So many things going on

This blog has been pretty much abandoned for the month of August.

Some positive things that have happened:

• Joined the Front Range Modern Quilt Guild and had a great time at the August meet and sew. There are so many interesting ladies making gorgeous quilts. I can't wait to get to know them better this year.
• Cut out and started sewing a kaleidoscope quilt using Don't Call Me Betsy's QAL directions. I'm way late for the QAL though.



My first four kaleidoscope blocks

• We're in the process of completely remodeling our kitchen. It's chaos in the kitchen since before Labor Day. 

Still a lot of work to be done, but it's looking good!

• My hubby and daughter are great.

Some negative things:

• Had emergency surgery a little over a week ago. The double whammy is that I was pregnant and we lost the embryo too. The pregnancy was ectopic and couldn't go forward. I was bleeding internally and there was nothing else that could be done but surgery and removing my whole tube on one side. I've got to go back to the doctor today as one of the incisions opened up. I'm ready to be part of the world again but the grieving still continues.
• The art director at work is leaving and today is her last day. She has become a good friend and will be greatly missed although I'm very happy for her. Work is at it's busiest time of the year plus I've been out for a week, so it will surely be stressful to go back. I'm not even sure if I'll make it into work today after my dr appointment.
• We've had no kitchen sink or dishwasher (our countertops for that matter) since before Labor Day. The counter people come in a bit over a week. Then hopefully later that day or the next day, our sink and dishwasher can be plumbed in. Thank goodness for Costco and easy to prepare or heat up meals.

A favorite quote

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
– Theodore Seuss Giesel

Just about in time

I'm now the proud aunt to my first niece! I have two adorable nephews and I'm happy to now have a healthy niece.

I've been working on her quilt. All I have left is the blue polka dot binding. It is so adorable. The line is Buttercup and I think this has been one of the hardest times I've ever had lining up my seams and points, but soooo worth it. It's not perfection, but pretty darn good. :) I can't wait to see her sometime in August. She's an 8 hour drive away so we can't just hop over and see her.

As a note: I hope to be closer to her than my nephews because we'll speak the same language. That kind of puts a damper on a relationship to be across an ocean and not have a language in common. Can you feel the guilt from my words though? I just don't know how exactly to become close to them. Anyone else out there in that situation and have any ideas?

Catching up

I've been working on a few things, slowly but surely.

For Aunt Gee Gee

The first one is a bit of a bomb as I didn't think it would turn out to be such frou frou pillow. It is for my great aunt who has just been moved to a nursing home. I wanted to make her something to cheer her up. She's a colorful gal who's a little loud, so I still think she'll like it. It should bring a little pop of color to her room, if nothing else. I consulted with my grandma, her sister, on the color scheme options and she picked this one for her.

first time free motion quilting on my Juki--love it!

I've also been working on a quilt for my soon-to-be-born niece. She'll be my first niece and I'm super excited for my brother and his wife. Confession: I hired a babysitter for this afternoon to get time to quilt it.

fabric is Fig Tree Buttercup

The last is a gift for my mom for her birthday. I hope she'll love it. A LQS closed its doors so I scored a ton of stuff for her (and me, too). There's some yummy Central Park, lots of books, a white and a graphite Sewline pencil and quilting gloves. Another confession: I'm having a hard time not keeping those fabrics for my stash! I picked up the cute basket at the thrift store. I love finding unique things to put gifts into, especially something that has some usefulness.

Quick little baby shower gift

One of my co-workers is having a baby shower tomorrow, so I decided to try making one of those taggie-type toys. It is really cute and colorful. I hope all those colors are interesting to her coming baby girl. I didn't follow a pattern or anything. I winged it. The back is the same pink fleece that is the background of the photo. The best part? I had all of it in my stash of fabrics and ribbons. Yes, I may have a problem. lol!

Replacement Apron

This cute apron will be off to it's new owner on Tuesday. Jamie, thanks for the patience! I hope this one makes it all the way to you and not just the envelope.

Tsk, tsk, tsk

Shame on the postal employee that stole the apron I made for Jamie. It arrived to her with my note and an otherwise empty but sealed envelope. I've known for a while but it took a bit of wind out of my sails.

I've also been busy with my parents visit from out of town and a chest cold that I came down with right before Memorial Day. I'm still coughing a bit from that one and was tired for sooo long. I think I'm going to sew this week! Woo hoo! First up, a new apron for Jamie even though she kindly said that isn't necessary.