Murphy likes the quilt

 Goodness, it is Christmas week. Are you ready...gifts? meal plans? I just need a few food items and that will be it. This week I will be baking and making ahead some of our Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinner. Christmas Eve celebration will be around 8pm. Both Alan and Lisa are working. We will enjoy an Antipasti tray, Crudite tray and baked goods. Christmas Day we are having Lasagna and Braciole and that will be depending on how the morning goes as to what time we will actually eat.

The Hexagon quilt is finished. Once again I sewed it completely by hand and no repeats of prints. It measures approximately 40x60. I was lucky that Dianna gave me some of the floral prints...we swap fabric when needed.

these 2 hexies are special. These 2 floral prints are special. The fabric was bought in Hawaii when Dianna vacationed there. The hot pink one is in the center of the quilt and the yellow hangs off the edge...just like the special Murphy hexie. What next? Not sure but I do know it will be another quilt. I have been thinking of Quillow ...maybe a French Rose quilt...maybe both! So ambitious.... we will see. This week will be plan time as I get ready for the holiday. 

Happy to have you stop and visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and the encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.

              🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅

Advent Calendar Blog Hop

 It is that time of December for my post to the annual blog hop hosted by Jo. 

 Each blog hop ( Jo hosts several a year) we are given a topic to talk about. This year it is"afters"..... what is eaten after the Christmas meal. We also post a picture of something for Christmas or the season that we created

When I saw this pattern I knew I had to make it. "The Tree Farmers, block #2 of Woolie Christmas Gnomes"; from Red Button Quilt Co. 

First of  the gnomes are cute but more than that they are in a truck. When I met my hubby Dennis in 1970 he was driving...when it ran...an old pick-up truck. He found a few toy trucks around when we went  out and about.antique shopping. Here they are.

 Back to the gnomes..... it is all hand stitched applique with a few minor changes that more expressed me. The backing/border fabric I had already had and thought it would be perfect. Well,

look at the name of the fabric! Now you know it was meant to be. 

Now back to our topic...."afters". When I was a child Christmas was at Grandma and Papa Piccirilli's house...all of dad's family . Once dinner was finished there were trays of Italian cookies and an antipasti tray and always fresh roasted chestnuts for nibbling and fresh fruit bowl. As time went on and families grew Christmas was celebrated at each home with their growing families. I always had the same at my house many years later when Christmas Eve was held at our house with Sister Lyn and The Brother Alan and their families. Now, new traditions are forming with Alan and wife Lisa living here.  Of course Murphy is part of the fun. Here in Arizona, through the 17 years living here, chestnuts are not always available. It is something that I really miss. 

Special thank you to Jo for remembering that this date is special to me.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Dennis......

December 16, 1945- June 21, 2017

Almost finished

 Can you believe that Christmas will be in 13 days?! We are probably ready here at H & P Homestead.. (Horton & Piccirilli) who knows though. December here in Arizona is mild and well compared to my hometown in Rhode Island, perfect . Anyway, The Homestead is not well these days. No, Alan and Lisa in Sick Bay #1 both have colds....I am perfectly content to stay in /apartment end of the place. I have just about everything I need here. I did have a couple of days that I started a cold but stuffed those cold capsules down and doing okay now. I have kept busy.

The Hexagon Quilt is almost...almost complete. It measures about 40 x 60. Now the edging needs to be done....

Not the best picture I know, but Murphy wanted to jump up on the bed to check it out. Do you see the blank muslin half hexie .... that is how the edges will be finished. I will start cutting the hexies today and see how far I can get. I am pleased with the look. 

There are so many storms around the USA. The one coming down the West coast is hitting Northern Arizona (not us here in the Valley) and then there are the ones blowing across the Midwest to the East coast....sending stay safe wishes to all. 

So happy you had some time to stop by. Thank you for the kind words and the encouragement. I am truly on the mend! Thank you for your friendship.

