Grommet Purses

These are two examples of grommet purses that I made for the young adults in the family. The pattern is called Wallet & Grommet by Maple Island Quilts. The purses are about 10" by 11". I used the new square grommets that just arrived at the Overbrook Quilt Shop.

These purses are quick and easy. The directions are very clear. These purses use only four of the grommets. The grommets do not need a special tool. After cutting a hole, the grommets are set by squeezing them together until you hear a snap. I also used two layers of fusible fleece to help the purses hold their shape. One of my quilting friends said she had seen purses like these in botique shops while in Cancun.

Locker Hook Rug

My daughter-in-law loves chickens. She has some on the farm where they live. So when I saw this pattern, I knew it would be just right for her. This is a locker hooked rug and made with 1 and 1/4 inch strips of fabric. The foundation is a mesh canvas through which the fabric is hooked with a crochet-like hook. Then after putting 8 or 10 loops on the shaft of the hook, a thread is pulled through the loops to hold them on top of the canvas. It is easy but rather time consuming. This techniques does use lots of fabric. This rug has eight or nine yards of fabric. This is one of the classes I teach at the Overbrook Quilt Connection. Della loved her Christmas chickens.

Last Stocking Picture

This is the last group of stockings. Cindy is our daughter and she has two married children with three little granddaughters. It was such fun to watch them unwrap their gifts. The big stockings are made from Thomas Kincade fabric. Then I embellished them with glitter to bring out the snow scenes. This really was a bigger project that I thought it would be.

More Stockings

This is another stocking "family". Jacob and Tikia are in the army so they have army camo stockings. I made 19 stocking in all. Each is a reflection of the person's personality.

My DIL said yesterday that the stockings were a hit at Christmas. No, I did not fill them. Just gave them the stockings.

Christmas Stockings

These four stockings belong to my older son and his family. His stocking is made from a suede-like knit fabric. The other stockings are glittery satin fabric. I am not sure how much everyone liked their stockings today but these were hanging by the fireplace before I left today.



The big hit of the day was the greatgranddaughters cuddly critter scarves. When Stacie, who is four, opened hers, she let out a little squeal and said "it's the scarf I wanted." She loved it. The youngest cried because she did not have a scarf (yet). So it was opened too. All three wore them for part of the afternoon.



It was a fun day with three generations of Anderson's today.

Christmas Stocking

Each of the members of my family is going to get a new Christmas stocking. This is one that I have made for Avery. After deciding on a pattern, I purchased some satin-looking fabric. I have fused the fabric to fusible fleece to give it body and provide a stabilizer for the embroidery work. The satin has silver metallic flecks, so the trim is also silver on the stocking. I used minkee for the white part of the stocking but it is not easy to work with. I much prefer the "fuzzy felt" that I found at JoAnn's.

I sew the back and front together and then a lining back and front except for a small space in the side of the lining. Then I can sew around the top edge of the stocking and lining and have a very clean finish.

The stocking would be quick to make if I could decide on the embroidery designs.

Cuddly Critters Scarves

The bunny, kitty, and doggy are scarves that I have made for my great granddaughters for Christmas. I saw the cuddly critters made on Sewing with Nancy so I ordered the booklet. It is authored by Nancy Zieman and Donna Fenske. Each of the critters also has a hat and mittens. The critters are made from fleece which is easy to sew. Fleece is also on sale this month which is an added benefit. I digitized the faces because I "do not like to touch the needle." They really turned out cute and are quick.

I did make a pair of mitten but them seem very small and I don't think I will make more unless I have some time later. I didn't make any of the hats because I am not sure they would wear them. But they might use the scarves.

Working

I really have been sewing but just didn't have anything that was finished. Now I have a couple of things completed but the photos are not ready to be published. I have a new PC and do not have my camera software installed so that I can manipulate the pictures a little. So you will have to wait a while longer for pictures.

I have been working on OESD ornaments and angels from the 2008 Christmas software. I have made some that are gold with gold metallic and crystal embellishments. They are very elegant. I also have a white satin angel and ornaments from several different colors of satin. They have silver metallic trim.

My local quilt guild is working on a lap quilt to give to our local veteran's hospital. The members gave me the blocks and I have that top pieced. I just need to get the backing and will be ready to be quilted.

The guild is also working on the donation quilt for our fall quilt show. So I have also been working on putting that together. Another day of work and it will probably be ready for the quilter.

We went to our son's for Thanksgiving. We were fortunate to have our three great granddaughters, five of our grandchildren, and our three children and spouses. It was a nice day and the food was great.

Freeze Frame

This quilt has been constructed from Judy Laquidara's Quilt for an Hour Project on her Patchwork Times blog. She designs a quilt and then allows her readers to make that quilt. Her directions are given to readers each day and can usually be made with an hour of work. This project has 12 hours of directions.

