Emergency trip with Dad

A quick note to ask for prayer for my Dad. They flew him to Lubbock this morning. He called me around 7:30 and by the time I got to the house, I knew he needed help. He was able to walk to the car, but almost as soon as I was on the street, on the way to the hospital, he passed out on me. He was out the whole time I was driving him to the ER. It probably took me about 3 minutes to get there. At first, they told us that his pupils were fixed and dilated and was unresponsive. Then, they realized that he'd had cataract surgery and it was harder to determine eye movements. So, then they stabilized him and put him in a helicopter to Lubbock.

They are now doing some tests to see if his heart was damaged and to what extent. It's just a waiting game now. The next 24 -48 hours will tell the story.

Mindless sewing..

Four more Mary's Flower Garden blocks finished today. Actually, yesterday and today. I worked on them this morning before heading out to run errands. I put them together using the reversible quilt method after appliquing/quilting each block. I want to make at least six more blocks but need to get more batiks and more of the printed fusible interfacing. I was going to make my own, but didn't copy the pattern. It's just easier to buy the interfacing.

The little patchwork blocks you see are made from leftover strips from the last DWR. The strips were roughly 2 1/2" x 5". I sewed three of them together, pressed and subcut in 2 1/2" units. Two of these units were sewn together, then four of these units were put together making these 7 1/4" blocks you see here. I'm not sure how many more I've got cut up to assemble. Not sure what I'm going to do with these, either, but it's kind of a mindless little task that works for me right now.
Judy and I finally got to the gym tonight. We've got to get our act together. We did so well for over a year. I think right now we're both just so stressed with Dad and she's got a lot on her plate with work. Speaking of Dad, I finally decided he needs to be seen by his cardiac guy sooner than next month. So, we're taking him to Lubbock this week. Maybe he just needs his meds tweaked. We'll see..

Tornado aftermath

What a weekend! The picture you see here is my friend, Leota's house. If you click on the picture, it will take you to more pictures of the destruction. She had a mobile home sitting directly in front of her house, across the dirt road, and it is totally demolished. In fact, it fell on her car! She and Brian were inside the house at the time, but they managed to come out of it unhurt. The renters in the mobile home were also inside the trailer and were tossed about when the twister picked it up. They came out from under the rubble without a scratch! Miracles...

There has been no sewing at my house the last day or two. I tried to go to work this morning, but the power was out and still is. So, I spent the morning with my dad and then Rob and I drove around to see the destruction where we could. Then I spent the afternoon at the Hispanic Expo at our new Convention Center where Judy had a booth set up for her business. They went ahead with the Expo in light of all the commotion from the tornado and will donate some of the proceedings to the relief effort.

Don't know if we'll go to the gym tonight. We missed last night and the night before so we really should go. Where was I during the tornado? Judy, Joe and I were at a Mexican food restaurant where we were told to get under the tables when we heard a tornado was headed our way. Under the tables?! Get real! We are BIG people and there was no way we were going to fit under those things! Anyway, management told us to leave if we wanted to, without paying the bill! I did leave Judy's name and number... We headed to Judy's house all the while being pelted with quarter to golf-size hail. In the light of day, we see where the twister touched down only about a half block from her house and turned over a motor home.

On a quilty note, I've made two Mary's Flower Garden blocks from Quiltsmart.



I would like to make at least 4 - 6 more blocks but I need to find more batiks. I had a set of FQ batiks that I picked up in Amarillo last time we were there. I can't believe I don't have any more in my stash!

Time to change my clothes in case we work out.

I love to quilt!

I really do enjoy the quilting process. Don't get me wrong! I love all the other aspects of this passion, but I do enjoy free motion quilting, even if it is on my little domestic Bernina. I hope you can see the free-hand hearts on the border of this quilt. I also did the hearts in the setting blocks between the 9-patch blocks. I think this little quilt will go to my sweet little granddaughter, Brittany. All the pink reminds me of her. And, since she won't get to come spend her spring break with us this year, maybe it will take the sting out of her disappointment. Didn't do much for mine :-( But, we can look forward to two weeks in the summer.

It's another Monday and Dad has given me the day off. LOL I usually take him to rehab on Monday but he decided that his caregiver does a wonderful job so I can just take my time today. I am so grateful that he likes his caregiver person and that she is so good to him. So, soon as I get done primping, I'll head out to the fabric stores and see what kind of damage I can do.

