I turned my back for a minute and Gus decided I needed a break
It is hard to believe it is already the second week of May - time to get serious about the May orange RSC, a new block for A Quilting Life BOM, more Little House blocks, and new stamps for Melisa's Summer Stamp SAL.
Orange Rainbow Scrap Challenge scraps are ready to go for Nine-Patch and Snowball blocks
Delaney's Barbie quilt is a bit different than it was in this post. I felt something was off in my color choices and expressed this to Wendy, who suggested I use photos to determine what was causing my uncertainty (thank you Wendy!) After studying a bit, I removed strips of color that seemed out of place and added in more lightness. And oh look, I added a few stars! I am still percolating and pondering on this fun little coin quilt.
Melisa, whose very entertaining blog is Pinker n Punkin Quilting, creates beautiful, original cross stitch patterns and generously offers them as freebies! She even had a tutorial on how to dye your own fabric for cross stitching! She recently offered a free Summer Stamp SAL (SewALong), and I am finally starting on the border. The SAL stamps are revealed every Tuesday through June. She introduces each patterns with a sweet story about why she chose the design. You may find all the free patterns to date in the following posts:
Stamp #1 - And the Garden Grows
Stamp #2 - Summer Harvest
Stamp #3 - Summertime Treats
Stamp #4 - Sunflower Strut
Kit In The Corner block for Little House SAL
Melva's Little House SAL is almost over! I just finished block #7, and the new heart block is in the works.
Sherri at A Quilting Life released the block for May last Thursday, and it was an easy one. My fabrics are primarily from a Peppermint Bark layer cake by Moda.
My 23 yo granddaughter, Samantha texted Saturday to see if I could make either a tote bag or a quilt for her friend who just graduated college. Well of course I would! These are the colors Sammy says she prefers. A tote bag would be less expense and sewing for me, and it would be a fun make, so I will give her some options for that.
Dining room chair seats with new fabric, waiting for attaching to the chairs
Another project I have enjoyed is re-covering dining room chair seats for our son and daughter-in-law. Jeff removed the seats and sent them to us via our grandson Brandon, who lives in Dallas. My husband gifted me with a cordless stapler to replace my handheld craft stapler - not a bad deal!
Beautiful fat quarter from Melva
Quilters Dream Quilt Batting - a prize from SAHRR sponsors
Here are two prizes I received just for participating in a couple of events! Thank you Melva and the SAHRR hosts!
My husband just got over a bout with shingles, of all things. He was miserable for about 3 weeks, then it began to ease. The pain has settled into his lower back, but it is mild compared to what it was. On May 20 he will have outpatient surgery to replace his implantable defibrillator (ICD), which was originally installed in 2012, right after his heart attack. He had a pre-surgery appointment this morning, and will have labs on Friday, plus post surgery follow-ups in June and August. And I have dermatology and podiatrist appointments scheduled for June. Karen mentioned that as we grow older, our lives seem to be centered around doctor appointments, and how true that is!
I am linking with:
Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch
Melva's Sew and Tell
Brenda's Monday Musings
Alycia's FInished!! ( Or NOT) Friday!
I really like that you added stars to the coin quilt, gives it a lot of shine;) I have a podiatrist appt this aft too.
ReplyDeleteThe coin quilt is coming along beautifully. Covering dining room chair seats is no small chore. We did that a few years ago for our old table, which My Girl has in her apartment now. (She got to pick the fabric as we knew she'd be taking the table/chairs at some point). You've been working on some fun projects. Looks like your sewing mojo is back. Sorry to hear your husband had shingles, I've heard it's very painful. Fingers crossed all the medical stuff goes well. I'm probably on the same path with the medical appointments, between my back and my knees, I'll probably be bouncing around a lot.
ReplyDeleteI sure like all of your projects and blocks, and Gus looks like a good helper! Glad my photo tip helped!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's black cat is making his home here with me in the little house
ReplyDeleteAwww, so glad! Gus is very affectionate and funny - we are really enjoying him. Hope you are doing well!
DeleteI like those stars added to the coin quilt it makes it more interesting. I haven't upholstered a chair in years I remember doing some though and my youngest daughter has done that too. A win on batting is such a gift! it has gone up in price so much lately.
