I was told my Dad is supposed to go home tomorrow! After several months in one nursing home, therapy facility, mental ward (yep, not a fun story) and back to the nursing home he is supposed to go home tomorrow. I am not holding my breath since every time I am told one thing something different happens, but I am hopeful.
I leave here Tuesday morning. I will stop in Mobile to rest then on to Houston.
While in Houston I hope to get to enjoy the quilt show. I have my camera ready and I am pretty excited. I am going to try and get my Linda to go with me. We always have fun no matter where we are so this will be no different. I have no list to buy from. I have nothing I am looking for. I would like to see the quilts. Connect with vendor acquaintances and eat at Ninfa's. What more could you want in one day?
Maybe after I return from Houston I will visit my sewing room. I know I will have pictures to share.
Later,
Diane
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Snap out of it!
I don't know if I am alone, but I found myself in a strange state of mind when it came to my quilting. I found myself reading blogs, A LOT. Not working on any of my projects. Constantly reading Keepsake and Connecting Threads catalogs. Scanning the Sew It's For Sale and Quilters Flea Market on yahoo. Buying fabric or patterns and stacking them in my room and walking back out, shutting the door behind me. One day it dawned on me I was constantly looking for something to buy but not using anything and it didn't even bother me.
All of this happened about the same time everything started falling apart with my dad. So I decided until I worked on something to completion (it doesn't have to be big just finished) I will not look at any more online stores, Flea Market emails or catalogs. No more shopping in local stores and maybe even sell a few things I no longer need.
I have sold a few things. Thank you to those who bought them! I have stayed out of quilt shops and fabric stores. (I KNOW they feel the difference in their tills). I have even stopped reading blogs since reading what others were doing only made me think about buying that doo-dad or fabric.
I can report I am beginning to feel and see a difference. I am having no desire to look at what I can purchase. I looked at a couple of blogs today and found them enjoyable without feeling the need to buy. I am even thinking about a project I want to work on, and it's a UFO so mores the better!
I am headed to Houston to check on my parents and with a little cooperation from the husband I am going to be there during the International Quilt Festival. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking. "She is gonna break the bank!" I really don't think so. I won't lie and say I won't buy anything, but I think I realize I need nothing. I am sure I will buy something though.
This will be the first time since I closed my business that I have been to the show ans the first time in about 8 years that I have been as just a quilter and not a business owner. I think I will enjoy it.
Now, after I have said all of the above...I don't want anyone to think I am so strong, or determined or disciplined. Nope I have been depressed! When I get depressed I become a blob. A slug. A couch potato!
Tonight I went for a good walk with Ray and the dogs. I have cleaned rooms I haven't touched in a month.I even cooked a very good dinner. Mostly we have eaten easy fast meals or salad or cereal for supper. Maybe it means I am snapping out of it. I hope so!
All of this happened about the same time everything started falling apart with my dad. So I decided until I worked on something to completion (it doesn't have to be big just finished) I will not look at any more online stores, Flea Market emails or catalogs. No more shopping in local stores and maybe even sell a few things I no longer need.
I have sold a few things. Thank you to those who bought them! I have stayed out of quilt shops and fabric stores. (I KNOW they feel the difference in their tills). I have even stopped reading blogs since reading what others were doing only made me think about buying that doo-dad or fabric.
I can report I am beginning to feel and see a difference. I am having no desire to look at what I can purchase. I looked at a couple of blogs today and found them enjoyable without feeling the need to buy. I am even thinking about a project I want to work on, and it's a UFO so mores the better!
I am headed to Houston to check on my parents and with a little cooperation from the husband I am going to be there during the International Quilt Festival. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking. "She is gonna break the bank!" I really don't think so. I won't lie and say I won't buy anything, but I think I realize I need nothing. I am sure I will buy something though.
This will be the first time since I closed my business that I have been to the show ans the first time in about 8 years that I have been as just a quilter and not a business owner. I think I will enjoy it.
Now, after I have said all of the above...I don't want anyone to think I am so strong, or determined or disciplined. Nope I have been depressed! When I get depressed I become a blob. A slug. A couch potato!
Tonight I went for a good walk with Ray and the dogs. I have cleaned rooms I haven't touched in a month.I even cooked a very good dinner. Mostly we have eaten easy fast meals or salad or cereal for supper. Maybe it means I am snapping out of it. I hope so!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Still here
I'm still here, I haven't fallen off the earth, just wish I had.
Too much has happened. Too many things to whine about, you really don't want to hear.
I have only thought about the Texas flag quilt. Well to be honest I have tried to draw it up in EQ...forget it I will need to read the manual and who wants to do that? Not me today!
I have pulled piles of fabric but that is as far as it went.
I haven't even unpacked from the retreat in August!
Or put my machine back to working order!
The only fun thing I have done is I started playing around with a necklace for my daughter.
When I get stressed I do two things I close myself off from other people and I get the WANTS.
I have a sister, a niece, and my mom that I am getting information from and none of the three say the same things. My plans are to go in about 3 weeks and stay for about 2 weeks. Maybe in that time I will be able to understand more.
Later,
Diane
Too much has happened. Too many things to whine about, you really don't want to hear.
I have only thought about the Texas flag quilt. Well to be honest I have tried to draw it up in EQ...forget it I will need to read the manual and who wants to do that? Not me today!