Circular Saw on a Saturday

All I can say about this block is, "it's finished!" LOL There are so many things wrong with this little block that I may have to re-do it just for my sanity. It's really not as hard as I thought it was going to be. It's just small.

I've brought the Valentine quilt into the sewing room to be quilted. It's been draped over the quilt rack in the living room where I've been looking at it everytime I walk through to the kitchen. It won't take but an evening to quilt, I just can't get the motivation.

We had dinner at Judy's where she made her famous spaghetti. Now we have to go work out! So, guess I'd better get my shoes on...

Oldest UFO

This Cathedral Window was started right after I started quilting, about 10 years ago. I can't believe I decided to make it king size! No wonder I've put off working on it. But, it won't get done that way, will it? When I laid the strips out on the bed I thought, "I need about 10 more rows!" Oh well, this will be one of those projects that will be found years from now and they'll say, "She must've just got tired of it!" LOL Maybe letting you all know I've got it will give me a boost to re-visit this project.

I've been working on Midget Block 20. It's the hardest one I've done yet. I think I'm only 7 blocks behind. I'm trying to do them in the order they're being presented. This one may take a while.

Dad's holding his own. His sense of humor is more evident these days. I just wish we could get him out more. His visits to the rehab center are the highlights of his week.

I think I've decided why I can't seem to focus on a particular project right this minute. My sewing room is a total and complete mess. My sister and I have decided that I need to install shelves before I can do anything. I have no place to store anything. Will start looking...

It's official!

Finally! Robert received his diploma in the mail after waiting since December. Apparently, they had a problem at the college and the diplomas were delayed in mailing. Daddy Jim is SO proud! lol He had me send this picture everywhere. I'm proud, too! You might notice that Rob's teeth are not the straightest things...well, that's why he had his wisdom teeth removed a few weeks ago and will soon start on his orthodontic adventure. This little boy, er, young man, has been the hardest to get to the dentist's. He will admit to you that he will faint at the slightest idea of pain. lol He came through his wisdom teeth extractions with flying colors, though. I'm sure he's not looking forward to the rest, but I think his front teeth have already moved a little just from the removal of the back teeth! But, I digress.. He is formally a graduate of NMSU and we are all very proud! Go, Rob!!


On a quilty note - These blocks are birthday blocks for Fran, the only March birthday girl. The first one is called "On The Oregon Trail" and the second is "Tradewinds". The fabric she sent is the swirly, flowery fabric. It is beautiful!

I'm going to be late for work. Dad's numbers are great today. If we could just get his hip to stop hurting...

Monday night

Since we spent all day in Amarillo I didn't get much sewing done yesterday. So, last night, I sat down and finished quilting on a tablerunner I had promised a lady around Christmas. I'm not happy with the way it turned out. We'll see if she likes it. I didn't even take a picture of it. Well, I do have a picture of the top, but the quilting came out alright. Then, I made this little pincushion. We picked up the kit for this at Sister's Scraps in Amarillo. Easy, but I don't think the kit was complete unless I read the instructions wrong. I had to add a 10" piece of coordinating fabric and then it made two cushions. I added this picture later today when I made the other pincushion and thought, "why not try a smaller one?" It's really too small, but you get the idea. I've actually made a smaller one, long time ago, that was called a "ring pincushion". I keep it in my travel bag.

Got to work this morning and my app't book was totally empty! I hadn't had that happen in a long time. Actually, this is a slow time of year. Everyone's getting their taxes in order (one of the reasons I came on home - to work on mine!), so things are a little slow. Weekends get busy, though.

While we were in Amarillo yesterday, we went to two quilt stores. R & R Quilts is one of my favorites and they are the ones that sponsor the retreat in July. The other is Sister's Scraps. They have a nice, new store and filled to the brim with fabric. I get so overwhelmed when I go into a place like that. I want it all!! lol So, I end up buying one or two little things unless I'm there for something specific. 'Course, right now I'm on this fabric diet...

I've got to quit procrastinating. Time to dig out the tax papers. I'd rather take a nap..

Bloomin' DWR finished!

Can you stand one more picture of this DWR? lol I was bound and determined to get this project done way before the Amarillo retreat so I wouldn't have to stress over it. And, I did! All I need now is the label on the back and, perhaps, buttons to go in the center of the cornerstones. I found some last night at Wal Mart, but I am still two buttons short so I'll look again today when Judy and I go to Amarillo. She has an appointment at the dermatologist's and I'm riding along.

