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?

Happy New Year!

Traci L.

Just a quick note to say Happy New Year and so many thanks for the thoughts, prayers and comments over the past year!  On a day when I was having a low moment, a card would come that made me think I actually could get better!  Although I walk unaided with a lurch, I am out of the wheelchair and living independently.  My left hand is getting stronger, with more gross motor skills--I'm hoping for finer ones soon!  When this blog posts, I may try rotary cutting again.  Have started cutting a plus sign runner.  Beautiful chambray colors on a pale gray.

Many years ago, I longed for a year off to sew and catch up on quilting.  Part of the wish came true--already 13 months off--but no sewing progress.  Be careful what you wish for!

Many of you may think I had forewarning of the stroke--I did not.  I had driven to the barn, fed and turned out the horses, driven home, turned on the computer, fed and brushed Dickens, and was simply walking across the kitchen when it hit.  The drugs took effect and I was staying in ICU overnight.  Apparently, I had a second stroke overnight--the one that caused the damage.  Now I am 13 months into rehab for something that took seconds to cause!  The neurologist said it was caused by a blood pressure spike.  Normally my blood pressure is fine--nothing to treat for--just one of those things.  I thank God that I am young enough, strong enough and determined enough to recover everything I can!

I did not have a picture of fireworks, but thought Traci's quilt would fill the bill!  My design, Laurie Derr's machine quilting, and Traci's fine workmanship all combine into one fantastic quilt!  The other pic is sunset on Lake George.  A wish for all loveliness in 2019 and beyond!

Happy New Year, everyone!  "See" you next year!

Giant blissful hugs to all,
Sharon

A Look Backward and Forward

I vividly remember last Christmas! Still in a wheelchair, my brother having to help me into and out of the car. Pudding-thick liquids, still in the nursing home.  Now I can get in and out of the car, only use a cane on uneven ground, and my left hand is strong and getting better every day.  Still knitting, but I have a strong urge to sew! Even poor stitching cues the hand recovery. Growing tired of reading so much and the cleaning/shredding is coming to an end. Way past time to be better--which I am--but I feel ready to try to adapt my procedures. It's been an interesting year but it has gone fast! Please don't take good health for granted! I don't think I did, but there is good lesson here somewhere!  The neurologist did say mine was caused by a blood pressure spike--how on earth do you treat for that?  Normally it was low, but it took just seconds to do the damage and it's over the year mark for recovery.

Making breakfast casserole for tomorrow. You'll find the recipe under the Recipes tab on the left sidebar.

Happy holidays and so many thanks to all who have supported me throughout this ordeal!

We all need more laughter!

Almost a Year

Hard to believe it's been almost a year.  I'm unable to pin so not much sewing.  Left hand and leg slowly getting better; I can sometimes walk without a walker or cane.  Am knitting a bit.  Therapy still ongoing.  Pompera is in Berkshire, New York, where I can still see her.  Cannot pick up hooves for cleaning or brush her tail--need two hands for both things.  She loves where she is staying and has lots of other horses, chickens/guinea fowl and dogs for company.  The farrier has her shoes off; she looks WONDERFUL!  Not driving myself yet, but my brother has had me out and practicing.  Some things are easy, some things need adjusting.  Have been cleaning closets and shredding old paperwork.  Where does all this stuff come from?  Lots of stuff for Thrift Shop and recycling.  Enjoy every minute you can do what you love--all my stuff is on hold!  Have you seen Yoko Saito's new book?  It's a feast for the eyes--Amazing!

And it's snowing and sticking here--first sticking of the season.  Sure it won't be the last!

Blissful hugs--I'm still here,
Sharon

P.S. Dickens survived my absence and is fine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

There is so much to be thankful for.  Family, friends, things large and small. Everyday miracles.

Happy New Year!

As 2015 draws to a close, an update of sorts.

Dickens in a box!  I set the box aside after unloading it and the next thing I knew....

Red squirrels are the topic of many a conversation this year.  (The comments are not always complimentary to the squirrels!)  Here, the red and gray squirrels are competing to see who can find/hide the most corn.  The people who harvest the corn behind the house just take the cobs.  There are many full and partial cobs left and the critters bring them nearer the house to hide.  Sometimes in plain sight!  Seeing them carrying cobs bigger than they are never gets old!

On a cloudy day, one ray of sunshine hit the N/S part of the weathervane.  I love details like that!

