Today's News

 Family News:

Aoife is no longer an only child!!!

After two  years of dirt biking in the country on  the bike he bought with his own working money.....

At last, a crash...MRI next week...Stay tuned...Dylan is now 14.5

Sewing fun:  Enjoying Spider process:

Making key fobs for the holidays....There are tons of online U-Tube tutes:

Hardware bought on Amazon Prime.

There are no good posts without a potholder, or two:

And so it goes as I try to stay in the day, appreciating each moment

Reading on the porch, enjoying the beautiful sky...Carolina Blue.  Lunching here with friends;

Trying to organize, one step at a time.

My hip is so painful that I can  hardly walk, even with a  walker.  My ortho appointmet...6 weeks out.

Finally, fed up,  Thursday night I typed a message into the Ortho portal.

It said, " My retired ortho surgeon would be so disappointed to see that I do not seem to be able to get an earlier appointment, even in so much pain"!!!!

The next morning at 8:30 am, I recieved a phone call offering me an appointment this upcoming Thursday.

I am so grateful.  And grateful my sister is available to drive me and keep me company.

Today I celebrated the good things, albeit in pain.

Grateful I am here safe and sound in my adult living community.  Especially since going out is not feasible...No strength left in my left leg.

Grateful for my wonderful DIL doing a grocery run for me.

I have been blessed with a lovely life.

Safe Me, in a Crazy World

Beautiful North Carolina has been destroyed by a hurricane...OMG!!  Life as we know it can change in a second.

We are safe, here in Charlotte...only rain, trees down, etc...but 30 minutes north...OMG OMG

Above, Aoife, still in Cork, Ireland, just visiting with the cows.

Below, calming my soul by making potholders....meditation at its best!!

Here using random strips....

A little experimentation with my Accucutter Leaf die...

More experimentation.....: cutting and applying Wonderunder to vintage quilt blocks from a very damaged quilt top.

Today another doctor appointment...dear me...aging quickly.  This one was a yearly physical...also some talk about my poor and painful hip.  I can no longer walk without a walker  because the hip pain is so great.  In six weeks I have an appointment with a new surgeon...Meantime more and more physical therapy....I can barely stand it.   So 8 years ago, I had 4 joint replacements....Two major joints left and xrays show that both my hip and shoulder are without cartiledge...Enough already!!!

As I try to relax during all this world stress...I am grateful for sewing and sewing friends and blogging friends...

Life is still good...of course as long as one has a sewing machine!!!

 

Cover Me With Sunshine

Above I have my first picture this trip, of Aoife in Ireland visiting with her cousin, 

In spite of my pain, and the disappointment of the cortizone shot in my groin not working, I am playing a lovely tune by Pink,

Cover Me With Sunshine

I am so thrilled that my girl keeps me informed with pictures of  her adventures so Grandma here does not feel so left out.

Distracting myself making quilty projects for the holidays.  Below:  Pattern weights made from washers:

Sherry found the weights at the store;  Margaret got the superglue..lots of friendly support.

I glued two washers together..grateful that I  used gloves and a ratty cloth underneath.

From a supply of batik charms and scraps, I dabbed a bit of  glue stik on the fabric to stick it to the washer.  I covered the washers  using a zipper foot, a very slow stitch motion and curve.

Then I pinked the edges.  There are tons of tutes on the web for sewing weights,  I have posted this before  but could not find the tute.again.  Batik is perfect as it does not fray.

Voila, 24 finished  fabric weights to hold patterns or flyaway objects or be paperweights, etc.  

I figure that 6 per package for a present would be enough.

The friend across the hall from me is a competitive swimmer

This weekend she drove to our state capital for the state senior swim championships.   On her door this morning, I saw 3 medals.  She won first place in all her swimming events.  To celebrate with her, I  made a jar opener using plastic drawer liner and tracing a bowl for the pattern....so easy.  I stuck it on her door with a note of pride.and encouragement. She is 87 years old.

Inspite of it all....today was very good.   Visiting with friends, spending time in the arts room, reading outside,

making a few gifts . My sister even took my car in for inspection and examination.

.  It has been quite hard giving myself this attitude adjustment.

Today I was able to do it.!!

A Quick Post...Way Past Midnight...

Somehow I do not think that Maria Schell would be proud of me in the way I have used her workshop.

This is Potholder #2 using the stripsets she requested.  I cut them up and put some of my selvedge collection in-between.

I had such fun creating, still one more potholder for a friend.

 Today is the day that our Aoife, age 4 took off on a jet plane to Ireland for three weeks to visit family. She has dual citizenship, as I do.

