, my great DIL brought all my grands to visit.  They picked up things dropped on the floor and took me to dinner....Mexican is  always my favorite since I grew up in Phoenix.

Life is mostly good.  Friends are great.

My hope is that all of you enjoy the life too xo

Chicken Story ad nauseum....

 A chicken story to die for:

My girl's man got 7 chickens to avoid getting a cat....Now dressed in a chix costume for Halloween OMG

Bock-Bock is Aoife's favorite chicken.  She comes when she is called and allows her stomach to be scratched.  She is now sick.;..What to do when your five  year old loves, loves, loves her pet chicken.

Of course call the chicken vet!!  Well there are only 2 chicken vets in Portland.  Both charge $195...for assessment...hmmmmm  After much debate, guess where Bock Bock is going?????

Below is my girl's beginning of another chicken diaper...I offered my fabric, but she said it was not modern enough!  Not modern enough for a diaper for a chicken???? Ok...

And, then there is a cat story in case you are bored with chickens....Our favorite 10 year old  O'Quilt family cat had been living for 3 years with grands....Oops...now they can not longer take care of him...So..he goes to Portland with Emily when she leaves NC back to Oregon.  Here my grands say goodbye for now.

No animal can go across state  lines without a paper of health from a certified health vet.  $250.

A special cat carrier for airplanes...required...$50.  An airplane ticket...$150....etc...plus agreement with the husband who is not fond of cats....Hmmm..

Aoife loved Stitch!!!!   He was locked in my girl's sewing room for the night....Soon , he was found on Aoife's pillow purring away.

In the morning Aoife had puffy face and runny  nose...hmmmm  cat allergy????  Off to the pediatrician.... goes Aoife....

Charlotte is a relaxing place to live as Grandma O'Quilts detaches from the lives of others....

Sewing?? Yup..vinyl pouch for my cards...

End of day drama...My sewing machine skips stitches and does not sew...eg bringing bobbin up to needle making a stitch.  My friend upstairs fixed it....Darn...10 min later...another broken needle.  This machine just came out of the shop..Sigh... Grateful am I that I am now very mature...no throwing of the machine out the window, nor saying assorted other words. I left a message on the answering machine at the repair shop....We will see how goes tomorrow....Meantime my new Janome red travel machine comes out to save the day....

A marvelous day with quilting friends...

A marvelous sunny, breezy fall day.

Life is good after all.