Happy Holidays!!!!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a joyous Christmas or Hanukkah!  The weather held off here, so travel was easy once you got off the icy driveway.  Actually did some rearranging and put out my Sara: 
Plain and Tall houses.  Have had them since the 80's or 90's-- still stored all these years in the original boxes. Even washed, ironed and re-hung my kitchen curtains! The whole room looks brighter!  Finished binding a hand-pieced apple core last night.  Took me awhile to find the extra fabrics.  Planning to rearrange my stash so the colors I use most often are not on shelves too high to easily reach.  That's my next priority. What have you got planned for this last week of 2019 and beyond?

Are you remembering how special you each are?

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Yes, I'm still here.  Tomorrow is the two-year mark.  My left hand is a bit better, but still not like it was.  I'm still quilting, but by machine for the time being.  For some strange, unknown reason, I am pretty good at hand blanket stitch and am working to add a star to a quilt I machine pieced before all the unpleasantness.  Machine quilting with my walking foot on my featherweight.  It's true--I taught five featherweight classes this fall.  Done now til I know the weather is not so iffy.  Driving some, mowed my own lawn (2 acres) this year with my riding mower, did as much yard work myself as I could.  Some people say "Witch" like it's a bad thing! ;-)  I'm walking inside without a cane, but try to use one if I'm outside.  All in all, I have much to be thankful for!  What are you thankful for?

Back soon with pics of my new quilts--stay tuned!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!

This is a long post, so you may need to procure a liquid refreshment before starting (don't say I didn't warn you!).

First, I'm sure you remember to use one block per paper plate to keep things organized.  Yes, I cut all the gray background to go with the colored pieces.

 First block machine pieced and pressed.

Second top completed, no borders will be added.

First top done, with borders.  Out of gray now.

My first hand stitches in about 15 months!  I machine quilted a top I had pieced before the stroke and added binding.  My left hand does not hold the binding fabric back like before (hopefully soon) so the stitches are not hidden as well.  Did the best I could and moved on.  See two pictures down for front of piece.

A kit from Connecting Threads.  Fused (what the ??) wool on cotton.  Hand blanket stitched.  A gentle reminder--ALWAYS cut the background bigger, applique, then cut it to size!  I forgot, and the black raveled a lot, not leaving me enough room to bind. I chose to let the raveling work for me and machine appliqued the block to a bigger piece of black and raveled the edges.  I chose a red/white fabric for the back (looks like snow), stitched right sides together with Thermore, then turned it right side out and ladder stitched the opening.  A plus for Christmas 2019.  The pattern called for French knots, which I couldn't do, so I sewed on red/white beads instead!

 The finished quilt!  The first hand stitching so far.  At least it helps cue my hand!

Sorry the pictures are sort of out of order and not cropped.  Still typing with one hand.  Finished a third plus sign runner yesterday.  Presently reading about a neuroscientist who survived brain tumors and is telling her experiences.  I'm still here, working hard every day.  Able to walk with no aids inside, short quad cane outside.  

Thanks to all who left comments last post--greatly appreciated!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  Yes, that is a new pouch from Hot4Handbags on the counter!  The front has a cute cut-out that looks just like Lynnie, my last boxer--I had to have it!

P.P.S.  For those who remember my adage "you may pin more than me, but never less" the ante has now been raised!  I pin much more now.  Who knew?

YIPPEE!!!

Yes, quilt fans! I was able to rotary cut yesterday! Top pic is all the scraps left over and the bottom is a good start on a plus sign tablerunner! It felt good but strange! Using an 8-1/2 x 12 ruler with no special grips.  Easier to spread my hand and control.  Perfect? No.  Functional and accurate, yes.  I've been cleaning in the sewing room--what a mess! Threw out (recycled) over half the stuff just in the island.  I swear the house is levitating from all the stuff that's gone!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  Runner is from "modern Plus Sign Quilts: by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander.  Great quilts!