Haven't done much stitching--sprained my wrist a week and a half ago and couldn't use the rotary cutter until yesterday. Hand stitching was also painful, but I started doing that anyway a couple of days ago. The family reunion is Saturday, and this wall hanging must be finished for the auction!Now I am at the "how am I going to quilt this?" stage--a decision I always find challenging. I did pick up thread today that I think goes fairly well with the background. My intention had been to hand quilt the background and do some machine quilting on the wool, but that decision was made for me when I slipped on the wet grass of our berm, wearing my "no traction" garden clogs and caught myself as I went down, with my wrist. One of my finer moments. Now it will all be by machine! But since I do have osteoporosis, I am just grateful it was only a sprain!
And then there is the mini Dresden quilt. The center circles are not stitched down (and they are NOT perfect, even though they are closer to perfect after using Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles than they ever would have been without).
The little basket quilt made from leftovers of one of Mom's quilts, and part of Dad's favorite blue plaid shirt now needs a border. It has been hanging on my design wall for a couple of weeks like this, and I believe I prefer the fabric on the right.
DD#2 had a getaway with her hubby to Hawaii recently. She brought me these fun goodies (along with some delicious gluten free coconut macaroons--which are no longer around for a photo). The decorative box is made with woven orchid stems, which is so fitting, since I have half a dozen orchid plants. It will provide pretty storage for my empty quilting machine bobbins. I am going to put my collection of the row by row plates up along the top of my sewing room wall, kind of like a wallpaper border. So fun to have one from Hawaii! My only decision here is how I can best show off the pretty batik print, but I have some ideas.My thanks to those of you that have added my brother to your prayers. He is still in the hospital. This is his third stay this month, and he has already spent 15 days there, most of them in ICU. He has had two heart procedures, and has struggled with infections and a flare up of another condition that troubles him. Hopefully tomorrow will find him out of ICU! DH and I celebrated our 39th anniversary this week by taking my Mom to the hospital 90 miles away to see him. It would have been Dad and Mom's 65th anniversary on the same day, if Dad hadn't graduated in December. But it was a good day. We were glad we spent it as we did.
Until next time,
Janet O.
I'm so sorry to hear about your sprained wrist. I hope it continues to heal quickly so you can get back to doing all your beautiful stitching. I like the idea of bordering those tiny dresdens with the purple fabric, maybe bind with the same purple? I agree with your border choice on the basket quilt, the brown print on the right seems to fit right in and frame the baskets perfectly. Prayers for your brother's complete recovery soon, and for you as well my friend.
ReplyDeleteAre you getting unbalanced like me? That fall sounds like ye antics, and I am glad it was only a sprain, painful as it can be.
ReplyDeleteFor the wool project....outline quilt the applique so it really stands out. The herringbone background would look good quilted in straight lines or a simple meander. Love the mixed small circles for the center....and the purple will be a good border. Use a mixed binding of leftovers on this one for a real homespun feel.
Glad there is some improving for your brother, will continue to pray for all the health issues surrounding you.
So many lovely quilts and of all sizes! I love the vintage look you achieve too. Hope your wrist heals fast and your brother continues to improve.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your fall. And glad it wasn't a worse result. And will keep your brother in prayers. I know what it is like to have a loved one having set backs with their health.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the purple for a border for the little quilt. And agree with your choice of border for the piece using your Dad's shirt parts. You have lots of decisions to make for your quilts and maybe a quick shopping trip if stash doesn't produce what you want.
I hope your wrist is getting better. You have so many beautiful projects. I love the baskets. I will keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs
ReplyDeleteFalls are no fun, glad you're not suffering too badly. Love all your minis, and I'm sure you'll make up your mind soon. It's annoying when you can't find just what you want in stash! Sorry to hear about your brother and hope he is on the road to recovery soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your wrist. Your machine quilting is sensational so I don't think the little quilt will suffer for it! I love the little Dresden plates. So sweet. And as for the beautiful basket quilt I love both border fabrics. Sorry, that isn't much help. Maybe you could use one for two sides and the other for two sides. Either way, it is sensational. You and your family are still in my prayers.
ReplyDeletejanet so sorry about your bro, always stressful when loved ones are ill...lovely little projects as always and i agree about the border...