Grinch has a sewing friend

 Took a short break from the hexies to create a sewing buddy

For Christmas, The Grinch is sitting on my sewing table corner...Hilda is now joining him. She will remain after the holiday when Grinch returns to his home in the garage. The Little Mouse is from Shabby Art Boutique, Kerryanne English, designer. Kerryanne,s blog Shabby Art Boutique offers beautiful projects. Be sure to stop by and check it out.

Woke this morning...3:30 and since sleep did not seem to return, I made a cup of tea. I woke with a dry scratchy throat and a light headache. Drinking ice water has helped a little. Today will be a sew the quilt day. Chores on hold today. 

Are you ready for Christmas? I got a late shopping start but finally caught up. Just a few little bits to get. Packages mailed. The back surgery...doing great....held back going out to shop for the most part. Good old on line shopping! 

Glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.
 🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅

Moving along slowly

 Goodness, tomorrow is December 1st hard to believe that tomorrow is December 1st. So much has happened this year that honestly I am looking forward to Christmas cheer and a new year...my goal is to stay out of doctor's offices and surgeries. If Santa is listening, please bring me a bubble to save me! This past week I have had a stomach bug. Thank goodness I was sthe only one in the house who was sick. Finally feeling better. The house is decorated

Not the best picture...maybe one at night...anyway, we have been giving our friends across the courtyard, Robyn and Dave have been seeing a light show with Alan switching from one light setting to another! Remember it has 7 functions....

In between not getting out of bed and when I have this past week, I have been slowly sewing the hexagon quilt

Only have 3 more rows to add...I think. What I mean is that I may add or not. I am working on row 16 now. While sewing I have Christmas music play via radio. Found a station that plays a great assortment. Just in case I need something special my CDs are at the ready.
Nce again this year I have joined Jo's Christmas Blog Hop. My posting date will be December 16th. I will remind you when the time arrives so you can visit her blog to see what everyone is posting. Both Alan and Lisa are working late tonight so Murphy and I are are on our. A simple supper it will be. So glad you had the time to visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.

No loose screws no matter what anyone thinks!

 Oh I am so proud to show you my great-great niece!

Meet Alanni Lee (not including her last name). Just look at that beautiful face. My great-nephew Joey and Heaven (parents) are so happy. Such a cute snuggle bug! They live back East so I enjoy every picture I see.

Speaking of pictures.... I saw the surgeon on Tuesday and the x-rays looked good.

The one on the right is straight on to back and the other a side view.  I think I stood a bit crooked! As long as the screws are in place. I was a little disappointed to be told 6 more weeks of restrictions; no bending, stretching, twisting or lifting. As the doc said, you have come this far let's make sure it heals good. I walk and I make sure not to sit too long. I am actually following orders. My hexagon quilt is coming along. Don't think it will be too long before it is finished. Then onto the next project. Before you ask, I do not have a plan yet.

I ordered a new Christmas tree...last one is 6 years old and now needs a new home. This tree has a 7 function light switch. Need I tell you that The Brother Alan has played with it already...yes it is up. Lisa and I thought why drag it to the garage when we will need it in a little over a week. Decorations are still stored until Alan gets them down. Had a busy morning so now I need to relax. Leg and back are sore. Happy to have you visit. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.

There is an elf in the house

 November..... one of my favorite months. Growing up in Rhode Island it meant the color changes on all the trees...acorns everywhere and the wait for Thanksgiving. Dennis and I loved this holiday best. Why? Well it was for gathering and sharing without expectation of gifts. We were the gifts to one another. This year we are having a guest, Patrick. The planning has started and today will put pen to paper for the list of have and to get. 

Our main bathroom reconstruction began yesterday. The plumber is next to connect the toilet and clear the sink drain. Freshly painted walls have brightened it up. Lisa chose the wall color...a soft grey and she decided on teal towels and rug..... pretty. Once the plumber is finished all the shelves and accessories will be back in place. Recently I bought 2 Christmas theme patterns for sewing. One of them was a little incomplete.

