It Arrived!!

Yes.  The cutter finally arrived!  Unfortunately, I was in the middle of designing a quilt so didn't do much more than to open the box and look at it.  I took a photo to prove it's here and maybe, just maybe, I'll have some photos of a rug in progress to share soon.

Here's a preview of the quilt I'm designing. 

Here's a block I worked on during mom's chemo session.  It's close to being finished (hopefully I'll have it done later this week when I get to meet with my applique group).
 

It will join this block

To become this quilt.

I received this book for Christmas from a wonderful friend.  Snow days are absolutely perfect for snuggling up with a good book and thoughts of times past. 

The past week was mostly good - mom had a few bad days but overall I'd call it a good week.  She has a birthday tomorrow and I think she deserves something special.  I hope you have a wonderful week.  Make some time for yourself.

Updates from last week

Several things to update from last week.  Here's the Sager Creek quilt with borders.  I really like the pink rick rack.  Once it's quilted, Pam will scallop the edges. 

Binding a scalloped quilt makes me think about binding quilts in general.  I notice Sager Creek is offering a binding class Wed, Feb 2 or Sat, Feb 5, 9:30-12:00.  Just thought I'd mention that in case you're wondering how to properly bind a quilt.

Another update.  I put together the 4 patches I made last week into this quilt.  Kits are available at Sew Graceful Quilting.  Kits aren't on the website yet so you'll need to call or, better yet, stop by to get your kit.

Update on hooking.  Called to check on the status of my cutter.  Apparently, the manufacturer was waiting on a part for my 8.5 cut apparatus.  Part has been received and the cutter should go to the UPS truck this week.  So.........soon I will have NO reason not to be hooking!

Update on Mom.  Chemo for 3 consecutive was "interesting."  She tolerated it very well.  We will do it all over again in 2 1/2 weeks -- 3 consecutive days every treatment.  Followed by a shot a day later.  We are so grateful for every day she feels like herself.  I am so sad when she isn't her usual upbeat self. 

Playtime and Rug Hooking

As promised in my last post, here's the Playtime quilt I put together for Sager Creek Quilts.  They're offering it as a block of the month - a bargain at only $15 per month.

The other afternoon I was talking with a good friend who gently reminded me I hadn't posted any progress on my rug.  I am waiting for my cutter to arrive.......ok.......ok.......that's a pretty lame excuse since I do have bags of strips I could use.  But that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Here's what I've accomplished so far.  I do plan to make some progress once that cutter arrives. 

Yesterday I played with some applique and 4 patches.  These days 4 patches are about the most my mind can handle.  As soon as this project is ready, I'll post a photo.

Mom was supposed to have her first chemo treatment last week but wasn't feeling well.  The oncologist delayed it until this week but then dropped a bombshell that he's decided to treat it very aggressively so she has chemo Thurs, Fri, and Sat this week.  Last week I heard the best words I've heard for quite some time:   "it's potentially curable."  Amazing how those 3 little words can mean so much.  Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.  Until next time.

Civil War Bride Quilt Block #9

Gosh it seems like ages since I last posted.  A lot has happened the past two weeks:  some good and some not so good. 

I finished block #9 of the Civil War Bride quilt. 

For those who are familiar with the pattern you will notice the peacock has hidden her feet behind pesky leaves.  As in a previous block, I wasn't about to wrestle with all those teeny tiny toes.  Amazing how easily hiding behind a leaf makes the block go! 

Here's my progress on the quilt. 

I also finished a top that will become a block of the month for Sager Creek Quilts.  Here's a sneak peak of a few of the blocks.  I will wait to show the entire quilt but will assure you it's fun and happy. 

Sew Graceful Quilting opens their retail location at 14094 Pleasant Ridge Road Jan 4.  They still have a few openings in the Friendship's Gift block of the month. 

I did get a chance to hook a little yesterday with my friend, Anne, but we gabbed so much I'm afraid I have pitifully little to share. 

I have been very busy with my mother.  That's where the good news/bad news comes in.  Good news is her colon cancer is gone and very little chance of recurrence.  The bad news is the lymphoma has spread to 2 parts of her body.  We found that out Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd) so Christmas was kind of difficult for me.  She had a chemo port "installed" last week and will start chemo this Thursday.  Of course, I'll go with her and bring my applique.  I would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers on our behalf.  Please keep them coming!



