By the sea and new table runner

I finished the By the sea QAL top the day before yesterday.

 Its not quilted yet....maybe next week if I  can find a backing fabric for it.

In the meantime, I  started this this afternoon.  It was designed and demonstrated  by Cheryl Phillips on The Quilt Show earlier this month and I really liked it... but wasn't sure I liked it enough to order the book and specialty ruler.  Finally decided that I  did and ordered it...then went to the LQS and found three fabrics in the saleroom. Already had found the fusible fleece in my stash.

Yes, there is curved piecing involved, but only twice... you have to make the piece below twice - and that's it - wasn't hard.

No more to show tonight... maybe tomorrow night.

I went to the orthopedic dr yesterday for what I hoped would be relief from this carpal tunnel in my left hand.  It turns out that he doesn't think it's carpal tunnel.  He thinks it's the nerve that runs from the elbow (funny bone) down to your ring and pinky fingers.  Sooo, x-rays were taken ( of both hands) and I'm to have another MRA? (carpal tunnel test) - this time on the left wrist... and then he'll see what he can do to relieve this discomfort.  ARGHHHH.... He said that he could give me a splint for my arm to wear at night so that I don't bend my elbow.... no thanks, I sleep with my elbows bent.
A neighbor says she has the same thing, but just in her pinky finger - her dr. told her there was nothing he could do - that it would heal itself.  She said it's been a year and it's still 'numb'.  I hope my dr. doesn't tell me the same thing - I might have to hurt him!

Well, guess I should quit 'blathering' as my friend in Scotland calls and see what I can accomplish before it's time for Buddy's nightly walk. 

take care....
ttyl....
stay safe......

By the sea QAL .....Fourth and final block

This one wasnt quite as easy as the first three blocks even though part of it was paper piecing, which I'm a big fan of.  It was the rest was piecing and as long as I was careful and paid attention to what I  was doing,  it was ok....until I  went to join the left and ride sides to the center...it took some manuvering, but I finally got them

This was early afternoon

 

I had everything pieced by 4 o'clock and stitched into 1 block about an hour later.

Yesterday was pretty much spent running our dog, Buddy, around.  First, it was to the vet to have his butt checked out - he seemed to be in a lot of pain and wasn't pooping.  We still have to bring them to the office and wait for someone to come out and get our pet, so I figured it was going to take a few minutes and I took advantage of the free time and ran down to the LQS.  I got the call from the vet while I was just finishing up checking out - yep, anal glands giving him problems and now he has to take steroids and antibiotics and go back for check up in two weeks.

Then, in the afternoon, it was off to the groomer for a bath, toe nail trim and haircut.  He looks so much better.

Tomorrow, I hope to be able to get some more sewing done... using the fabrics that I bought yesterday and the specialty ruler and pattern book I received in the mail the other day.

Thursday, it's our cat Chewy's turn at the vet - and I have an appointment with orthopedic dr to hopefully get some relief from this carpal tunnel.  And wouldn't you know the temp outside is supposed to be in high 90's :(.  I think "Mother Nature" has us confused with Florida or one of the other southern states.  But I'm so thankful that we have air conditioning in both our house and the car.

Almost time for Buddy's evening walk...

take care...

ttyl....

Stay Safe...

By the sea...QAL Block 3

Look at me go! LOL  I  made the third block in the very same week it was released...YAY

for me.

Its all I've managed to do quilting wise, but its baby steps which is all I'm trying to take right now.

Take care....
Ttyl..

Stay safe....

By the sea, by the sea.....

Quilt Along "By the Sea"... block two - DONE - just in time to hopefully start on the new block that's to be revealed tomorrow.

Nope, didn't like this ....made a quick run to the LQS and bought (3)1/4 yard cuts of what I'd hope would be better choices than what I found here at home.

Ah, yes, that's much better.  I'm especially happy that I remembered that I had some water print fabric in my stash somewhere - and was able to locate it.  I think it really works!

Ok, all stitched down... the background was cut 14" x 14" this time... and left room for trimming down.  I didn't do that for the first block - I cut it at 13" x 13" which was what was recommended.. well, it shrank a bit somehow - I probably didn't cut as straight as I thought I was doing... it happens
:( ; I'll just have to adjust when it comes time to put the four blocks together.

,

And that's it for me today.... just tickled that I got this done.

take care...
ttyl....
Stay Safe........

