Another Monochromatic Quilt...

This is another quilt I made for DH. I got the pattern from 101 Rotary-Cut Quilts. Puss in a Corner. I apoligize about the poor quality of the picture, but we have had few sunny days, this winter, so all the pictures tend to be dark- unless I brighten them on the photo software. Then they just look ...flat.

The problem with this quilt? Well, the background fabric is really too busy, but but but... I did get it on clearance, so...(I feel like Phil on Groundhog Day. "So , Mr Connors, have you ever played the piano?" "No, but my dad was a piano mover, so..." ) Any rate, like I always say, an ugly quilt will keep you as warm as a pretty quilt- just turn off the light and see. I had the 2 oldest, and therefore tallest, boys stand in the back of their dad's pickup truck to get a picture of this one. It is also a king-sized quilt. I am done with those. They just seem to go on and on and on...The backing is flannel- in yet another busy, brown print. I must have been needing some mental stimulation while working on this one.

Pouring the rain out, today. The winds are so loud it sounds like we are neighbors to Niagra Falls. A good day for making some cookies and maybe getting a quilt loaded onto the quilting machine. It has been a couple of weeks since I've quilted and I have several stacked up and ready to go. I've had to postpone a trip to my parents' because of health problems- others', not mine, and so I find I have this empty window of time where nothing was planned. Hmm... not a bad trade off, really. I have been playing with the hand-peicing of my Grandmother's Flower Garden- figure if I aim for a baby-sized one I might get it done for the first grandchild. I have about 10 years, I figure. Rather slow going, there, but I am at a place where slow is good. I have three blocks, done, and four more cut out. The cutting out takes a good bit of time, but I just sit and work on it as we are watching a movie. I have been concentrating on slowing down my normally hurried pace. Just trying to enjoy each thing I am doing instead of rushing onto the next. It's not so easy, but I am enjoying myself, immensely.

Monochromatic Quilts....

This is my blue quilt. You might have noticed that there isn't any blue in this quilt. Well, I wanted to do this pattern, which I found in an Australian Quilts magazine, in blue. A bunch of us girls made a run to a quilt shop, that was being sold, to buy some clearance fabric. I had my heart set on blue, but I couldn't find more than two blues that I liked, and they had about six greens- all asian-inspired.... so that's how the blue quilt turned green. I collected some more of the green and started this quilt. It is a king-size. It took me quite a while to finish the peicing. It was a very fun method where you sew three triangles together, cut it into strips and then flip them over, sew them back together, and that makes one half of the 9"x12" block... oh, ok, you'll have to take my word for it. It was a lot of fun. It is an extremely heavy quilt, with cotton batting. And you know it's name? "Whited Sepulchres" No kidding. There's a funny story about that and I thought some of you quilters might enjoy it. You know the Bible story where Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees for being like whited sepulchres- nice and pretty on the outside but inside- full of dead men's bones. This quilt is kinda like that. You see, each year, I promise myself I will not put a king-size quilt on the quilting machine during the month of December. (I made an exception this year and did Sarah's, but that was only because, well, I love her to peices, but also it made a nice excuse for all those lovely ladies out there who decide on Thanksgiving to make quilts for all 20 of their grandchildren, "No, I'm afraid I can't fit it in. I have a king-size quilt on the machine." See? That'll work.) They just take me too long to quilt and it gets me in a jam, every time. This is the quilt where I learned that lesson. I got all the client quilts done, so I figured it was safe to start this one- it would make a nice Xmas gift for DH- and myself. I guess I wasn't thinking too clearly, 'cause I put this on the wrong way. You can kinda tell in the first close-up picture that the quilting goes down the length of the quilt, so I should have loaded it on sideways- so I could make long runs instead of lots of short runs- which require a whole lot more time and work. I realized my mistake after doing the first bit of border, so I figured I was stuck and that I'd just perservere. I got about half way done and I ran out of December. So I finished the borders and took it off the machine. I got my January quilts done for the clients and put the quilt back on the machine.... sideways, this time. Well, they never stretch the same and now the backing on the bottom half has lots of little pleats in it- the kind you get with a regular sewing machine. So... you see, looks nice on the front, the back, well, dead men's bones.

Yo-yo's. and I'm not referring to dieting...
I'm sure Darcie could come up with some adorable pun using the word, yo-yo. Lucy, do they make yo-yo "quilts" in Holland? They are really more of a coverlet- not at all practical- but very pretty all the same. Of course, they could be considered practical if you are trying to use up a stash. I first ran into a yo-yo coverlet about 10 years ago. A friend of mine had bought one in Texas- 1940 era one. I believe her DH paid $3,000 for it. They were real collectors. It was lovely, with on-point "blocks" and "sashing" in that funky medicine green that was so popular back then. She had used it on her bed for several years and it needed some attention, so she asked me to mend it. It was a very pleasant task, sitting there repairing something to it's former beauty. But I did suggest that she relegate it to the guest room after this- or at least, remove it from the bed before story time with DD. They can be rather fragile. The one in the above picture is one I made for one of my babies and I am in the process- an on-again off-again project, of making a queen-size one. I have lots of old-fashioned calicos that an Aunt gave me- it's more of the color that you see- not the pattern on the fabric. I'll use muslin yo-yo's for the sashing. I have about three gallons of yo-yo's already made. A healthy start but still a long way to go.

