Category: Life

An Ancient Alien—UFO

This is an ancient Alien.  Can you tell I am a Science nerd?  Yes, I have watched that show.  My daughter and I even have nick names for some of the people.  If you have ever watched it, you will know who Crazy Hair is.

I started this quilt about 20 years ago.  It was oddly a paper pieced project.  I obviously had no idea what I was doing.  I am not sure how a paper pieced project could have blocks so wonky.  I don’t think there are any 2 the same size.  I actually think I participated in a fabric swap for food fabric.  I still have a ton left, but I think it’s time to see if I can make a wall hanging that does not look too awful.  If it comes out, I have a spot in my kitchen across from my pantry for it.

This will be my One monthly Goal.  My plan is to complete it entirely.  We will see.  It may be to wonky to put together.  I also seemed to use a lot of starch back then.  weird.

If any of you need some pieces (maybe 5×7″) food fabric let me know.  I have a stack.  I was going to use them on the back, but just went with black.

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SISTER STORY

So, I have been having such a difficult time with the loss of my sweet sister Kellie.  It had affected me far more than I expected.  I know loss all to well, but this one is so very different for me.  Anyways….. I was coming home from the grocery store today…alone (very unusual) and thinking.  I had not dreamed about Kellie since she died. It bothers me a lot.  So, I talked to her and told her of my concerns.  I just wanted a dream, a sign, something.

I came home and put the groceries away.  I went to the family room and turned on the TV.  As I was sitting on the couch flipping through the channels, I noticed an odd flickering out of the corner of my eye.  I ignored it, thinking I was crazy.  It kept happening.  I turned and looked and one of a string of recessed lights was slowly going on and off.  It stopped, I looked away.  It started happening again.  I turned and looked at it and said “Is that you Kel?”  It blinked on and off quickly and then did not happen again.  I am not sure what I believe or if I am half way to crazy town.  Odd coincidence.  In the photo, Kellie is on the left and I am on the right.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

 

I finished something….and I can not get my act together

I finished the dinosaur quilt.  Well, that is easy when you get laid off and have no job. 20180917_133908 Right before the holidays.  Yeah.  Ugh.  Oh please, let me add some more crappy ass news (sorry for that).  My favorite uncle died on Thanksgiving day.  He was the last bit of my Mom that I had.  He had the best sense of humor.  He loved to tease my Mom (when she was still here), which us kids found hysterical.  He lived in Germany (that is where my other was from).  I loved when he called me.  He always made me laugh and it reminded me of Mom.  I will miss him dearly.

The picture is my Uncle Uwe, my dear sweet sister Kellie and my cousin Holger (who is coming to visit in August.  Very excited about that).  It is a great photo.  Holger and Kellie were about a year apart.  He came to live with my parents for a year and went to High School as a teenager with Kellie.

So, while job hunting, I am sewing, which is sort of good.  Helps to keep my mind of my super crappy life.

About the Dinosaur quilt (rant over)

It came out cute.  I really like it.  No fancy quilting, just meandering, which seemed to work fine for this quilt.  I pieced the back, which came out pretty good.  I find this adds personality to the quilt and takes way less fabrics.  I can use up random one yard pieces that I have.

I feel guilty for not reading everyone’s blog, I need to get back to that.  it is one of my happy places.  I really love to see what everyone is doing.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your loved ones.

 

A little more progress…

So These are my jars for the fall quilt along.  At least I got something done.  I am still one behind.  The final one came out this past Tuesday.  I am hoping this weekend that I can get the rest of them done…just to get them done.  I have embarked on yet a another project to go along with the 15 others.  I need to make a dinosaur baby quilt.  I have the fabric and have begun some of the cutting.  It has a bunch of , so I better get moving.

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I had been saving this photo to send to my sister when she felt better.  I found it hysterical and very true.  I hate that I can never send it to her.  I remember sitting in the hospital and showing it to Matt (her husband) and he said “Man, I sure hope you get to send it to her”.  I never thought in a million years that I would not have my chance.  sigh…..

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Love the ones you are with….like there is no tomorrow.

 

When life throws you a curve, quilt

This is my One Monthly Goal Project.  I actually finished it.  It was completed before my sister died.  I think I needed something to do rather than sit around and wait for something to happen.  I actually finished the binding on the evening before.  I needed something to do with my hands.  It is a cute baby quilt, even though my fire fly looks like it has mated with a bee.

For the first time, I pieced a back.  Nothing fancy, but I did it.  Learned a few things.  If watermark_2018-09-24-19-02-24.jpgyou can piece your back, you can save a lot of fabric.

I used my heart-shaped ruler for my quilting.  It does not look watermark_2018-09-24-19-02-49.jpgto bad. I find quilting with shapes and rulers relaxing, which is why I probably got this completed.  I needed to do something that was sort of mindless. For some weird reason, the color looks goofy in this photo.  Maybe because it is a close up

I hope you don’t mind….for a while I will likely add pictures of my sister Kellie.  I think honoring her helps me a bit.  It has only been a week and there were many time I said oh I will ask Kellie, burst in to tears when I suddenly realized I could no longer do that.