ReplyDeleteFirst of all: happy anniversary to you! I do hope that your wrist is healing (ouch!) and that you're able to keep up with all your various activities without too much discomfort. I have added your brother to my prayer list for health and healing, please do keep up posted. As always, you have lots of lovely show-and-tell goodies! I simply adore that wool applique with the flag and strawberry(!)! Whatever you decide for binding, borders and the like will be stupendous. I do like the varied color perfect circle dresden centers, they add interest.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Janet and your DH. I hope your wrist heals enough for you to be able to put in the finishing stitches that you need to, in time. Lovely and thoughtful spoils from your daughter - how special to have a Row from Hawaii! Good choice for the border fabric on your baskets and I think the dresdens are looking lovely with their multi-fabriced(?!) centres. Best wishes to your brother - I hope he recovers soon.
ReplyDeleteBad luck about the sprained wrist, but agree better then a broken one. I think the Dresdens would look fine with just binding in the purple. The sashing is sufficient, I wouldnt do another border. I like the brown on the right also. You are so good to entertain different bindings....most of the time I just cheat and use the same binding as the border fabric, because its easy! Do so hope your brother gets better soon. Happy anniversary, hope you can have a family celebration in good health soon.
ReplyDeleteOh that must be so frustrating to injure your wrist. We take our working body parts for granted until they aren't working so well. My right elbow has been giving me fits and I'm not quite sure why but being a rightie it's frustratin. I do hope you can get back to resting the wrist (say that ten times fast) ASAP. I like your idea for the license plates. I only have a couple but didn't know what to do with them other than pin them to my design wall. Your Dresdens definitely need more purple!!! There can never be enough purple. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you're starting to feel better--at least enough that you can get back to sewing. Sorry your brother still isn't better. All the best coming your family's way.
ReplyDeleteI love the patriotic wallhanging you're working on. Just adorable. I agree with Wendy: your machine quilting is so sensational that no matter what you do, it'll be amazing!!
And the dresden plates? Are you still making them??? There must be an end at some point... Or not??
I like the fabric on the left side although either would work!
xxxs,
Happy Anniversary, 39yrs is great going! I'm only 11yrs in on my second marriage. I'm am pleased you didn't break your wrist too Janet! When we have something set in our mind we try to tell the body otherwise don't we? May I place my 2cents worth about your questioning about the Dresden block? How about a narrow purple border then bind with the yellow/mustard you have used for the corner stones? I like the idea of one fabric for all the centers.............kiwi hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteI fell earlier this year while pulling weeds--it was a good reminder to me to be more careful--glad you did not seriously injure yourself. The quilt with your Mom's quilt fabric and Dad's shirt scrapes is beautiful. Excellent choice on the border fabric. Happy Anniversary and now your family gathering will be even more special with your stitched pieces
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Sorry you hurt your wrist! Glad it wasn't worse, too! I'm coming to your family reunion and will put my name in the hat multiple times to win the patriotic piece! It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversay! And I'm glad that your wrist is starting to feel better. Sorry that it happened in the first place. You've got a few decisions to make with all of your wonderful projects. Your family reunion quilt is delightful and everyone will want to own it . Get ready for a bidding war.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Janet. Gosh I am soooo pleased you did not break your wrist, I too have those slippery no traction garden shoes !!! Love all your quilts & the colours in them. Hope you have a wonderful (crafty) weekend Janet. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't hit your head! Hope your wrist is already getting better, and your brother also. For the Dresdens, I'd use the purple shown for borders, and I'd probably cut the purple plaid on the bias for the binding; I love bias plaids or stripes! I like the brown on the right too for the other quilt. I'm sure you will make great decisions on all of them. Hope you're back at stitching soon! ---"Love"
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! So nice that you took your mom to see your brother. I'm not sure that I knew your brother has been having troubles (of course,it is completely possible that I just don't remember - ugh!) Sorry about your fall, but glad it's not any worse. I love your little patriotic quilt - so cute! Your Dresdens look great - I like the different centers, and I would not do a border, just use that purple for the binding. And of course, I've never met a basket quilt that I didn't like! I'm with you - I like the fabric on the right the best. Hope you heal up quickly - after all - you have quilting to do!
ReplyDeleteLove you, friend -- and though it's been a while since I've posted (or commented) you and yours have been in my prayers! I hope your brother is out of ICU! So sorry to learn about your fall and sprain -- no fun. :( I adore your little wool project! You're so precise and neat with your stitcheries! I like the multi-colors of your circles -- it adds eye interest. And I totally agree with the vote for the print on the right. Lots of hugs!! :)
ReplyDeleteI REALLY like your basket quilt, and agree with the one on the right. Either would be okay, but I like that one better. I hope your brother is soon feeling great. How nice that you took your mother to see him. I am sure they both appreciated that.