But I can and did take care of the problem. I feel for any inexperienced with sewing. The issue was there was no template for the arms. I read and looked at the pages of the printed pattern and no where could I find it. Soooo, I messaged the seller on Etsy. Her reply was that she no longer had the pattern and could not look but that sometimes the designer puts it in somewhere. Okay. simple solution was to measure his jacket and make my own template. Very simple and even though I knew that was what I would do, I thought if I was missing it I would like to have it pointed out to me. Anywho, he is complete and cute. The rest of the pattern is a sleigh on a pillow that he can sit in...maybe I will make it. Of course I have been working on the hexagon quilt.... soon to be completed. As always it is so nice to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.

End of month

 Where do the days go? Seems to me that the days fly by... but wait; there are a few days that seem to linger. Part of it is that I am still restricted and when I think of something I have to remind myself if it is okay to do. Soon, soon they should be lifted. I see the surgeon on November 15th for x-rays to make sure the cage and spine are still okay, All in all I am doing okay and feel good. Happily I have sewing that has kept me busy.

Since I reached 100 hexagons it is time to begin to get it together. I started to lay out the hexies.. using my trusty old cardboard mat...if you sew you may still have one. It is making it easy to plan and will make sewing this quilt easier for me. I will just pin in place and rearrange as I think I should. I must start to think of what project will be next.

Friday I planted my herb garden; Italian parsley, oregano, chives, creeping thyme and rosemary. The pot is a large high one so no need to bend or stoop down. There is already a pot with basil although it is beginning to become straggly. Possibly a cut back would help. Our Arizona weather has been wonderful...no more 100s. Having my bedroom slider open is so nice. Of course Murphy likes going in and out as he pleases.

Still have some blooms on the Fairy Duster bush...the hummers love it and soon there will be berries for the Goldfinches and House Wrens.  

Since it is almost Halloween, I will leave this post with a bag of Zapp's Voodoo potato chips...New Orleans style kettle chips. Nice to spend time with you. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It really means a lot. Thank you for your friendship.

Slow but steady

 One of these days I will be able to say, no more tests...no surgeries.... no injuries. But for now, it is what it is. The incision is healing well although the surrounding area is still achy and sore to touch. Still with restrictions...no bending, stretching, twisting or lifting, and not sitting too long. In case you missed it...I had a fusion of L4 and L5 with a cage placement. A bit more than the fix the disc surgery.  I have been using the walker as needed in the house but using it when I leave the house. I go outside daily for a walk trying to increase my distance little by little. Following doctor orders...and The Brother Alan's too. Tuesday was a Nuclear Stress Test. I had put it off because of surgery but the cardiologist feels it is necessary. I had one in the past but this was different. Of course if something is going to go wrong, I am the one to have a reaction.  Just glad it is over. It really left me very sore both back and shoulder. This has been a tough year for me.... only two months to go.

Thank goodness I keep busy...sewing. I am almost (will be today) at the one hundred hexie count. Then the work really begins...laying them out and trying for the best looking placement of each hexie. It really does not matter. They are a mix of flowery prints and no repeats. I am waiting for one more center...Dianna has a Hawaiian print she is giving me when she returns from vacation.

They are in Hawaii celebrating Dianna's birthday. From the photos being posted they are having a wonderful time. It is Dianna's favorite place.  I miss our weekly sewing sessions. 

Our Arizona weather is finally cooling down...temps under 100. Nice to have my bedroom slider open. Murphy loves going in and out. I am happy to have you visit...thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.

Slow down you move too fast.....

 That maybe what the song says but it certainly does not describe me lately. If you have not read earlier...much earlier it seems posts, I had surgery on my spine. Specifically an L4 L5 fusion with a cage support.  If you google there is lots of info and

pictures like this one. It is an involved surgery. I was due for a one night stay but problems with drainage was another night. Can not complain though. This was a CORE Specialty Hospital...27 beds. The staff were excellent and the food, well delicious. Before you ask, yes I have lots of restrictions....no bending, stretching , twisting lifting...all common sense and there is the pain if I forget. I have a 6 inch incision center spine at waist and staples which will be removed Monday. My companion The Walker on wheels is usually with me----yes once in  time I find myself without it. I have kept busy when not napping sewing hexies. Soon I should spread them out to see how many I need. Dianna has given me wonderful flower prints. She also has started a hexie quilt. Thank you Cynthia for checking up on me and others whose emails made me smile. Debbie sent me musical note...the Macarena to do while sauntering around....haha. Thank you for all your wonderful words and for you friendship. I appreciate the encouragement very much.

