12-Step Program for Fabricaholics Anonymous

Found this on Fabricaholics Anonymous blog and thought it was too cute not to share...

  12 Step Program

Step one...find a pattern

Step two....buy the pattern

Step three...take it home with you

Step four...open up and read the pattern

Step five....find fabric in house that

makes your heart go pitty pat

Step six....make sure you have enough for the pattern

Step seven....cut out the required blocks bits and bobs

Step eight.....lay out the pattern and

then cut out blocks, sew the blocks

Step nine.....find a backing and batting

Step ten.....quilt as desired

Step eleven.....put on the binding

Step twelve.....enjoy your work.

By FA member Sherri

 

Carry You Home

I've not been quilting since my sister passed but I have been very busy remodeling my house, as per my sister's instructions to me.  I'll be back after the new year with my new quilt studio!  I took over the 2-car garage and it's truly going to be wonderful once it's finished...one more set of cabinets then to move in the machines and start anew!

I was listening to a song by James Blunt and although the entire song isn't relative to my sister there are two verses which are.  The song is from the movie "My Sister's Keeper" entitled *Carry You Home* and I wanted to share those:

As strong as you were, tender you go.
I'm watching you breathing for the last time.
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet,
I know what it means and I'll carry you home.
I'll carry you home.

If she had wings she would fly away,
And another day God will give her some.

As strong as you were, tender you go.
I'm watching you breathing for the last time.
A song for your heart, but when it is quiet,
I know what it means and I'll carry you home.
I'll carry you home.

That is exactly what I did, I carried my sister home holding her as she took her last breath; to catch that last breath is beautifully sad.

Quilt of Many Holes

My beautiful sister, Yvonne, lost her battle with lung cancer and passed away on March 6, 2010.  I was Blessed to be holding her when she left her wordly body and joined the ranks of Angels.  She is free of pain and her long-suffering and for that I am grateful but I'm so lonely without her.  I know the sadness will pass but the longing never will.

My Sister with my Granddaughter
I saved this poem, many years ago, and it reminded me of her life.

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare, and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

Thought of You Today

A good friend sent this to me and I cherish the words and meanings.  I had to share this with you all....


Thought of you with love today, but that's nothing new.I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
All I have are memories and a picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part.

God has you in His keeping, I have you in my ♥ -

Repost if you have a loved one in Heaven.

Life Is Difficult ...

Hello,

My sister was admitted to TMC Wednesday afternoon (2-24).

Abdominal CT shows a large necrotic abdominal mass, grapefruit-size. It's a long story but they put in a gastric tube and are pumped her stomach contents which was full of blood and other really gross crap...

She hasn't eaten since last Thursday (best we can tell, it could be longer), she is slowly losing her mind said really bizarre things totally out of context but that could well be a side effect of starvation.

When we were in the ER (I called 911 to pick her up, she had rubber legs and couldn't remember how to work her portable oxygen tank) she was hallucinating said there were bugs on my shirt collar and cuffs...it's bad.

She can't go back home. I asked her today if she thought she could take care of herself alone and she said 'no'. I called Hospice and they are going to do an assessment today. I'm also going to check into Group Care Facilities, as well as Handmaker's nursing home and some others.

I've gathered all the bills which she stopped paying in January. I have to file a tax extension. Her toilet is leaking, the garbage disposal isn't working...it goes on.

I took the dog to the vet; he's 18. She wasn't feeding herself and the dog was half-starved. He's blind, deaf and old - Bruno is too playful and I have the pool - blind dog & pool without a fence don't mix. When I took Buddy to the vet her suggestion was euthanize, which I did with an extremely broken heart, but I can't tell my sister right now - it would be too much.

Her cancer is 'gone' per Dr. Ketchel (Oncology)... I have the pathology reports it spread a bit (but 'a bit' as far as cancer goes might as well be 'a lot'). But the surgeon, Dr. Lowell, was clear, in October '09, when he said "I got all the cancer in the area I was in". I knew then it had spread.

The hospitalist, came in to see me (I have POA) yesterday morning and when I said I didn't believe we should go through surgery she agreed. The hospitalist said "her cancer has spread to the point where doing surgery on the (large grapefruit-size) mass would be futile." I really like the Hospitalist she doesn't beat around the bush and definitely tells it like it is --> she's the first in the past year!

