A Green Forest

Last week I was telling you that I started working on my trees again. The reason I had stuck them away was because I was having issues with my first block and the trunk. I didn't have a pattern but I thought I could wing it myself. But those seams didn't match up and I wasn't happy with the trunk. So away it went into a tote. 

Then my friend Jo (who I copied) Pinned a tree quilt on Pinterest and I had an epiphany! 

I didn't have to piece a trunk (because we all know piecing isn't my strong suit), I could appliqué a trunk! Ta da!

And then one tree became two trees. 

Then it became a forest with a Catzilla monster. 

Catzilla would not leave the forest till he heard the musical sound of monster treats tinkling in the distance. 

Finally!

Here is my forest. 

Isn't it neat that there is a pattern to the trunk roots? That wasn't planned, it's a happy accident. 

Now I just need to think of how to finish it off. A border? More trees? Lots of borders?

So it sometimes is a good things to put something away. Coming back with fresh eyes can make all the difference. And so can Pinterst!

Take care, Brandie

First 2014 Finish

I finish one of last years UFOs. I started this last February and then packed it away. Well it's finished and I have an empty tote. Yippie

For some reason the pictures are clipped. To see the entire quilt, click on the picture

The majority of these are French General fabrics. There are a few red scraps that aren't but who cares.

My inspiration came from Hubby's new job and his office being located in Beaune, France. (I still have my fingers crossed that I'll be going on the next trip with him)

There wasn't quite enough fabric to make a solid backing so I had to make a puzzled backing. But I was determined to  use up all those little extra pieces instead of packing them away in a scrap box. 

Now that I've finished this, I can play with my green fabrics and finish up my trees. 

I already cheated and started playing with them. I'm really excited about this quilt too. But you'll have to come back Monday and see. I'm in the mood to empty another tote! 

Wow, two finishes in two months. I'm thinking that my hormones are getting back to normal. That's the best news ever!

Take care, Brandie

Working in Red

I've been working on my red quilt. It's almost done! Today I should finish it. Unless I get super lazy. It could happen!

Just simple quilting. Echo and grid. Easy-peasy. 

Every time I go to work on it, I have to first remove a black fur ball. I think every night Miss Sheba makes herself a bed and leaves me evidence of her love. Is it me she loves or the quilt?

I did something different and strange to this quilt. I added a point to the sides and bottom. My goal was to make it look like a shield. Not sure if it did or not. I don't hate it so I'll keep it this way. 

Dorian was checking it out for me. If I wanted a picture if him, I wouldn't be able to find him. But if I want a picture of a quilt, he will always be around. 

 

Take care, Brandie

Winter Coat

I don't have much to show but I am working on an older project. I'm working on my red Fleur De Lis quilt. I think I'm happiest working with few colors. It's boring, but it me. And so is this. 

Hubby bought me some special stickers for my mixer but when he said I could use them on my sewing machine I just knew it was me. I wasn't sure about the mixer but I was positive about my machine needing a facelift. Pretty snazzy ain't it!? There'll be no mistaken my Juki for anyone else's. 

Now to get personal. Last weeks surgery was fine. More than fine because I didn't have to do the second procedure. So maybe that means less money too? I have my fingers crossed on that. 

The main thing was taking care of my bladder. You see I have what my Hubby calls a "walnut sized" bladder. He laughs and sometimes gets annoyed by my frequent restroom breaks but apparently there was more to it than size. 

I have a chronic condition that is called 

"Interstitial Cystitis". My body produces too much acid and that acid is eating away my bladder lining. In actuality, my bladder is normal sized but with the inflammation and irritation it feels full all the time. Hence the constant restroom breaks. 

So the surgery was to stretch my bladder and to hopefully retrain it to remember its normal size. I was also given a cocktail of meds that I had to hold for as many hours as I could. Four being the goal, three being my limit. Talk about torture! The surgery was a breeze, it's the holding that's my problem. 

Now that my bladder has been retrained, I will go to the Dr twice a week to have more of that cocktail installed. Yes, installed. Not the normal way fluid is usually taken either. Nope, this cocktail is forced the wrong in. But the worst part, I have to shave my legs all winter! I mean I HAVE to! I wouldn't want anyone to know that my winter coat has grown in. The Dr visit is all ready degrading enough!

So think if me every Monday and Thursday morning while I hold it for four hours. Like right now! Only one more hour to go! 

I'm thinking of anything to keep from thinking about it. 

Be more entertaining on Mondays and Thursdays to help me keep  "IT" off my mind, please?

I'm going to go stand on my head for the next hour. 

Take care, Brandie

Last Finish

I surprised myself and finished my stars before Tuesday and before the end of the year. I'm feeling pretty happy with myself. 

I'm feeling pretty good about getting rid of those tiny 2 inch squares too. 

It's not fancy but I like it and I think it matches my cobalt glassware pretty good. 

It's a good way to end the year. 

Have a happy New Years Eve and day!

Take care, Brandie

Bye Bye Blues

I'm happy to say that I've meet my goal of using up all those blue squares and finishing the top!

I've been distracted with family and movies but there was a few minutes between distractions to finish the top. 

Also I had time to piece a back with some of the smaller (imperfect) squares. 

I've had the beautiful blue toile (French General) on my shelf for awhile. I debated using it because if I used it I might regret it. It's stupid but that was what was going through my mind. I finally decided to use it, that's why I bought it. 

How I'm going to get a few quilting line through it. I'm not doing anything fancy, just straight line quilting. 

Thanks for stopping by and for all your encouragement. 

Take care, Brandie

Middle Age

I think I've hit it, middle age that is. 

These last couple of months have been filled with blood work, tests, exams and unmentionables. 

I'm going to try not to bore you with mundane details. I'm just sharing that its new to me and has been good and bad. First with the good. I just heard back that the genetic disease that my brother and mother have, does not effect me! I've been holding my breath for quite awhile waiting to hear about these results. Yesterday I was over joyed to get the news. I even shed a tear or two of joy, just a tear or two. 

And speaking of tears, that's another issue but we are working on this. Lets just say I have now joined the group of daily med users. But it's a good thing so far and I have my fingers crossed that my energy, ambition and strength will return along with my hormones. 

Now for some quilting news. I haven't done much but I have started a project. All others have fallen into a box and have been stacked in a corner. 

But back to the new project. I've set a deadline for next Monday to be finished with a new top. Why Monday? Because I'm determined to have it finished before the end of the year and Monday is my last day. Tuesday I will be going in for a out patient surgery, my first ever. I'm not sure how I'll feel and I think having a beautiful quilt top will cheer me up and make me feel better. 

This quilt is made from leftovers of my cousins wedding quilt. I've have a box of two inch squares taking up too much room in my sewing space and I want them out of my way!

This pattern came from a picture I saw in the "Keepsake Quilting" catalog. I believe it's called "Nantucket". 

I just used those two inch squares and drafted my pattern from there. 

I love it so much I'm going to keep it! It'll be beautiful with all my cobalt glass. I may even redecorate to display it. But we will see how much energy I have in the new year. 

Anyhow, being as this is the day before Christmas, I sincerely wish you all a happy, blessed week and a very happy New Year!

Take care, Brandie