What are you doing?

I hope your allergies calm down soon and you get to feeling better!

I have been sewing on the quilt top that will never end. Ok, I'm sure it only feels that way.

I decided to make a quilt that's been brewing in my head for a while. The block piecing went great and I was very happy with them. When I laid out the blocks on the design wall it just didn't look like I had imagined so I started playing.

What I came up with required more blocks. Got those sewn and things laid out and it took a bit of math and figuring to get the background pieces figured out to put it all together.

With the new layout what I had for the background was no longer enough fabric.

This is where I learned about "dye lots" Ok, I knew about them, but when you don't know what you're making from the start it's a little hard to plan for. sigh. I cannot match the background fabric because the Kona Ash everyone has is slightly darker than the Kona Ash that was in my stash from a couple years ago.

The unpicking began. I left the blocks as is but had to unpick the setting pieces I had sewn on and use a new fabric for all of the setting pieces.

Finally got that done. Then I went to set the rows together.

Now, some rows have the blocks set on point and I like to make the setting triangles slightly larger and then trim it all back when it's done. This is a great plan as long as your measuring brain is working well when you are doing the trimming.

Mine was on break for one of the rows and it's shorter than the rest.

And...I'll need more fabric to replace the pieces I so zealously trimmed.

But eventually, it will be lovely.

Probably.

marcella :-)

The reason I have so much fabric in my studio is because I always buy at least an extra half yard of every fabric for a quilt "just in case". If there isn't much on the bolt I will buy the rest because you never know if you will need more. . . And then I must change my mind about which fabrics to use at least twice while making the quilt. It all adds up to lots of fabric. People rave about the fabric choices in my quilts and tell me what a wonderful eye I have for color. If they only knew how many different fabrics I tried before the quilt was finished.

Susan

I'm sure it will be really great, Marcella! BTW, it was *so* nice to see you again at our recent show! :D

My latest quilty projects haven't been quilts at all. I've made a dog bed, the "framework" for which ended up being a bit more complicated than I'd anticipated (but Bisou is worth it ), and two little Ditty Bags for travel. Pics of all of the above are on my blog, if anyone wants to see them. I used Soft and Stable for all of these projects, and I have to say that it really makes a difference. :)

Next up may actually be a quilt!

--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas 
http://www.sandymike.net 
http://www.sandywf.blogspot.com

Allergies and smoke remnants around here. I signed up to do a round robin on the Carol Doak yahoo! group. That will take about a year to do ;) My sister agreed to let me make something for her new-to-her condo. She wants placemats. Okay. "black and white in a modern or geometric pattern". Huh? I do color. This will be a challenge!

G> I am recovering from allergies that have stopped my ears up, so I am doing

I'm ready to do the binding on a graduation quilt for our daughter's exchange student, 1/4 of the blocks done for grandson's graduation quilt, need to press top and backing of quilt for DH and get it to long armer, and put borders on black and white top for me then get it off to long armer. That's just for this month. LOL DH got a call from our former boss so his retirement ended up a 4 week vacation. Now he's back on the coast and I'm in our new-to-us home getting things put away, curtains up, and yard cleaned and of course sewing.

NOTHING. Absolutely nothing and Nothing is really, really good. I needed to overcome Fear of Embroidery machine and I did blocks until I finally became fluent/comfortable/indifferent to the challenges and quirks. Then, I eased over to the serger that was somehow forcing edges into a shorter but not quite gathered length.

I won't brag that the embroidery machine and the new serger and I are friends. Won't even claim that we are communicating. BUT. They are now afraid of me. Very afraid. It is just so much easier to learn a new power tool when you aren't passionately trying to 'do' something. So. What am I doing? Sitting here saying, "Gotcha". It feels good. Polly

Hope the allergies move on as the season does Bobbie. Rats.

We are pretty much doing what Susan is doing but a little differently. In October we bought a house and have been rehabbing it. What a lot of work. Having 2 houses while moving does make things easier but still a lot of work sorting. Next week we get 'the big truck' and work towards getting the old house on the market by the first of June. Realtor here said don't do a think though. Thank goodness for that. I am sick of projects.

