Checking in

Because we love you, because we miss you, because we need you . . . so very happy to hear from you. Recently, Ginger asked a SM question and I was waiting to see your answer and remembered that you were recovering and might not see her puzzle. And, Irene, I hadn't thought about a quilt for our entryway. Lovely idea. Why didn't I think of that? Polly

Great achievements, Irene. So very good to hear that you are beginning to heal. Hope those darned side effects start to disappear over the next few months. What a year to be able to say that you finished a quilt - on top of everything else. Fantastic! Thanks for dropping by to let us know how you are. . In message , IMS writes

Excellent news! I am so happy to hear that you are doing well. Congratulations on finishing a quilt in the midst of what you are dealing with. The patience part is hard, isn't it?

Take care! Rita

I'm so glad to hear that things are going better for you now, Irene! Keep on taking care of yourself -- physically and mentally -- so your recovery continues. Congratulations on finishing a quilt, too -- amazing! :)

Irene - good to see you again - (even if online!) Glad to hear things are getting better, even if at a slow pace. BUT, slow and steady wins the race, so they say . AND you got a quilt finished. Stay in touch. Sending positive healing vibes your way. ME-Judy

I am so glad to hear your update Irene. We have had you in our hearts and on our minds. Woohoo for your news. Hugs, Taria

So glad to hear you are doing well Irene. Terrific that you were able to go to the quilt show, and even more terrific that you finished your wall-hanging! Do we get to see some pictures of it?

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada

Good to "see" you again Irene! glad you are on the mend finally. we have missed you, too. do we get a picture of your WH? amy in CNY

You guys are too sweet....thanks for all the kind words, they are very, very much appreciated (I was going to add, "more than you know"

- but then I think maybe you do know !! )

OK, I posted a picture of the autumn wallhanging I just finished. There's a little story behind it.

The top was actually finished and waiting to be quilted for over a year.

I used the Thimble berries crazy quilt pattern -- it is a great pattern that I'd been wanting to do for ages, but not with the fabrics or the embroideries suggested for it.

So I did a bit of tweaking to the pattern itself, used my own fabric choices and used different machine embroidery designs all which were autumn themed. I had a great time working on it, but then I couldn't figure out how to quilt it, so stuck it on the shelf....and there it sat.

When I was getting to the end of the chemo and facing radiation I thought that finishing it would be a good, calming diversion and give me something else to focus on, so took it out in June. I didn't (or couldn't) work on it every day of course, but a couple of times a week I'd saunter up to the sewing room and give it a go for a while until I got too tired or the brain stopped functioning. I even got up the courage to do my very first free motion quilting feathers.

So, it's finished and hangs in my entry way...I always have a 'seasonal' quilt hanging there to greet visitors (and myself of course). DH can't figure out how it went together, and that's the beauty of this kind of pattern!

-Irene

It's great! Love your choice of fabrics! Took me a while to figure out how you put the sections together.... (need more coffee, huh?) ME-Judy

Your autumn quilt is soooo pretty! I'm glad you decided you needed that diversion and got it off the shelf. :-)

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada

P.S. It really is "crazy" isn't it? How fascinating.

IMS wrote:

i just love the colors! and your quilting is pretty. what a feeling of accomplishment, eh?

amy in CNY