Disappearing 9-Patch, (I Spy) Kids Quilt

 So far, so good.

Closer view - my arrangement left all the blocks right side up.  

I have a LOT more 4.5 in. squares, sent from friends and bloggers.  Everyone wanted to help out!  This quilt is going to an RN who headed up the Cardio P.T. that I attended for almost 3 months.  She had a new baby about the time of my medical "incident" so I wasn't able to make it then.

It's very jumbled, but I am trying new things -- I like it.  I had seen a friend's Disappearing 9-Patch that was over-the-top beautiful, made with black on black background batiks, with each square in a bright, almost solid batiks - it was stunning.  So, that batik idea is for another day.  Best part of this quilt is few seams to match, and enjoying the variety of cute squares that came from numerous local and national friends.  8-)))   Thank you to all.  A second quilt is in the making for the squares that came later.    This one is about 56 inches square. 

Overfed, and an "I Spy" Quilt

 This was a greeting card I received - LOVE IT!  Been there, done that!  Happy New Year everyone!

I'm working on this Disappearing 9-patch, and also put a call out to my nearby quilty friends as I need MORE of those cute, bright squares.  My efforts to shop for new, fresh charms was not successful - perhaps too many others had same idea. 

Patchwork Christmas Trees, REAL crumbs, everywhere!, Cardio P.T.

 

I've made 5 - this is from Jordon Fabrics, YouTube video, called a Patchwork Christmas Tree and a printed pattern is FREE.  She says it is "fast" -  but each one took me a day - lack of concentration on my part.  I did a brief amount of machine quilting in the background and on the tree.   I decided if I made one, I might as well make half a dozen or so.  It's about 18 in. square and I put corners on the back and could be hung or used on a table.   

Below:  A real crumby mess - that WAS a cute little sugar bowl.  Too much energy on my part, not enuf self-control - the sugar and chips went everywhere.  The sugar was destined for the top of Cherry/Walnut Scones.  As luck would have it, the drawer was also open, and bits and pieces ended up in the tableware.  Slow down Elaine Adair!   BTW, the Scones were delicious!

Cardio Physical Therapy -- yesterday I "graduated" from 3 months of disciplined Cardio P.T. to strengthen my heart after the heart "event" last August.  The RN nurses were skilled and wonderful - I was waited on, fussed over, measured and monitored several times each session. and everything was explained clearly what was happening.  I had been doing physical exercises for years but had concentrated on strength and flexibility of big muscles but didn't know about cardio strength exercises.  I'm finished with the P.T., in better shape than where I started and all lab results are on the positive side, all parts within "normal" range.   Funny thing, they were all in "normal" range before the heart attack, now they are just better.  Nothing of interest or alarm was shown, either before or after the attack - Have no idea what that proves or disproves, only that I am in decent shape.  The stent is doing its job.   I lost 20 lbs on this Heart Diet for all the right reasons, and will try to continue because it feels wonderful to be in looser clothing.  I guess it means a heart event can happen to anyone.  Please, pay attention to odd happenings with your own body. 

 Looks like I'll have more time to use up my fabric stash!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all!

Crumb Blocks - Can't make just one!

 

Marsha gave me a shoebox full of scraps about year ago.  I put them together, aiming for 6 1/2 in. chunks.  It was difficult to actually stop sewing little bits together!  Lots of fun - I wish I'd not used the cornerstone in the sashing, but live and learn - those busy blocks like "plain" sashing better.    This is about 44" x 58"   It finished up so quickly, I already gave it back to Marsha.  Go ahead, give this crumb block thing a try!  I sorted the scraps into mostly red, white and blues.  

Today, I'm making Christmas Trees, ala Jordon Fabrics, on YouTube.  To make use of a nice clean, tidy area, I put up a big table in my family room --  now I can mess up that space quite well!  Hope I get some Holiday items finished soon.  

Happy Holidays everyone!

At last, one job FINISHED!!!

 What can this be?  Surely, not a quilt project!  I'm trying to get so many different "jobs" done, and have been unsuccessful at checking them off my "to do" list - seems like everything is NOT done, yet these  homemade butterhorn rolls are done and delicious!  

35 lined all up, like little soldiers. 

32 made it to storage - wonder where 3 of them disappeared to??? 

I am bringing the rolls (not a single burned one!) to dinner with friends.  The pot holders will live in her house now.  

 

Seems like Cardio P.T. is taking up so much of my time, at 3 times a week, still continuing for another 2 months.  Yes, it's necessary, and a pleasant experience, yet there is no dilly-dallying.  Roof issues are almost finished, business issues still are undone, home improvements have come to a halt with winter hanging over, Thanksgiving and Christmas are both "looming" - wish I had a more positive adjective to describe a lovely time of year, my printer won't print which results in numerous projects undone, and I have a "new" phone on the counter, still in it's unopened Fed-X wrapper, staring at me, challenging me to get that project on it's way.  Furnace filter ordered, air compressor hardware reconfigured so I can blow out used filters.  Oh yes, and I'm planning on  learning some cost savings tricks on my "Smart TV" and eventually may even drop my TV/Cable access since the programming is so unrewarding.   All overwhelming projects - no time to concentrate on any of them, and very little time spent on quilting. Gotta remember, "One Day at a Time."  I'm exhausted.

I miss my man.  8-(((

Making Every Day Count

I'm still here, back home in Nebraska, after a 2500 mile road trip. Yes, I LOVE to drive.  Part of my trip was to meet up with my High School GF who lives south of Chicago.  After we arrived back in my home in western Nebraska and recuperated a day, we drove north thru Wyoming to visit Devils Tower near Hulett, WY.  She had never seen "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", so I checked out that film from our local library and gave her a lead in for the Tower, with that space ship scene!  Our drive north was spectacular, the stunning fall day was exceptional and the Tower was phenomenal.  If you have never visited this site, you MUST put it on your bucket list.  This is just one of many photos taken on my jaunt. We were respectful of Native American culture and left our own prayer strips. 

By the way, the Lickity Split Quilt Shop, in Lusk, Wyoming, is another spectacular stop, definitely surprising to see the large shop in this small town.  I exercised great restraint, but caved at the Fat Quarter rack!  

My" ticker" cooperated, after some adjustment to medication - I'm getting used to new health routines and glad to be out and about, "Making Every Day Count" as my Robert always encouraged.

Due to traveling, and a new roof installed, visiting and hostessing,  my quilting has slowed down.  I'm attending a Retreat soon - perhaps I'll get some sewing DONE.