What a story about that kidnapped baby in Lubbock! And then to find her in Clovis! Right here in our little town. Then, this morning, Jim says, "that kidnapper lives on my route!" So, had he been delivering mail while they were doing the investigating, he would've seen it all "go down"! lol

I mentioned going to Amarillo today. That's contingent on how Dad is feeling when we go see him before we leave. He was not doing very well yesterday. That fluid is building up again and I'm not sure the diuretics they have him on are doing the trick fast enough. I'd hate for him to have to take the heavy duty diuretic he was on right before he had his low sugar spell. I still think we need to get back to the heart doc in Lubbock, maybe even before his regular check up in April. The doc here is ok, but it's hard when they all start prescribing different things.

I'm off to get ready for the day. Everyone feeling the effects of the time change? I was so surprised to see how dark it still was at 7 a.m.

DWR back

 You are looking at the back of the DWR mentioned in the last few posts. This back is formerly a front that I made up several years ago - like, 10 years ago?! I can't remember the name of the pattern now but I think it had the word "spring" in it. I made a quilt with this pattern for my sister around the same time. I was not as well informed then, as I am now :-), about how to make a quilt hang evenly so her quilt is a little askew. And, after working with the top/back last night, I found it was going to take some squaring up as well. I added the red borders just to make it big enough and then quilted the DWR. Tonight, I plan to work on the binding. I'm going to take the rest of the 5" squares, cut them in half on the bias, sew them all together and make a scrappy binding. Then, I will cut the edges of the quilt to match the curves in the arcs. That's my plan, anyway...

Time to finish getting ready for work. Busy Saturday..

One more DWR pic

Here's an upright picture of the top after the blocks are sewn together. Still haven't decided what to do for borders, if anything. Someone suggested using the leftover squares in the pieced back. That's a workable idea. I might even piece the binding...

Thanks to all of you that commented. I appreciate you all and love it when I can count on fellow quilters to "brainstorm" with. I'm off to the gym.

DWR in progress

 

The blocks are all appliqued and the buttons added. I found some really neat, large buttons that I couldn't resist. They kind of get lost in the design, but the buttons are so cool, I am going to use them. The yellow buttons I'd bought originally were too small for the centers. Now I need to decide what kind of border to do since I still have about 60 five-inch squares left. I also have about 100 5"x2" rectangles left over after cutting the arc wedges. I feel as though it's getting awfully busy, but I kinda like it! lol I've thought of a piano border, but I'm still thinking....

I was a little disappointed in the arcs that have the light or white wedges in them, especially in the outer arcs. It makes it look as though there's a break in the arcs. But, I used random fabrics and that's what came up.

Update on Dad...His heart rate was up to 61 at his 2 o'clock check this afternoon. Hopefully, we're seeing some positive progress. We had a little set-back this weekend when he told me he had "done it again". He hit his leg on something and now has another ulcer. He had just been released from the last one, but, it did heal faster than they have been healing. So, hopefully, this one will heal quickly. He has better blood flow to his legs since his surgery and I guess that's been helping.

Busy days at work but I've been able to get off around 2p.m. I've been coming home to work on the DWR and I need to finish up some birthday blocks. Judy and I have been hitting the gym regularly, if only for cardiac. We hope to work on weights tonight. I get so sleepy around 4 - 5 p.m especially when I'm sitting here reading or doing some repetitive sewing. So, I think I'll go take a quick nap in order to get up to fix dinner.

Bloomin' Rings

A quick note before I head off to work. This block is the start of a Double Wedding Ring quilt that will be my challenge piece for the Amarillo retreat this year. I came home last year from the retreat with 220 5" squares that we swapped. I had not even thought about what I might do, but, since I've been wanting to do a larger DWR (larger than all the tablerunners I did last year) I thought I'd do this. Since the rings themselves did not use up but about a little more than half of all the squares, I decided to do a little applique flower in the center of the rings. Not sure yet what I'll do with the center of the flower. Probably a round yellow applique. Maybe a button? Any ideas? I also have to decide on the colors of the cornerstones. I'm thinking maybe red and blue jewel tones but I kinda like the colors in the pattern picture.

