I like this better, don't you?

I took the comments from my previous post to heart about the need for an inner border on my wallhanging. I auditioned a couple different fabrics before deciding on the green. I think it provides the missing umph without being too distracting from the main focus of the basket of flowers. I like it much better now.

Another block done, and only two more to go

I took my Jeep in for an oil change on Friday. My dealership had sent me a coupon for an oil change, tire rotation and 25 point inspection for $25. Sounded like a good deal to me, and I was due for the oil change anyways, so I went for it. I brought along an applique block to work on while I waited. I figured I might squeeze a good half hours worth of stitching in while they worked on the Jeep.

Well, I just should have known they were going to find something troublesome in the inspection. I was way past due for a tune-up and my rear brakes were shot. Sigh. Might as well take care of that while I'm already there, right? Oh, then they found a problem with my fuel injection...and a torn boot on my driveshaft- this one was still covered under my powertrain warranty(with a $100 deductible). Yup.

When all was said and done, I spent four hours waiting and $472.81 on what was originally going to be a thirty minute, $25 oil change. I will say that my Jeep runs great. And I got quite a bit accomplished on my applique block while I waited. In fact, it is now finished. I sure was glad I had brought that along with me. It was a great diversion and source of stress relief. And I like the way it turned out too.

Pay it froward...continued

A while back I posted about a pay it forward I joined on JoAnn's blog. Yesterday I received my gift from JoAnn. She sent me some of her hand painted fabrics with sun imprinted designs on them. I am thrilled!

These little lovelies will make a nice addition to a quilty project. I will have to think a while to find the right one to best showcase them. Thank you, JoAnn! Now if only I had someone to pay it forward to...

progress in baby steps

With this last onset of kidney stones, I have not felt like doing too much. I have managed to complete my August BOMs. It may not be much, but it is progress. I am anticipating a free weekend coming up. I hope to spend it in my sewing room.

I actually tried using my Wooly Flower block, below, as a distraction while I wasn't feeling well. Unfortunately, that turned out to be counter-productive. I ended up placing one of the bees outside of the finished size markings, and had to pull out my stitches and reattatch it. I hate unsewing, especially when I had hand stitched. But it is fixed now. :)

Gravel in the toilet is not a good thing

I feel like I just can't win these days. It has just not been my year healthwise. I don't know why it is all hitting me now, but I sure would like a break. In March I had a hysterectomy. It was a hard choice, but the right one. And I can say that it actually has helped me to feel better. But in the pre-surgery process, I was put on meds to control high blood pressure. Bummer. And at the post surgery check-up, they decided I needed to stay on the meds-big bummer.

I just wish that were the end of it all. But it isn't. Since late March I have had yet another health issue show itself-kidney stones. Three separate episodes since March. Ouch! I am still sore from the latest stones, which passed last week Monday after an extremely painful and difficult day Sunday.They don't look like they would hurt so much, do they? These stones have been sent to a lab and analyzed so that hopefully we can find out what is causing them. I suspect my BP meds might be a contributing factor, as they have all happened since I was put on the meds. I also suspect there are more to come, as I am still having the pain. Enough already!

Orphan Block challenge complete

A while back I told you all about an orphan block challenge I am in. I had received back my block in it's new and improved form. But I hadn't completed my friend Laura's block yet. Well, I have finally finished it. Whew! Unfortunately, I did not have the thought to photograph the "before" block for you. So I will show you this glimpse of the completed project so you can see what her block looks like. Laura's block measured around 11"x24" when it arrived.

I was stumped as to a fun way to utilize it. Things like a table runner or wallhanging came to mind, but they just didn't seem very creative. I also considered making a neckroll pillow with her block. But that still didn't seem special enough.

I started browsing websites for ideas and came across a couple that spoke to me. But I wasn't sure the block was really suited for the project I wanted to make. It was definitely not the right size. I would need to do this without a pattern or instructions. It was time for some serious creative thinking.

I think I was successful in the final design. Hopefully Laura will like it. I think it should be quite functional.

This is the front:

And this is the back:

And finally we see the inside of the quilting caddy that I made. I have placed some quilting notions inside to help you fully picture it. There are lots of pockets in various sizes. It will hold a small rotary cutting matt, a 3x12inch ruler, a 1x6inch ruler, a rotary cutter, scissors, marking pencils, a thimble, needles and even a book or magazine. And it all folds up into a neat little tote to carry away.

Undecided

OK, so I have finished all the handstitching on my wallhanging and added the borders to it. But now I am not sure I like it. And I am not sure why. I really liked the combination of fabrics when they were just a collection of fabrics, but not so much now. What do you think? Does this border work or should I look for something different? Oh, and by the way, my quilt top is not wonky as it appears in the picture. It is just that I did not have the camera quite straight when I took the picture.

What I'm working on currently

It has been a tough summer for me and my family. So many things have been needing our time and attention that I feel like I have no time for my quilting. But in reality, I am managing to sneak in a bit of quilting, mostly because of the hand applique that I have picked up. Since I can take it with me, I can squeeze in bits of stitching here and there. My most recent project is a floral wallhanging that I just love. I am still in the process of hand stitching the pieces in place , but here is a peek. The pattern is called Follow Your Heart and it is by Elizabeth Scott at Late Bloomer Quilts.

I still need to add my borders, but I will wait until all of my handwork is done. My progress has been especially slow this past week.

I did manage to complete my July blocks of the month before August arrived. It has just taken me a while to post them. Here are the blocks for the Block Central and Debbie Mumm BOM quilts I am working on.

Now that the August patterns are up, I will try to get those done too. Someday.