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I haven't even unpacked from the retreat in August!
Or put my machine back to working order!
The only fun thing I have done is I started playing around with a necklace for my daughter.
This is one of the eight scallops that go on the front of the necklace. It measures about 1 1/4" across. MAYBE I will get it made for her birthday. No promises.
When I get stressed I do two things I close myself off from other people and I get the WANTS.
I have all but stopped blogging, talking on the phone and not much email. If it wasn't for my SIL and her sweet daughter Hannah I wouldn't be doing the emails. My Linda calls to keep me talking but other people I tend to ignore.
The WANTS have been rampant. I want a new light for sewing. Why? I don't know! It isn't like I'm doing any! I found this one on clearance for $79! Regular price...$279!
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| this is a table lamp, I actually have the floor one in this model |
I wanted a new bed spread and pillows...why? I don't know I don't even like making my bed!
I'll have to take a picture later of what I bought...did you get the Tuesady Morning flyer? The red comforter on the front!
**PERSONAL...stop reading if you don't care to know about...**
For those who have asked about my dad. It is getting worse, but better too. He has been moved twice since I spoke with you last. He can only have visitors two times a week for two hours a visit. My sister said he is a lot more pleasant, less paranoid and agitated. With their financial state I don't know how long he will be here, if he can (physically and emotionally) go home or if they do send him home if he will just go back to how he was. Being so far away causes a lot of the information to get garbled in the translation. Kind of like when we played gossip in elementary school. The first person heard the teacher has on a red dress with yellow flowers and the last person heard the red car got a flat tire. I have a sister, a niece, and my mom that I am getting information from and none of the three say the same things. My plans are to go in about 3 weeks and stay for about 2 weeks. Maybe in that time I will be able to understand more.
Later,
Diane
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I can't get it off my mind
I have a quilt that is percolating. I keep thinking about it. I've tried to draw it up in EQ but I have forgotten most everything I knew about EQ. I don't know why I forgot it all, but I did. It's true, use it or lose it!
Anyway I am constantly thinking about a Texas flag. Anyone who has known me for more than five minutes knows I am from Texas and proud of it. I would be there today except my husband and his job (and paycheck) are in Florida. That still feels and sounds so strange to say, I live in Florida. Off track again...
The last time I was in Houston, my friend and I wandered into a iron works shop and I found the wall art I had been looking for, for a long time. I may have already told you this, and if I did, I'm sorry. The wall art is made of what looks like re-bar (is that correct?) bent into a circle and a star welded in the middle. Then on another larger ring ...let me go take a picture...
Anyway ever since I brought this home and my husband hung it in the "formal" living room better known as the foo foo room around here I have had thoughts of a Texas quilt. I have a wonderful Texas block of the month that I bought to make but as yet haven't started, but that wasn't what I was thinking. I was thinking about a flag. I wanted to make a flag quilt. Sounds easy enough. Strips of red white and blue and a large white star. I have drawers of strips already cut. I had tons of red, white and blue until I made two quilts of valor, so the drawers are rather lacking in those colors. But wait! I have a stash! Woo Hoo! I knew I bought that fabric for a reason!
I better go quickly while the desire is still here. I seem to be easily distracted lately.
Later,
Diane
Anyway I am constantly thinking about a Texas flag. Anyone who has known me for more than five minutes knows I am from Texas and proud of it. I would be there today except my husband and his job (and paycheck) are in Florida. That still feels and sounds so strange to say, I live in Florida. Off track again...
The last time I was in Houston, my friend and I wandered into a iron works shop and I found the wall art I had been looking for, for a long time. I may have already told you this, and if I did, I'm sorry. The wall art is made of what looks like re-bar (is that correct?) bent into a circle and a star welded in the middle. Then on another larger ring ...let me go take a picture...
Anyway ever since I brought this home and my husband hung it in the "formal" living room better known as the foo foo room around here I have had thoughts of a Texas quilt. I have a wonderful Texas block of the month that I bought to make but as yet haven't started, but that wasn't what I was thinking. I was thinking about a flag. I wanted to make a flag quilt. Sounds easy enough. Strips of red white and blue and a large white star. I have drawers of strips already cut. I had tons of red, white and blue until I made two quilts of valor, so the drawers are rather lacking in those colors. But wait! I have a stash! Woo Hoo! I knew I bought that fabric for a reason!
I better go quickly while the desire is still here. I seem to be easily distracted lately.
Later,
Diane
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Live and Learn
Every single stitch I made yesterday has to be unstitched! UGH!
It was too hot to sew in my sewing room so I moved my featherweight into the dining room to work on some little, easy, no brain type 9 patches. Me in my infinite wisdom didn't check my seam allowance because "I know it's right!". WRONG!
I had all of my little 9 patches made and was about to sew them to the solid alternating square when I noticed they almost 1/4" smaller. Ah man! No amount of pressing and stretching was gonna get that block big enough. GRRR!
I just wanted to (insert whining here) sew some and have some down time, and relax with no frustrations. yeah right!
:^(
Oh well what was I expecting? I'm glad it was only about 12 blocks, and they are small, and I don't mind ripping out!
Maybe I can get them right today.
Woo Hoo! More sewing!! AND everyone is OUT of the house today, another WOO HOO! My day is getting better and better.