She has a bled and Dr. Peterson (GI) is going to run a scope today to see where it's coming from.

Your prayers would be appreciated. I knew this would come and even if one is prepared it's just hard.

The hardest part was telling our father....no one should ever have to bury a child (he'll be 94 in June and my sister is 71) and honestly it broke my heart.

I'm sure I rambled a bit and I apologize. Your prayers would be appreciated.

My Animals Are Taking Over

Have you ever thought your animals secretly speak to each other? I'm absolutely sure these two do. This isn't the first time I've caught them together...LOL

Bruno and Turbo

Earlier this morning I was cleaning my butcher block off and sat the empty bread basket down on the table. When I went to grab it a little while later the cat had taken domain...see what I mean? He was telling me the basket has definitely been taken over and he had no intentions of moving out soon...LOL

Turbo Talking

Our animals bring us smiles and ask little in return but Love, they are so huggable and loveable who can resist?

Bruno the Flying Doxie

Sewing Room ReDo

Although I didn't get much done in the way of quilting, I was productive :D  I rearranged my sewing room - it's an odd-shape room 16' long and 9' wide.  At times I feel like the walls, literally, are closing in on me especially when I sew and then want to press.

Next on my list is to take the garage over Again!  I don't remember why I moved out of that 800 sq foot room into this tiny thing...must have been a Middleheimer's moment..LoL

BEFORE

 

  

Note the ironing board at the right forefront of this picture, I had to move it out of the room when I was sewing..my cat absolutely loves the top of my ironing board.  I always have a roller near :D

AFTER

    

 

 

Essentially, in my book, I got a lot done. I wasn't feeling particularly well and didn't think sewing was in my best interest.

I have more room now between the sewing table and the ironing board, which now doesn't have to go in the dining room.

It will be so nice when I move to the garage, but I'll need help with that room so when my DD comes to visit next time...she has no clue what mom has up her sleeve.. 

  cleaning is coming early...LOL

Crazy Hearts Just in Time

Just in time for Valentine Day..

Here's a picture of the Crazy Heart pattern (blocks) we made in class today. They are trimmed up because they (get this) don't all come out the same size but average 14 to 14-1/2 inches. You lay one atop the other and cut to the smallest one...we will see.  For the borders Anna (the teacher) suggested making strips and cut the strips into say 2" pieces and then sew those together end-to-end (oh shoot, the lightbulb just went off) and for the binding make a solid color or make bias strips of all the colors, or ...whatever 'crazy' thing you want :D

They were crazy but fun, after I got over my frustration with switching because I had too many black fabrics (duh!). People used lots of color combinations - I just followed the instructions, no 'out of the box' thinking for me on this one evidently; next time I know better ... LOL

On my design board.  The other picture are the material stacks on top of the pattern.  The bumpy piles are the sewn strip pieces.  I found it was quicker and less frustrating for me to strip piece by group, rather than 1 block at a time.  Other's were making one at a time but I couldn't wrap my mind around it, too many pieces...LoL 


 

Just When I Thought .... Random Thoughts

Just when I thought I found a good substitute for the polka-dot (PD) fabric for my "Pink All Around" and as I posted on my 'What's on Your Design Wall?' blog, I saw an on-line fabric sale! 

Now...I had called the LQS, where I found a piece 'like' the original PD, desperate to see if there was at least one more piece which there was...Yea!!  I had them hold it for me and picked it up, happy as a clam that even though it wasn't 'like' the other pink it would 'work'.

Then last night I found an on-line fabric sale and guess what...lo-and-behold I found a fabric so-so close!!  And, yes I succumbed and bought some. While the background pink is a bit darker I think it will match better - and, if not, then I've got some extra PDs.

                                

Original Fabric

1st replacement







 New find !!!




Please, leave a me note and let me know which would you choose?
Scroll down a bit and click on "Links to this Post" [which will open in a new page], scroll down and leave me a Post :D

Excellence vs Perfection - Random Thoughts

I was reading through some e-mails this evening and came across the following saying.  It really made me re-think what I said about my block earlier today ... "it's not perfect."  I stopped and really thought about the words I was reading the meaning behind them, so from this point forward:

I will quilt, "reaching for excellence one block at a time".

Did this make you think twice?

