Open Heart Blue Japanese Quilt

Yes, it is a strange name for a quilt...but it reflects what has happened over the past month or so here. I had surgery in mid-March, planned for an aortic valve replacement to take care of a defect that I had know about for over 30 years. I also ended up with a double bypass due to some complications. I'm doing well now, back to driving, walking daily and hard at work at Cardiac Rehab! On Friday is the graduation for my MBA program and then back to work, at least part-time on Monday. I'm thankful that I was young, healthy and in good shape to start with as it was a tough surgery and recovery.

Of course I had a huge list of quilt projects to work on as I recover. Unfortunately, I felt too lousy to do much, except help work on the design of this quilt with my wonderful sister who has been here during the whole ordeal. She has been my driver, nurse, wife and companion during this time, keeping the house running and making sure I stayed on track!

We made two quilts almost exactly alike, except for the the gold borders. Her's is the square fabric and mine is the wavy one. They are off to the long arm quilter at this point. Looking forward to lots more free time now that school is finished. So you can expect lots of pictures and projects on the blog!

Irish Green Quilt & News

This is the second quilt I finished in 1978. It often comes out for the month of March, then quickly is put away due to being a bit dated, etc. I took a class where each week we made our own cardboard templates, then traced cutting lines on the back of fabric and hand pieced most of these blocks! It is a king size monster quilt that was hand quilted by the ladies at a local senior center.

I have been working on a few projects, mainly putting binding on and finishing a fall quilt that was in Fons and Porter last year. I still have five quilts needing binding stitched down by hand and plan to work on them over the next month, as I will be having surgery on Thursday to replace my aortic valve.

Two items of great excitement! First (not in order of importance) is that I finished my last MBA class on Friday, so I am finally free to quilt away without the guilt of homework!!! Second, I have stacks of new projects lined up for the 6-8 weeks while I recover, but most important is it includes two baby quilts for my first grandbaby due in July!!!!!! I can't wait to hold him!

Sorry for not posting for a while, but life has been crazy with school and medical stuff...looking forward to getting back to regular blogging in the next month or so!

What was I thinking???

In a moment of weakness, the week before Thanksgiving I purchased 3 minkee kits thinking I would whip up a few quick Christmas gifts...We all know that is pure insanity!! Yesterday, I finished the first one for a very special young woman who is a part of my son's life. ! Let me tell the story of this "quick" project!

The first day I laid out the rows of fabric and began to sew...oh yes, I had forgotten how minkee fuzz would cover everything, including me! It actually looked like it had been snowing in my sewing room!

Of course I know to sew to every other strip in an opposite direction...but I didn't!. So soon I had a wonky top that was definitely not a rectangle.

So why not just a quick rotary trim to straighten it up....little did I realize my quick trim was too much in one section...so soon I was reattaching what I had just cut off! Then it was back to the floor with a metal measuring tape and the largest quilting rulers I could find to try and straighten the mess!

Next was the recommended spray adhesive to the back then the batting as I prepared for quilting. Having never uses it before, I quickly learned how little was needed! Days became weeks and before I knew it Christmas was here an the first quilt was not finished!

And so on Christmas eve, the package was opened, with the refrain..."I'll finish it soon and then give it back to you!"

Yesterday, I finished the quilting and attached the binding according to the instructions...to the back first, then stitched to the top...oh another mistake as Minkee fabric doesn't stay flat but rolls...I'll never do that again! The good news is it is finished!!

Life is still full of surprises at our house...only 1 1/2 classes left to go till my MBA is finished...I'm so looking forward to long days sewing with no worries of homework and papers to write. I've had a few health issues this fall with more tests to come in the new year...looking forward to the new year with lots of time for quilting and blogging! Wishing you a wonderful new year!

JOY & Frustration & More JOY

UPDATE: Oct 20th. Here is the photo!! YEAH!! Written on the five silver charms are:

Free Your Heart from Hatred

Free Your Mind from Worries

Live Simply

Give More

Expect Less

Joy...a new quilt piece that was created in the last month as part of an assignment in my MBA program. I was so excited to share it with you all! However, Blogger is having issues posting photos and so far I am not finding any way to share the photo with you...that is pure frustration! As soon as it is fixed, I will add a new posting.

It is approx 8 x 12 inches with deep purples, fuchsia and yellows. Our assignment was to do a creative project. I was one of the few people in class that was excited and couldn't wait to get started!

I actually gave myself a few rules:
-I need to start a new project from scratch...no patterns or finishing other projects.
-I had to use fabric that I had...no shopping.
-I needed to try a new technique.
-I could not rip out or redo sections...whatever happened had to stay in the project.

Life continues to be crazy...work, school, family and trips to LA to work on the estate. I continue to try to find moments of joy in each day...yesterday it was a great 45 minute walk out in the country side enjoying the wonderful fall colors of Oregon. Heading out the door now for another walk! Soon I will post more pictures....as soon as blogger fixes the errors!

September Updates

Not much sewing going on this summer, but the biggest news is this new wall unit from Ikea in my sewing studio. It even has empty sections, just waiting for my next project. I spent the weekend getting my studio back in order after the chaos of moving furniture and reorganizing my space!

This is coming to my home in Oregon, from California. It is one of the many items that did not go into the estate sale...along with a second older Singer!

While in California we spent an afternoon as tourists, taking my son to see Hollywood, including Michael Jackson's star...

Borders are on this quilt and it went with two other to the Long Arm quilter!! I'm actually catching up and ready to start new projects!! The border on this quilt made me nuts! I actually cut the binding strips before the long borders, then had to piece the border...what a crazy mistake...oh well it all worked out. I'm currently searching for the hydrangea fabric in purple and raspberry for a different project...one that I purchased fabric for several years ago...only to discover this weekend that I am short fabric :-(

Of course, a visit to Hollywood must include the sign! It was fun to be tourists...so glad we are back home and not there in all the smoke! Happy quilting!

Long Beach Show pictures

My computer is distressed and so am I at this point, as I use my son's computer for this posting. So, rather than sharing pictures with you from the Long Beach show, here is a great link to "The Quilt Show" website daily blog. Scroll down and you will find three sets of photos from the Long Beach show, along with other interesting show pictures, etc.

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php

I've checked this site several times, trying to decide if it is worth it to be a member. However, at $42.95, I haven't yet parted with the money...here are my reasons not to join...

-The cost seems high for online access.
-I already take 6 magazines related to quilting, so I have lots of resources.
-I have more projects in progress than I can count!
-I'm not a fan of watching TV or other video on my computer...spoiled by big screen TV's!
-I already spend too much time each day on the computer between work and home projects.
-I have more email and newsletters than I can read at this time.
-I'd rather be working on quilting projects...

I'm curious if anyone has become a member and find it worth the cost...

Long Beach Show on Saturday!

First, a few quick China trip photos...so what is a quilter to do when she is not finding fabric to purchase? Buy Pashmina's in every color you can find!! These wonderful scarves were just a dollar or two, depending on bargaining and number purchased! I came home with 40, some for me and many as gifts for friends and co-workers!
You can't be in Beijing without going to the Great Wall. What an incredible experience! So beautiful and so hard to fathom this was built so long ago! We walked between three towers with steps from 1 inch high to over 24 inches. I would love to spend more time there!

Yes, I will be going to the Long Beach show on Saturday, so if any bloggers are going to be there would love to connect with you! Post a comment and I'll check back...

There is so much more to write, but I am behind in packing, writing a paper for school and other homework due on Friday...this is just a momentary escape, as I am tired and distracted after a full day at work, visiting dad at assisted living and over 6 hours of travel to one of our work sites.