I did sneak to a guild meeting to hear Lyn Mann do her trunk show and talk about borders. I love her quilts!

My sewing room is all set up at the new house. I just need to get some time there! Taria, new group reader been failing me here but just trying to hold out til we move to re-do stuff.

I am recovering from allergies that have stopped my ears up, so I am doing the minimum around the house and not talking on the phone. I need to take my SM to be repaired. No sewing is happening! So I have been working some in the sewing room to help get things ready for when the Pfaff will return. Seems like the cold wet days might be coming to an end in SC. Hope everyone else is doing OK. Barbara in SC

g the minimum around the house and not talking on the phone. I need to take my SM to be repaired. No sewing is happening! So I have been working some in the sewing room to help get things ready for when the Pfaff will return. Seems like the cold wet days might be coming to an end in SC. Hope everyon e else is doing OK. Barbara in SC

Today was supposed to be a chemotherapy day but the session has been cancel led till next week, pending more blood transfusions on Monday. I've been u nable to focus properly (a result of the anemia) which also means that my r ecent work on the McKenna Ryan wallhanging is again in limbo. I'm forever hopeful that the"Home Tweet Home" will be finished one day - I have only 2 more of the birdhouse appliques to put together - I have an embellishment package of beads and cording necessary to complete the item after the quilt ing of the piece is complete.

In the meantime, I am expecting delivery of a new fabric parcel which inclu des 3metres of an OWL batik (yay - finally found some in Canada at a decent price point!).

Tomorrow afternoon is already taken up with 3 medical appointments at diffe rent ends of the city in 2 hospitals - it is going to be another tiring day and the weekend will be spent resting up for Monday....no quilty things ha ppening again. Fingers and toes crossed that the CT scan tomorrow shows a reduced tumour s ize!

Jennifer in Ottawa (Barnyowl)

Sure hope you get good news tomorrow with the CT scan! Barbara in SC

Today was supposed to be a chemotherapy day but the session has been cancelled till next week, pending more blood transfusions on Monday. I've been unable to focus properly (a result of the anemia) which also means that my recent work on the McKenna Ryan wallhanging is again in limbo. I'm forever hopeful that the"Home Tweet Home" will be finished one day - I have only 2 more of the birdhouse appliques to put together - I have an embellishment package of beads and cording necessary to complete the item after the quilting of the piece is complete.

In the meantime, I am expecting delivery of a new fabric parcel which includes 3metres of an OWL batik (yay - finally found some in Canada at a decent price point!).

Tomorrow afternoon is already taken up with 3 medical appointments at different ends of the city in 2 hospitals - it is going to be another tiring day and the weekend will be spent resting up for Monday....no quilty things happening again. Fingers and toes crossed that the CT scan tomorrow shows a reduced tumour size!

Jennifer in Ottawa (Barnyowl)

Today was supposed to be a chemotherapy day but the session has been cancelled till next week, pending more blood transfusions on Monday. I've been unable to focus properly (a result of the anemia) which also means that my recent work on the McKenna Ryan wallhanging is again in limbo. I'm forever hopeful that the"Home Tweet Home" will be finished one day - I have only 2 more of the birdhouse appliques to put together - I have an embellishment package of beads and cording necessary to complete the item after the quilting of the piece is complete.

In the meantime, I am expecting delivery of a new fabric parcel which includes 3metres of an OWL batik (yay - finally found some in Canada at a decent price point!).

Tomorrow afternoon is already taken up with 3 medical appointments at different ends of the city in 2 hospitals - it is going to be another tiring day and the weekend will be spent resting up for Monday....no quilty things happening again. Fingers and toes crossed that the CT scan tomorrow shows a reduced tumour size!

Jennifer in Ottawa (Barnyowl)

the minimum around the house and not talking on the phone. I need to take my SM to be repaired. No sewing is happening! So I have been working some in the sewing room to help get things ready for when the Pfaff will return. Seems like the cold wet days might be coming to an end in SC. Hope everyone else is doing OK. Barbara in SC

till next week, pending more blood transfusions on Monday. I've been unable to focus properly (a result of the anemia) which also means that my recent work on the McKenna Ryan wallhanging is again in limbo. I'm forever hopeful that the"Home Tweet Home" will be finished one day - I have only 2 more of the birdhouse appliques to put together - I have an embellishment package of beads and cording necessary to complete the item after the quilting of the piece is complete.