My quilt is made entirely from batiks. The quilt is meant to be feminine and is made for cozy cuddling in the evening. I left off the final border so it would not be too big.

I have fabrics for a masculine version that will be made with light and dark browns as the background with woodsy colors for the squares.

The Overbrook Quilt Connection Booth

The is the Overbrook Quilt Connection booth on Thursday morning before the arena opened. Roxane was hiding from me so I did not get her picture. I sit at the table with the red and black covering and demonstrate several items in the booth. Roxane sits to the far right, writes tickets, and takes money. Thursday seemed like a long day with less energy from the customers than Wednesday. I met people from Kansas including quilters from Meriden, Topeka, and Manhattan. I hope Friday is busy and fun.

Des Moines AQS Quilt Show

This is what the quilt show booth looks like before it is set up. We arrived in Des Moines about 3 pm on Monday and sat in the marshaling line for over two hours before we could move to the unloading docks. It did not take very long to unload the trailer and move the boxes and set-up material to our booth. Tuesday we took about four hours to have the booth completely ready for business.

Today was our first day of business and the quilters were busy buying. I am the demonstrator for the booth. I show quilters the Bohin mechanical chalk pencil, a three-pocket purse, a cell phone bag, a table runner, and quilt-a-cards. Sometimes I show them several items and sometimes just one or two. Tomorrow I will show you a picture of the booth during our vending day.

Angel Tree Topper

This Angel tree topper is from the OESD Christmas Collection #1 in 2008. The fabric parts of the angel are satin with the rest made by machine embroidery. There are five parts to the angel and it takes about five hours to embroider all of them. The satin stitches are then embellished with silver metallic thread.

This angel along with other free standing lace angels will be given to the Stormont Vail Cancer Center chemo unit. I am hoping it will brighten the days of those patients who have to spend time in the unit during the holidays.

More Wild!flowers

I will try to get a picture of the entire quilt when it comes back home from Houston. Right now it is in the pack of quilts that are headed to the Quilt Festival for the booth of the Overbrook Quilt Connection from Kansas. My job this year is to mind the store while others are enjoying the festival!!

Last Sunday the quilt was on display at The Charles Curtis House in Topeka. Charles Curtis was the vice president for Herbert Hoover. He is the only vp who had a native American mother. The display was a quilt show and tour of the house to benefit two local charities.

I did show the quilt to my local quilt guild and to my Bernina sewing group earlier this week. It really is a beautiful quilt and much more colorful than in this picture.

Locker Hooked Rug

This rug is a pattern called "Garden Steps" in a

book by Cindy Murray entitled You Can Be A Happy Rug Hooker 2. During the Paducah Quilt Show I demonstrated locker hooking. Then the local quilt shop asked me to teach a class covering toothbrush rag rugs and locker hooking. One of the ladies who works in the shop on Saturday brought this rug for the class to see. It was so beautiful and soft that I decided I needed to make one for the entrance to our fifth wheel trailer. So it is completed and I really like it.

You can find a video to show you the basics of locker hooking. It is done with a locker hook, strips of fabric, rug canvas mesh, and cotton yarn or string. The locker hook has a crochet hook on one end and a needle eye on the other end. The strips of fabric are hooked to the top of the mesh and then the string is drawn through the loops to keep them on top of the canvas. It is really very easy and uses yards of fabric. My rug is 26" X 32" and took about eight yards of fabric.

Design Wall

This is a picture of the quilt that is currently on my design wall. I am working on the "Quilt for an Hour Project" by Judy Laquidara. Her blog is Patchwork Times. Several times each year, Judy develops a quilt pattern and shares it with her readers. She publishes the directions each day on her blog. The directions can usually be completed in a hour or so each day. Each quilter can choose their own fabric and decide when to complete the project. It is great fun to be part of a quilt project that is being completed across the nation. My quilt is made entirely of batiks. I will probably make another one in a darker colorway.

Besides being a quilter, designer, teacher, and author, Judy is a great cook. Her blog also has some great recipes.

I am also working on two other projects during the day. Tonight I finished a latchhook rug and will have a picture for you soon. The More Wild!flowers quilt is slowly being quilted. I really like piecing but find quilting less to my liking. I should have it finished in a few days.

Accessories for the Purse

I made some accessories for the grommet purse from leftover fabric. The eyeglass case is made from directions in Ready, Set, Serge by Georgie Melot. It is so easy to make piping with a serger piping foot and almost as easy to stitch it to a project. The eyeglass case can be made in a matter of 10-15 minutes. I have taught the technique to local quilting groups. The credit card holder is a pattern I have been using for several years. It was originally shown to me at a sewing group meeting by staff at Bob's Bernina in Lawrence. Just pull down on the cord and the card pops out the top.

