INSOMNIA AND...A FINISH...

Recently, I have begun suffering from bouts of insomnia a few times a month.  According to my doctor, it is an expected symptom of my age (grin).  Whether the result of hormonal changes, stress and anxiety over my dad's health, or stress, anxiety and FEAR over the talk of a buy-out of Dear Hubby's company...last night I was up for hours on end.

After tossing and turning for a while I settled in my sewing room.   I had already checked all of my email, browsed my favorite blogs, and had nothing left to do but SEW!  And sew I did.  I actually finished most of the Spring mini for my foyer!  All that was left to complete this morning was some FMQ and the binding. 

I have to say, this mini has shown a huge improvement in both my applique and free motion quilting skills.  I am nowhere near "accomplished", but I am sure a lot closer to "proficient" than I was a month ago. 

So, here is "SPRING" at my house........

TA-DAH...

I absolutely LOVE this little piece of springtime.

And the colors go really well with the rest of my decor.  This was a fun project to work on, and it has been a wonderful learning and practicing piece.  Who knows...by the time I get to the quilting part of my aunt's quilt I may actually be COMFORTABLE with free motion quilting, lol. 

Toodles...

(Sharing at Stitch By Stitch "Anything Goes Mondays")

A SPRING SNEAK PEEK...

My sewing room and I have been "strangers" for most of the past week.  Dear Dad has had some totally unexpected health issues that have REALLY thrown him for a loop.  Add these to his existing health problems and the poor guy has really been suffering!  The night before last he even spent a large chunk of time in the ER!!  I stayed over their house that night and was happy to see that he was a bit more "himself" come morning.  We are all hoping and praying for a quick resolution. 

In addition to Dad's medical issues, Dear Hubby and I have had several doctor visits over this past week!!  I feel like I have been with medical professionals all morning, noon and night! 

Realizing that there was absolutely no chance of me having a large chunk of time in my sewing room, I began grabbing 15 minutes "here and there".  I DID NOT attempt to work on my aunt's quilt during this time, as I want to put my full concentration on every aspect of creating her quilt.  I can not take the chance of having a "measure once, cut twice" mistake on her quilt!

So, I began working on the next "mini" quilt for my foyer.  I am delving more deeply into applique with this mini.  I have been learning (I LOVE videos) and experimenting with the "starch" method of creating turned edges.  So far...I adore it!  I think when it comes time to stitch the applique on my aunt's quilt I will feel much more relaxed and confident thanks to the work on this mini. 

So........here is a tiny "sneak peek"...

This mini is completely my own design and is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite so far.  I wonder why I have such a hard time turning to existing patterns when I begin a new project.  I guess I have too many "creative ideas" floating around in my head that just NEED to get out, lol. 

I hope to be finishing up my little decoration over the course of the next week or two (depending on EVERYONE'S health).  Stay tuned for the reveal!

Toodles...

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE...

Hoping you all have a wonderful, blessed Easter.  

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT...

A few months ago I opened an Amazon Seller Account to list and, hopefully, sell brand new and slightly used items from our home.  Never, in my wildest dreams did I expect to make a new "internet friend" as a result. However, that is just what happened!

Yesterday, my mailman delivered a beautiful hand painted gift from my friend!  She is an incredible artist and I am just THRILLED with my gift. 

She painted me a beautiful wolf pendant in my favorite color (blue, lol).  Surprisingly, this wolf reminds me an awful lot of my precious Keeshond, Brandy...a HAPPY reminder of my furbaby!  Please excuse the blurriness...I'm shakey again today.  No matter how many shots I took (and I took A LOT!), the shaking wouldn't slow down long enough for the camera to focus well.  I think I need to buy a tripod!

I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful "internet friends" and I am so thankful for the worldwide web that makes their friendship possible.  If you are reading this, M...thank you again, I absolutely LOVE it! 

Toodles!

I WOKE UP FEELING....

....wait for it....

GOOD!!!!!

Thank you, Lord!  Since this occurrence is rather rare, I decided  to take full advantage of my condition.  I have:

1. Gathered the recycling
2. Made a TON of phone calls
3. Emptied and loaded the dishwasher
4. Ordered my Mother's Day present (at Dear Hubby's urging)...on-sale fabric!
5. Made my bed...and most importantly...
6. MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON MY AUNT'S QUILT!

SEE???

I have trimmed up all of the blocks and have even gotten so far as to embroidering a few labels.  I just LOVE this embroidery font!  It really looks like it was written by hand!  I am SO PSYCHED about this quilt!

I am going to head downstairs now and try to come up with something for dinner.  Pickin's are mighty slim right now...I'm definitely going to need to shop this weekend.  Since Sunday is Easter, I guess it will be Saturday, lol. 

Edited to add:  I even cleaned my stove top!

Take care, my friends!

Toodles!

I'm sharing at...

SEWjo Saturday 6 - My Go-Go Life

 http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2674014271&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=2598490&link=aHR0cDovL2dvZ29raW0uYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLzIwMTQvMDQvc2V3am8tc2F0dXJkYXktNi5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0

NEXT STEP...SQUARING UP THE BLOCKS!

These 12 small blocks (approxiamtely 7" square) have really taken a LONG time to come together.  They have been pure joy to work on...however, my danged body has not cooperated one little bit!  But, FINALLY, this first embroidery and applique step is done! 

My next job is to square up the blocks to a precise 7" and then embroider the "labels" for each box.  My Dear Aunt has always labeled the outside of her shoe boxes, so these will be done in kind.  Then a quick applique of the 12 labels to the boxes and I will be ready to do some arranging and piecing. 

I am PRAYING for some tremor free days to do the squaring up.  Even if my fatigue is horrible I can probably find enough energy to square one block a day...but the tremor makes the rotary cutter dangerous, to both me AND my project!  Errant or crooked cuts would be disastrous!

Today is a particularly BAD day, so I am off to watch a DVD and rest. 

Toodles...

I'M BACK...I THINK...

This morning I woke up with a bit more energy than I have had recently.  Hooray!  I had enough get up and go this morning to cut out my shoe blocks, cut the jump threads and give them a really quick press.  The iron was getting a bit heavy so they got a VERY quick once over...just enough that they are "mostly" pressed.  They need a bit more starch and some "up close" ironing with my tiny Clover iron, but that can happen after I am completely done the blocks.  I still have a lot more to do to each of them!

It feels good to be back!

I'M STILL HERE!

Sorry I haven't been around much lately.  I have been dealing with some horrendous fatigue and have needed quite a few "pamper me" days.  Usually Spring invigorates me and gets my motor running to prettify my home, etc., but this year I am totally out of gas.  No energy for anything.  Dear, sweet hubby has been pitching in just so we remain clothed and fed!  I guess it goes without saying that I have not progressed any farther on my aunt's quilt.  I'll be back as soon as I can.  Take care...