Later,
Diane
It was too hot to sew in my sewing room so I moved my featherweight into the dining room to work on some little, easy, no brain type 9 patches. Me in my infinite wisdom didn't check my seam allowance because "I know it's right!". WRONG!
I had all of my little 9 patches made and was about to sew them to the solid alternating square when I noticed they almost 1/4" smaller. Ah man! No amount of pressing and stretching was gonna get that block big enough. GRRR!
I just wanted to (insert whining here) sew some and have some down time, and relax with no frustrations. yeah right!
Oh well what was I expecting? I'm glad it was only about 12 blocks, and they are small, and I don't mind ripping out!
Maybe I can get them right today.
Woo Hoo! More sewing!! AND everyone is OUT of the house today, another WOO HOO! My day is getting better and better.
Later,
Diane
Monday, September 19, 2011
Today is the day!
Today I will go into my sewing room and knock the dust off my cutting mat and plug in my faithful sewing machine and try my hand at a 1/4" seam. I may fail terribly, but I need to try.
There has been so much bad news coming from Houston that I need to block my ears and try for a few minutes of pleasure.
I have sandwiches and salads planned for supper and fruit and yogurt for dessert. The kitchen is clean and the laundry (never ending) is at a good pausing point. The dogs have been walked, fed and played with and they have tons of chew toys and each other for entertainment.
I can hear my friends chanting and cheering me on (all in my head) so here I go. I will report if I make any progress!
Later,
Diane
There has been so much bad news coming from Houston that I need to block my ears and try for a few minutes of pleasure.
I have sandwiches and salads planned for supper and fruit and yogurt for dessert. The kitchen is clean and the laundry (never ending) is at a good pausing point. The dogs have been walked, fed and played with and they have tons of chew toys and each other for entertainment.
I can hear my friends chanting and cheering me on (all in my head) so here I go. I will report if I make any progress!
Later,
Diane
Friday, September 9, 2011
Books for sale post #2
| POSTAGE (media rate) IS EXTRA & PAID BY BUYER |
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| $3 Has ideas & PP patterns |
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| $5 Sold! |
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| $3 quilt as you go instructionsSOLD! |
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| $5 machine applique and quilt at the same time |
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| $5 |
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| $3 lots of cute patternsSOLD! |
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| $2 traditional with a twist Sold! |
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| $2 great for using with stripesSOLD! |
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| $2 lots of PP patterns |
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| $2 Lots of PP patterns |
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| $2 Lots of PP patterns |
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| $5 |
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| $3 SOLD! |
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| $3SOLD! |
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| $3 |
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| $3SOLD! |
Diane
Thursday, September 8, 2011
For Sale
I am pretty sure most of those who read my blog on a regular basis have left me due to my not posting in a long while but I will try this anyway.
I have been trying to cull books. That is VERY hard for me! While going through my books I found doubles of some and some that were won as door prizes and others that I don't have a clue about. I also have some books from the business I am ready to quit tripping over.
I thought I would take pictures and put them on here with a price and see if anyone was interested in them.
It will take several posts to get them all since there are so many.
Shipping to be paid by the buyer
If you are interested let me know.
More later,
Diane
I have been trying to cull books. That is VERY hard for me! While going through my books I found doubles of some and some that were won as door prizes and others that I don't have a clue about. I also have some books from the business I am ready to quit tripping over.
I thought I would take pictures and put them on here with a price and see if anyone was interested in them.
It will take several posts to get them all since there are so many.
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| Olde is New Again- Jo Morton $8 |
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| Judy Martin Log Cabin- Never used, signed by author $12 SOLD! |
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| Vintage Charm - Jo Morton, never used $12 |
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| Turning Twenty #4- seven copies $7 |
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| Turning Twenty New Edition of first book- 5 copies $6 |
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| Be Attitudes - Art to Heart never used $8 |
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| Machine Stitched Cathedral Windows - New- $10 |
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| The Quilters Companion - great condition- $10 |
If you are interested let me know.
More later,
Diane
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thanks, but keep praying
I'm still here and kicking, but it is getting lower and lower each day.
I won't rehash my dad's plight, but he is still in the nursing home and I don't know much more than that.
Yesterday Ray got a call from his dad's wife and she was crying. We knew his dad was in the hospital having some tests run so Ray immediately thought the worst. Come to find out his dad has been taking Alzheimer's meds and since he has been in the hospital for a few days it was just too much for him. He is completely confused. He doesn't know exactly where he is, he thinks he has been moved to a nursing home (he hasn't). He thinks his wife and her son took his car and truck and left them somewhere, (they didn't). Ray spent a good hour last night trying to reassure him he was in the same place and safe and his wife was coming back up there as soon as she rested.
We spent the rest of the night trying to figure out if Ray needed to go to Arkansas since his dad has no one who can really take care of him. We have worried about this for a while and it has finally happened.
Maybe I should rename my blog, Dieing to Quilt!
Ray has taken a few days of vacation so you know I haven't had any time to even touch my sewing machine. Really I don't mind, since I am finally getting that old longing back to go in there. I guess I just needed some absence to make my heart grow fonder?! :)
I won't rehash my dad's plight, but he is still in the nursing home and I don't know much more than that.