On the quilting front, I am working on quilting the More Wild!flowers quilt by The Stitch Connection. The CD has grass clumps that can be used for quilting and I have completed that part of the quilt. Now to figure out how to quilt the flower blocks and then the other pieced blocks. I should have it finished in a couple of days.

Another Purse

This is another grommet purse by Indygo Junction. It is relatively easy to make and can be finished in a few hours. These fabrics are chocolate browns, light blues, and light pink. There are four different fabrics. I purchased a 1/2 yard of each and really should have purchased one yard of one of them. I had to use two different fabrics and piece together the lining of the purse. I use fusible fleece for the stabilizer. The purse has two layers fused together. Then I just strip piece the body of the purse before stitching each strip 1/4 inch from the seams. Really cute and another great gift.

Grommet Purse

This is one of the hottest items from Indygo Junction. The pattern is called Grids & Grommets (IJ805). My local quilt shop had made this purse and I loved it. So I made one for my DIL's birthday. The fabric is light purples, greens, and a little turquoise green. The purse is stabilized with fusible fleece. The directions are easy to follow. The grommets are easy to put in without any special tool--they just snap together with a little pressure. Grommets come in two sizes and several colors. Sometimes grommets are hard to find. Overbrook Quilt Connection has a good supply right now. The purse pattern has a small size like this one and a large one. I also made an eyeglass case and a credit card holder from the fabrics to accessorize the purse.

The local quilt shop owner called Indygo Junction today about an order and was told that 900 of these patterns arrived in the warehouse today. But 875 are already spoken for. So this is a hot seller.

Selvage Postcard

One of my listserves is having a postcard exchange and this is my interpretation of using "green" materials. The background is made from selvages that I have saved since I have started reading the selvage blog. The selvage background starts with the brown dirt, proceeds through the grass and flower garden before ending with the sky. The flower is embroidered from The Stitch Connection's Bloomin' Flowers CD. I love this flower because it has a 3D center formed by using water soluble bobbin thread. The fuzzy border is fun fur that has been couched onto the card. Making fabric postcards and receiving them is great fun!

Sneak Peak of More Wild!flowers

This beautiful machine embroidery applique is a pincushion cactus from More Wild!flowers from Smith Street Designs. This photo is of my stitchout and is not copied from the website. The other really beautiful flower in this quilt is the California poppy. Really, all of the flowers are beautiful, but the cactus and poppy are just outstanding.

I have the body of the quilt finished. Now to get 292 half square triangles completed for a border.

My first embroidery quilt was the first Wildflowers quilt by Smith Street. I saw a finished sample at a quilt shop in Arizona and fell in love with it. Now I have enough embroidery quilts completed to develop a program about them. There are many stitchers who have embroidery modules who have never used them. Get those modules hooked up to your machine and have great fun!

A Busy Monday

Tuesday was a fun day for me. I presented a program for the Manhattan Quilt Guild about embroidery quilts. I had to raid the Overbrook Quilt Connection of the samples that I have made for them. Making embroidery quilts is making a big statement in the quilting world. It has always been part of quilting but now machine embroidery is making it bigger and bigger. The program was well received--especially by those with embroidery modules for their machines.

In the afternoon, I taught a workshop covering making a casserole carrier or a sewing machine apron. Dee is shown in the picture working on the binding for her sewing machine apron. The apron fits under your machine and has pockets for holding sewing notions. It is especially nice to use when attending a workshop. The red fabric in the picture is Dee's casserole carrier. It is so easy to make and can be folded when not being used.

The Colorado Rockies

We are back from Colorado! I am almost caught up with my chores and have all the laundry finished. I still have to put the linens and rugs back into the fifth wheel. One of our friends had two blow-outs and a third tire that went flat during the trip home. So we now have new tires on our trailer and can be ready for a trip in a couple of hours.

This is my favorite shot of the trip. The valley is Camp Hale, an abandoned army camp that was used for training the 110th Mountain Division during WWII. The location is between Leadville and Minturn on Highway 24. We have stayed in the same are for a couple of decades. The picture is of my son and his daughter enjoying the view of the mountains. We had ridden our ATVs up a trail and had stopped at one of our favorite overlooks.

I have been sewing for the past couple of days and will share my latest project soon.

Bloomin' Flowers is pieced!

The picture is not the best but Bloomin' Flowers has been pieced. I waited for the wind to go down so I could take the picture outside and I lost too much of the sun. This quilt is by The Stitch Connection and the blocks are intense embroidery and applique. Some of the blocks have up to 40 color changes. I had to put a small table beside my sewing cabinet just to hold the 40-50 spools of thread I used in the quilt. The pieced second border really is a great addition to the quilt. After quilting this top, this quilt will be exquisite.