And here's my main squeeze, Pompera, from a couple days ago.  She is just too cute for words.

2015.  A year of great joy, great sorrow, family, friends, quilting, horses, and Dickens.  A full life.  My life.  And I am thankful for everyone who is a part of that life.

Blissful New Year's Hugs,

Sharon

Ta Da!!!!

I know you thought it would never happen--and there were days neither did I--but it's true.  The Mariner's Compass Bliss top is done.  You've seen bits and pieces of it over the course of these past months.  And it looks just like I thought it would!

All the stars/compasses are hand pieced; the top is set by machine.

For those brave students who have been working on this quilt without seeing a finished top, thank you for your faith.  

Enjoy!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  Laurie, that hand scrub is the bomb!  Thanks for sharing!

Check This Out!

In the on-the-newsstands-now issue of Quilt Sampler, O'Susannah's Quilts and Gifts is featured as one of the top ten shops!  The article is filled with beautiful pictures and...guess who's mentioned on page 56.  Yep, you guessed it...me!  It's so exciting!  Sue, the owner, has a major event planned for this Friday, September 13, starting at 10:00 am.  For more information, go to her website osusannahsquiltshop.com.  You can get your copy of the magazine there, as well as other goodies good for quilters.

My long absence from blogging has been in part because of a new quilt I was working on--in every spare moment and into the wee hours of the morning.  Twenty hexies--ten hand pieced, ten hand appliqued and the whole thing set by hand, except the border.  Here are a couple blocks for your enjoyment.

Now I'm working on another new top--using the P&B Suedes.  Also hand pieced.  Can we say that I can hand piece in my sleep?  

That's it for now.  I have a block to finish before I can even think about bed. 

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

Thank You

To all the men and women who serve or have served in our Armed Forces.  Without you, America would be a very different country.  Thank you for protecting our freedom.

Wonderful Surprises!

Thankful--and lucky.  That's how I feel!  Here are some of the unexpected surprises I received recently.

The table runner I made from a kit given to me a few years ago by a friend.  I think it's the perfect backdrop for some of the surprises.  You may recognize the Mason jar I won from Sharon Stanley on the left.  In the middle is my bowl with candle, pumpkins and Indian corn.  My mom gave me the pumpkins and corn; she recently borrowed the green polished glass chips I usually have around the candle.  A good trade, eh?  On the right is a beautiful glass pumpkin given to me by my friend Laurie.

She made it at the Corning Museum of Glass and it is so cute!

Here's a close-up.  Don't you love the curly tendril? Thanks, Laurie!  I love it!

I'm sort of improving on my "staging" of objects.  Or at least I think I am!  Next up, two new additions to the jar collection!  A bale-top quart jar, and a metal and glass topped pint jar from Cheryl!

Can we say yahooooooo!  I love them, Cheryl; thank you so much! 

When I got to the LQS about a week or so ago, I was handed a plain brown paper bag with a note from Debbie wishing me a Merry Christmas!  Inside was a bottle of my most favorite hand piecing pins from Little House.  You can cool your jets--they are no longer available in the United States (or at least I have been unable to find them).  I haven't used them for class in several years so as not to taunt those of you who do not have them.  But to have a brand new bottle of 100 virgin pins in this cute glass jar with a cork stopper?  Go Sharon--Go Sharon--Go Sharon!  Okay, enough gloating.  Many thanks, Debbie!  

Special thanks to each of you for your thoughtful gifts!

Blissful hugs to all,
Sharon

P.S.  I just finished listening to Full Cry by Rita Mae Brown and have started Full Black by Brad Thor.

Looking Back

It hardly seems possible that another year has come and gone.  I'd like to take a minute to look back on 2011.

First, I'd like to thank all the students who have put their faith in me and my classes.  It's so amazing to see people's skills improve, but, even more, so wonderful to see friendships bloom.  When I sometimes wonder if I am making a difference in the world, I think of the many friendships that may never have started but for the classes in common.  


Thank you, too, for the many kind things you do for me throughout the year.  Sometimes it's a hug, a note, a comment on the blog, an unexpected gift--there are not enough words to express how these make me feel.  So, even if I don't always send a written thank-you, please know how grateful I am.


The best thing?  Seeing your smiling faces--whether in class or out.  I am truly blessed to be doing work I love with people who appreciate it.  And knowing there are people who miss me when I don't blog--even people I've never met--or haven't had that pleasure yet.