My Newest Obsession

OK.  It didn't start out as an obsession.  It was an innocent, passing interest; really more curiosity than anything.  I'd heard about groups of women who indulged in such an obsession but, really, I didn't think it would interest me.

.......then one fateful Saturday I allowed myself to indulge and the rest is history.  Yes........ I am a hooker.  Now that it's out, I feel so much better. 

I started as most hookers do with a love of wool.  I started frequenting thrift stores searching for 100% wool skirts.  Then moved on to the hard stuff:  wool from honest to goodness stores. 

Like most, I started with the dreaded star.  I know the star teaches all sorts of stuff you need to know.  But, it's SO boring.  As you can see, I was not a good pupil because I didn't finish my star.   

 

Last month, one of my friends and I visited Black Sheep Wool for a wonderful 3 day workshop.  If I wasn't already hooked I would have been after visiting Marty and Rhonda.  Oh my goodness!!  What a treat for the eyes (and tummy!)  This is the rug I'm making.

While at the workshop, I cut what I thought would be plenty of wool strips.  After hooking for a few days, I quickly realized I hadn't cut nearly enough strips.  What to do, what to do.  Lots of my hooker buddies have cutters and I know I could probably go to their home to cut wool but that would slow me down with traveling and visiting and getting side tracked.  Last week I contacted Marty at Black Sheep Wool and ordered a Townsend cutter. 

OK.  It's official.......I really am a hooker and I'd better become a darn good one since I now have all the necessary tools. 

Friendship's Gift

Hard to believe another week has come and gone!  Remember when you were a kid and it seemed like forever until Christmas?  I kind of long for those days.

My friends Darlene and Debby had their sneak peek into their new quilting studio yesterday.  One of the big hits was my newest block of the month, Friendship's Gift.  When I decided to put together something for them, we decided we wanted it to be representative of their new place:  a place where people can come to visit, sew, and generally forget life's trials and tribulations and be with others who share their love of creating.  What better theme than friendship?

Those who know me know I rarely follow the pattern exactly.  My colors are almost always different than what they're "supposed" to be.  I usually just have to change some design element to make the quilt just a little different. 

This block of the month starts in January but they're taking sign ups now.  Cost is $19.95 per month and that includes all fabrics for the top and binding.  The book is sold separately and is $24.95.  If you are interested in participating, call Darlene at 479-372-7403 to get your name on the list. 

For those who are in the area, we plan to have a get together for those working on this project the 2nd Sat of each month from 9:00 - 10:30.  Visiting us is optional but we thought it would be a nice way to build friendships.

Thanks for your continued prayers for my mother.  We finally have a date to see the oncologist - Dec 23.  I have the date circled in red on my calendar.
 

Road to California Quilt Show

First, I'd like to thank all of you who contacted me after my last post.  Mom is continuing to grow stronger and we are very hopeful we receive good news this week.  I will keep you posted.

I did receive some good news of a much different type this past week.  On a whim, I entered a quilt into the Road to California quilt show.  I almost fell out of my chair when I received notification my quilt, Warm Hearts, was accepted into the show.  It's a juried show so just getting to show a quilt is an honor as far as I'm concerned. 

While preparing my quilt for shipment I began a nostalgic trip down memory lane.  This quilt was made and offered as a block of the month through Rabbit's Lair.  That made me think about all the quilts I've made and offered as blocks of the month through various shops.  I thought it might be fun to share some with you.

Rabbits Prefer Chocolate (I don't have the quilt I made but it was similiar to this photo of the pattern)

Christmas Memories

Baskets, Berries and Leaves - This is a large quilt and I don't have a photo of the entire quilt.  This is the quilt as shown on the pattern.

This is one of my blocks to show the colorway I chose.

Friends for Christmas

My Favorite Things



Country Paths



All Things Christmas - Apparently I don't have a photo of this quilt either.  Here's what it's "supposed" to look like according to the pattern.



Here is a photo of four of my blocks to give you an idea of colors I chose.

Autumn House

There are others but this post is getting large so I'd better quit for now.  I will have a new block of the month to share soon.  I am putting together one for Sager Creek Quilts.  We hope to offer it as a block of the month Jan, 2011.  If you've never visited Sager Creek Quilts, you should indulge yourself this holiday season.  The shop is located in the heart of Siloam Springs AR in a beautiful historic home.  Cliff and Pam have a nice selection of fabrics and all the samples make it a place where you can become inspired.

Just typing Jan 2011 reminds me that's only a few weeks away so I'd better get back to sewing!