I'll try to get a better picture tomorrow.

Sneak Peak of "Bloomin' Flowers"

For the past week I have been working on a quilt by The Stitch Connection called Bloomin' Flowers. The quilt has 12 main blocks of flower arrangements with several other small connector blocks.

The direction are quite extensive, so I printed them out and now have 35 pages in a notebook. It is so easy to look at the directions by just turning a page for checking and rechecking directions. Each of the designs have a stitchout diagram that has the thread colors and then a small picture of the stitchout. One of the designs has 40 color changes.

The directions contain lots of diagrams for putting the blocks together. There are also suggestions for quilting which is unique with many patterns. As a bonus there is also a label for the quilt.

Quilted Lady

This quilted lady is "Hope". When we were in Paducah, Sharon purchased a quilted lady from a person who was shopping at out booth. The quilted lady maker came back a couple of days later and I asked her about her quilted ladies and how she made them. They are really two embroidery CD's designed by Bonnie Colonna. When I had time after returning home, I did an internet search for the embroidery designs. I found a website that showed one of them and a quilt shop when they were purchased. I sent emails to the website and also to Bonnie Colonna. After not getting quick replies--I later found them in my spam folder--I found the phone number of the quilt shop in Pueblo, Colorado and just called them. They did have the designs and so in a few days I also had the designs.

The quilted lady CD's have a face design and then one or two small quilting designs for the fabric piece. Each face has a special name. I tried using cotton fabric for the faces and also dolskin. Cotton is much easier to sew and stuff but dolskin gives you more flexibility for shaping the head.

I have had such fun with the designs. My Wednesday Sewing Group at Bob's Bernina is participating in a quilted lady challenge. Each one received a quilted lady face and are to bring it back at the August meeting artfully attired. Won't it be fun to see with others will do with their quilted lady!

Eyeglass Quilts

Last week I purchased a book called Ready, Set, Serge by Georgie Melot. I had seen her on Sewing with Nancy when she was demonstrating how to make easy serger projects. Two projects caught me eye--an eyeglass case and a cosmetic bag. I just had to order the book because I could not get the directions to work out in my mind. Just too many turns and so had to have a little more help than the TV program.

This is the collection of eyeglass quilts (cases) that I have made. They are just so easy and the ones without piping take about 10 minutes. It does take a few minutes longer to put on the piping. They are just fun to make, can be made with two 8-inch squares of fabric and batting, and make great little gifts. I used my serger but they can easily be made with a sewing machine.

A quilting friend and I had our own quilty retreat last week on Friday and Saturday. We made some of the eyeglass quilts, some 4-sided placemats with piping, and a credit card holder. We had such fun, worked on several projects, and shared our quilts.

My Bernina's "check engine" light came on yesterday. I saw the wrench and screwdriver which means it needs to go to the technician for its checkup. So I had it tuned up and it is ready for another couple of years of dedicated service.

Tightwad Bank

My brother, his wife, and I journeyed to Bushong and Americus, Kansas to visit the graves of our great grandfather, Mealingburg Goodyear, great aunt Sarah, and grandparents William and Leona. I had last been there when I was in my thirty's or so. We did have a good time sharing our memories and seeing the old farmstead. We returned home by way of Reading and I hope you can read the name above the door. This really is Tightwad Bank in Reading, Kansas. "This is the bank with a sense of humor." You can learn more about it by reading information online.

Quilt is finished

The quilt has been delivered. My radiology doctor's appointment was Tuesday. After we talked about my health and my healing after radiation, I gave the doctor and his nurse the quilt. I also included a quilt hanger because many of the quilts in the cancer center are hung with thumbtacks. The binding is a medium blue batik and really toned down the brightness of the quilt. I did make cornerstones from small applique hearts. People are very amazed that someone has taken the time and effort to make them a quilt. I know they will take very good care of it and I have been invited to visit it anytime.

Small Flower Quilt

This sixteen inch quilt was made to be given to another quilter in an exchange. The center is machine embroidery and applique called "Bloomin' Flowers" from The Stitch Connection. I have used their patterns for several quilts. The border technique is a bias folding method that I saw in Paducah. New Leaf Stitches has several patterns that use the method. I enjoyed meeting the designer and seeing her patterns.

Today I am working on the heart quilt. Yesterday I spray-basted the layers and today is quilting day.

Storm Clouds

This is a picture I took this evening of storm clouds in our western sky. There was a large cloud that looked like a storm front and two other clouds that seemed to drop to the ground. They are not tornadoes. When I looked at radar for our state, there was a small localized storm about 60 miles northwest of us. I have never seen a storm formation like this.