My 2012 wish for you is peace, prosperity, joy, love--amazement and wonder at all the beauty and goodness that surrounds us.  Let's choose happiness in our lives.


And our motto for 2012 and beyond?  Semper calcitat (Always quilting).


See you next year!


Yet more holiday hugs,
Sharon


 P.S.  The picture above is of "Parcheesi", a mariner's compass block designed by Anita Shackelford and hand pieced by me.  There is no applique on any of my mariner's compass blocks (a bonus for those who are applique phobic--which I am definitely not!). 

So Beautiful

Carol R. of Ithaca, NY, is a special friend indeed.  Each year she makes me something beautiful for Christmas--hardanger work, zippered pouches in multiple sizes, a baby alpaca scarf, napkins...the list goes on and on.

But this year!  Carol's work is meticulous and she pays attention to detail.

A detail.

And another detail.  3D buttons are the perfect finishing touch to this superb piece.

Just Carol's presence in my life is gift enough.  She's one special lady.  Thank you, my friend!

How is holiday prep progressing for you?  I am still teaching through the 20th and trying to get a few small things done in my "spare" time!

More tomorrow!

Hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  I am listening to Beyond Suspicion by James Grippando and reading Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell.

Is This You?

Do you have your head stuck in the water? (Yes, I know it is traditionally sand, but just play along.)

Are you asleep on your feet?

Holiday pressures making you grumpy?


Almost came to fisticuffs over that last--insert item here--you found at the mall?

Then take a break and reflect on how lucky we all are. It's easy to think "oh woe is me" at any time of the year, but Christmas seems to make it all seem worse. Look around, you will see someone who is far worse off than you are. We all have a gift that can be given freely, costs nothing, but spreads warmth and good cheer wherever we go--the smile! So spread it around. Let's see if we can brighten up some grumpy faces! At the very least, people will wonder what we are smiling about!

Sending smiles your way!

Sharon

Knock Knock Knock...Penny

Knock Knock Knock...Penny! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) But this really is Penny! Part of Penny's consolation prize for not going on her planned trip with friends was that I would put her picture up on the blog. (Okay, her friends were texting her and emailing her pictures from the trip--and they were supposed to be in class with Penny if they had not gone without her! So turnabout is fair play.) So Penny has worked on her first Monthly Bliss 1 block and is making good progress. I was thrilled to see her, but sad that she was not on her trip. Life...happens!

Today we received these gifts: snow and wind and cold. It's not unusual for us to have snow on Halloween--but we aren't at Halloween yet. Geez! Killing frost tonight. Notice that the hops vines on the shed are pretty much gone already.

On a personal note, many thanks to all who have commented or sent cards or thought of my family. It has meant more than you know. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. You are indeed special.

More tomorrow. Class pictures from Wednesday to show!

Hugs,

Sharon

P.S. I listened to One Summer by David Baldacci (I may have listed this before, I honestly don't remember) and am listening to Killing Floor by Lee Child. I am reading The Tell-Tale Horse by Rita Mae Brown (only one more book in the series and I am up-to-date!) (Did I mention Edge by Jeffery Deaver?)

P.P.S. Lest you think Penny and I were upset with her friends for going without her, we were not. Their texting was a way of keeping her close. True friends.

The Love of My Life

There are several reasons that I am sharing this story today. One is because "Mitten-Stater" suggested it (she already knows it and thought I should share it more widely) and because today is an anniversary.

Back in the late 1970's my friend Cindy and I had taken a road trip to Lake Placid, NY. We spent a week touring the mountains and went to the Olympic site (pre-renovation for the 1980 Olympics) and had a great time. Cindy was either engaged or pretty serious about Ron, who became her husband. I was foot loose and fancy free.

To make a long story slightly shorter, I returned Cindy to her parents' home and started back to my home. Part way back I realized that I had forgotten to check my oil before the trip. So I pulled into Longway's Truck Stop near Watertown, NY, to do so. I pulled in between two big rigs and popped the hood on my little yellow Buick. As I was under the hood, a man came over and said "Do you know what you're doing?" And, bold as brass, I responded, "Yes, quite frankly, I do!" Not deterred, this gentleman struck up a conversation which extended to several hours. At the end of our time together, he asked for my phone number and said he would call me. I figured that was the last I would ever hear of him. Imagine my surprise when he called me that night...and the next night...and every night for over 25 years. We dated long distance for almost two years before we were married. I can honestly say that my heart raced whenever I saw him--and that happened all through our marriage.