KELLIE – When, I had issues with my first husband, My sister drove down and picked up Haley for

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Kellie and Lori

the weekend so we can try to sort out what we were doing.  Unfortunately, that same weekend, my husband Jerry took his own life.  Kellie kept Haley for a couple of days so I could make arrangements and then brought her home.  She wanted to protect her for as long as she could, from how hard life was.  Haley was only 4.  I was so thankful that she did that.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure those you love like there is no tomorrow

I Miss my life and sewing and quilting

A totally chaotic July has led to a somewhat rocky start to August, but I think I see the light.

I have had so very little time to sew or do anything I normally do.  I did sit down and put a label on this quilt.  It was done months ago, but sat there waiting for it’s label so I could put it in the cedar chest.  I am silly.  Yes, I make quilts for my grandchildren…..that I don’tWaterMark_2018-08-01-20-12-33 have and better not for some time.  But since I was an “Old” mom, I worry that I won’t meet my grandchildren.  Just in case, I make them quilts.  That way they know that their grandmother loved them whether I am here or not.   If my daughter waits as long as I did, I will have to be here at 80.  LOL.

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of free time and decided to make a pin cushion.  It did not come out too bad.  I decided to send it to Nanette.  She is always so kind to me.  I think I will make one for myself at some point.  I like large pin cushions.

School will be starting here soon.  Last weekend we took the kids to Kings Island.  It was fun.  I had not dared go to an amusement park in years, however, I did pretty good.  Tried to stay off the crazy rides. The following day was school shopping.  I did suffer a bit at the early start of the week, but I expected it after a day at an amusement park, but I did it.

This weekend does not seem to have any scheduled activities, so I am hoping to get a few things accomplished.  My house is a bit disastrous and I need to spend some time in my room to get my mind right.

Sister Update:  Still not good.  Back in the ICU.  It scares me. When I do have time to do something, I lay on the couch and stare at the ceiling.  Kellie just turned 48, this past Monday.  She is my best friend. My keeper of secrets, my travel buddy on many occasions and my little sister.  I still don’t understand how this can be happening.  Life sucks. I need a Harry Potter Wand.

I am sincerely sorry for not posting for the Hand Quilt Along.  I will get back to myself, at some point.  These lovely ladies, have made great progress though:

Kathy,  Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan,  Nanette, Sassy , Edith, and Sharon

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Love the ones you’re with, near and far

Couch Sewing (meaning sewing while on the couch not actually sewing the couch)

So, the dear Nanette of Chopin a Passionate Quilter, sent me this top to, as she said, “Practice On”.  I find it the perfect piece for my dining room table, since I always need to have something quilty on my dining room table.

I have a quilt that has been on my design wall for quite some time.  I am not done with it, but hope to get there.  This past week, I have done a few of the curved blocks each evening.  It is my moon and stars quilt.  So, on this table topper I practiced my moon andWaterMark_2018-07-26-20-02-56 stars quilting.  It was actually quite fun.  I made pock-marked moon and stars using my star shape ruler.  After doing this piece, I will not have a problem with my quilt.  I also have a lovely piece for the dining room table.  It adds some color that my boring dining room needs.

I do have to admit that I had everything done on this quilt before all my crazy drama.  I even had the binding sewn on.  I just needed to fold over and hand finish.  Off course, I do this while sitting on the couch, right next to my basket of sit on the couch sewing/quilting supplies.

I am getting back to feeling like a human, which I am grateful for.  Summer is almost over and in the very near future it is school shopping and princess will be back at school.  Time flies, even when you are not having fun.  LOL.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

I forced myself to Sew…..

As a norm, I do not have to force myself.  Lately, it seems that I do.  Not because I want to, but because I am so drained, removing my big but from the couch is more that I can actually deal with most times.

I did manager to finish my next block for the fall into a Quilt Along.  It was a really simple block, which I guess is good for me with now.  I feel pretty simple these days.  I used my batik scraps.  I have not yet decided what to do with my sunflower.  Roseanne offered to fix it and Nanette found the problem with the block instructions.  You are all wonderful.

I had someone explain to me that there are circles in life and most people can deal with something in 1 circle.  Problems occur when things are happening in more than one circle.

My professional life circle.  OMG. totally on the crazy train here.

My Personal circle – Good God.  Special-K (his nickname) has gout so bad he can not walk.  And no, we will not go to the doctor.  Daughter Haley has been sick for over a week.  On a plus side Summer swim is over.  That makes me happy.

My Family Circle – My sister seems to be improving.  She actually called me and sounded not to bad. For that I am grateful.

My ME circle – I feel crazy.  I need to do more sewing, that always helps me relax and get my head straight.