A pain in the neck!

 Well, I am certainly cutting it close with surgery preparations. Finally having an EKG on Monday morning at 9am. Surgery is October 3rd....it will have to do. I have had 2 other surgeries this year and did not require an EKG....not going to question the powers that will be doing the procedure. I would have had it last Monday but I incorrectly wrote the time down...so I missed the appointment....so not like me. Monday will be my first time using Uber for transportation. Alan is away until Monday very late evening and Lisa is working.  Today literally I have a pain in my neck. When I visited with the Pain doctor, we decided to wait and see if it is somehow connected with the disc issue. When I return in 2 months he will decide how to proceed. I have never had so many issues as now. Truth be told, I have been feeling a little stressed lately. I know it will work out.

Remember the baby quilt...

Well here is McKayla all wrapped in it. so nice to see it really being used. Message received from the dad Joe is that they love it.

👀Look at my hexies.... did I mention it might take 100 complete pieces which means 200 pieces cut...I am once again enjoying my project. Sewing by hand is very relaxing for me. My sewing table is on the opposite side of my bed area so it is like another room.  I have a floor length window...my view is nice and if I turn to my right, I can look out the slider and peer into the lanai and garden. 

Recently when I did look into the garden this is what I saw...a pair of Goldfinches enjoying a bath in the fountain. They stayed for some time and of course interrupted my sewing.  Then there is Murphy...at this very moment he is under the sewing table leaning against my legs waiting for attention. How can I get things done with all this stuff around me. I love it. time to continue chores...the House Faerie once again missed my house. Dishwasher swirling, laundry swishing and dryer fluffing.... I need another cup of coffee. Say something nice to someone today...share a smile, it just maybe what someone needs.

Glad you stopped by today...another nice interruption. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Too busy!

 Do you ever think...How am I going to get this all accomplished? Well, that is where I am right now. We  just found out we have a problem in the main bathroom... a leak. Alan was able to find a restoration company and the insurance is onboard so now the work will begin. All I know is that things are going to be messy and noisy for the rest of the week. Murphy is not too happy but he did offer kisses to the guys! At the moment he is upset with the landscapers. so it goes.

I am busy with sewing but also trying to get all the necessary paperwork and clearance for the October 3rd disc removal/fusion surgery. Tomorrow will be the EKG and hopefully the cardiologist will not add a monkey wrench to the mix and give me the okay. 

Just look at all the floral fabric Dianna brought to me!the next few days I will be cutting the hexie centers....I have 6 to finish, and that will be 26 done.. I will plan the layout when they are all finished.

These are not sewn together yet...but I already love them. I think it may take close to 100 hexagons for this quilt. Sewing by hand is very relaxing to me....even with Murphy yelling at the landscapers....and soon there will be a bathroom tear up. Thank goodness for Alan, he has it all under control. I can just sit in my domain and stitch! 

Did you watch the Queen's funeral? I happened to wake at 2am (Arizona time) and it was starting, so I made a cup of coffee and watched. It was beautiful and the people...my goodness, it was a sea of people lining the streets. The finale was touching...the piper playing until it faded away...the removal of the scepter, orb and the crown from the coffin... the breaking of the wand over the coffin...symbol of his end of duty to the queen. I was just 5 years old when she was crowned queen...watching it was special and I do remember the pomp . Now 70 years later I watched the end of her rein. 

Nice to chat but should get back to sewing while it is quiet around here. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, Thank you for you friendship.

Ta Da......it's finished!

