Sunday, July 24, 2016

2014 to 2016

  I put this quilt on the frame in September 2014 and then became sick eventually being diagnosed with cancer (breast and bone). I put in 19 days in the hospital and 6 months of bed rest before I was able to be up. Even with that I have only been able to stand at the frame twice. But today, the second time, I was able to finish the quilting. I started this quilt for our great granddaughter who will be 2 at Christmas. She will be visiting here in two weeks so I am going to try to get her quilt bound and the label on it so she can finally have a quilt from her Nana.
 I still have to put the binding on.  The current problem is that I sewed the binding together, lots of black and white strips, but that was over 18 months ago and I am not quite sure where I put it but I am about to make a concentrated effort to uncover it.
 The quilt is made from a black and white jelly roll and batik scraps.  It was a lot of fun putting it together.  The quilting is free motion and I think it was a pattern that Leah Day showed but I am not really sure.

 I designed the label, obviously in 2014.  I was really surprised to find it last month and have held on to it, carefully, so it would be ready for the finished quilt.  I have been so offended by black and white thinking that this quilt says "there are shades of gray and lots of colors in life" so don't box yourself in.  I still need to add the quilt info into the middle of the circle but it will get done this week.


Please note that this is my cat, sleeping on the deck.  The interesting part is that she is sleeping right outside the studio door.  I took this picture right after I jumped over the cat to get into the studio: I am right inside the door, looking down.  And please note that she is still there and didn't even know that I had been there.  Eric has been taking pictures for Facebook of the "37 places Stubby sleeps on the deck," but this is one that has become a favorite.

I am trying to put in a little more time on the quilting/sewing front.  I have a couple of sewing/embroidery projects I want to do and a few quilt UFOs I would like to finish.  And, of course, I have a couple of BOMs I am WAY behind on.  I don't move as fast as I used to but I seem to have as much piled up to do as always.  I guess I will either keep busy or be frustrated a lot.  We'll just have to wait and see which one takes over.  Gari

Linking to Patchwork Times

8 comments:

Happy Room Diana said...

Well done for getting back to your granddaughters quilt. I wish you well on your recovery

loulee said...

Your quilt looks amazing, I'm sure it will be loved. Good things are worth taking your time over, and worth the wait.xx

Jenny said...

So sorry to read that you have been so ill, it's such a horrid disease, as I know too. But you are back doing something you love, finishing off a special quilt for your little grand-daughter.
With very best wishes for your treatment and recovery.

Lindah said...

So glad to read that you are feeling so much better and enjoying quilting again! Blessed granddaughter to receive that beautiful quilt from her Nana.

thatfabricfeeling.wordpress.com said...

You are awesome and what a dreadful disease to have gone through. I wish you clean tests from here on. I love that you're pushing yourself to complete this quilt. It's beautiful and the story to go with it has added to it's value all the more. I say...if too much time has passed and you can't find the original binding...just put a solid binding on. When you find the other one, and you will, of course....it will be time to make another quilt to go along with it.

celia ambrose said...

I know you will find the binding! Or, you may pick something else out and then it will show up. Either way, it is almost finished and it looks so pretty. I pray God will bring strength and healing to you and give you much joy as you return to your sewing.

Anonymous said...

Prayers for you complete recovery! Love the quilt and am glad you have found some strength and stamina enough to enjoy your craft again.

AnnieO said...

Wonderful that quilting waited for you all this time--and that you are feeling better :) The quilt is terrific and I'm sure will be loved. Fingers crossed you find the binding. I have taken to clipping any finished binding to the hanger I put the quilt top on, that way it hopefully will stay together! Making myself more notes would sure chop the hunting down too...