I rode in the truck with him for over a year--visiting 44 of the 48 contiguous states. For quite a while we hauled yachts all over the country. I have seen him put an over-wide boat into an alley with only inches to spare on each side, backing in from a narrow roadway with traffic coming both ways. Just amazing. A kind and generous man who loved me with all his heart.

This memory is especially poignant today; he's been gone seven years today. He was the one who encouraged me to follow my quilting dreams and made my life special in so many ways. I miss him every day.



Thanks for listening....

Hugs,
Sharon

Thank You for Your Service

Memorial Day--a time to remember those who have served and those who are currently serving.

My husband Floyd

My brother Eric

My dad Otto

His brother Hugo

And his brother Othmar (Bill)

My mother's brother George

And his oldest daughter Ginny

And his son Joseph

My family does not have anyone currently serving in the Armed Forces, but my thoughts, prayers and thanks go out to those who are serving and their families. Throughout history our brave men and women have stepped up to keep us free.

On Monday--and every day--when you see someone in uniform thank them for their service.

Proud and thankful to be an American,

Sharon

The Fickle Finger of Fate

For the past several days I had been preparing for a lecture/demo on quilt labeling. Monday morning I finished packing and got ready to leave for an evening event in New Hartford, about 100 miles from home. I left in plenty of time to get there for dinner at 5 pm. I was actually a bit early so I decided to stop for gas before continuing to the restaurant. I prepaid, pumped my gas, and got back in the car. Turned the key and...nothing happened!!! I tried several more times, to no avail. I pulled out my cell phone to call my brother (he's very mechanical and good at diagnosing problems over the phone) and opened the hood. He thought it might be a loose connector to the battery--but I wiggled both and they were solid. Then he told me to find someone stronger to see if they really wouldn't move! So I asked this nice gentleman at the pump next to me if he could help me when he finished pumping his gas. He graciously agreed...and they didn't wiggle for him either!!! Another young man came over to see if he could help. He actually got under the car with a wrench to bang on the starter to see if it was frozen. The unfortunate story was that it wasn't frozen...the starter just plain quit!

One of the men went into the gas station and told them I was having problems so that they wouldn't wonder why I was still at the pump. Both wished me luck.
The good news? I was within 5 miles of my destination! And I had Nancy's cell phone number. So I gave her a call and explained the situation. I do have AAA but they will only tow the car once for the same problem. And I still needed to get home! Nancy came and picked me and my bags up at the gas station and drove me to the meeting place. The ladies in the gas station said to lock up the car and they would keep an eye on it, even after I explained that I would be gone several hours and there was no way I could move the car for that length of time. The kindness of strangers certainly ruled last night!
The presentation was well-attended (some thought it was the biggest turnout for a speaker ever!) and the ladies did an excellent job of practicing some simple techniques and then making a final project. It's so exciting to see someone learn that they CAN do something artistic!

Repacked the bags, loaded Nancy's car and off we went, with Claudia, back to the gas station. I must admit to being a bit apprehensive as we neared the station--what if they had had my car towed after I left?????? But it was still there! Nancy and Claudia helped me transfer stuff back into my car and refused to leave until I had made all the arrangements with AAA to get back home. Both were truly guardian angels and I cannot express how much this meant to me.

Shifts had changed and now a very nice young man was behind the counter. I explained who I was and he couldn't have been nicer. The tow truck came in record time. The driver humored me (with no smirking) when I asked him if we could try jumping the car before we committed to towing. No joy, but he did it cheerfully and willingly. And then pulled my poor car up onto the rollback.
So my day ended by being driven all 89 miles home! I got home about 12:45 am--and was never so glad to see home!

So guess what? I am still a lucky, lucky girl. The fact that I was so close to where I needed to be before breaking down. The fact that two young women and one young man at the gas station were so kind and accommodating was unexpected and appreciated at a time when I really needed it. A tow truck driver who didn't treat me like a nincompoop for asking to try something that, if it had worked, would have saved the tow. And the pleasure of being home in my own bed at the end of that day. A giant THANK YOU to all who were so helpful. Your kindness meant more than you can ever know.

Here's what I'm hoping--that if you are an insomniac this helped put you to sleep if you are reading it late, or that it was sooooo interesting that you are jazzed for the day if you are reading this first thing in the morning!