ReplyDeleteI was nodding my head in total agreement at the end, as today I accompanied my husband to his Physical Therapy appointment; I now have a page in my desk calendar book that tracks his doctor appointments as well as mine. Good luck on his surgery; I'll keep you both in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteFun to see all your projects and all that you've got going on. The stars are a really fun addition, and you are inspiring me as you work! I hope that you have some hand project to take to surgery while you wait, and look forward to reading about your progress on all these fun makes!
I am so sorry to hear your dear hubby has the shingles, Linda. I do wish him and you the best in the upcoming appointments. I think Karen was right. My hubby always says once we retire we then start going to the doctor. LOL. Your Barbie quilt is looking fabulous. I like the addition of the stars. You are staying super busy with a variety of projects and I am so honored and thrilled that you are joining me in the SAL. Thank you so much. Hugs ( Oh, I wanted to tell you blogger is acting up and for some reason you are not coming up on my Reading List; hopefully blogger will resolve itself soon. )
ReplyDeleteWow, busy over here, Linda!!! I don't know what you pulled on your Barbie quilt, but I love the look and the addition of stars! You are a joiner, all those QALs. Great job joining in. My favorite batting--looks like you have a couple of baby quilts in your future. So sorry about your DH getting shingles. Praying here that the ICD surgery goes well.
ReplyDeleteOh Gus.... you are a charmer!! Go you for keeping up with everything. I really like that scrappy coins for Barbie quilt - that is going to be fun. Your Melva block is so cool!!! So sorry about shingles, those are not any fun AT ALL!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing your husband a speedy recovery. You have quite a few lovely projects in the works. The stars certainly add a lot of interest to the quilt. I really like the reds you are using in your quilt blocks. Gus is ever so adorable!! Love how relaxed he is.
ReplyDelete-Soma
Wow! You have been SO BUSY! Covering dining room chairs makes such a big difference, doesn't it? I am going to look into the site wher4 the woman shares cross stitch designs and instructs on how to dye fabric. That really appeals to me. I m so sorry to hear abut your husband! I've heard that shingles is really painful.
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy!! Gus!!!! What can I say, he is adorable! You are doing a great job keeping up with the BOMs this year, unlike me... Oh your poor hubby, I've been told shingles is horrible. I will pray for his surgery this month... and yes, it does seem like our life revolves around doctors' appointments now, sigh!! Take care and keep sewing! xx
ReplyDeleteThe stars are the perfect add to your coin quilt! I too wish your husband a speedy recovery. Shingles are the worst!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind and encouraging words TerryK!
DeleteI can see how much your changes lightened up the overall look of your coin quilt. I actually like both versions, though. Quilters Dream is the primary batting I use. The cotton is very nice! I think you will enjoy it. I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s shingles. I haven’t had it, but I understand it is quite painful!
ReplyDeleteYou have been a busy sewist (seamstress?, quilter?, all of the above?), Linda! I love the stars added to the coin quilt. Your Little House block looks great - such pretty colors! I made the heart block yesterday, but I think it needs some tweaking! Sorry to hear about the shingles episode - that is no fun. And I can relate to all the doctor's appointments, too. We are headed to the VA for Mike to see his GP today - but I get lunch out, so it's all good!
ReplyDeleteI, too, love the stars in the quilt. I hadn't seen it before the stars, but picturing it in my mind's eye, the stars are a great addition. Reupholstering is a real art. I, too, am so sorry your hubby has had to deal with shingles, and yes, we certainly make time for medical appointments in our later years.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and sweet thoughts, Snowcatcher!
DeleteHope your hubs is recovering well. I love the stars and bars and glad you got a suggestion that helped you move it along. I do like to reupholster...but it has been years. Fun to see the color choices for the tote ... have fun with all your projects!
ReplyDeleteI love the changes to the Barbie quilt, Linda, especially the addition of the stars - one of my favorites! Great job on the chair reupholstering. Your Little House block is really pretty. You've been very busy. Glad your mojo has returned! So sorry about the hubs shingles. I had them in 2020 - no fun. I hope his pain eases soon. I agree, that as we get older, it seems our lives are filled with doctor appointments. I hope his tests and surgery go well. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteWendy's photo tip is a good one! Your blocks look nice. Doesn't it make you feel good when someone asks us to make them something? It shows they appreciate what we do. You received some nice prizes. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWe all must have our quality control cats!
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