GRAND SCHEMES!

And now it is a top!!!  I have a grand sense of accomplishment as my stamina slowly is returning! This top is 48" x 62".

I also loaded the Cabin Fever quilt onto the frame--

maybe I can start to quilt it today!

 

PEACEFUL PIECING

My local fabric store didn't have any more of the fabric I needed so I had to find some scraps and make do--I put the 'odd' blocks in the four corners.  I've started sewing the rows together and should finish it today, I hope.

While at the store I was able to purchase some backing for this top so it can be added to the quilting frame queue!

In the evening, during a grand T-storm, I worked on a garter stitch entralac dishcloth--again doing it from memory!  I can see some areas that need some refinement but it was a good exercise!  I got this far along on binding off the last row but didn't like the way it was turning out--I like the binding off to look the same as the casting on row. (see how the top right corner is smooth on top?  The other triangles should look like that, too!)

After a few false starts I improved but now I will try another one to see if I can remember a bit more easily second time around! 

MORE THAN JUST IDEAS

I felt like getting going pretty early yesterday and after spiffing up the house, I headed into the studio!  I have several Fat Quarter Club kits to catch-up on and so I set to work!  

I really liked the recent post by AliciaQuilts and thought this would work out well.  The pieces went together easily and so it was a perfect choice for me!

So I only had 5 fat quarters which yielded a very large table runner at 36" x 60" OR

I could make a larger lap quilt but I was short these 4 blocks! 

 I think I am going with this version and will go to my local quilt shop to buy a few more FQ's to fill in the blanks!

I also have these fabrics I bought last year during the Shop Hop to make a QOV quilt using the same pattern or if I feel ambitious, 

I might make the quilt in the magazine in the back left of the photo which I have had earmarked for a quite a while now!

When I was done with all of the up and down of sewing, 

ironing and playing on the design wall, 

I headed outside to give a good sniff to the tree crinum 

because it is an extraordinarily wonderous whiff!

I finished my little bit of a walk by going around the house and enjoyed the Shasta daisies,

and the Mandavilla blooms.  

And then it was time for a rest!

 

ANOTHER RUNNER~

A very easy and quick (even for me!) table runner accomplished! 

18" x 52"

And I've drawn up the plans for the next runner already!

 

A BIT OF THINKING

My view as I bike my mile or so every morning.  Bill has been swimming several times a day but I haven't mustered the energy yet.  The pool is 86-88* so it is warm enough,  I just have to wait for my desire to be great enough to find the energy!

I've been working on this new table runner--I didn't mean to make a Christmas one but I am trying a new idea and wanted to test it out using one of the  fat quarter kits i get.  I will make a red/white/blue one next--should have it done in time for July 4th.

I did end up putting the outer 4 1/2" borders on;  I will use a dark binding to frame it all.  This was a very good pattern/project. 

 The pattern is Cabin Fever.

The other night I wanted to use up the last of the dish cloth cotton skein with this pattern.   I sat and did a bit of thinking and then just cast on and was quite pleased when I figured it out without having to look it up!!1  Anytime I can pull a thought from the mire of my brain I get pretty excited! lol

 

FRIDAY FELINE

Yes, sometimes it would be good to just shut the world out!

 

A NEW START

I played around with this pattern to make another table runner instead of a larger quilt.  I got all of the pieces cut and even pieced a few before I ran out of gas. 

I started something new because I am happy to reveal the washed and dried kid's quilt 

which has been added to the donation pile!

And the variation of the rail fence block turned into a really nice table runner to add to my pile! I am appreciating and not abusing my new energy level--I have hope for a semblance of normal again!

 

TWO FINISHES!

It took two hours-one in the morning and another in the afternoon but I am so excited to see some finishes for a change!!!

Right outside my kitchen window is this desert rose--I was worried that the frost would claim it but it has rallied!

There is no aroma, unfortunately, but it glows with beauty!  Kinda how I feel on the inside to think I might be recovering!

 

A NICE PERK

I had to go to the lab yesterday for bloodwork;  11 vials were needed!  I have never had to give so much before but funny thing happened, I felt better for two -three hours afterwards!  Interesting point to share with the doctor when I see her in 2 weeks!  Anyway, when I got home, I finished the quilting on this one.  The binding will happen today!

I even got the latest table runner loaded on and will hopefully feel like taking the 20 mins to quilt this, too!

I also made some body lotion; my body needs some serious moisturizing!  This feels good and is slightly scented with some orange extract.  I need to get some healthy looking skin because I look like I have been in bed for almost a year!!!  

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

I had my last one of these--an iron infusion, #5, which gets followed by 250ml of saline solution.  As things go, it was a memorable time because this vein almost blew and so we had to try 3 other locations.  A ton of fun but other than a blood draw today, I should be done with the pokes for at least a month!

When I get home from an infusion, 

this is all I can do--rest with Lena!

I do enjoy a few sessions with a new water coloring book!

And I can make a dishcloth every other day.

Outside hasn't been to hospitable because of the heat wave!  

This was pulling into our driveway after the last treatment! 

 Last week was filled with doctor appointments, labs and an ultrasound on my parotid glands--just too much fun. 

 After the lab work today, 

the rest of the week is a clean slate-hooray!

 

STILL SLOGGING THROUGH THE HOURS

 I have been very slow motion this past week...even more so than usual.  I have done very little-I just have this to show for the last four days!  I celebrated my ninth month of being a recovering patient with so far to go yet.  I see a new doctor on Tuesday so I am hoping for fresh eyes and a good plan.

Happy Mother's Day--for those who are mothers and for those who have/had mothers;  it's a day to be grateful.

A BIT OF COLOR

A small quilt loaded and the quilting begun.

I walked out front and enjoyed some floral colors along the porch;  thunbergia,

some caladium popping up after its winter rest,

and several beautiful hibiscus on the bush!

 

STITCH UPON STITCH ADDS UP!

 The blocks are all made and today I will be sewing this whole thing into a top!  I will first play around with the layout of the blocks. There are several more borders, also but I am not going to cut any more fabric until I get this much sewn together. 

 I have this week off from the infusions so I am going to enjoy the additional home time!  (the pattern is Cabin Time, I think!)

GETTING THERE!

Progress is happening on the latest pieced quilt!  I didn't notice until now that I'm missing some sashing pieces along the top!  I have not arranged the blocks in their final placement but am just putting up each new block as it is finished, is all. 

 I am so ready for the effects of the iron to kick in so I can tackle projects with my old gusto!

(Happy Birthday, Daughter!)

 

ANNIVERSARY JOYS

We had a lovely lunch at Corky Bell's on the St Johns River; 

 the weather couldn't have been better!

After lunch, we popped over to see Matthew and Will

 and Maverick, too! 

 (And I learned that puppies love balls-even ones made of yarn!  I stepped away from my knitting for just a minute and he had not only stolen my knitting, he enjoyed a good gnaw on my wooden needles that are now in need of a good sanding!)

And we even enjoyed a gorgeous sunset on the way home!

 

FAITHFUL FELINE

She can still get all kitten-ish when I play with yarn!  I have a left front and a back done so far for the cursed cardigan and needed to rip out some more of an old attempt to start the other front.  It's going well.

Today is our 49th anniversary;  we have a luncheon date!