 

My Cathedral Friendship Quilt is finished and on my bed. I am so pleased with how it looks. Thank you to the friends who joined in to send fabric to be included. (Names listed on the right sidebar). Fabric arrived from England, Germany, France, Surrey Canada and New Brunswick Canada, Pennsylvania Alabama, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Rhode Island as well as Arizona. Names are written on the reverse side of windows,,,, I will be adding a label soon. I began this project in April of this year...but really it did begin in 1991 in my mind. It took 5 months and completely stitched by hand.

The binding did not take long at all to attach. I took pleasure and pride  in each stitch. It is a very heavy quilt! These past few days I have been planning the next one....Hexagons. They will measure a 5 inch finish. It will be all floral centers...large print, small print and different colors. Time to look through the fabric bins for square that are 6 inches before cutting. The back squares will again be of muslin. It will be a little smaller than my bed quilt as it is for the living room. Once in awhile even in Arizona you need/want a blanket to cover up with. 

I join many in thinking of the Queen's passing. I send thoughts to all my friends in England and Canada who also mourn their leaders loss. Now to remember to say King Charles III. The royals all move up one to new roles.

不在中国....Bùzài zhōngguó

 Can you read Chinese? No...well the title says Not in China......

These are my new tools/gadgets. Malltoon Quilted Hexagons Templates. I ordered from this Chinese company because they sold different sizes. (Missouri Quilting offers only one size.) Anyway, I had been checking the tracking number and as of yesterday it said it is awaiting USPS partner for pickup! As you can see they have arrived. They range from 3 1/2", 5 1/2 " and the largest is 7" ..the finished sizes.

The sure make hexagons easy. This will be my next quilt...all centers will be floral only with occasional solid colors scattered around. The size will be a small throw... maybe crib size. I think I will be using the middle size which finishes at 5 1/2 inches. As with the Cathedral Quilt there will be no batting. You should feel how heavy that quilt is! This will be a throw for the living room.

So, you are asking what about the Cathedral Quilt...

Today I will be finished with the edging triangles. Then on to the binding. Yes, I could have used finished edge triangles, but I wanted the edge to be sturdy. This is going on my bed. And it also will be hand sewn on....I know it would be quicker and easier to use the Singe, but I want it to be completely hand sewn. I am so happy with the outcome with this project. Dianna's is almost finished then we will take a picture. 

On Friday I saw the Cardiologist...the glue is working so no further treatment at this time. Now onto the disc surgery...October 3rd. I will be starting the pre-op testing soon..... again. I did this all in May for the heel surgery.  With luck, and if I can stay out of harms way, this will be all for me. Thankful for Alan and Lisa helping me through all this.  Time to get back to my sewing.... well first I have a banana bread to make. Alan and Lisa's friend is visiting later today...Patrick loves my banana bread. Good chatting with you. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship. I am so lucky!

Glue in my veins

 Yes, you read the title correctly

The original appointment was for VenaSeal on my right leg...veins are healing so they checked the left leg....and there was the  vein that needed to be glued. Did you know that was even possible? Well it is. After a time the glue...medical glue... is absorbed and the vein is sealed. The open vein causes the blood to flow incorrectly. Now my blood is going in the right direction! This wrap will come off today and a compression sock will be my fashion statement for the next 2 weeks. Yesterday was a 10 minute walk every hour until bedtime. Friday we will see if the glue did it's job. Murphy was not happy with this activity!

Up next on my medical escapade is surgery to remove a disc in my back and fuse a bone.... that will be October 3rd. I am hoping for an outpatient visit, not an overnight stay. With that done I should be all fixed.... key word is should. In the meantime, I am happily working on my quilt...

all 286 squares with 273 windows are complete. Now are the triangles...66 of them... that frame the entire quilt edge. One long side is almost complete. As much work as this hand sewn quilt has been, it is so relaxing and to say that I am very pleased with the outcome is an understatement. A dream from 1991 finally being accomplished!

The templates for my next quilt are still in China....but USPS is awaiting pickup....