Arizona 2 Star Quilt Block - Finished

I just finished the block for an on-line quilting group.  We aren't swapping blocks rather each group member makes a block using the pattern for that month.  This month I picked a star pattern as I've never made one, love them to "pieces" (pun intended) and wanted a bit of a challenge for myself.

I've been making quilt tops for a few years now; however, I've rarely worked with half-square triangles. I made some mistakes (bias...argh!) and although it's not a perfect block, it's my block and it's a learning block.  I'll never know what I'm capable if I don't try, right?

On to another project for yet another on-line quilting group using Bonnie Hunter's Crayon Box pattern, make 12 blocks by April 25, 2010...I've got time :D

What's in your oven?

Oh yes...the smell from the kitchen is wonderful!  Three loaves of banana bread, they look so pretty...DONE....going to be yummy my tummy :D

It was a dreary gray day, rained off and on and the bananas were saying 'use me' (or throw me away tomorrow..LoL) so I decided to bake.  The oven helped warm up the house. 

While the bread was baking I was working on the Arizona 2 block for an on-line group BOM.

I guess I felt rather ambicious this morning...or maybe it was just too much caffeine...either way, I got a lot done!

Design Wall Monday - NEW BLOG Address

Around 11 PM the other night, a lightbulb went off in my head !! I've been trying to figure out how to make two pages in Blogger ~ while re-reading the blooger tutorial I realized I can't make two separate pages. I must make two separate blogs...and then I said DUH!!
So, I posted the articles for "What's on Your Design Wall" to a separate blog ... the blog has moved.  Please check out the new Blog, thanks!

 http://whatsonyourdesignwall.blogspot.com/ 

In doing so, however, I mixed up the posts a bit. I'm going to go back and see if I can't back-date them so hopefully they will end up in the right order. Now, I can get back to business of sewing blocks...the house will wait. I am doing laundry in-between.

Another setback or is it an opportunity?

I got up this morning all ready to complete the PP blocks.  I pulled out all the pieces (yes, I put things away when I'm done for the day) and lo-and-behold...I didn't cut enough of one fabric and guess what ....??  I don't have enough material to finish!!

I don't truly believe in tarot cards and horoscopes but there are days when the message seems to fit the current situation, perfectly. With that said, my tarot horoscope for today says I am to have a good day...LOL

Keywords: victory, (material) success, mastery, graduation, completion
Description: The Chariot symbolizes enthusiasm, competitiveness, and triumph.
Success and victory are achieved by employing all powers at his disposal, physical, spiritual, and intellectual. The positive sides of the self, being strong and self-controlled, balancing conflicting emotions, triumphing over obstacles, and sustaining an effort, support attaining goals, thereby leading the way to transformation and self-knowledge.

I'm hoping to triumph over this obstacle (as the tarot card said) by trying to use the small piece of the one material I'm short on, cut it smaller than the PP pattern leaving just 1/4" on each side and see if that will work for me.  If not, then I guess I'll have to find another 'pink' in my limited pink stash, finish up the 3 blocks I have started and make one more velum to get 4 blocks.  That's my obstacle for the day.  I'll let you know if I succeed!

I guess I was most amazed by the fact that I didn't have enough material.  I'm a give-me-a-yard girl, usually I get 2 yards...so what happened ??? 

What's on your Design Wall?

It's Monday morning and I am hoping that this post will start a new page - I am dedicating one separate page for DESIGN MONDAY @ Judy's website "Patchwork Times".  It's a wonderful site, great owner and a great way to catch up on those UFOs that somehow got away from us (we all do it...LOL).

I worked on "Pink All Over" this weekend.  I don't have my design wall up yet as I am testing the Block Butler to be sure it will, in fact, stay up on my walls since they are texturized.  However, I did want to post WHAT NOT TO DO!

I was just chugging along on Sunday without a care in the world, happy as a clam to be sewing.  While trimming up guess what I did.....and then I felt defeated - actually was more upset with myself than anything!  Always, always be sure to check what should be cut and what not to cut...LOL  Lesson Learned!

So, I put that aside and worked on a single BOM block for an on-line group and made mistakes.  I think my mind must have been in a 'fuddle' because, as you can see, I'm going frogging this morning...Grrrr

 

At this point, I stopped -- had to was afraid of what might happen next...LOL

Pink All Around

Morning!

