Tag: Quilt

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 am overwhelmed with gratitude….

When I started my blog a couple of years ago, I was thinking about what I would like to do when I retire.  I had no idea that I would wind up creating such awesome friendships with some of the most kindest caring people.  I had no idea that would happen, yet it did.

I lost my beautiful little sister on September 19, 2018.  It was something unimaginable to me.  She was my best friend, pal, travel buddy and confidant.  SHe accepted me for who I was and never questioned my judgment, even when she probably should have.  She stood by me during a time in my life when no one else did.

So many of my blog friends reached out to me.  I was overwhelmed by their kind words, While their kind words brought tears to my eyes, they were not all in sadness.   I had made friendships with people I had never met, yet they knew me and wanted to comfort me.  I was humbled.

When I received the news that Kellie had left me, I knew I needed to do something that meant something to me and Kellie.  I knew Kellie would be cremated and taken to the beach. She was an avid dog lover, like me, but her husband was very allergic to dogs, so she spent a lot of time at my house, “Getting her dog fix” as she used to say.  I had a dog quilt.  Nanette had sent me the top and I had quilted and finished it.  I loved that quilt.  I called Nanette, like a blubbering idiot and asked her if she minded I sent that quilt with Kellie.  She, of course told me that she was perfectly fine with it.  While it may seem odd to cremate a quilt with someone, I found comfort in knowing that a part of me would forever be with her.

I love you all dearly and thank you for your words and kindness throughout this difficult time.

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I will give it a try….

So, I am going to try and participate in the One Monthly Goal. I have missed two months. I am not sure I am going to be successful in any way. This is the lightning bug block I turned into a baby quilt. Decided that I did not want to make 15 more of these. My goal is to get it quilted. Not sure if I can manage this goal or not, it just depends on what happens. I may need to quilt to keep my mind off of things. I will at least give it shot. I do wonder what color I should use for the quilting. I am thinking maybe a pale yellow, but I am not sure.

Sadly, My sister has taken a turn for the worse. She is currently in a coma and on life

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support. I spent 5 days in Cleveland and returned home yesterday. It was a heart wrenching time, sitting, waiting and thinking. The prognosis is not good. I now, just wait for my phone to ring and panic every time it does.

The picture is the day she got married to her wonderful and caring husband Matt. She is walking with my Dad, who I miss terribly, especially now. They are two of my most favorite people in the world. Dad is smiling and Kellie is so beautiful. I don’t want to lose my best friend, yet it is so hard watching her suffer. I want her to have peace, whatever that means. My sister has 2 children, they are 18 and 21. My heart hurts for them. Her husband, Matt, is so wonderful with her. He does not miss a day or a doctor. He keeps everything straight and knows every detail of what is going on. He has had to make some very hard decisions. He is a wonderful man.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

My Leaf Block for the Fall Quilt Along

So, I have some experience paper piecing.  For this block, there were 2 versions.  One for beginners and one for someone more advanced.  I set out to do the more advances one, but I could not get it to print correctly, so I ended up doing this one, which I actually like better.

So, I had difficulty with this block.  I struggled with paper piecing such large pieces.  Since I am using scraps (Thank you Nanette), I had to make them fit and found it extremely difficult with the larger pieces of the block.  My seam ripper and I became quite good friends.  I don’t need those type of friends.

I really do like the Fall quilt along, but have notices that my blocks vary quite a bit in size.  I have some that are 13.5 and this one finished at only 12 inches.  This will make it very interesting since I am attempting the Quilt as You go method.  We will be doing some creative trimming.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

It’s a Miracle I have something for the HQAL

I finally have something for the Hand Quilt Along.  It is a miracle.  Only took me about six weeks.  This is another block for my under the sea quilt. Football season is coming, so I will likely have more as I spend more time watching TV.  I am not a big TV watcher, but here in Central Ohio, we do love Ohio State Football.  And, I grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, so I do love the browns even though they have been awful lately.

Sister update:  Ups and downs.  Good one day, not so good the next.  It is a crazy roller coaster.  I did talk with her today and that always makes me feel better, even when she does not sound like herself.  Thanks to everyone for their kind words.

Please make sure that you visit all these wonderful ladies and look at their beautiful hand work.

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

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Quilt as you Go? Hmmmm…

So, I made a baby quilt when I was pregnant using the quilt as you go method.  I did not like it at all.  That was 14+years ago.  I am thinking over time I may have gained skill, knowledge and patience.  Jeez, I hope I gained something.   I belong to a Facebook group for quilt as you go.  I have seen quite a few beautiful quilt as you go pieces, so I thought maybe I should re-investigate this method.

So, since I am participating in the Fall quilt Along, I thought this might be the time to give it a shot.  So, I watched a few videos again on quilt as you go.  I was especially fond of Leah Days videos on this technique.  Gosh she makes it look easy.  So, Since the fall quilt along is blocks, I figured that it would be a good one to do.

So, I took the plunge.  I quilted my hedgehog block.  I don’t hate it yet, but I have not tried to put them together yet either.  That will be the tell-tale sign for me.  Time will tell.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Firefly test block. Thoughts?

So, this is my firefly test block.  I am unsure if I like it or not.  I really liked the sample, but am unsure If I like mine.  I am trying very hard not to buy new fabric and use what I have.  My daughter says it looks like a bee.  There is a bee variation for this pattern, but that is not the patch I went down.  I explained to her that I would have a black stripe in the middle of the bee’s body.  “Ahhh No, Mom.  Still looks like a bee.”

So, you should try piecing that antenna section.  Virtually impossible.  I sewed several, all crazily wrong.  I finally resorted to paper piecing, just this section.  Then there was not problem.  This pattern which comes from Pattern drop, calls for 16 of these blocks.  Do I like it enough for sixteen blocks?  What do you think?  Should I change something?  Should I make it a bee and lose the light up part (teal print)? Decisions, Decisions.  Let me know what you think.  My blogging friends give the best advice.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Cute and Ugly

I finally got caught up on my Fall into a quilt along blocks.  At some point when I get the current design off my design wall, I will take a picture of all the blocks together.  Love the pumpkin block.  I did not like it though until I looked at the photo.  For some reason it all looked wrong to me.  Then when I looked at the photo, I thought, OK, It is not that bad.  Lucky for me Nanette had sent me some Batik scraps and there were some lovely orange ones.

Eww, the pie.  Don’t care for this one.  I think it was mostly my choice of colors on the bottom half.  Well, I guess there is bound to be one out of the group that I did not care WaterMark_2018-08-10-21-45-57for.  I am leaving it through.  I will keep it with the not quite right sunflower.

So, I think I may try the quilt as you go method on this. Obviously I am not doing it as I go….LOL.  I tried this technique a long time ago and decided I did not like it.  But lately, I have watched a few videos and decided I need to give this another try.

Sister Kellie is sounding a bit better the last few days.  I am hoping things stay that way.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

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