Okay, now to some housekeeping chores:

First, the 300th blog patterns are going in the mail Wednesday! I think they are worth the wait. Special thanks to Karen M. who made great suggestions to an early version and the patterns are much better for it! Sue and Laurie in Maine--I still need your snail mail addresses or an email saying you are really not interested.

Second, before I started this post, I checked the Missing Quilts site to see if Janet's quilt had been found. Unfortunately, it is still among the missing. I can't tell you how sorry I am that this happened to Janet--and to all those quilters who are also missing their quilts.

What I'm reading? Strategic Moves by Stuart Woods (on CD) and The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (a real book). I can't remember if I told you about Even Money and Crossfire, both by Dick and Felix Francis--excellent!

Enough for now. Pictures will return next post, complete with a new hint on the surprise quilt!

Hugs to all,
Sharon

Happy New Year!!!

It's so hard to believe that the end of a year and the end of a decade are close at hand. As someone pointed out to me last night, tomorrow will be 1/1/11. Which adds up to 4, which is my lucky number and, 2011 also adds up to 4. So who knows what wonderful things await?

As 2010 ends, I'd like to take a minute to thank my family, friends, and students for a simply stupendous year. There are some surprises in store for the new year--you'll have to stay tuned to find out what.

Thank you to the readers of the blog--and a special thanks to those of you who comment. We are coming up on the 300th post--I feel a give-away coming on!

My wishes for you? Health, happiness, family, friends--and enough--for 2011 and beyond.

"See" you next year!

Big hugs to everyone!
Sharon

Guess Who Came to Dinner

Between classes Thursday night I was wandering the aisles at O'Susannah's when the door opened. I glanced up and did a double-take!!!! Who should be standing there, but my friend and cohort-in-crime Anita Shackelford!!! I had known that she was teaching about an hour away, but a rendezvous didn't seem possible while she was in the area. The story unfolded: One of my students for the night class had been at dinner with Anita on Wednesday night and asked if she knew me! From there, the student gave Anita directions to the quilt shop and told her where I would probably be eating if I had left the shop. The rest, as they say, is history. We went to dinner and talked and laughed and hit the highlights of the past year. (Yes, it has been almost a year since we saw each other!) Then Sue gave Anita the tour of the Upstairs Inn while I started class. Anita stayed for a bit of the class which was a treat for my students. Since we are almost always at odds over how best to do something, the students had a chance to hear us debating the merits of our chosen method! I hope they enjoyed the exchange as much as I did.

After Anita left, class was over, and I was driving home, I realized that I should have had someone take our picture. Since that ship had long sailed, I did the next best thing--I found pictures of us from a few years ago at our retreat. She will tell you that the tiara and wands were MY idea, but she very carefully leaves out the story of the "enhanced" wands and the fact that she wanded me and the largest jewel in my tiara fell out! I mean, really! She says I am her touch of insanity. I'm taking that in the best possible light. Here we are:


It must have been about 9 billion degrees that August, but we persevered with our boas and good humor. So good to see you, Anita! Thanks for literally going the extra mile to get together!

On the home front, I have been without heat for the better part of a week. Waiting for a part for the furnace. And then, to add insult to injury, the power went out this morning--apparently only at my house--and didn't get fixed until 8 pm. I still consider myself lucky--it could be the middle of winter and no heat, and I could have been trying to prep for a Sunday class with no electricity. Lynnie, Callie, and I don't think we will ever be consistently warm again. It's a sad state of affairs to have to go outside and stand so that when you come back in it seems warmer!

Okay, that catches us up. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed seeing Anita. And without electricity I wouldn't have been able to tell you about it! Lucky girl, indeed.

Big hugs to everyone!
Sharon

Lucky Girl

For someone who signs her emails as "Annoying", Sheila is certainly not that. Keeping her hands busy during some trying times, she knit and felted this fabulous bag for me. I just love it. It is soft and subtly colorful and is especially wonderful for having been made by hand.

Imagine my surprise when I received a padded envelope in the mail several days ago. (I love mail!) Inside was this panel--a sign of solidarity from one horsewoman to another. I can't wait to get it quilted and I have a special place I will hang it for the holidays. And, who you ask, was it from? None other than "Not-so-Annoying". So, Sheila, thank you...you are an amazing friend. My world is better for having you in it.

Happy quilting, happy fall, happy everything!

Hugs,

Sharon