Yesterday Ray got a call from his dad's wife and she was crying. We knew his dad was in the hospital having some tests run so Ray immediately thought the worst. Come to find out his dad has been taking Alzheimer's meds and since he has been in the hospital for a few days it was just too much for him. He is completely confused. He doesn't know exactly where he is, he thinks he has been moved to a nursing home (he hasn't). He thinks his wife and her son took his car and truck and left them somewhere, (they didn't). Ray spent a good hour last night trying to reassure him he was in the same place and safe and his wife was coming back up there as soon as she rested.
We spent the rest of the night trying to figure out if Ray needed to go to Arkansas since his dad has no one who can really take care of him. We have worried about this for a while and it has finally happened.
Maybe I should rename my blog, Dieing to Quilt!
Ray has taken a few days of vacation so you know I haven't had any time to even touch my sewing machine. Really I don't mind, since I am finally getting that old longing back to go in there. I guess I just needed some absence to make my heart grow fonder?! :)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Jumble of emotions, lots of thoughts
I have just returned home from a two week trip. I went to Mobile to see my friends and attend a retreat with them. I had so much fun! I was so happy to see the faces of the ladies I have learned to love over the years. Ladies who I would have probably never met had it not been for my obsession with quilts. Since September 1998 I have had the pleasure of learning and laughing with the great members of Azalea City Quilters Guild. I hope I have at least another 50 years with them.
If I ever learn to get pictures off of my phone I will post some of the pictures I took.
After the retreat I left and went to Houston. My daddy has been put in a nursing home. The idea was he was too weak and needed to get some therapy for walking, balance and strength. Originally the goal was a few weeks and he would be home. My first thought when my sister TEXT me, was he will never come home. Can you tell I was not impressed by learning of his hospital stay and nursing home stay via text? There are just some things that should be done with your voice and not your fingers! I think telling someone their parent is ill would be one of them. I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, off of that tangent and back to the story.
I went to Houston to find out for myself what was going on. After about 5 days I came to realize my first thought just might be correct and Daddy may not come home. He fell three times in less than 30 hours. They can not convince him to stay still until someone can help him stand. He is adamant there is a conspiracy between my mother and the nursing home to keep him. He swears the sitter who sits with him when no family is with him, is hurting him. The man in the bed next to him (in a coma) makes too much noise and is rude to him.
Every time I would go see Daddy he asked if I had my fast red truck. He remembers that I have a Ford F250 with a big engine. Daddy always loved Ford trucks and used to street race in his younger days. Anyway he asked me if I would go get my truck and back up to his room window. He was going to climb out and I would "go fast, don't stop, not even for the police" and take him home. That was all fine and good until the fourth day and he told me he knew I wasn't ever going to bring the truck. He was so upset with me, then he just kept getting more and more agitated that I had to leave. I was afraid I was gonna make him have a heart attack or a stroke.
I know those of you who read my blog don't read to hear about family issues, but right now that is where I am. This is all I think of all day long.
Today was spent resting, unpacking, napping, laundry and thinking.
I hope tomorrow I can have a better day and maybe rip out the sewing I did at the retreat. I will explain more in detail later, but basically I wasted four yards of fabric. I cut it all up just to discover it was 1" too small! Setting triangles! UGH!
Later,
Diane
If I ever learn to get pictures off of my phone I will post some of the pictures I took.
After the retreat I left and went to Houston. My daddy has been put in a nursing home. The idea was he was too weak and needed to get some therapy for walking, balance and strength. Originally the goal was a few weeks and he would be home. My first thought when my sister TEXT me, was he will never come home. Can you tell I was not impressed by learning of his hospital stay and nursing home stay via text? There are just some things that should be done with your voice and not your fingers! I think telling someone their parent is ill would be one of them. I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, off of that tangent and back to the story.
I went to Houston to find out for myself what was going on. After about 5 days I came to realize my first thought just might be correct and Daddy may not come home. He fell three times in less than 30 hours. They can not convince him to stay still until someone can help him stand. He is adamant there is a conspiracy between my mother and the nursing home to keep him. He swears the sitter who sits with him when no family is with him, is hurting him. The man in the bed next to him (in a coma) makes too much noise and is rude to him.
Every time I would go see Daddy he asked if I had my fast red truck. He remembers that I have a Ford F250 with a big engine. Daddy always loved Ford trucks and used to street race in his younger days. Anyway he asked me if I would go get my truck and back up to his room window. He was going to climb out and I would "go fast, don't stop, not even for the police" and take him home. That was all fine and good until the fourth day and he told me he knew I wasn't ever going to bring the truck. He was so upset with me, then he just kept getting more and more agitated that I had to leave. I was afraid I was gonna make him have a heart attack or a stroke.
I know those of you who read my blog don't read to hear about family issues, but right now that is where I am. This is all I think of all day long.
Today was spent resting, unpacking, napping, laundry and thinking.
I hope tomorrow I can have a better day and maybe rip out the sewing I did at the retreat. I will explain more in detail later, but basically I wasted four yards of fabric. I cut it all up just to discover it was 1" too small! Setting triangles! UGH!
Later,
Diane
Monday, August 8, 2011
She's alive!
Yes, I'm alive.
Shock!
I have had a fight with my Fibro and my RA. I have felt like a victim of a crash and deprived of sleep for at least a week. Man!
I am coming out of it now, but I tell you what I couldn't concentrate, walk, stand, or do much of anything.