Two quilts delivered

Last Wed. I shipped off two quilts... a lap quilt

along with a couple of pocket prayers and a couple of key fobs and matching masks to an elderly woman and her adult daughter in Indiana.  I met them at a Booth Brothers concert and have seen them at just about every other BB concert we've attended since.  When I started making this lap quilt, I knew that it should go to Phyllis, who I've found out is not doing well and long term care is being applied for.  It's really hard on her daughter - I don't know if she's the only child of Phyllis' but the two are very close. 
I had intended on surprising Phyllis with the quilt at the BB concert in April, but that didn't happen because of everything being shut down due to Covid-19.  So, last week, I got a hold of her daughter on Facebook and got their address and told her I was sending a package for her mom ( didn't tell her until it was on it's way that there was also something in there for her). 
I sent the package via FedEx, my new favorite way to ship packages and it arrived there the next day... I was impressed!  Didn't even have to pay extra for priority or anything.
The two key fobs, a smaller pocket prayer and the mask(s? - can't remember if I sent one or two) were in a ziplock baggie marked for the daughter.
I got a message that evening that she (the daughter) just loved everything and that purple is her favorite color.  I don't think Phyllis has been able to receive the lap quilt just yet because of the Covid-19 and that, I believe, she's still in some sort of care center, but her daughter did say that she would get it to her.


The second package arrived in Minnesota on Friday afternoon.... here's the pic from when it was finished.


This went to what would have been the older sister of the twins that my grandson's now former girlfriend miscarried this past Spring.  I had already decided on this quilt for the girl - had her name on the label, so it was going to her whether her mom and my grandson were still together or not.

In the box along with the quilt was a story book about a bunny, a little stuffed bunny that I bought from Wal-mart and a little quilt I made for the bunny.
Here's the 'stamp of approval'... she loves it all - and isn't that why we make quilts - for someone to love?

I haven't done any sewing since the day I made the block for the sew-a-long -- keep saying that I'm going to but other things seem to 'get in my way'... grocery shopping, car in shop ( waited with baited breath on that one because they started talking about new front brakes, too.... thankfully, they weren't needed), kitchen needed attention, much needed naps, etc etc.  MAYBE today.

take care...

ttyl....

Stay Safe...

Would you believe....

that I'm actually working on a quilt... it's a small one, but better than nothing.  I was reading others' blogs today and all of a sudden the urge to join in on a sew a long hit me.  It was this one....

http://www.sliceofpiquilts.com/2020/08/qal-by-sea-block-2.html

  There are only four blocks to be released on Tuesdays.

But she has block 2 so first, I had to do block one.

taa daa!

My car goes into the shop for new rear brakes on Thursday, so I'll probably spend the time working on Block 2, which is sooo sooo cute!  Tomorrow, it's pay bills and grocery shop.

take care....

ttyl......

Stay Safe...

A little progress

I've done VERY little on the quilt that's on Mo'e... believe it or not, I got bored doing it; I'm only doing this pattern on the outer borders so it's not like I have all that much to do, but, like I said...it's boring.

I'm sewing - just not quilting...  I've been making more keyfobs...thought I took a pic of the ones done with purple scraps since that is the RSC color for this month... I'm not seeing it, though... and they are already packed up and going to Indiana as a surprise for someone.

Well, at least I got a photo of the masks I made with purple scraps... actually, there are two more that are the same as the top two in the photo... these are going to the same person in Indiana... the other two are mine :)

The carpel tunnel in my left hand has really raised it's ugly head... my pinky finger feels numb and sometimes, the entire palm and fingers feel as if I'd scalded them.  I can't get into the dr. for almost two weeks, sigh.

On a more humorous note - I spotted this the other day as I was driving into town... had to stop on the way back to take a pic.

take care...

ttyl...

Stay Safe!

Waiting

I seem to waiting for my new 'normal' to 'arrive'.  I know that what I'm doing right now is not my normal.. besides losing my husband in June and dealing with COVID-19 rules, my carpal tunnel has reared it's ugly head for the first time in months.. my left pinkie finger feels numb along with the side of my hand that connects to it.  It's making typing and other 'ordinary' things a bit of a challenge. ( I have an appt. with my g.p. today to get a referral to a specialist).

The other day I did sit down and tried to do SOMETHING sewing related... 

I made two pair of key fobs.... better than nothing ... and I was using what I already had.

Here's the pic of the quilt that's been on Mo'e way too long... I started quilting it, but, believe it or not, I got bored.  As simple as that... my legs weren't hurting nor was my back.  I was able to do this without 'interference' from the 'numb' pinkie finger... I just got bored.

Hopefully soon, I'll find my new 'normal' and will get back to my quilting... there's SO MUCH waiting to be done. 

ttyl
take care.....
Stay safe.......