Feelin' a little bummed, today, that I let life get in the way of my planned nervous breakdown. Or rather, I let a little thing like house guests prevent me from taking my well-deserved break. see? Break. Breakdown. Not so very different from each other, I'm thinking. Only, one is voluntary and the other... well, maybe even house guests couldn't have kept me from it. sigh. Do you girls ever get over to the Island Screamer, Island Dreamer blog? I tell you, Darilyn always gets me to relax- she is a very serene person- never heard a whisper of a scream from her. It's like a little aromatherapy session- without the aroma. You can hear the birds in the palm trees, see the sun shining on the walls, the cat's purring and the air-conditioning is humming along. Ahhh. If you haven't visited over there, you should. Her quilts are way cool, too.

DD Eva had an EEG, yesterday. I know what EEG stands for now. Wonder if I can spell it? Electroencephalogram. Something doesn't look right there. Oh well, it went extremely well. She has been experiencing what she calls "trances." The neurologist smiled when he heard her call it that. She just checks out sometimes. The lights are on but you can tell no one is home. Lately, she has been adding some movement to her little "vacations" so we thought we had better see what's up. But you know how when you finally take the car to the garage because it is making this strange noise and you pull into the parking lot and, mysteriously and maddeningly (how many siffixes can you add to a word?) the noise stops. So you pull out of the garage and it starts again. The mechanic looks at you like you're some kind of engine hypochondriac... So, I was afraid that if we went into this test to see what's going on with Eva that she wouldn't have a seizure and the doctor would be looking at me like I was some kind of... well, you get the picture. But she did so great- not that I'm happy she's having seizures, mind you, but I'd like them to see what we are up against. She had one before they could get her up on to the bed. She must have had 20 while the test was being done. And they found out that she is having 2 different kinds, which explains the newer movements. They were so sweet to Eva and very sympathetic. They explained everything- instead of making me wait until her Dr. appt in 2 weeks. But I can tell you, it was very unsettling to see the fireworks going off in her sweet little head. I knew she was having these spells, but seeing it in hard, cold evidence... They called the neurologist while we were still in there and he prescribed an anti- seizure medication. I googled and decided I'd give it to her, but I'll be insisting he do some more tests to rule out what it might not be.

All in all, I'm a wee bit on the tired of thinking plane of existence. So.. I"ve decided to do some laundry and pack up some boxes and maybe, if I can manage not to nag, gently nudge my sweet, darling, Dear Husband to carry out the shedding Xmas tree that has stood nude in the living room for an entirely inappropriate length of time. And yes, I'm packing, but I'm not moving. It occurred to me last night- while I should have been sleeping- that if each person in this house brings just one object into it a week, that's about 40 things a month or 480 things a year!!! And I even multiplied that in my aching head. What's the chances we only bring in 1 item per week? Slim. So we are accumulating a lot of junk!!!! And then it gets difficult to live around all that stuff. Picking up takes so much longer than it should, so... time to pack it up and move it out. Slowly. In a very relaxed and calm manner. I can almost hear the birds singing in the palms...

One for Joanne...
Joanne was wishing her DD a Happy Birthday- the big 3-0. She said there had been a terrible ice storm and that she nearly gave birth on a slippery slope outside the hospital doors! Fond memories, she said, but I have a feeling she wasn't being sincere. We had a big ice storm of our own, at exactly this time last year...hmmm...might be the commemoration of Joanne's DD's last year in her 20's! I don't recall anything like this ever happening around here- we're generally too far north and only have the snow part of winter. Last year was different and as it is pouring the rain out there, tonight, I suppose this year is different, also. We were out of power for nearly a week. It was rather exciting for the kids- dinner by candlelight and all. But, living out in the boonies, we have a well, and with no power, there is no water. That was the worst part. Kids make big messes and it's rather hard to keep dishes washed by melting ice. We do have natural gas and we brought in the kerosene heaters from the barn, so we stayed very warm. All told, it was a pioneer-ish experience- one we could skip for the next 30 years, eh, Joanne? It was awfully pretty, though.

My Beautiful Nephew...
Is he not the most gorgeous little guy? Benjamin is sitting so cool here with Boo. They look like teeny-boppers instead of 4 year-olds.