I have no idea what happened to cause it to act up, but I haven't felt that bad for a LONG time.
I know I have been stressed about my dad so maybe that had something to do with it, but I don't know.
I am headed to see my parents so I can see for myself how Daddy is. He has been put in a "therapy facility" read nursing home. I have got to go see with my own eyes how he is doing.
I will stop in Mobile and see my friends and retreat a couple of days, then head on to Houston.
Some of the ways I have passed the time is been playing with my beading. It is coming back to me pretty easily and I am enjoying sitting in the living room with Ray and bead weaving while he watched TV.
One night I was invited to watch my daughter in a mini dance competition. Try as I might I didn't get any good pictures but I wanted to share a few.
Shock!
I have had a fight with my Fibro and my RA. I have felt like a victim of a crash and deprived of sleep for at least a week. Man!
I am coming out of it now, but I tell you what I couldn't concentrate, walk, stand, or do much of anything.
I have no idea what happened to cause it to act up, but I haven't felt that bad for a LONG time.
I know I have been stressed about my dad so maybe that had something to do with it, but I don't know.
I am headed to see my parents so I can see for myself how Daddy is. He has been put in a "therapy facility" read nursing home. I have got to go see with my own eyes how he is doing.
I will stop in Mobile and see my friends and retreat a couple of days, then head on to Houston.
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| beaded needle case |
One night I was invited to watch my daughter in a mini dance competition. Try as I might I didn't get any good pictures but I wanted to share a few.
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| Introduction Dance |
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| twirling |
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| Dancing with Ms. Wanda This was completely new to me. I have never seen Kari dance and didn't know exactly what to expect. I thought she looked nice and danced pretty. Gotta start packing, Diane |
Monday, July 25, 2011
No title today...
There has been no fun going on around here lately. There has been stifling heat and humidity although we have been better off than the central states. I haven't walked the dogs more than run out and run back in due to almost constant thunder (it causes Little Girl's bladder to close up tighter than a drum!) and lightening. We are in the season of the year of almost daily rain in the afternoons. I really don't like getting rained on, I guess it all stems from being told by my Papa I would melt if I got rained on. At least one person in my life thought I was sweet as sugar. Anyway with the afternoon rain I have to plan my activities around them or nothing gets done. So what do you think has happened? Nothing! I am not a good planner.
I have gone in the sewing room a couple of times but it needs cleaning so bad I usually turn and come right back out. I have not felt much like bending and moving stacks and putting away and the such. My F/A is giving me fits for the past week or so. Too much stiffness and pain.
Luckily I have less stiffness and pain in my hands (just my thumbs) so I have been learning to bead a new stitch. I am doing an odd count tubular peyote stitch.
This was going to be a large bangle bracelet. I have never done anything like this and have been using beads I have had for a long time. Once I got this far I discovered I could never finish it. See the large clear beads at the top of the ridge? I will run out of those beads in about two more rounds. I have no idea where I bought them or even what size they are. So I decided I will make it as far as it goes and then put it on my shelf. I love the way it looks. I like it so much I know I will make another one, but make sure I have enough beads to complete a full bracelet. I know at least two young ladies who would love to wear a wild bracelet like that.
Last night, I was really feeling bad, Ray was watching TV and I didn't want to go to bed. I put all of my beading stuff on a cookie sheet and sat in the living room with Ray and the pups.
It worked perfectly! See that wooden thing at the top left of the picture? That is a really pretty wooden thread and needle keeper Ray bought me in Wyoming. I have to be careful with it, as it has a very powerful magnet in it and it has already done a number on my iPod. I was able to reset it and it is fine, but lesson learned!
I think I will go get in the pool and try to work some of the stiffness out. I am tired of feeling bad so I must get pro-active!
Later,
Diane
I have gone in the sewing room a couple of times but it needs cleaning so bad I usually turn and come right back out. I have not felt much like bending and moving stacks and putting away and the such. My F/A is giving me fits for the past week or so. Too much stiffness and pain.
Luckily I have less stiffness and pain in my hands (just my thumbs) so I have been learning to bead a new stitch. I am doing an odd count tubular peyote stitch.
Last night, I was really feeling bad, Ray was watching TV and I didn't want to go to bed. I put all of my beading stuff on a cookie sheet and sat in the living room with Ray and the pups.
I think I will go get in the pool and try to work some of the stiffness out. I am tired of feeling bad so I must get pro-active!
Later,
Diane
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
I can't believe it!
In case you don't know, my portion is bottom row, third from the right. Not much color...beige and red.
I found out tonight my dad is being sent to a therapy center. I really don't know all the details but he has been in the hospital for 4 days for a severe UTI. Now I find out he is being sent to a place that he will NOT do well in. He can NOT stand to be separated from my mom. Right now they are keeping him pretty well drugged so they can keep him in the bed at the hospital. How much will they drug him to keep him this new place? It just doesn't feel good.
Later,
Diane
Nothing new
Still not much going on. Dealing with a two day headache, two separate days of joint pain and tons of laundry has caused me to not get much accomplished.
I volunteered to help the LQS with making samples. It has taken me three days to make two pillowcases. Now that is slow! I am really glad I didn't get the other samples I considered as they were much more involved. The fabrics are really cute. I can see me buying some for sleep pants for my sons.