Deep breath.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Sewing-Quilting and other nonsense…(some nonsense, some not)

July 3rd was the fifth anniversary of my Husband Derrick’s death.  That same day, I find fb_img_1503081791295.jpgthat my little sister Kellie has blood clots in her lungs and is in ICU. Two of my absolute favorite people.  Damn it.  Derrick was the love of my life.  I think about him every day. Not a day goes by where I don’t think of him, laugh, smile, shed a tear.  My little sister, my best friend, keeper of all my secrets.  Come on.

I went to Cleveland.  Things were bad.  They got worse.  I wondered at one point if we would lose her.  I could not bear the thought.  How could someone else I love be taken from me?  The list is quite lengthy for someone my age. I stayed for five days.  She got better, then worse, then better.  She got to leave the ICU the same evening I went home.  Here in the next couple of days she will go to a rehab hospital.  She does not want it, but knows she needs it.  Besides the blood clots, she had pneumonia and was septic.  Lots of things to recover from.  The picture was from Las Vegas. Derrick was playing in a pool tournament and Kellie and I needed an excuse to go to Las Vegas.  It was fun.  The best time with two of my favorite people.

This is my fall quilt along block.  I was done before I left for Cleveland, but never got to post it.  I had issues.  It does not look right.  I don’t know where I went wrong, but I am convinced the instructions did not match the example.   If you look at the top row and then the bottom example, they do not match (or I am crazy.  Either is possible) .  The one time I attempt to actually follow instruction and look what happens.  It is going to stay ugly for the time being.

One of my sewing machines is down.  Of course, it is the one in the cabinet that I quilt with.  I will try to drop it off this weekend.  Broke a needle and it kept making a weird noise.  I guess a piece could be stuck somewhere.  It needed cleaned anyway.  No quilting for me for now.  I will just have to work on piecing.

With all my personal craziness, I did not enter anything into the One Monthly Goal.  ☹.  Next month, maybe things will get back to normal.  A girl can hope.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

My one Monthly Goal in this crazy month

So, I finished my one Monthly goal and I don’t like it one bit.  O, my intent was to use this to practice my curved borders.  However, I got new rulers and got all excited about that and we have some pretty awful ruler work.  I thought about tearing it all out, but I just did not feel like it.  They are not all bad, but there are a couple that are pretty hideous, not to mention that for whatever reason my measuring skills were totally non-existent.  I will use it on my table.  Everyone always makes a big mess anyway…..It will blend in with the quilting.

This is the crazy birthday month.  All the kids’ birthdays are this month, along with my late mother, and my late husband, Derrick.  While I understand what everyone was doing that July before, I just do not understand why, myself included.  Fourth of July is really not that exciting.  So, the month has been getting gifts and making food and it is not over yet.  Still one tomorrow and Friday, Haley has some of her friends over.  Teenagers.  Great.  They will eat all the food, drink all the pop, and be super annoying.  Such is life being the parent of a teenager.

Due to all the crazy birthday stuff, I get little or nothing accomplished from a quilting perspective.  Add in there that I really miss my Mom and I have spent the month constantly thinking about Derrick and feeling a bit sorry for myself.   There have been numerous times that I just wanted to call Mom and talk to her about “things”.   Next month will be Dad’s birthday and I was totally a Daddy’s girl. Yeah.

Then there is the fact that, the first dead husbands brother died.  Haley wanted to see him before he passed.  I took her.  I had not seen these people in nearly 10 years.  It was stressful, but not nearly as awful as I had managed.  Sad that he is gone, I always really liked him.   At least he will have some good company.

Gosh, I sound depressing.  I don’t feel as bad as it sounds.  Sometimes, life just happens.  I need to get more sewing/quilting in and chase away the blues.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Brought a tear to my eye—Happy Pi Day! – Hand Quilt Along and Ruler Work

So, I feel like it has been forever since I have posted anything.  I have been working on a few things (therapy) and practicing with my rulers.

So, the beautiful dog quilt in the photo was sent to me by me dear Friend Nanette Chopin Cook of Chopin – A Passionate Quilter.  We talk and she knew it was a rough couple of weeks for me for a host of reasons.  She sent me this beautiful quilt top.  I can’t wait to quilt it.  It will be all mine.  I have not stopped smiling since I opened the package.  It is certainly going to be the next thing I quilt.  A perfect top for the crazy dog lady.  Gosh I love her.  She is awesome in every way.

My daughter’s school sells Pi day Shirts and every year we get one.  So, Happy Pi Day20180314_063442_resized.jpg from the Nerd squad!  Cow Pi’s bahahaha.

I have been working on my One Monthly Goal, but have changed the direction I am going.  I was going to practice my scalloped border, but instead lost my mind with the new rulers.  Not sure I 20180313_194211_resizedactually like it on here, but it’s too late now.  I am already committed.  It doesn’t look to bad, but I will have a later post on my additional learnings as I continue to figure out ruler work

Epic fail on hand quilting for the HQA.  So sorry.  I will try to get on the path of straight and narrow again.  To see all the beautiful work of those that are not slackers, click on the links below.

Lori, Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan, Jessisca, Sherry, Nanette, Sassy, Edith, and  Sharon

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting