I really do have to get better about posting! I have been busy with dealing with my mother, construction in the family room and trying to straighten up my sewing room.
My mom’s health issues are ongoing and will be from now on. We took her in Tuesday for what we believed to be a 4-6 hour infusion to help with the symptoms of dermatomyositis. When we got there they admitted her and told us they were going to keep her overnight to watch for any adverse reactions since this is the first time she is receiving this treatment. Four days later we are picking her up. First she had low blood pressure and they wanted to bring it back up before they released her so they kept her an extra night. Thursday she started complaining of chest pain after the doctor signed the release papers so they rescinded the order and did a complete cardiac work-up. The funny thing about this is we have been to her internist 3 times concerning her chest pain and it is from her sternum and rib fractures from 2 previous falls. She keeps forgetting. Oh well, better safe than sorry. They kept her yesterday because the doctor didn’t see her until after 4 and they thought it was too late in the day and would tire her out too much to send her home at that time. So I’m waiting for a call from my dad saying the stars are in alignment for her release!
We are also doing some construction in our family room to put the flat screen above the fireplace. We had to lower the mantle and we added bookshelves on each side. This is mid-project as we have yet to add the doors on the bottom cabinets, replace t
he crown moulding, paint and hang the TV. What you don’t see is all the furniture covered with drop cloths. This is all open to our kitchen so, even though the carpenters are really tidy, the room is a mess!
So, I don’t have enough going on in my life I decide to tidy up my sewing room. I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed as of late with PHD’s (Projects Half Done). I like PHD better than UFO as I can tell people I’m working on my PHD and when they ask me what my PHD is in, I can tell them “Textiles”! Anyway, I “stumbled upon” (have you heard of StumbleUpon.com?-more later) a site that talks about how to spark your creativity and one of the suggestions is to work in a clutter-free area (or something like that). My sewing room was a MESS! I was going to take a before picture but was too embarrassed! I’ve got the majority of it done but have a bit more to go. This is the design wall with the Selvage
Edge quilt I’ve been working on. The Pineapple Star on the left is waiting for inspiration as to what to do next. The Mariner’s Compass I’m hand piecing. To the right is the Kaleidoscope block I made in a Paula Nadelstern class I took years ago. I’m taking another class with her next spring so I’ll probably save this one to put with the new one (or 2) I make. Below that is a feathered star block I’ll probably make into a pillow. This is a view of the sewing area and the storage rack where I keep all my less that 1 yard pieces. I used to work at a quilt store that paid us with “product” so I have more fabric than needed-but that’s a whole ‘nuther story!
To the right on the floor are a bunch of quilts that need to be quilted. I think I’ve been so overwhelmed because I’m so over these quilts and want to move on but know they need to be quilted. I have given myself permission to send them out to be quilted. I know a fantastic quilter for some of the really good ones but want to find someone else to do the not so special ones. Some of the plastic containers on the bottom shelves and under the sewing table are projects either started or fabrics collected with specific quilts in mind. In most cases the pattern or a picture of the project is with them.
Here’s the area along the wall where I store my 1-3 yard cuts, wool, punch needle supplies and some of my notions. Under the counter in the cupboards is batting and other stuff I want hidden. On the right is yardage I have wound on bolt cardboard.
The last two pictures are of the cutting area and the desk area that have yet to be hit. Maybe later today after I get my mom delivered home.
The other big news in my life is I won a trip to the International Quilt Festival in Houston the beginning of November through Craftsy! I had the initial contact on Thursday night and they said they would be in contact with me to line up the flights, hotel and my show pass. I almost don’t want to get too excited about it until I get more details. They did say they wanted me to spend some time at their booth to talk about my Craftsy experiences so I’ve started watching one of their quilting classes and have found it very good. I’ll have to check out some more as time permits! Maybe I’ll watch some knitting ones as well!
I mentioned the site, StumbleUpon earlier. It’s a great way to explore the internet for fun sites you might be interested in. Sign up-no cost-and check off what your interests are then start Stumbling! What to do with your Stumbles? Sign up for Pinterest! Again, it’s free and you make up bulletin boards where you can “pin” your ideas for further reference. You can browse other bulletin boards for ideas and view your friends bulletin boards. Great-I just realized all the time I waste not quilting! But on the other hand, I’ve gotten some great ideas from these sites! Check my Pinterest boards under Villagequilter!
Villagequilter 