3metres of an OWL batik (yay - finally found some in Canada at a decent price point!).

different ends of the city in 2 hospitals - it is going to be another tiring day and the weekend will be spent resting up for Monday....no quilty things happening again.

size!

I'm so sorry to hear that you are so ill. I had no idea. I do pray that the next few days will be as good as possible - that you get good blood and a hopeful CT scan. All my very bestest wishes.

Pat S

My thrombosis specialist told me yesterday that my kidneys are being affect ed by the chemo. And I may have to go back on the Coumadin instead of the i njections. He ordered more duplicate blood work and will continue to do so for at least another month. I had a he**ish summer last year because of t he Coumadin and side effects. On Wed, I see my chemo doc for a follow up s o should get more answers then from the CT scan. All I have done today is sleep and sleep again! Jennifer in Ottawa

Thank you for your good wishes - I. Am ever optimistic about the outcome. Jenifer in Ottawa

The beginning of my illness was an overnight sensation with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism last July. In November, the same thing happened and I s pent 12days in hospital for multiple diagnoses - including the cancer and d ermatomyositis. I had surgery in Dec and was given an ileostomy but the tu mour couldn't be removed - for 6wks I had radiation and chemo and now a new regimen of chemo which is bi-weekly.

The good news in all of this is that my g-niece delivered a baby girl by ur gent c-section today and she appears to be doing well. Unnamed baby girl w eighed in at 7lbs and her heart rate has decreased significantly since her birth.

Jennifer in Ottawa

pulmonary embolism last July. In November, the same thing happened and I spent

12days in hospital for multiple diagnoses - including the cancer and dermatomyositis. I had surgery in Dec and was given an ileostomy but the tumour couldn't be removed - for 6wks I had radiation and chemo and now a new regimen of chemo which is bi-weekly.

urgent c-section today and she appears to be doing well. Unnamed baby girl weighed in at 7lbs and her heart rate has decreased significantly since her birth.

Oh my goodness; what a huge burden for you to have received. I hope you have some good owls helping you get through all this. I know we are not often overtly religious here; but I'll offer Mass for you today (in just a couple of hours). I hope the doctors are guided well.

Pat S

You wouldn't believe how many owls have shown up to support us through this . I have four of the best doctors - all young and handsome who work togeth er in discussing the next step in my treatment - in fact, my thrombosis doc resembles Antonio Banderas with the same accent! Best of all, they all ag reed to give hugs which, I think, they rather enjoy? Yes, I'll take the Ma ss too. Thank you, Pat. Jennifer in Ottawa

Dearest Jennifer...I also had no idea the hell you were going thru. Many prayers and cyber hugs going out to you (and the new wee one). By all means..take it easy. You need it and deserve it! Happy Mother's Day. Amy

OK, I am officially jealous! My oncologist is one of the best around, he is sweet, he is easy to talk to, but he is not a hottie! All but one of the interns and residents that he has are women, and the one guy is sort of goofy. My GP (also female) is supposed to be sending me to a hematologist because my thrombosis issues are lingering. Maybe I'll get lucky with that doc and he will be a hottie. As you may recall I used to have a Dr. Hottie, but the blasted hospital was acquired and they closed the clinic because it was not profitable. He joined a practice too far out of town for me to get to easily. *pout*

NightMist

--
I'm raising a developmentally disabled child.  What's your superpower?

Thank you Amy for your kind wishes. I am feeling much more energetic since receiving two more units of red cells yesterday - CT scan results tomorrow morning and a chemo day on Thursday. New baby has been named Georgia Margaret and is currently being closely mon itored for continued episodes of rapid heartbeat. All family members are b eing asked about any heart troubles, small or large, to rule out an ongoing problem which could become more serious as she ages. Jennifer in Ottawa