Ok, off to finish getting ready for work. Oh, thank you Lord for seeing Rob through his wisdom teeth extractions and for the fact that Dad is still feeling well.

another QOR quilt

This little gem is going to a special member of QOR (Quilts On Review). Hopefully, she won't read this until after she gets it. :-) The blocks were made by members of the group then assembled into a top by Angie. She then sent it to me to quilt and send to a deserving member of the group. It's not so big that it was hard to manage under my sewing machine. I've gotten so spoiled to quilting block by block that when I work on a larger quilt, it takes some getting used to again. I must admit, I like the way it turned out even if I did use a simple circle within a circle quilt motif.

Update on Dad...He's doing much better. I'm almost afraid to say anything. His blood sugar numbers are staying stable and his heart rate was up a bit this afternoon. He even went to cardiac rehab today and enjoyed it.

Back to quilting...I've started another DWR (Double Wedding Ring). It's going to be my challenge for the Amarillo retreat. Last year we all ended up with about 220 five inch squares of all different fabrics. We're to make a project to bring back to this year's retreat. Once I get the rings on the background (I'm using the QuiltSmart method), I'll post a picture. I've made several tablerunners and have been wanting to work on a larger quilt with this method.

Time flies.. hearts warm

Wow, can't believe it's been nearly a week since I last posted! Ok, since my last post on Tuesday, I've had Dad in the hospital for a few days. On Wednesday afternoon, my son and I took him in because we couldn't get his blood sugar back up. By the time they checked it in the ER it was 38! Thank goodness we didn't wait any longer. After two days, things were somewhat back to normal and I got him home on Friday afternoon. Then it was time to re-do the meds box and get him settled. I thought I'd do some blog reading while sitting at the hospital with him those two days, but the server apparently wouldn't let me into any of the pages, mine included. So, my reading is way behind as well.

Then, this past weekend finds my oldest son moving in, temporarily, with my dad and youngest son. I'm glad we have room for him there and I think he'll play a big part in helping out with Dad. Joe has been having some issues in OKC and needed to come home for a respite.

I did take time out yesterday to work on some comfort blocks for a couple of girls in QOR - one for her mother's passing and the other for her dad's. We usually all make a "hug" block to send to the person in honor of the deceased. I remember when all of my "hugs" started arriving right after Mom died. It's heartwarming.

I also finished two more Midget blocks.
Don't look too closely or you'll see where I was shy just a bit of the sky fabric at the top of the airplane block. I misjudged the size of blue fabric I needed, but I think I'll be able to catch it in the 1/4" seam. Since I won't be taking Dad in for rehab today - waiting to hear back from the doc because I'm worried about his low heart rate, now! - I plan on doing a little quilting on another comfort/thank you quilt that's been sitting here, waiting patiently.

I have to admit, I've been a little out of sorts the last few days. I finally admitted to my husband last night that I think I may be a bit depressed and that is not like me at all. But, I have had no desire to really get into my sewing room and I have all but abandoned the gym. So, I'm pulling myself out of it right now and will do some sewing and plan on hitting the weights and treadmill tonight as soon as Judy gets off work.

Elephant heads

This is the "hanger" that I have hanging in my sewing room. It was given to me by a client many years ago during the time when I was collecting elephants. I had it hanging at the beauty shop for a long time to keep my haircutting capes handy. The little blue and yellow wallhanging on the first trunk started out to be a name tag that never got used as such.

The Lubbock trip went fairly well. Dad has now been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, but hopefully, will be treated with meds and he'll feel better soon. We talked to a man who is about 4 or 5 years from when he had his bypass and I think he was able to let Dad know that it is going to take time, a lot of time, in fact, before he really feels "normal". He talked about having good days and not so good days. I think it really helped Dad to hear him talk about it. Hmmm...that makes me think I need to find him a support group!

I'm off to clean house. Cleaning girls come in tomorrow and I have to be to work early. Probably no sewing tonight except maybe to finish Midget block 18.

Sunday doin's

What a great Valentine Secret Pal I had this year! Here's the top, finished, made with the kit and pattern she provided in my surprise box. I'll quilt it, with hearts, I think, and add the red binding and my Valentine quilt will be ready for next year.


Judy and I went shopping at Hancock's on Sunday afternoon and I found several quilting magazines I had not seen. In one, I found a pattern for this "Grab Bag". Just a cute little thing that makes up really fast. I think I've found some Christmas gifties!