Heart Quilt Top

The heart quilt top is finished. It took a while to make the border blocks but they have now been sewn on. I decided to make small embroidered hearts for the border cornerstone blocks. I simply downsized the regular blocks to about three inches. The four cornerstones turned out just too cute. This quilt will be donated to the Stormont Vail Cancer Center Radiology Department. The colored hearts represent the different types of cancer.

I will start quilting it on Thursday. I want to have the quilt finished by the third week in May so do not want to wait until the last minute.

The mail today brought two unique packages. One package was from Sprinkles Sewing Center and contained two embroidery patterns that I ordered from them. I am so excited to try this project. I will show you the pattern when I have one made. The second package was from Kathy Meyer in Wisconsin. We talked during the Paducah Quilt Show while I was doing a demo of Aunt Philly's Toothbrush rag rug. She sent directions for making the start of the rag rug. Her directions, "There's More Than One Way to Start This Rug", and a cast-on needle she made were in the package. I know this will be put to good use.

Hancock's of Paducah

This is the scene at Hancock's of Paducah as quilters search for fabric. The back room of Hancocks has table after table of folded bolt ends. It takes a full load of patience to search for the fabric, wait your turn to have it cut, and then stand in a long line to pay. But the price is right and almost all the quilters stop by Hancocks. Sharon had never been to Paducah so we stopped by to show her the back room and then all the fabric in the front of the shop. It can be an overwhelming scene for a newcomer.

Paducah Quilt Show

This week I am working in the Overbrook Quilt Connection booth at the Paducah Quilt Show. This is Sharon and Roxanne (shop owner) who are the financial wizards of the booth. We are in a building on Kentucky Street in the downtown area. We opened on Tuesday because we are not in the main convention center. My job is to demonstrate. I started demonstrating the Bohin mechanical chalk pencil, QuiltSmart cell phone bags, and the four sided placemat. The chalk pencil is a HOT item and we were sold out by 2 pm on Tuesday. The cell phone bags were sold out by noon on Wednesday. So I have also demoed Aunt Philly's toothbrush rag rugs and we are sold out of those patterns. I am still working on the placemats and have sold half of those patterns and showing locker hooking. I have such a fun time talking with people.

Sneak Preview

This is a preview of one block of the heart quilt that I am stitching. The various colors will represent the specific types of cancer. This quilt will eventually be a gift for the radiation department of the Stormont Vail Cancer Center.

New Adventure: Chapter Three finished

Yahoo! It is a day of celebration. I had my last radiation treatment today. This is the radiation equipment that has been used in my 34 treatments. The gantry is turned to the left so that the treatment is only on the spot where the lump was removed. The white form on the table was especially formed so that my left arm could lay above my head exactly the same each day. The portion of the machine on either side of the black center area can be moved to the sides of the table to take x-rays. I would have an x-ray every week or so to be sure the measurements remained the same so that the radiation would be in the same area.

This really is one of the best run medical departments that I have used. My treatment would take about 2 minutes from walking into the room to walking out. The therapists were on time or early with appointments at least 90% of the time. The only problems were machine contrariness or having to schedule all the afternoon appointments with the morning appointments for whatever reason. The therapists are kind and caring, each with a great sense of humor. They were very pleased with their heart quilt and were hanging it as I left the building.

One of the positive aspects of being in the same place every day for two months is getting to know fellow patients. That really was a fun and interesting part of treatment. Another unique aspect was getting to know fellow readers. I always had a book with me for the minute or two of waiting and someone always wanted to know what I was reading. One of the therapists gave me a book that she had finished reading.

I chose to up my exercise level the day before I started treatment. Each morning and evening I would ride my Swinn Airdyne for 30 minutes. During my treatment time I have accumulated 600 miles on my bicycle and read a multitude of books.

Haley's Notebook Cover

This is a small cover that has a 5" x 7" spiral notebook. It is just the right size for a carry along. It is the same cover as I made a few weeks ago. Haley, my granddaughter, really loved one I made for her aunt. So she went to the local quilt shop and chose two fat quarters for her notebook. She takes it to school with her and says she gets lots of compliments. I am so glad she likes it. She did a great job of choosing the fabric and I used a teal shade for the quilting and embroidery.

Haley brought me a pair of jeans that she had torn a hole in the back. She was not too excited about having me embroider something that would be on her fanny such as a butterfly or ladybug. Last year I bought all 345 colors of Isacord thread with my economic stimulus check, so I was able to find a couple of colors that blended with the light blue denium. When the repair was finished, the stitching barely showed. She was pleased and surprised.

