Slowly, slowly

I now understand those who quilt for therapy in a loss or pain. These are busy days and I'm having trouble with focus and that "Be still and know that I am God" thing that is so true but often difficult with a million thoughts and memories crowding into my head. I miss my sister yet cannot believe she is gone. I am sad for me and others in our circle of family and friends as she was such a unique and wonderful person, but happy for her as I know she is with Jesus. Put the memories into the mix and no wonder all I want to do is sleep! But quilting helps.

Here is the progress on Halo Medallion. It looks okay, lots of ruler work, but the best part is the above stew of thoughts seem to settle down when I work on it. Might be that concentration is required, but nothing else does it, for me anyway.

I've had nosebleeds again. Started on the weekend. Had to miss church. Woke up at 4 am bleeding until 6 am. I did all the doctors said. Finally slept at 7 until 10 am and then it started again as soon as I gently touched my face. Remembered an old trick that I heard from a doctor -- slapped the bottom of the foot on the opposite side of the bleeding nostril -- really hard, a couple of times. The bleeding stopped instantly and has been okay since then. It is now 2:30. I want to sleep, but think that is a false signal. I need to quilt... I miss my sister.

Heaven's gain...

My sister died early this morning. She is with Jesus, for which I rejoice even in great sorrow. For more about her, see my other blog. This is the quilt that I made for her and she gave back to me... She had it in her home and painted her dining room wall to set it off. Oh my, I'm missing her already.

 

This border took forever...

Foundation paper piecing is a favored technique -- repetition is not. Thirty-six of these blocks nearly made me decide to quit this project and go fishing (or shopping). Anyway, they are done, on the center, and waiting for an idea of what to do with the rest of it. I don't want to make the full quilt as the rest of the borders are more of the same... bitty pieces that take forever. I'm thinking something plain and calling it a lap quilt. Colors are a bit off in this photo but you get the idea. That last border has 916 pieces in it. The geese are about 1 1/8" across the widest part.

It's been a rough week. We had a lovely Christmas Day then late in the evening received the news that my sister fell about 3 pm and broke her hip. She was taken to hospital and had surgery the next day. She has other problems - forgets words and slowly become unable to communicate. She is aware, just can't remember how to talk or do some other things. She is 3 plus hours from us. We planned to go down, but hubby picked up a nasty cold virus right after Christmas and he sounds awful. Doc said his lungs are okay. We were supposed to travel soon, but he is thinking we should cancel. The last time he got sick nearly did him in as he has a compromised immune system and this cold could lead to something worse. Lots of chicken soup and naps happening here!

If I don't get back on for a day or two, Happy New Year!

Hubby and I went to NC on the 7th to visit our daughter and son-in-law. Bob got sick on the 8th and went from bad to worse rather rapidly. I've posted some of it on my other blog. If you read from January 17, it will tell you why I'm not posting here. It has been a very rough couple of weeks and it's not over yet. He is seriously ill.

 

Top is nearly finished...

This top is a large wall hanging, about 48 x 72, and for a nameless relative who I hope is not reading my blog! Anyway, the basics are done. It still needs a fence at the bottom of the lighthouse and a few other details, like bushes, maybe a few critters in the rocks. I'll put lots of grass and details in with thread as well.

 

The cherry tree on the right is now ready to be framed. I'll post a photo when that part is done and before my GD gets it. 

FLOOD Report: My sister got into her home to view the damage a week ago last Monday. She said it was "a mess" and was glad that the water wasn't too deep. Wednesday, she was allowed back in to clean up. (The reasons for this are long - like sink holes under the water, some open sewers, electricity still on in places, etc. with officials trying to keep people safe.) She lost her furnace, hot water tank, a pool table, two freezers, her frig (spoiled food) and some of her original art, plus many prints. Garage also had a foot of mud on the floor. A crew came in and by Friday (3 days later) it was "clean and sanitized" with power and water but no gas. She figures it will be months to repair/replace everything. Some folks have no family/friends to help, but there has been a huge outpouring of support. People are driving miles to go there and deliver supplies and food. A nearby Hutterite colony has fed hundreds of evacuees 3 meals a day for several weeks. Janet says there are so many God-things happening that she often weeps for joy... even in the overwhelming amount of need.

Floods

I've not posted, or quilted much. My sister and hubby, two of their sons and families live in the totally flooded town of High River, Alberta, population 13,000. After a long wait (dangers under all that water), they were allowed into the mess yesterday. She just told me that today is her "day to cry" as she realizes the extent of their losses and struggles putting precious parts of their life into trash bins. 

My heart aches for her and so many others. We've been told that even the newscasts have not shown the worst of it. The flood waters are still being pumped out of the northeast part of the city that had homes totally covered. Most do not have any utilities. Some businesses are trying to reopen. It is a smelly dirty mess with raw sewage in the water. Cars, boats, other things like sinkholes add to the cleanup and some are perils. A large portion of the homes need to be gutted, some bulldozed. A few escaped the flood but humidity has taken a toll.

If you pray, please remember the population of High River, and if that is too big to think about, pray for Janet and Lyle. 

Noah Rides the Waves

This one is for our fourth great grand-baby. His name is Ethan and he was born April 28 this year. I had a small panel with Noah and wife, and the other fabrics from that line, a few in my stash for more borders, and it is really colorful. Feels good to have it finished. All it needs is the label (just printed it) and a trip through the washing machine. I always do that with baby quilts. 

... instead of putting the binding on a baby quilt...

All my plans to quilt have been interrupted or sidetracked this week. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I'm trying to look on the bright side. Last night gave me something to smile about. 

Our youngest son (who is nearly 40 and does not own a sewing machine) came over with a costume he bought for the weekend. He didn't let me take a picture so I found one that is similar. The costume was size large, but DS is a big boy. The chest was too tight and the elbow 'armor' kept popping off. His girl friend had already carefully opened the seam in back. I used an old sheet to make a pattern for a large almond-shaped addition. Amazingly, he'd gone to a fabric store and found the necessary silver lame that matched the fabric covering the heavily padded armor. I also extended the tabs with Velcro on the elbow patches. He was delighted. All this took over an hour... and while I sewed, he was in my kitchen making himself some supper and having a nice visit with his dad. Cool.

We have lift-off

Well, that is how I felt today after my lovely 19-year old GD came over and had a look at her cherry tree. (See previous post and I can't believe that it was posted that long ago!) 

She is thrilled, decided it should be a wall quilt, likely mounted on a studio canvas, and "I'll keep it forever." She agreed that her bed quilt could then have a kimono in the place she originally wanted the tree. She loved my selection of Japanese fabrics for it, and we are both happy.

The best part is this: she asked me to 1) make baby quilts in advance for the four kids she plans to have some day, and 2) make larger quilts in advance for them when they grow up. Don't you love the optimism! She made me feel at least ten years younger. Now I have to live long enough...

Btw, the picture is a pattern from Jukebox called "Shear Bliss." I have it, but haven't made it yet. After today, it might get pulled out of the drawer!