I cut out the pieces for 2 more blocks for my "Pink All Around" table topper.  It's on my UFO list, it's small and I hope to finish it up by Saturday.  I only need three more blocks, sashing, border and sandwich...WOOHOO!!

Here's a pic of the completed block as well as a WIP.  This was a class I took on Jan 31, 2007...definitely a UFO...  I wasn't sure I'd like PP but have found the points come out perfectly and in the end I had a lot of fun doing this block.  I had taken materials with me, for the class, but once I got there and saw the sample (up close) I decided to change up.  All these materials were on the sale rack...woohoo - I love a sale especially if it's fabric!  Because I gathered up "pinks" (not my usual color choice) I chose the name "Pink All Around" and feel it's very fitting.






Happy Hump Day!!

Getting Ready

It always so hectic at holiday time and the beginning of January is catch-up time, put it away and start clearing off the sewing table, cutting table - all used for wrapping presents. The lights and various decorations are put away and why is it that I seem to have more things than I have storage containers...it grows and grows, must be those elves!

I found some really pretty fabrics today, while cleaning out the back room, for a fabric swap with my Yuku.com group. So much fabric, so little time and I thought a 10" fabric swap would be a perfect way to cut those fabrics I just love but don't know what to do with.  I'm going to use a pattern from Quilt magazine Color Maze.  It's a great way to show off large prints. 

I'm trying to decide if I want to move my sewing room in there (again) - it's 800 sq.ft - minus the storage for canned food, two freezers, laundry table and rack.  As well as 10, large 3-drawer and two small 3-drawer Sterilite containers full of fabric. I can cordon off a section (maybe find a room divider and cover it...umm) to make it 'homey'...think it will work but will have to wait until DD visits again to move things around. Thought I'd try using EQ6 to map out the room, article in most recent newsletter, and see what I can come up with....Time will tell

In the meantime, I've found the top of my sewing machine table, cutting table and big top ironing board..woohoo!  Sunday, I'm going to re-arrange my sewing room, for the time being.  I need to make it more 'user friendly'....LOL

On Monday, I plan on whittlin' down my UFO list starting with the smallest and working my way up.  Wish me luck!

1894 Quilt - Adirondack Museum Quilt Exhibit

This quilt was made for my great uncle, Joseph Bruno, upon his retirement from North Creek Hotel in 1894. The quilt is hanging in the Adirondack Museum, New York for their exhibit "Common Threads: 150 Years of Adirondack Quilts and Comforters" which started in November 2008 will continue through 2010. See my slideshow to the right -->

I am so proud to be the owner of this wonderful quilt and even happier I am now able to share it's beauty with others!
http://picasaweb.google.com/MielNina/1894QuiltAdirondackMuseumQuiltExhibit#

I have more information here http://mielnina.multiply.com/

My quilt is the 4th picture:
http://www.adkmuseum.org/exhibits_and_events/online_exhibits/commonthreads/3_community_ties/
The blocks in this quilt are Copyrighted and May NOT be used without written permission from me.

Happy New Year 2010 !!

It's a new year and I've plans for new quilts ... not that I don't need to finish the UFOs I already have...LOL

My resolution is to do nothing but quilt.  It makes me Happy and I get lost for hours at a time; dinner, what's that you say? 

I started this blog in an attempt to keep me on track....unless of course I get sidetracked. So, I've decided to try and post a weekly blog about whatever happenings are happening! Bear with me as I figure out the Blogger and all it's quirks ~

I'm so excited and ready to tackle that stack of UFOs, as well as some mystery kits I never got around to doing (hanging head) but didn't list ... I'd have to dig them out first but I've got at least 10 sitting around.

And then...there are the three quilt classes at a LQS I received as Christmas presents from DH.  When I went to gather my fats for The Buggy Barn "Heart Crazies" class I realized I only had 2 pieces (each 1 yd) of white on black...which actually surprised me!  So, off I went and gathered 8 more - 9 fats of each color (red, black, white on black) are needed for this pattern.  I received 10% off those because I brought their bag with (I love discounts for remembering to bring the LQS bag with) and, on top of that, I received one 25% off coupon for each class (3) and used those coupons to purchase fabrics for the back of each quilt; 25% discount on one cut of fabric, for each class, which is why I purchased backing fabrics for each one...woohoo!!