Sewing Group

The first Wednesday of each month Bob's Bernina has a sewing group. There are no dues and you don't have to have a Bernina. You just have to have a passion for sewing or working with fabric or fibers. We start with a show and tell from all the members and Carrie & Diane our leaders. This is a group with infinite talent in many areas including making purses, embroidered quilts, embroidery on all kinds of things, quilting, piecing, weaving, and one of the latest areas is making baby clothes and accessories. We have a great time together and learn so much from each other. I love first Wednesdays.

Heart Quilt

This small 21" x 21" heart quilt is from a kit in a little sack that I purchased early this month at Bob's Bernina. It is quick to make as I started cutting it after lunch and had it pieced before dinner. I am making it for my radiation technicians who have made my trips to Topeka enjoyable each day. I may have to make a couple more of these. I have lots of 30's reproduction fabric that would make an outstanding quilt and also lots of batiks.

My quilting has consisted of finishing the hand sewing on the Vintage Moments quilt and then making the label for it. Now to get that sewn on.

Notebook Covers

These quilted notebook covers hold a 5" x 7" spiral notebook. This was a project pattern and kit given to the members of Bob's Bernina First Wednesday Sewing Group. This is a delightful group of ladies who enjoy each other's company and learn from each other. Diane and Carrie, Bob's sewing geniuses, moderate the group and lead the projects. I have used one of the notebook covers for the past year and love it. Now I am making them for family and friends. Jill is a special neighbor who loves horses and received her notebook to use in her new job.

My other interest this week is free standing lace. I am in a listserve that provides lessons for making FSL. I have worked on a round coaster. I need to finish it with a motif and then try stitching it out to see if it holds together. This has been an interesting project.

Vintage Moments

Vintage Moments by Marsha McClosky is a quilt that I finished last year. My quilter finished it last week and I put on the binding today. It is just a happy, calming quilt!

I purchased the pattern when I first started quilting. I knew I did not have the skills to make this quilt so I purchased the 30's reproduction fabric as I found it and waited for my piecing skills to improve. I practiced making Lemoyne stars and was unhappy with the results. I made a small wall quilt from four of the stars and was surprised at how nice they looked. Lemoyne stars became much easier to sew after seventeen of them. I really found out that precise cutting of the pieces was important with this quilt.

The quilters at the local quilt show showed it to their network group and received many compliments. The quilting is complimentary without overwhelming the quilt design. I am very happy with this quilt.

The Adventure Continues

Yesterday was my six week check with the surgeon. She is pleased with how I am healing and said I have a "blush" from my radiation treatments. I will check in with her again in four months.

Today was treatment number 13 of 34. Every Tuesday I meet with my radiology doctor to check out how I am feeling and seeing if I need anything. Dr. C is a delightful doctor who took the time during our first meeting to find out a lot about my professional background. He and I are both graduates of Kansas University. I always have a book when I am waiting, so we chat about reading. Last week he gave me the title of a book that members of his book club had read. So I stopped at the local library to check out The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The book revolves around the occupation of Guernsey Island during WW II. It is a fun book and well worth the time.

This week I made Dr. C a small KU desk quilt. He was almost overwhelmed that I would do that for him. He really is one of the kindest and most positive doctors that I have met.

Last week I became part of a bisphosphonate research study that provides for patients who are taking some type of cancer hormone treatment. The bisphosphonate is to help strengthen my bones and chase away any cancer cells that may be in the bones. There are three medications and I was randomized to take Zometa (like an industrial strength boniva). It is the IV med and must be taken once a month for six months and then every three months for 3 years. On Tuesday I went to the IV unit to be given my IV. The nurse who tried to put in the IV did not find the right place in two different areas and I was so tired of being stuck--I would not allow her to stick me again. That certainly stirred up the troops. I was soon visited by my oncologist, the research nurse, and the head of the study. I did go home and think about whether being part of the study was worth the pain. In the end I asked for the best nurse in the unit and the IV was inserted with no pain on Thursday. Amy is now my "IV angel"! The Zometa did make me feel achy, have a headache, and not sleep well. After a couple of Advil and some sleep I did feel better by Friday evening.

The saddest thing about this adventure is that for the last two days the waiting room of the cancer center has been packed with patients. It really is time for us to find a way to prevent cancer...

Four-Path Stacked Posie is History

I finished the borders on the four-patch stacked posies this morning. Now I just have to purchase some backing fabric and it will be ready to go to the long-arm quilter. (ignore that pink peeking from under the top)

I woke up the other night and was thinking about this quilt. My thoughts were to make a scalloped border on the quilt. So I cut the border wider than necessary so I have some choice as to how deep and wide to make the scallops. I think it will be an interesting addition to the quilt.

Four Patch Posie

This four-patch stacked posies was started last winter in Arizona. I decided it really needed to be one less stack on my table. All of the 4-patch blocks were sewn. I had to sew the borders and attach them to the blocks. Five more horizontal seams and the blocks will be put together. Now I just have to decide about the border.