Last week one of the potatoes on the counter began to sprout eyes. What to do? Well plant them of course and they are growing in my bedroom garden. Soon I will have a nice vine or 2 or 3. Then there was the tomato.... we were having BLTs and when I cut the tomato the seeds had sprouts! So, of course I planted that also.

I marked the shouts that are growing...I just plopped the seeds and their gel into this pot and covered it not bothering to clean the debris out. I was not sure if they would sprout and they did. 
Alan is re-organizing the garden. Everything had to be removed from the walls and some portable plants/decorations were removed so the painters could complete there job. It has been so hot and humid that he will be taking his time. We are back into triple digits. Monsoon will soon be gone and the humidity with it. 

I am on limited duty for now so chores will be put aside...oh gee wiz, I am so disappointed!...not. Always happy to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts, and of course thank you for your friendship.

Love gadgets

 I know...I have been MIA (missing in action) again. I am still dealing with medical issues that weigh on my mind. Tests...doctor appointments...procedures....just has been getting to me mentally. Anyhoo....I said I love gadgets. Whether cooking or baking and especially when crafting, I can not resist a tool that will make a task easier and more enjoyable.

Have you heard of or seen Applipops? It makes perfect circles for applique. I bought the set and they came in this ice cloth pouch for storing. You can see the 3 sizes that I made...there is a smaller one but too fiddly for me to try right now. Fun! One of these days I will need to make these....practice makes perfect.

I can not resist adorable scissors...most any scissor

Just look at these cuties. I also have tweezers by the same company. Let me just say, they are very...very sharp. Can not help but smile when I look at them. Had to order on line (Annie's catalog) as the quilt shop did not have them. I am excited...waiting for my next tool to arrive for my next project. Stay tuned.

For a short time, Murphy and I will be confined to my room...the HOA painters are here. They finished the front now they will be in our patio to paint. Havoc for Murphy. They are painting across from us in the front. Once they start the back Murphy will be allowed out of the room. Happy that they will be finished today.

Nice to chat with you...thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Est-ce que tu parles français

If you do then conversation with this French gal will be easy. This wife and mom loves to create. Stitching began back in 1993 and blogging in December of 2011. She joins various SAL's and of course is a frequent participant in Jo's  many fun Blog Hops.

The list of what she created is long; Photography, stitching, embroidery, beading, painting sewing and more. You really have to visit to see. Did I forget to say she makes wonderful cards....

How wonderful to receive one of  her beautiful cards! Her cross stitching subjects can vary from samplers to fantasy themes.

This is Mrs Christmas from Brooks Books designs. Very detailed ...trimmed in beads to add sparkle. When you visit her blog, be sure to scroll to past posts...

Did I tell you she enjoys traveling? Her love of photography really is obvious in the beautiful pictures. This gal and I have similar hobbies....

 click this link to meet My stitching friend 

You really will enjoy checking her blog out.. Be sure to stop by and visit the other Friends Who Count...to see them all visit with Jo. 

If when you do stop by and the link is not ready, make sure to return later.

As always,  glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

Hello...still here....

 Goodness, I think I disappeared. But here I am. Truth be told.... my busy doctor and test schedule has put some stress on me. This year has been...well you know if you visit me. Today I finally have a discharge from the Orthopedic. He is very pleased with how my fractured shoulder has been healing. I have fairly good range of motion (doing my own daily PT) and feels I can continue without formal PT.  Monday was another spinal MRI....1 hour lying very still in the machine!!! I was thinking...plenty of time... "how do older people tolerate this".... then I realized I am that older person and stopped myself from laughing. The Epidural injection only lasted 2 days. So, next will be to see what these tests show...just falling apart.

Anyway, 

The baby quilt for McKayla is finished. The roses are the front and green on the back. I made a Shabby Roses for both sides. The rose fabric is called Hugs, Kisses --I sewed the tag to the back side.Need to gift wrap then send off.

