Catching up on CQJP 2012

Yea!  I'm almost caught up!  While sitting around babying my shoulder I decided to try and get caught up on my CQJP - I am determined to get 12 blocks done by the end of the year so I can start fresh next year with a new idea for my blocks.

July's CQJP was done using some vintage laces and sepia tones.  A departure from my normal bright colors but I do like it - so much so I've already started using the same colors for September's block.



July CQJP
Best Friends - B&B

Close Up July CQJP

OK - I slipped up - I just can't get enough of the pink/cream and green color combination.  I found this cute little silky which reminded me of sisters... you know the saying "Sister Forever"   I absolutely love framing out a picture as there are so many ways to embellish them.

August CQJP
Forever Sisters

Close Up July CQJP

A couple added little touches

Spider Rose within a Lace motif

I want to take the time to say thank you to all my friends who sent me cards and little "cheer up" goodies - they are so appreciated and really brightened my days.  Seriously, I thought once I had the shoulder surgery the pain would ease up and go away. NOT!  I am beginning to think PT is going to kill me.  There have been days that I end up in bed once PT is over... I sure hope the saying "no pain, no gain" is true as this old gal is certainly getting tired of crying about it.  Even though I hate going to PT I really enjoy the therapist - they are young, full of energy and very knowledgeable - makes me feel like things will get better soon.



Snowballs are flying & PT / Couch to 5k

Want to see something fabulous and something so me?  It was snowball time at my house the other day!  Yea, I know, it's not quite that time yet and since I'm basically a summer person I usually don't get too excited about "snow" - this time I did!

This is a different kind of snowball.  I signed up for a Snowball exchange swap on CQI.  My very first snowball was made by Rita who is from Kansas.  Rita and I have been in a few CQ swaps together and when she said she would swap with me I was thrilled as I love her work.  We all signed up with  the color, theme and style of snowball we wanted.  Now mind you, all of this CQing is to fit in a 4.5" circle or hexagon!  I of course, went with UTS (under the sea) and anything to do with mermaids.  Is this not the most incredible snowball!



Under the Sea Mermaid Snowball
made for me by Rita

Check out the beautiful stitching for the hair and body!

Saturday I mailed and finished Rita's snowball so I'm thinking it might be sitting in her mailbox by now.  Rita had asked for roses and dragonflies in a hexagon shape.   I found this cute little girl and decided she would look cute walking through a garden of roses. 

Today I had my first PT session.  Therapist bent, pulled and measured my shoulder and arm and determined that my range of motion was far better than expected.  Yea me - I guess it pays to do the mandatory exercises after surgery!  I walked out of the clinic with my PT schedule for the next 2+ months.  Not thrilled with the idea of  3 times a week but if it means I'll be back in my kayak fishing in the spring - I'm all for it!

For those of your who mentioned they would like to start on the Couchto5k  program with me.  I have to put it off a little bit longer.  I tried to start the program by walking/jogging on Monday but 15 minutes into it my shoulder felt like I had a concrete brick tied to it.  I mentioned it to my PT Therapist and she said it was too early after surgery to be shaking up my body like that and that I need time to heal a bit more.  Hopefully I can get started in October so if anyone is serious about joining me, let me know and we can chit chat about our daily/weekly progress. 
 

I'm baaaaack! & June CQJP 2012

Hi All!  Well I'm finally back... been a long couple of weeks trying to recuperate from my shoulder surgery and I am now happy to report that I am sooo very happy that it's all behind me.  Surgery went well and now I am looking at starting PT next Tuesday for about 12 weeks.  Dr. says as long as I do what I suppose to do then he sees no reason why I won't be back kayaking in the spring.  Guess Nicki has to be a good girl.  Thankl you everyone for your thoughts and prayers and beautiful cards.

Laying around in a recliner for the past couple of weeks gave me plenty of time to think about things.  One thing I have decided is that I have got to try and take better care of myself now that I've hit that big 60!  So.. starting tomorrow I am embarking on a new exercise program = a slow by st4eady one at that.  My girlfriend Elaine came over today for a visit and one look at her was pure inspiration.  She has reached her goal of loosing quite a bit of weight and she looks Maaarvelous.  She told me of a great program - www.Couchto5k.com so I looked it up, printed out the schedule and will get started tomorrow.  I feel my writing it down here will hold me accountable to report in each week as to how I am doing.  I need to do this to get myself moving and feeling healthy again... slow and steady.  Anyone want to join me in keeping up with a weekly log in of how we are doing?   Seriously, if you are, contact me as I would love a partner!