I volunteered to help the LQS with making samples. It has taken me three days to make two pillowcases. Now that is slow! I am really glad I didn't get the other samples I considered as they were much more involved. The fabrics are really cute. I can see me buying some for sleep pants for my sons.
I thought I would share one of the beautiful sunsets from our recent trip to Colorado. I'm not very good with a camera, but God sure is good with the sunsets.
Diane
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I just don't understand
I'm am a visual learner. I don't do written instructions well, but I really wanted to know how to make a quilt so I stuck with it. I would call Granny on the phone and ask her questions. I asked Ray to read the instructions and see if I was doing it right. I made twelve 12" blocks, hand pieced. Then because not all of the blocks came out exactly 12" I had to put a small sash around each one to make them all the same size.
After about a month of seeing me struggle and fret, then smile and giggle over my accomplishments my husband asked if there was anyone besides his Granny who lived 8 hours away who could teach me. Now mind you, I had a very premature baby on my hands who needed 24 hour a day meds and oxygen and 3 doctor's appointments a week an hour from our house and two older children ages 5 and 8. Saying all of that to say, money was TIGHT.
I told him that one day while driving home from a doctor's appointment I noticed a sign advertising quilt classes. So after discussing it and assuring me we could afford it I signed up. I remember thinking $60 was OUTRAGEOUS! It was either 8 or 10 weeks of classes two hours a week. We learned block reading, template making, hand piecing, applique, basting, quilting and binding. The whole shebang. Beside all of that we learned about tools, fabric, color choices and anything else you could think of. I also learned "quilt shop etiquette", as in how to not put my foot in my mouth about buying fabric at another place and talking about it in the shop. Needless to say the quilt shop owner was very patient and kind.
Once we finished the class we knew everything we needed to know to make a quilt. We were not experts in anything, but we would get better.
Time travel twenty years later and I am sitting here confused. As a lot of quilters, I am on a few "lists" that talk about quilting. Some of these lists are about particular types of quilting and some are about hand work, some are about particular books or patterns. This week one of the lists I am on is all in a dither about the book not having instructions about block construction. Really? Didn't they open the book and look through it before they purchased it? Why are you fussing and whining because you purchased a book that you don't know how to use? If you want to make this quilt, figure it out. Don't wait to be spoon fed.
I guess what I am saying is what I told my children when they would ask me how to do something they were too lazy to troubleshoot. Engage your own brain, instead of mine. Look at it, think about it, try something, if it doesn't work try something else.
I guess I should step down from my soap box. I have more to say, but it comes out mean so I keep deleting it.
If you don't hate me by now maybe I will see you next time.
Later,
Diane
Monday, July 11, 2011
Coming out of the funk
I hope the "funk" is about over. Ray and I attribute it to too much travel and not enough rest. I have been unfocused and tired and until last night haven't even ventured down the hall to my sewing room. After a couple of days of aches and pains and headaches I am finally feeling human again.
The most fun I have had is playing with my sweet puppies, who both turn one year old this month. Boo turned one on the 5th and Little Girl will on the 23rd.
While travelling I bought a beading magazine. Do not ask me why, because I don't know. Something sparkly caught my eye I guess. So when I got home I pulled out my beads from when the kids were young and doing arts and crafts. I had forgotten how much I liked playing with beads. I have made a few bracelets and a ring which looks goofy and is too big, but it was fun. I also discovered that going to a bead store is just as dangerous as going to the quilt shop. The purchase is the same $ amount but you come out with a tiny bag you can slip into your purse.
Ray is off on another trip this week so I went into the sewing room and sat and stared for a long time. I finally said to myself. "Self you have to just do it" so I did. I grabbed some strips and made a couple of log cabin blocks. Nothing fancy, nothing hard, just dipping my toes; getting reacquainted. Feeling my way around. It felt good. The blocks came out square and the correct size which is always a good thing.
Maybe I will make a few more today, since these turned out so nice. But first my youngest want to go grab a pizza, YUM!
Later,
Diane
The most fun I have had is playing with my sweet puppies, who both turn one year old this month. Boo turned one on the 5th and Little Girl will on the 23rd.
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| Can this be comfortable? Her bum on his shoulder and her shoulder holding all her weight, which is a LOT! |
While travelling I bought a beading magazine. Do not ask me why, because I don't know. Something sparkly caught my eye I guess. So when I got home I pulled out my beads from when the kids were young and doing arts and crafts. I had forgotten how much I liked playing with beads. I have made a few bracelets and a ring which looks goofy and is too big, but it was fun. I also discovered that going to a bead store is just as dangerous as going to the quilt shop. The purchase is the same $ amount but you come out with a tiny bag you can slip into your purse.
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| This one needs help |
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| Lots of fun to make |
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| first in a long time, FUN |
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| needs help! |
Ray is off on another trip this week so I went into the sewing room and sat and stared for a long time. I finally said to myself. "Self you have to just do it" so I did. I grabbed some strips and made a couple of log cabin blocks. Nothing fancy, nothing hard, just dipping my toes; getting reacquainted. Feeling my way around. It felt good. The blocks came out square and the correct size which is always a good thing.
Maybe I will make a few more today, since these turned out so nice. But first my youngest want to go grab a pizza, YUM!
Later,
Diane
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
what to do?
I am at a complete stand still. I don't know what to do. This always happens after a lot of travel. I go in my sewing room and look at everything. I look through projects I had been working on before leaving, trying to remember where I was, but put them aside.
