Chili Pot finished

If my blogging was as consistent as my quilting... or have I got that backwards?

Anyway, this is a finish, photographed, documented, in the book, and ready for someone, likely will go to Quilts of Valour (the 'u' indicates the Canadian version). These wonderful people have distributed nearly 15,000 quilts in just a few years. 

This one was fun to make. Used fabrics from my stash, quickly made the blocks and got the backing cut, made the label, then let it sit for several months. The label said it was finished in 2019 -- only out a few months. It is 66" x 85.5" and the backing is orange that looks a bit like tomato sauce. Binding is lengths of leftovers from the blocks and finished by hand. I quilted it on the longarm with a panto called "Oasis." Easy.

I took two photos. This one is too yellow and the other was too pink - same camera, same lighting, about 30 seconds apart. Go figure??

We were supposed to be on vacation but 'you know what' would not allow us to leave, so this staycation has us at home. Some value in that -- I'm sewing more because I'm not supposed to be here.

Half a Halo - finished!

Finally this one is finished, labeled, and ready to put on the sofa. I called it Half a Halo" based on the where I decided to stop making this intricate pattern by Sue Garman. See her version here. It is stunning, but I'm not up to any more little triangles.

Now on to a couple more UFO's.

Stash busting

These pieces and the block are from my box of brown/orange scraps. The plan is to make the blocks until the scrap bin is empty, adding from stash if needed to make at least a twin-size. The block finishes at 8" so I will need at least 40 of them, likely more.

This will be a darkish quilt but some contrast and bright spots. I've only one block so not sure how the setting will go, but at least the scraps will go! Well, I might keep the largest of the leftovers, too small for 2.5" but large enough for a foundation paper-pieced project, etc.

Halo Medallion binding is nearly done. Need a name and a label. Since it is not the full pattern, it could be "Half a Halo" -- was thinking of subtitle: "the story of my life" but not sure I want to go public with that! 😀

Hope everyone is using February to finish those January projects...

Looking forward

Thanks to all for kind comments regarding my situation. Had the worst nosebleed ever and the doc in the ER and I decided it was time to permanently stop taking the blood thinner. It only lessens the chance of a clot/stroke by 5% and I'd rather not spend the rest of my life with a nosebleed nearly every day, or having it packed to stop it. Painful!

My sister's Celebration of Life service was amazing. If such an event can be called glorious, this one was. It honored her, glorified God who gifted her, and produced both tears and joy, mostly joy. We had a wonderful family time after that could only be described as a God-thing. She wanted this for her funeral and the Lord answered our prayers "exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or imagine." I'm so grateful for this and for her life well-lived.

In all the stuff going on during the past few weeks, I've tried to get a few stitches in each day. It does not make for even, smooth work, but this is getting done.


Some of my next projects include these little piles of fabrics for baby quilts laying on the bed in our guest room. Nine show, but there are about thirteen. All will go to Basically Babies. a remarkable charity that does layettes for needy families.

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.

 

Two kinds of 'cold' and other issues...

The past few weeks have been challenging. My hubby caught a cold (rare) and about the third day nearly passed out. ER couldn't find the cause. Nasty cough and now much better. About 3 days behind him, I got it, no passing out, nasty cough though and now nearly better. My sister's hip healed nicely but other things are happening. Not good. She may not survive. We are praying and hoping to be well soon so we can go see her.

Our son and his gal are in the Philippines and left Lake Taal just before the volcano erupted. He is so thankful they got out of there. No wonder I felt prompted often to pray for their safety.

Our oldest son is working north, was -48C (-55F) there all day yesterday. And it is -30 C here (-22F). Praying for his safety too. Global warming anyone?

However, I did get the final borders on this medallion. I like it. The next thing is deciding how to quilt it. The binding is ready... look on the right side to see a short strip preview. This quilt took forever, mostly procrastination. Also, my mind works this way: we were supposed to be in FL for the past two weeks and had that happened, I would not be working on it anyway, so I didn't... at least until I got sick of looking at it unfinished. It is about 60" square.

Our home is warm, hubby doesn't need to go to work, we have lots of groceries, and it is supposed to hit -36 here tomorrow then warm up to -25 the next day. Positively balmy!