I got a call, Sunday night, that he was being life-flighted into Indianapolis to Riley Children's Hospital. DH and I drove over there to meet him, so he wouldn't be alone and scared. His mama would take 4 hours to get there. We beat the helicopter and he was happy to see us. Never shed a single tear. Around 1am he lifts his little hands up with IVs in them and gestures towards the bright and noisy nurses station and says, "How am I ever gonna sleep with this?" Out of the mouth of babes. He also wanted to know when they were going to take "this doctor stuff" off. He is doing pretty well, now. He was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Poor little dear. They have a great program here at Riley- he is in good hands. DH and I have spent the last two nights with him so his mama could get some sleep. Benjamin is such a little trooper. "I'm all better now," is all he ever says if you ask him how he is feeling. With a blood sugar of 600, I doubt he is "all better." But he is desperately wanting to get home and he is too young- just turned five, to understand he'll be going home with all the bother that is with him there. Benjamin told the nurse, last night, "I'm just scared." Broke my heart. But maybe it will help- just a little bit- to know that he has an aunt who knows what it's like. I oogled his meter- he agreed mine was smaller than his- but I didn't have a cool green case like his. And I told him the Bible story of why our bracelets have snakes on a pole. He spent the day in "class." On our way home, DH and I said that if spending a night in a pediatric hospital doesn't just break your heart then you don't have one- a heart, that is.

Something old and silly...
This quilt top came to me via a thrift shop in Arkansas. My SIL thought it was ugly enough for me to like and my DH paid for it, sight unseen. And I do love it. For some inexplicable reason. My favorite fabric is this wristwatch pattern with the bright blue wristbands. Isn't it great how all the watches are set to a different time? The other fabric in the block? hmm... What were they thinking? Well, that is the fun in these old quilts, trying to figure out the pattern. I am hoping to find some time, this year, to quilt it- think it'll quilt up nicely with some cotton batting and muslin on the back. I love taking other people's unfinished projects and completing them. It is such a good feeling. I feel great knowing that this poor unfortunate quilt top- while a bit on the ugly side, isn't wasting away in some box being unappreciated. There is still a lot of work that went into it! Look at those points. This was not a beginner's quilt. Maybe just a quilt made from extreme thrift. I notice there is a lot of peicing going on in the smallest of blocks.

Shopping at Hobby Lobby...
I was amused by Sarah's blog about her latest trip to Hobby Lobby. I felt like I was shopping with her. Hmm... shopping and friends. Now that's a good combination. Apparently, I was shopping while she was blogging. I had only discovered Hobby Lobby fabric about a month ago. Their prices are similiar to quilt shop prices, and as I work in a quilt shop, I couldn't figure why someone would choose to not support a local business. But then, I caught a load of their clearance prices. It is great, quality fabric, and you can get it for $2, $3, and $5 a yard. There is no way a quilt shop can compete with those kind of discounts. I bought 7 yards of the blue floral- guess I'll have enough to back the blue and yellow P/A blossom, and still have some to share with some one I know who loves blue. The yellow is also Sarah's, 2 yards. And the blue... Well, it is a bit bright for Sarah, but I'll happily share if she wants some. The batik I got at the quilt shop to put in the borders of my P/A blossom. No, silly, not the blue one but the bright batik one.

My efforts to accomplish the big 4 s's have been stymmied, lately. We have had house guests for 2 weeks. We have enjoyed their company, but I am about to drop- and I know the kids are exhausted as well. My DH's sister is married to a college professor, so they spend their breaks in our neck of the woods. They do have a house only one mile down the road, but the children insist on spending every moment together. (they have 6 and we have 8- you do the math. It's noisy, any way you look at it.) Summer is a long way away for a kid. Seems a while off to this old mama, too. Bill's grandmother had an amusing saying, "Fish and company stink after three days!" Isn't that a hoot? She also had another one , "When you start smelling yourself, other people have been smelling you for three days!" I think she had a limit of three days for just about everything! But she really was the most patient woman I ever knew. And never an unkind thing to say about anyone. She wouldn't even dream of criticizing the devil. Really. Bill's BIL taught a sermon on Satan, one Sunday, and "Baba" says, "Oh the devil... he's made my life difficult sometimes. Not that I hold it against him. That's his job." She was a very cool lady. I did get side-tracked there, didn't I? Back to the big S's...

There's been a lack of sewing- now that is really sad. I'm just not myself if I can't get a little machine time in. Then there's schooling- I'm not really behind as the children were sitting around the tree on Xmas eve doing math. I had no intention that they do school, but well, they were contentedly doing it, so who am I to stop forward progress? And then there is our normal, daily schedule- shot to peices. Schedules are always open to change, but it really does help to maintain some type of order with a family this size. And the last is sitting- well, if I'm not sitting, then I'm not sewing, so they kinda go together... Oh, and I've thought of another one- socializing! I don't think I have read more than two blogs in all this time!! I feel so out of touch, it's awful. So, after this post I am going surfing, to visit all of my Maverick friends! It'll probably take two weeks just to get through them all!!! See ya!