I look though my stack of UFO bins trying to get interested, but close them back up. I dig out magazines trying to spark an interest...nothing. I look through my hundreds of patterns, put them back. I start to clean up thinking that usually gets me interested in something I touch, not this time.
I hate this feeling. I feel overwhelmed, underwhelmed and disconnected.
Overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have.
Underwhelmed by the projects that had me on fire just a few short weeks ago.
Disconnected because I have not ventured out to make quilting friends even after living here for almost three years. What is my problem? Really I know what my problem is there. I have always been afraid of putting myself out there. If I have a friend to go with I am pretty much OK, but when I am alone I am the biggest scaredy cat!
So here I sit...what to do?
Diane
I look though my stack of UFO bins trying to get interested, but close them back up. I dig out magazines trying to spark an interest...nothing. I look through my hundreds of patterns, put them back. I start to clean up thinking that usually gets me interested in something I touch, not this time.
I hate this feeling. I feel overwhelmed, underwhelmed and disconnected.
Overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have.
Underwhelmed by the projects that had me on fire just a few short weeks ago.
Disconnected because I have not ventured out to make quilting friends even after living here for almost three years. What is my problem? Really I know what my problem is there. I have always been afraid of putting myself out there. If I have a friend to go with I am pretty much OK, but when I am alone I am the biggest scaredy cat!
So here I sit...what to do?
Diane
Friday, July 1, 2011
Home, laundry and rules
We got home late last night. I was so glad to finally sleep in my own bed! I like travelling, but I love coming home.
Today is busy with laundry, vaccuming, unpacking, playing with the pups and trying to stay out of the sewing room. I have to make strict rules about the sewing room when I get home from a trip or I will drop the suitcases in the doorway and head straight in there. There will be no clean clothes, no food and very upset dogs.
I must go to the grocery store today. The only food left is milk and a half box of cereal.
While travelling this year, my attention was directed to beads. Do not ask me why, I don't know. I guess the sparkle or something like that. I bought a couple of beading magazines and saw all of the fun stuff that was being made. I used to bead on a loom years ago so I have beads and several tools. I still like bead weaving on and off loom better than just beading one bead after another. Maybe I will just pull out my loom and see what I can come up with.
I visited a couple of bead shops but bought very little. Fortunaltly there has been no head over heels falling for sparkly things like for fabric. Ray is relieved. He did ask me if I was starting a new addiction or if I was mildly interested. He was worried what room the beads would take up in the already stuffed quilt house. I assured him it was a mild interest, but he did need to take me to the sporting goods store. I'm not sure what he was thinking when I bought the new Berkley Fireline. He started looking at new rods and reels. He told me he needed heavier line than the 6# test I bought. I just shook my head. Poor man, when will he learn?
Ok, I am off to the grocery store.
More later,
Diane
Today is busy with laundry, vaccuming, unpacking, playing with the pups and trying to stay out of the sewing room. I have to make strict rules about the sewing room when I get home from a trip or I will drop the suitcases in the doorway and head straight in there. There will be no clean clothes, no food and very upset dogs.
I must go to the grocery store today. The only food left is milk and a half box of cereal.
While travelling this year, my attention was directed to beads. Do not ask me why, I don't know. I guess the sparkle or something like that. I bought a couple of beading magazines and saw all of the fun stuff that was being made. I used to bead on a loom years ago so I have beads and several tools. I still like bead weaving on and off loom better than just beading one bead after another. Maybe I will just pull out my loom and see what I can come up with.
I visited a couple of bead shops but bought very little. Fortunaltly there has been no head over heels falling for sparkly things like for fabric. Ray is relieved. He did ask me if I was starting a new addiction or if I was mildly interested. He was worried what room the beads would take up in the already stuffed quilt house. I assured him it was a mild interest, but he did need to take me to the sporting goods store. I'm not sure what he was thinking when I bought the new Berkley Fireline. He started looking at new rods and reels. He told me he needed heavier line than the 6# test I bought. I just shook my head. Poor man, when will he learn?
Ok, I am off to the grocery store.
More later,
Diane
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Colorado
Yesterday morning we took off to Colorado for a few days of meetings for my husband and a few days of relaxing for me. We landed and headed straight for Estes Park, one of my favorite places. We went into Rocky Mountain National Park and took the drive looking at all of the beauty. We had been warned that the weather up at the Alpine Visitor's Center was cold and there was problems with a bike rally, but that was the extent of the warning. We talked about it and decided to continue up to the visitor's center since the warning sounded more like casual conversation and not warning like at all. We got not too far from the visitor's center and the weather changed in the blink of an eye! Almost total white out from the clouds, ice/rain and high winds. We turned in to the visitor's center to see hundreds of bikes all over the place. Not many riders were to be seen, but bikes were everywhere!
We decided we didn't need to stay up there so ran over to the restrooms so we could make it down the mountain with one less thing on our minds. Ray went first so he could tell me if the wind was too much. He came back and reported everything was fine go ahead. HE LIED!
Apparently he didn't listen in anatomy class about the differences in boys and girls. Boys stand and girls sit. Cold air coming up the barely civilized potties don't affect boys. Girls have to actually sit on the barely civilized potties and ice cold, gale force winds shooting UP the potty is a problem. It took full forced heat, heated seats in the truck and several minutes for me to feel my bottom again.