Her mommy made her a fanny pack for her goodies and a lovely new pillowcase for the plane...Before my girl lost signal, she sent me this pix with Aoife already plugged in.

They will be travelling to Amsterdam and switching planes to Cork, Ireland...Her man is from there.  My man was from Galway.  I still miss him so much.

\

I wish them an awesome vacation of family and fun and laughter.

Meantime, Grandma here is slowly healing from her shot...I may try the pool tomorrow, but I do not want to do too much as I have done nothing...being in pain for a month.  I am still wobbly on the walker.

However, now I have hope

Yesterday's Crazy is Over....So Very Glad

My so far results from our Maria Schell's Zoom workshop.  All are looking at me from my windowshade...some happier than others.

The bottom piece on the above left hand side was so not a pleasant look. 

It was for sure potholder material:

How I made this work..First of all a project done is way better than one in process.  Balance of value, balance of hue; horizontal quilting and a funky backing below...all made it work together...Mrs. O'Quilts is happy now.

Again, this gifted potholder is best once finished..It is for a strawberry lover.

Personal drama now.  Yesterday I had my much feared shot...OMG  What a baby I am!

My sister took me.  Once back there, I asked the nurse to bring a wheelchair in case the doctor did me in.

When he saw the wheelchair, he said it would not do.  He said we would need a stretcher and a white sheet.

I knew then, he was my kind of doctor.  I told him I was terrified.  He told me I had to hold my own hand while the tech put the light directly on the spot.  My leg did a spasm.  

He then told me to hold on, that was only the numbing agent and the shot would be much worse.

Ha Ha, the tech said he was only kidding and I was done and should pull up my pants.  As I left he pulled up my pants the rest of the way....as he said  he did not want me showing my business coming out of his office.

 Time will tell whether or not it worked.

Evidently the injection included Prednisone which I have mild reaction to.  Thus I did not sleep all night;

Even so, I am feeling hopeful and that awful fear has left my brain...

I am graterful....AND so grateful for all the good wishes!!!

 

A Little Sewing, a Little Family

Since I have this leg nerve pain going on, little sewing nor organizing  have been happening at my place.

Friends helped with the goodness below.  Actually, a friend came by to get some fabric from my "fabric store".  She left the shelves better than she found them....Lucky me!

My husband realized how sad I feel when in pain...just like most of us do.......He sent me  this new panel of little treats by Ruby Star Society.

First thing, a potholder for one who loves strawberries and who is an angel taking care of her brother with Parkinsons.

She is such a role model for kindness.  Here at my apartment complex, I see so much generosity of time and love.

Our Guild is having a two part workshop with Maria Schell.   Three hours last Monday night and three hours this upcoming Monday night.  She is in Alaska.  It is very interesting...Of course, Mrs. O'Quilts is not really a rule follower....Maria says solids....I did not listen.

That is OK...What is not OK is that she said choose a color pallet first and then cut ruler-less strips.  I did not listen nor did I pay much attention, thus my strips are not of a color pallet that please me.  Stay tuned...  We have a great Quilting Guild or two in Charlotte.

Family stuff:

Fourteen year old, Dylan bought his own dirt bike with the money he earned working in his step-father's business this summer.

Rightfully, he is so proud.

Meantime, in Oregon, four year old Aoife has fun with her daddy during a river visit.

Up and down family issues, including my own, have kept me from blogging.

I will get a cortizone shot in my hip joint on Wednesday...Scared, but hopeful.

Last night I went to bed at 2:am...Tonight I will try for one..

I do feel the love from family and friends...xo

That Damn Pearl

 These handy vinyl bags close with a Velcro strip.  They are lined with Rip Stop and can be  used for food, make up, etc and can be washed. I used them for my grandchildren for school and camp with a name  label. These are for cards here at my apartment complex.  They have been so well recieved that I was asked to make two more.

The other day, in our art room, I gave a small class on making  Japanese Knot bags...Free tutes are all over u-tube.

In order to demonstate the steps, I made several bags showing the different steps in the process.  Once home, I was delighted to finish them up.

  I heard through the grape-vine that the holidays are soon here.   If all that is as soon as this September has arrived....I have to catch my breath and get working....no time for stewing and moping

Speaking of all that, somehow, Pearl found out where I live now.  I have been free of her for quite some time.

She came via an X-ray at the ortho place near me.  That X-ray showed a hip with no cartilege left that is begging for a  hip replacement.???  Jeeze Louize....Another joint replacement....It will be my 5th and I am so not into that now.  But pain accompanies every step when walking. I hobble on a walker with a sad spirit and a big ouch.  Pearl rides with me on my walker seat as I try to decide acceptance or the fight.  

Of course the doc will want me to lose my grief weight...Impossible I say, just impossible..