I was thinking of putting a dark blue border around the blocks before the flower border. I'll have to check out the looks of that before doing any sewing. Another few hours and this top will be ready for the quilter.

The quilter is working on my 30's quilt that she has had for a couple of months. I should be getting a phone call about it being finished in the very near future. It will be really awesome. I can barely wait to see it.

Project Completed

Yesterday I completed this project that had been in the sewing room for several months. The table topper uses Pellon quilter's fusible grid. The pattern titled, A Few Pointers, is from Crooked Nickel Quilt Designs.

I decided to make this because the local quilt shop had just purchased the pattern and I liked it. Quilter's grid has 1 inch squares that are set diagonally. The table topper is made by cutting 5" squares and then ironing them to the grid. Then the sashing strips and borders are ironed to the grid. The topper is sewn by folding the grid and sewing a 1/4" seam. Very easy to make a quilt or a topper.

I quilted the topper with stitch in the ditch and then digitizing a rose design for the squares. Lots of fun and so easy.

The New Adventure Chapter Three

This sign greets cancer patients as they head for the cancer center for their appointments

Tuesday was my first visit to the radiology doctor. He asked background questions that no one else has asked such as my profession and where I worked. He was very personable with a good sense of humor. We are both graduates of KU! He talked about the plan for radiation, the effects, and other aspects of treatment. I also had a CT scan with no dye that would help with precise placement of the radiation. One of the prerequisites was a mammogram on the left side where the surgery was done. So that was completed on Wednesday.

Thursday was my first radiation treatment day. There was a lot of time spent with determining precise measurements and body placement so that each treatment would be exactly the same and drawing lines around the area of the breast. Then I had my first treatment that lasted less than a minute. Before leaving I received several small, freckle-sized tatoos that would allow quick placement each day. Friday was day two of treatment with me in and out of the cancer center in less than 15 minutes.

I have not had any ill effects of the treatments. Two radiation treatments completed with 32 more to go.

The Big Adventure Chapter Two

Today was a big day at the Cancer Center. My first appointment was with a genetic counselor to discuss whether to have genetic testing. I have two aunts on my dad's side of the family who had breast cancer and a daughter of one of the aunts. So the discussion centered around how it would be valuable to me and for my children and grandchildren. The plan is to have testing done to obtain more information about my breast cancer and possible treatments in the future. Results should be back in two or three weeks.

Then it was the third visit with my oncologist. We discussed the results of my bone density scan which showed that I have good bones. The oncotypeDX test showed that chemo would be of little value for me. The CT scan showed a small spot on my lung that is a calcium deposit, probably from some type of infection long ago. We decided on a hormonal therapy that will last for five years and a bisphosphonate that will help prevent cancer from spreading to the bones or other parts of the body and also to strengthen the bones.

Tuesday I have an appointment with a radiologist to find out more about radiation treatments.

I am extremely happy that I will not have to undergo chemo. Doctor visits and blood tests will be my life for a long time.

Log Cabin Loco

This is a quilt pattern called Log Cabin Loco by Marlous Designs. It is a courthouse steps type of pattern and made with mostly 2.5 inch strips from 10 light fat quarters and 10 dark fat quarters. It does have bigger centers and a set of 1.5 inch strips. This is a quick quilt to make that goes together easily. You make 10 light squares and 10 dark squares, cut them in half, and sew them together.

I will be teaching this class at Overbrook Quilt Connection on February 28. You can enroll in the class by calling the quilt shop at 785-665-7841.

This is a picture from the pattern. My quilt has similar coloring. It can also be made with different colorings--reds and blues, light purple and dark purple, or any combination that is pleasing to you. Jelly rolls would be great to use with a contrasting fabric for the centers.

Happy piecing!

Everything Baby!

Saturday I got some more fabric for cutting the binding. Since the corners are curved, the binding had to be cut on the bias. The binding was finished yesterday during the football game. Today I added some details on the baby rattles, ironed the ribbons, tied them, and took a picture. So it is officially finished and ready to display! It really is a smashing quilt. Look at www.lunchboxquilts.com for this pattern and others.

A Great Friday

Today I spent most of the day in the sewing room. First I finished embroidery on the outer border of the baby quilt. Then I did the small inner border. I am about ready to square up the sides and bind the quilt. Then you can see it.

After that I made some cards to send to friends. As I was watching them stitch, I decided I really needed to get some red paper for valentine's cards for the grandkids. Right now I have a few cards ready to mail and a few extras when needed.

Then I took some time to start cutting the pieces for a quilt called "Log Cabin Loco." I am supposed to teach this pattern in a class in February for the local quilt shop. So I will start piecing it together after stitching the binding on the baby quilt.