I did manage to get a little bit of CQ in.  I completed my June CQJP 2012 Block - as you can see it is a bit out of my normal color range.  This block was actually part of a CQ Block swap and I was sorry to see it go to it's new owner - I love the way it turned out.

 

 

Good News, Bad News

Hi!  Hope ya'll had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to a beautiful Fall!

Been about a month since I last posted - not because I was being lazy, but because summer seems to just grab hold of you and the days zip by.  Have a few things to share with you and a few pictures.

I think I'll start out with the Good News.  For one - My precious Lily Lee just had her check up at the vets yesterday and she is now Heart Worm free!!!!!!!!! What a long haul she has had trying to get rid of them.  She weighed in at 69.8 pounds, a far cry from the 38 pounds she weighed when we first adopted her last December.  To celebrate, mommy and Lily went out for a Dairy Queen yesterday afternoon.  Love my Lily Lee!



One happy Lily Lee!!!

Summer isn't summer here in New England unless you spend some time on the beach.  My son Jason and his wife Evy rented a beautiful house on Duxbury Beach only steps away from one of the prettiest beaches around.  Evita & DeAngleo had a blast learning to boogie board - Nana Nicki laid in the sun just watching.



Evita & DeAngelo



Off to Fenway park to see the Red Sox



Celebrating mom's 60th Birthday
Rob, Nicki, Jason & Evy
(even Lily snuck in)

Ya'll know how it is in the summer when you have a million things to do and not enough time to get it all done.  I did manage to get another CQJP block done.  This is my block for the month of May - done in pinks and greens as it seems they have taken over as being my favorite color combination lately.  I have June's almost done and have started on July & August.




May CQJP 2012 Block



Lookie - I'm really getting into using that dang Bullion stitch!

A couple weeks ago I received this gorgeous UTS (Under the Sea) fabric postcard in the mail.  I absolutely love UTS!  The work on this card is stunning - every stitch and every detail is fabulous!  During the posting of pictures of the CQJP monthly blocks I have been following Claudia's Blog  fabricfusion  I dropped her a note about a month ago telling her how much I loved her work and how she inspires me  with her stitching and imagination.  Lucky me - this card was a gift from her - I feel so lucky to own one of her little Master pieces.  If you have some time, grab a cup of coffee and take a trip through her Blog - simply wonderful!




Check out all the wonderful details!

 

Created by Claudia

One of the most recent swaps I have been in is a CQ RR depicting a water scene.  This is my portion that I create for Marie on her large CQ Block.  I used french knots for the bubbles,  added some feather stitches using silk thread and for the seaweed used some gorgeous turquoise yarn, a few pieces of dyed lace and then added a few fish.

 

 

Ok - so now for the bad news.  Last April I was walking Lily and for whatever reason I wrapped her leash around my left hand.  Lily got spooked by something and bolted right down the street leaving me flat faced in the middle of the road with a feeling as if my arm had been ripped off.  Long story short.... after about 8 weeks of PT it was determined that the PT was not working (oh duhh!!) and that I needed an MRI.  The MRI showed that I not only had torn ligaments but that the muscle had been ripped from he rotor cuff.  So........ this Friday (31st) I am going in for shoulder surgery.  I've got butterflies in my belly and am so nervous but know that if I can handled the pain I've dealt with the last 4 months, this surgery should be a breeze .... well I hope so as I will be in a sling for 6 weeks and the recovery time, I'm told with more PT, will be 3-6 months. 

In preparation for being out of commission for a bit, I have spent the last 3 weeks dyeing up tons of laces for RavioleeDreams   I figure if I can't dye lace or CQ for a while, at least I can type one handed and upload items to my shop.   I will not be taking on any new custom orders for at least another month (+/-) but will have quite a variety of colors, motifs and laces added to my shop in the near future.

If you hear anyone whimpering over the weekend.... it's just me being a big baby!

My 1 on 1 CQ Block Swap with Judy

Ever work on something that you just had so much fun that you wished you hadn't finished it?

A few months ago I met and became quick friends with Judy, apronstringsandothertiesthatbind
Judy was just getting into Crazy Quilting and me being a CQ Pusher, was drawn to her.   For some other unknown reason I felt a special closeness to her, like maybe she was brought into my life for a reason.  Lately I have been a little down  about one thing or another ( mostly health problems) but also I felt like I had lost my creative mojo.  Judy enthusiasm for learning CQ put a little spark back where it belonged.    Please take a minute and read Judy's post she made today on her Blog - her beautiful story reflects the type of person she is and I am so happy that even though strangers, I feel we have become good friends.