Pearl agrees....She so loves the company of discontent

What to do????  What to do???

Well, I am going to bed and let each day make its own decision.

In 4 weeks I am supposed to have some shot in my groin...that should be fun.

And then,  one day at a time..

Grateful for friends like all of you.

The Learning Curve

 Dearest Dylan started 9th grade today...Sigh...I love him so.

In order to  contribute to politics, I was asked to make bags to carry pamphlets for folk's door handles in the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, none can be considered a masterpiece.  So many things went wrong.  I ordered the bags online as well as the detachable shoulder handles...and embelleshed them best I could.  They were delivered today.to the political folks...Alas, no one seems embarrassed by them but  me.

The shoulder straps were requested...Online again....I got them, but I had never added these loops.

Big mistake cutting the seatbelt like fabric in half to fit the rings...It frayed terribly.  UGLY!!!  Finally I found my Fray Check, but by then, the bags were made and Fray Check did not make much of a difference.  Always learning......

A big thanks to Rachel for tonight's rescue.  She picked me up through all the traffic and her far away home to take me to dinner.  In spite of my painful hip-impingement, I chose to go instead of staying home to feel sorry for self.  Great to have a friend like Rachel!!

She saved me when I needed it most!!

New readers came today.  I am absolutely obsessed with new readers....Especially online when they are such a cheap thrill.

I must have 35 pairs...all hidden and lost under fabric and such....Plus who knows what kind of day it will be....Bright yellow or red flowers....Small joys in life.

Just Living my Life...

 Dear me....August 4, 2024, Carol Lyles Shaw died at the age of 75.  I remember her speaking at our guild....and now, she too, is gone.

Making more tissues to give away to friends and sad folks around here.

My 7 7  year old neighbor had a bad fall...As a former Navy officer, I felt he would heal better with a Navy washcloth.

I sent a message...a washcloth to heal....two rice bags for the freezer and a selection of children's bandages...all military approved for the elderly retired ones....So much fun...I am sure it is helping him recover...

This is an old tool of my grandmother's....I use it at my machine to tuck fabric in and fix corners....Does anyone know what it really is for?

While being involved in political television, I started on my donation to the cause...Enhancing 4 bags for folks to canvass...pockets here for a cell phone and more...pamphlets inside...I just started tonight.  4 Ibuprofen , two glasses of wine and I can actually walk without screaming...progress..  Tomorrow...PT  yuck and cards and relaxing....reading and sewing...a very good living of the life.  Today, the weather was beautiful.!!!!!

Tears and Joy

                                                                                                                   Sad news is:  Freddy Moran died August 13, 2024 at the age of 94.  She was one of my very very favorites.

Good news is that my girl and I had a wonderful visit. She stayed 4 perfect days , She left this afternoon and is now home with her family again in Oregon.

We sewed together and watched the British Sewing Bee...She has some link to it that I could never find myself.

What have I been sewing?

I have finished making this backing for my Marcia Derse quilt.  The recipient asked for a black backing.

The chicken blocks are up on the design wall...Of course I cannot find the cream fabric with the chicken wire....Dear me, in my clutter, I  have looked everywhere....(chicken pattern is from Slice of Pi blog.)

Rather than stay at home and pout with my hip impingement, I am walking thru the pain as suggested by my physical therapist...

Nothing is working!!!

I am a failure at aging gracefully.....but I have not given up...

Not suffering in silence is more my speed.

Love, a Sunday in July

Jar Opener (Ruth fabric from Spoonflower)

A gift for a friend whose operation went awry

My mother taught me to think of others.

Japanese knot bag number two.

Refining the bag, making it twice...gifts...

Gifts that help me feel loved.

The cat pincushion Emily brought me from Thailand

The angel Betty made me for my operation last year.

Love

Hello Debbie

 Somethings have to be borne alone...but painful physical therapy can be helped with my new weighted teddy bear.

I go back on Friday and teddy will be with me.

I sewed my label on the back of his bow...so I can claim him as my own.

Today's sewing includes Japanese knot bag.

Japanese Knot bag

Sherry helped me...so I have now cut out the next fabric, I will put it into my own memory.

The good day today....quilting friends visits:  Sherry, Linda and my sister...all helping me in many ways...especially support...and laughs and fun and sewing ideas.  Quick chats and visits from friends here...Friendly texts...A small....I mean, small...bit of organizing..

Now we, in Charlotte, are waiting for the remains of  Debbie.  Hopefully, we will have just rain and not much flooding or wind.  In precaution, we took down the blue bottles on my bottle tree.

I am looking forward to a sleep in , with the sound of the rain on my window...all safe and cozy. xo