ReplyDeleteThankful it was just a sprain! Your machine quilting is lovely so it will be successful!
ReplyDeleteLove all of your projects.
That sweet little applique block is just adorable, Janet. I was scouting around for a quick, easy, small patriotic block yesterday. I would love to do this one but I wouldn't get it done in time for the Fourth this year, but maybe another year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your wrist. I don't know about you but no matter how careful I am it seems like I still fall sometimes. (But then I've always been a klutz.)
Your basket blocks are beautiful. I favor browns with almost any other color but I think they look especially nice with your blues. I think either sashing would be great and didn't really notice they were different until I read that you were trying to decide between the two. (Am I not observant, or maybe my eyes are used to blending from seeing so many scrappy quilts?)
Sorry about your wrist sprain. But, like you say, at least it was only a sprain. I hope you were able to get your little patriotic wall hanging done by today. It is wonderful. The circles in the middle of the Dresdens look great. I bought some of those Kay Buckley circles because you had mentioned them before. I'm hoping they will be easier than my previous method that includes cutting out a circle to size each time I need the template. I like the purple you've selected for the border/binding. It accents the whole Dresden piece really well. Love the brown and blue baskets.
ReplyDeletelove seeing your little quilts! inspiration plus!
ReplyDeleteHappy Late Anniversary! Take a rest with your wrist. Binding with the purple is good. If the quilt is the size you want it to be. Nice of DD#2 to think of you while inthe land of Aloha! Spending time with your mom will always make good memories!
ReplyDeleteHope your family reunion was successful - I think you have one every year, right? Your contribution to the effort is so lovely - I imagine the bidding goes quite high on your items! LOL Love the basket quilt - I like the border fabric on the right best too. Basket quilts are always winners in my book. Hope your wrist is all healed up! How sweet that your DD brought you home some goodies from Hawaii! Both my girls went to Mexico recently, and neither brought quilty stuff home to me (maybe there were NO quilt stores?)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your fall! I suppose it is very lucky that it's not broken. Whew! Have you ever tried arnica? I swear by it.
ReplyDeleteYour wool piece for the reunion is absolutely charming. I love the summer themes especially the strawberries and watermelon. Who ever wins it will treasure it.
Your dresden plate blocks look great. The circles look good to me!
What a special little quilt the baskets are. Such a nice combination from your mom and dad.
What a nice gift from from Hawaii!
xo
Ouch! So sorry to hear of your fall and hope that you'll soon be back up to speed. Your quilts are lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh, my sweet, sweet friend, I am so sorry about your brother!! Did I know about this before I left? My prayers are with him and his family and with you!! Hope your wrist is getting better and hope your family reunion this past weekend was one filled with happiness and family!! Who won the darling wallhanging?? xoxoxox Miss ya!!
ReplyDeleteI hope your wrist is better by now and I hope your brother is on the mend!! Sounds like your summer has started with a bang!
ReplyDeleteI love the wool wall hanging for your family reunion.
Happy Anniversary! I hope your brother is feeling better and out of the hospital. I trust the family reunion went well. The holiday spirited project was sure to make anyone happy. If you were to go one color for the Dresden centers (which by the way look great to me) purple sings out to me. Do you have yardage enough to make both a border and binding with the same fabric? I'd go with the brown on the right too. Fun idea to "make like wall paper" the sewing license plates. Very thoughtful gifts from DD#2. Sorry about your fall, good thing it wasn't worse. Take care of yourself Janet =^.^=
ReplyDeleteI'm rather behind on my blog reading, and am so sorry for your trials. Hope your wrist is much better by now and your brother too. Having a fall is no fun. I seem to fall about once per year and fortunately, no broken bones, but the soreness seems to last a while. Your projects are ll lovely and you have received lots of good advice. I always do my wool appliqué by machine and love how it turns out. Quilt is by machine also, as I'm sure you know. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you are having to experience so much pain and turmoil right now. I am amazed you are able to keep your sewing going with a sore wrist, but all your work is so beautiful. I love your little Dresdens and your circles look perfect to me. I love the Karen Kay Buckley circle templates too. I like that your centers are all different, esp. since the cornerstones are all the same. When I first looked at your basket quilt, I thought you were using both fabrics for the borders and thought WOW that looks amazing. Happy Anniversary!!
ReplyDelete