My new adventure has come to a standstill for a while. I am waiting for test results that will determine the extent of the aftercare for my breast cancer. As of right now I have had blood work, a chest x-ray, a CT scan, a bone density scan, two visits to the surgeon and had the stitches removed, two visits to the oncologist and waiting for the next one to be scheduled and have a chat scheduled with a genetic counselor. January has slipped away.

Everything Baby! almost quilted

The top was pieced last week and today I started quilting it. It really is a nice baby quilt with lots of color and interesting designs.

I hope to get it finished tomorrow. I still have to design quilting for the border but I may just use some small ducks, lambs, and rattles for that.

For those of you who are weather watchers, it is cold in eastern Kansas. We have had maybe a scant inch of snow today. The ice is south of Kansas in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

The Adventure

I belong to several groups on the Internet. Before my breast cancer surgery I asked two of the groups to be my "prayer army". I know that there were family, friends, professional friends, Internet friends and friends of friends who have been praying for my recovery. One group have sent me angels to remind me of the power of prayer and to show their support. This picture shows the angels that have arrived in my mailbox from all across the United States. It is so overwhelming to know that so many people care and are providing prayers for me.

Elaine sent me a big support package that contained a book entitled, "90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper. The book talks about Don's car wreck, his 90 minutes of death, and his long term recovery. But the real focus of the book for me is the power of prayer. Read it if you have any doubt about what prayer is doing for my health.

This is the top portion of the baby quilt. Some of the blocks are just "cute as a button". I have three more rattle blocks to embroider but I have run out of tear-away stabilizer. So I will have to wait a day or so to finish the quilt.

I continue to feel better each day. I usually have enough energy in the morning to get routine things completed. In the afternoon I do a little sewing but have been reading most of the afternoon and into the evening. Thanks to my granddaughter and my sister for bringing me a little food so that task is taken away from me. Today has been the first day that I have felt like spending several hours in the sewing room. I like that.

The Big Aventure Continues

Yesterday was breast surgery day and I was to report to Stormont at 11 am. I was sitting her at 9:30 when the phone rang and it was the women's center. They wanted to know why I missed my 9 am appointment to have the wire put in to show the surgeon the location of the lump. I told them no one had informed me of that appointment and they said that I couldn't have surgery because they were booked full for the morning. I sat in stunned silence. (I had left a voice message with the md's scheduler on Friday asking that question and had asked in my pre-op visit last week about that and she didn't know. So I decided I was asking too many questions and I just needed a little more patience.) I even talked to my DIL nurse the night before about how that was going to happen...So I called the surgeon's office to talk with Debbie, the scheduler. She said, yes, I did have an appointment at that time and I told her it was nowhere in my paperwork. So she said she would call the women's center and call me back. Ten minutes later, she called to say that they had a full schedule. Then she asked if I cared which hospital (there are two in Topeka.) and I told her the doctor and I had agreed on the first available. So ten minutes later she called back to tell me to go to St. Francis to the Breast Center and I could have my procedure and operation there...Off we headed and I showed up at the breast center and was promptly taken to intake. The lady there said I must have shown up on the wrong day because I was not on the schedule. After a little grumbling, she asked 10,000questions and I was off to pre-op. They were putting me in a room and I told them the breast center told me to come back there...so after more chatting, he took me to x-ray where the isotopes are usually injected. Fifteen minutes later a breast center nurse came and got me and took me back upstairs to their place.They were to put in the wire and inject the isotopes and dye (which drains through the breast so the surgeon can know which lymph nodes to remove). That took about 30 minutes as we waited for the isotope solution to be formulated and brought up. So they got the lowdown about the morning and why I was scheduled on short notice. As I asked many questions about what they were doing, one lady said I appeared controlling! I told her I was not controlling until 9:30 in the morning when I found out I had to be responsible for finding out the answers to all the little bits and pieces. Back to pre-op for a little while to have the IV put in, then surgery nurses showed up and I was headed for surgery. The lady surgeon--my DIL says she is the best with breast surgery--took out two lumps and three lymph nodes--no drain tubes. I don't know where that other lump was hiding...I'll ask that next week. The preliminary results show the lymph nodes to be clear. The best news I have heard since December 29. I was taken to surgery about 1:45 and left the hospital to come home about 5:45. Got home in time to watch the KU/K State game. I feel fine. I have taken off the ace bandage and dressings and taken a shower this evening. I have been somewhat tired today but not in any pain. More to come as I visit the surgeon next week and also the oncologist.
I didn't know when I called this an adventure that it would be a grand one!

Lamb Block

This is the cutest embroidered-applique lamb that I have seen. It is part of the quilt I have been working on. Each of the designs stitch out quickly and easily. The tiny swirls in the body are part of the embroidery design. I am really pleased with this block.