Judy and I decided that it would be fun to do a one-on-one CQ block swap - one with no restrictions and no time frame.  NO time frame?  That is the best!  I let her block sit around for a few days and then slowly began working on it... a little bit each night.  Funny how you think one minute you are going to do one thing but the next day, you change your mind.  The fabrics in Judy's block are vibrant in color and were so much fun to embellish.  This one's for you Judy and will be on it's way home to you tomorrow.

My very first attempt at Bullions! 
For some reason I could never wrap my brain around this stich!
Thank you Mary Corbet for your wonderful Videos Tutorials!
needlenthread

 

A Little Summertime CQing

Can ya'll believe that it's getting close to the point we are saying "summer is almost over?"  Where did it go?  I hope you all have been having a great summer and enjoying the warm weather.  We up here in MA have been having one heck of a hot sunny summer and I for one am loving it!

A while back I mentioned that I had hurt my shoulder while walking Lily.  Well, after month of being in pain and 4 weeks of PT, it has been determined that it's now time for an MRI.  So... here I sit waiting again for an appointment and then I'll end up waiting for the Dr. to schedule a surgery date.  Seems like a long time to have to put up with pain and most of all put up with the fact that I wasted a whole summer not being able to kayak.  Boo hoo.  Well one thing for sure it hasn't stopped me from CQing and it won't stop be from enjoying my grand babies when they come out in another couple of weeks.

I am currently hosting a CQ RR on the HGTV Quilting forum.  15 ladies split into 3 groups.  I have completed 2 blocks so far and am now waiting for my next set of blocks to come my way.

This is one of Ann's blocks - I chose to use the chain stitch to outline the leaves and also added some bead and SRE:

Another Block I finished was for Nancy - I loved the vibrant gypsy colors and used a piece of my dyed lace along with a pretty beaded up heart shaped you yo as the focal.

Of course summer in my back yard would not be complete without me playing in my dyes.  I preparation for my upcoming shoulder surgery I decided to spend 3 weeks dyeing laces - YES, you can say I am hoarding them... it's a severe addiction that there seems to be no cure for.  I am, and I will admit "a hoarder of laces".  While I'm down recooping, it'll give me plenty of time to start uploading lots of pretties to my Etsy shop for the Holidays.  Here are a few to tease you.

 

And the Winner is........

Thank you all for taking the time to participate in my Celebration Give Away and taking  a wild guess at how many laces were in the lace bowl.  Some guesses were high, some were low ... the actual number of laces in the bowl was 473!   The person who came the closest to guessing the right amount without going over with a guess of 470 and the Winner of a $30 Gift Certificate to

Raviolee Dreams

is:

Lisa Fiber Creations!!!!

Congratulations Lisa!

*********************

Hang in there ladies... I just realized that this is my 150th Blog Post!  Well you know what that means - another little prize needs to be given out.  The next guess that was close to 473 without going over was 463 - made by:

Denise - Paper Pals

Denise, I will be sending you a pack of my Middie Motifs

*******************

Today was a another beautiful day spent on my back deck dyeing up more pretties.  Hubby bought me a new camera for my birthday so tomorrow I will spend it taking pictures of lots of goodies for my Etsy shop.  Please stop by and take a peek over the next few days.

Celebration Give Away! Come play!

Time to celebrate!  In honor of my 1,000th Etsy Sale and my 60th Birthday on July 4th, I have decided to host a little Give Away Contest.  All you have to do is leave a comment and take a guess as to how many laces you think are in this bowl.  Be sure to leave your email address if you do not have a blog to link back to so I can contact you.  By the way - this bowl is pretty big - it measures 4" deep and is 13" round....that's a whole lotta lace!

Pretty easy contest!   I will announce the winner at Midnight July 4th.  The person who is the closest to the right number of laces WITHOUT going over will win......

A $30 Gift Certificate to my shop: RavioleeDreams   You can spend the $ at any time before the end of the year be it for laces or CQ goodies or even have me custom dye some laces for you.

I've been spending a lot of time on the back deck dyeing up a storm latley and have been playing with some new colors - check them out!  All I need now is to find the time to upload them into my shop - stay tuned!