The wallhanging behind the purse is one that was made for me by Sherry, my secret pal at Christmas, I think. And, the funny looking little thing hanging next to it is my video camera for my 'puter. You can't see what they're hanging on...I should take a picture of these elephant heads. It's their trunks that these things are dangling from. I'll post a picture of the heads later.

I'm off to get ready for a day trip to Lubbock with Dad. Please keep us in your prayers. We're hoping for good reports from the doc. Dad's feeling better now that his blood pressure is not so low and some of the extra fluid has been coming off.

Have a great day!

Another tote bag

I decided I needed to make a tote bag for a friend for her birthday. Since it was Saturday afternoon, I knew I wanted to get it done and in the mail so she will get it by Monday. Guess what? No mail delivery on Monday! I forgot until Jim reminded me on our way to the P.O. Oh well, it's in the mail and she'll get it on Tuesday. This quilted fabric is part of some I found at Hancock's close out sale. I ran to get it this afternoon as soon as I got off work, came home and started working on it about 3 o'clock. This pattern is so easy, and I've done so many of them, that I was able to get it done in just under an hour and a half. I also got some Red Hat pre-quilted fabric that I think I'm going to make into a tote for myself. It's time for a new one.

Last night, I made the center of the 9 patch table topper kit that my Valentine Secret Pal sent me. I decided to sew the two borders together in order to miter the corners at the same time. I had planned on doing that tonight, but we spent more time at Dad's than normal and then Judy and I went to the gym. So, I'll work on it tomorrow. It's a very simple pattern with some great "girlfriend" fabric and will be my Valentine wallhanging for next year.

I'm more than a little worried about Dad but am trying to keep positive thoughts about his situation. Since they tell us his heart sounds fine and so do his lungs and his blood sugar seems stable, we don't know why he seems to be having so much trouble breathing. His oxygen levels are nearly normal but he is just so weak that he is tired out just walking from his chair in the living room to the kitchen. He's on oxygen 24 hours now. We have a follow-up app't in Lubbock on Monday. Maybe they can shed some light on this. Judy and I noticed that his condition began to worsen right after he heard about his brother's death. Depression, maybe? Maybe he needs a bigger dose of his antidepressant? We'll find out. In the meantime, I'd like to ask for an extra prayer for him. Thanks.

New mystery begun!

Thanks to Kate on QOR, we have begun a new mystery quilt. I chose these three colors and I am showing them both in color and black and white in order to see if I have enough contrast. I think I do! We needed three fabrics in light, medium and dark colors. Since I'm working on the stashbusting idea, I decided to work with what I have. I may have to use another dark fabric for one more 2" strip, but I think I have enough of the rest. The third picture shows steps one and two completed. I'm ready for the next step, Kate! I can't remember if we'll be getting a new step each week or every other week. Either way, I'm ready.

This mystery is by Debbie Caffrey and is titled "Lakeside Dream Mystery". I decided to do it in Christmas fabrics to get a head start for this year.

Time out for Sundae Pie

Sundae Pie

9" x 13" dish, spray with Pam. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

First Layer
1 stick butter (cold)
1 C. flour
1 C. chopped pecans

Mix well and press into bottom of dish...cook 20 min. at 350. Cool
A food processor makes the first layer easier to mix.

Second Layer
8 oz. cream cheese (room temp)
1 C. powdered sugar
1 C. Cool Whip

Mix well and spread over cooled crust

Third Layer
1 small instant vanilla pudding
1 small instant chocolate pudding
3 C. milk

Mix well and pour over 2nd layer. Chill well and add 4th layer before serving.

Fourth Layer
Top with Cool Whip and grated chocolate bar and/or chopped nuts.

This recipe was given to me by one of my clients at work. Thanks, Laverne! It is so easy to make and will cause rave reviews. I get special requests for this dessert when we have potlucks at work.

I haven't turned my sewing machine on today. I worked until 2 p.m. then ran to the grocery store. Well, I didn't run because the roads were pretty slick. By the time I got home, the snow was coming down pretty steadily. By the time Jim got home around 4:30, I realized I'd forgotten the cream cheese! So, he drove me over to the local convenience store.

I've made the first layer of the Sundae Pie and let it cool. It's time to make the other layers so I can get back into the sewing room to get some labels put on finished quilts.