 

Still working on my Cathedral, Friendship Quilt...loving every minute of hand stitching. I almost have the length where I like it then just the drop to do. It is so heavy that I now work on it while on the sewing table. Besides, it is too hot to keep on my lap while sewing. We had a real Monsoon storm ...started at 2:30am with lots of lightening then thunder and by 3am pouring rain and strong winds. Lasted for a few hours. Murphy and I went out to lay down tone of the umbrellas (the other one fell) and the sky lit up with lightening and we both got right back inside. All quiet now and sun in and out. 

Murphy still scoots under the sofa.... most of the time we need to lift it so he can get out.

He does a pivoting thing to turn around and as you can see, he is waiting for help! He just turned 3 years old yesterday. At the moment he is napping under the bed. Poor baby was awake early because of the storm! 

Happy Birthday Murphy

Just love this boy.💖I should join him...no, not under the bed. Just a nap atop the bed...lol

Sorry for being absent so long. sorry I worried a few ....thank you for your good wishes. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Catching up

 Last evening we had a lightening show with thunder but sparse rain in my area...some Arizona spots has real rain. The wind was whisking around lots of dried stuff...Alan now cleaning it up so Murphy does not take any of it inside. He collects debris.

This is the width of the friendship quilt ....now I will add to the sides until it fits how I would like it. I love the look. It is just a coverlet....not a bedspread size for my daybed. I smile when I look at it! some of the windows are favorite project memories, and then there are those that some of you have sent. My goodness it is getting quite heavy. I now have it on the sewing table to work on as my shoulder is still not completely healed. Dianna was here this past week. Her wall hanging Cathedral quilt is just about finished. She is deciding on what next. We enjoy our weekly sew and lunch. Dianna found us a couple of Plumeria plants. There is no indication of which color but we do not mind. My plant is currently hiding in the lanai because of the storm and winds. I also read that they can be indoors with some care. For now it will be moved out for sun and back for shade. This afternoon Arizona heat is murder.

Murder did I say.... while getting fabric for a baby quilt...the pink roses and green fabric....

I spotted the crow print. It is fantastic! Had to get a yard for I do not know what...but I love crows and with chandeliers! Also spotted the needles. They are just what I have been looking for. Always fun to come home with goodies. The baby quilt ...as you may have guessed...is for a little girl. Her dad works for Alan. The pregnancy has been labelled high risk with a few scares along the way. Please keep this family in your thoughts for a healthy birth.

Healthy? when it refers to me...well I am healthy just recently having this and that. Tomorrow I will be having an injection with sedation...fun times. The pain in my back is caused from a disc that is pinching a nerve. Not sure how my rest of the day will go, so keep me in the easy time thoughts. Glad to catch up with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

One of those weeks

A habit is starting to swirl around me! Just a week ago I woke only to have terrible pains in my left hip and leg...finally out of the sling and still dealing with shoulder mobility ...I think my Achilles is doing okay. Finally got an appointment with CORE for a pain assessment. MRI is Sunday. I told the MA and doctor that I qualify for  a CORE shirt...since January this is the fourth...4th doctor! I need a bubble to live in!

 I finally reached the final width of the quilt...now just to add to each end until I get to the finish. I have crumbled it up...can you see your window? I cannot thank you all enough for joining my friendship quilt.

These are some of the piles of your windows ready to add here and there. I still grab from my bin for the rest of the windows....

 

I shake it up and swish around and pull out a window. The only time it is rejected if it is too close to a repeat. I love the mix-up. I think I will be going into my fabric storage bin to see if I missed any print to include. 

TV mornings have been the Tour de France then Wimbledon. Down to the semi-finals in tennis and today was only Stage 7 for TDF of 21. If you are not familiar with the race, it spans 23 days and about 2,200 miles.  Cannot image cycling continuously for about 5 1/2 hours  and about 136 miles each day. Tennis is also grueling.... hours of play! 

Housemates are working... Murphy is napping on the bed and me?, going back to the sewing table. Next is making squares for the upcoming rows. Each row will be 13 squares with 25 windows. Still a way to go. 

Glad you had some time to stop by. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.