We headed down the mountain and the ice/rain had turned to huge snow drops and low visibility. We kept passing U haul moving vans going up the mountain to retrieve the bikes. We followed an ambulance that was transporting a couple of bikers suffering from hypothermia. I have several question going through my mind but I'm afraid someone will think I am being rude or mean. Questions like...have you ever been on top of this mountain before? If you are a local biker, don't you know the weather changes in an instant on this mountain? Why would you ride your bike up here, and only wear the skimpy clothes you have on?
I completely understand they couldn't ride back down no matter what clothes they wore. The weather was just too bad, but the ones we saw huddled in the center were in skimpy biker clothes like the kind they wear in Florida. I'm confused.
Anyway, I'm in the room now recovering from the precious 8 year old Henry that was in the pool when I went down there earlier. He took a shine to me and nearly made me want to scream. He was celebrating his birthday today. I am not sure if he is ever disciplined or if since today was his day off due to the celebration. He managed to tell me I wasn't in the pool because I was too old. Called me "mam" at least 187 times in the 30 minutes I sat there waiting for my room to be tidied up. Finally his mother called him over and told him he was being rude. I thought she was telling him to play with his sisters and leave me alone, but no she told him to ask my name. She said it was rude to call me "mam". So now precious Henry asks me my name and I tell him, and he says Hey "mam" count how long I can stay under water. I asked if he needed help staying under longer but he said no. I decided to go to my room no matter if it was tidied up or not since I wasn't prepared to go to jail in Colorado.
Tomorrow I pick up my rental car so I can go visit fun places.
Later,
Diane
We decided we didn't need to stay up there so ran over to the restrooms so we could make it down the mountain with one less thing on our minds. Ray went first so he could tell me if the wind was too much. He came back and reported everything was fine go ahead. HE LIED!
Apparently he didn't listen in anatomy class about the differences in boys and girls. Boys stand and girls sit. Cold air coming up the barely civilized potties don't affect boys. Girls have to actually sit on the barely civilized potties and ice cold, gale force winds shooting UP the potty is a problem. It took full forced heat, heated seats in the truck and several minutes for me to feel my bottom again.
We headed down the mountain and the ice/rain had turned to huge snow drops and low visibility. We kept passing U haul moving vans going up the mountain to retrieve the bikes. We followed an ambulance that was transporting a couple of bikers suffering from hypothermia. I have several question going through my mind but I'm afraid someone will think I am being rude or mean. Questions like...have you ever been on top of this mountain before? If you are a local biker, don't you know the weather changes in an instant on this mountain? Why would you ride your bike up here, and only wear the skimpy clothes you have on?
I completely understand they couldn't ride back down no matter what clothes they wore. The weather was just too bad, but the ones we saw huddled in the center were in skimpy biker clothes like the kind they wear in Florida. I'm confused.
Anyway, I'm in the room now recovering from the precious 8 year old Henry that was in the pool when I went down there earlier. He took a shine to me and nearly made me want to scream. He was celebrating his birthday today. I am not sure if he is ever disciplined or if since today was his day off due to the celebration. He managed to tell me I wasn't in the pool because I was too old. Called me "mam" at least 187 times in the 30 minutes I sat there waiting for my room to be tidied up. Finally his mother called him over and told him he was being rude. I thought she was telling him to play with his sisters and leave me alone, but no she told him to ask my name. She said it was rude to call me "mam". So now precious Henry asks me my name and I tell him, and he says Hey "mam" count how long I can stay under water. I asked if he needed help staying under longer but he said no. I decided to go to my room no matter if it was tidied up or not since I wasn't prepared to go to jail in Colorado.
Tomorrow I pick up my rental car so I can go visit fun places.
Later,
Diane
Saturday, June 18, 2011
No sewing
Lots of yard work being done around here. Today is sprinkler system repair day. We have put it off until the absolute hottest day, which sounds just about right for us! Dear, sweet, love of my life doesn't know his own strength so first thing right off the bat he broke a whole head, stem, thing-a-ma-bob. Water gushing everywhere but on the dry, parched grass.
So while he runs to Lowe's I'm home trying not to touch my beige furniture because of the sun screen all over me. I can't even go into my sewing room since I am afraid of getting the goop on my fabric or machine or chair. I guess the safest place for me would be scrubbing the bathtub but who wants to do that? Not this red hen!
I hope I get to sew some tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath.
Later,
Diane
So while he runs to Lowe's I'm home trying not to touch my beige furniture because of the sun screen all over me. I can't even go into my sewing room since I am afraid of getting the goop on my fabric or machine or chair. I guess the safest place for me would be scrubbing the bathtub but who wants to do that? Not this red hen!
I hope I get to sew some tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath.
Later,
Diane
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The insanity is catching!
I received a couple of emails asking particulars so I thought I would show what I was doing.
The so called Giant Thimble was made from a template I drew. It is 2" at the base, 2" high and 1" at the top. I don't know if this is the correct dimensions, top to bottom measurement, but it's what I drew.
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| small lunch box |
I decided I would make these my leader ender patches.
There is just one question that keeps nagging me. If I keep using smaller and smaller scraps...
How will I ever use all of this?
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| Old picture, it's actually worse now! |
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