tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91600605415562519972024-02-18T17:34:14.279-08:00Nutcracker QuiltsQuilts and food and books and...Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-67542187959895726622012-08-03T07:54:00.003-07:002012-08-03T07:58:31.221-07:00Top Done<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Finished the Civil War top five minutes ago. Took more photos of progress than I usually do but they helped me make decisions about the fabric for the two dark borders. None of these photos truly represent the colours but I was in a hurry to get the post done. One of the background fabrics will be the backing and the sashing fabric will be the binding. I also have fabric photos of the signing of the peace agreement at Appamattox Courthouse, Lincoln, Grant and some pennants, banners and flags that I can fussy cut and applique on the back. I was going to put something of this collection on each corner square of the pieced border but decided it would not look right but I do want to use the historical stuff on the back to support the commemoration of all those who died. I'm not American but have read and watched so much about the Civil War that I think the 150 year celebration ought to be marked. I just love history.</div>
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Here's the first border.</div>
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Here's the pieced border done.<br />
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And the finished top with second purple border.<br />
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I've got some cotton batting for this quilt - never used it before but that will be interesting.<br />
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Still doing the Dresden Plate blocks for our group's friendship quilt (to be finished by Christmas, so no panic), finishing the teacup embroidery and itching to piece a scrappy star quilt that I've found a pattern for, one of those where the stars are made by the sashing. At least, I think that's my next one - I'm being magnetically attracted by another with a very complicated pieced and embroidered centrepiece. Should it be a quick one like the one above or should I make life hard?</div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-44294546505608148572012-07-29T05:56:00.003-07:002012-07-29T05:56:47.277-07:00Appomattox Courthouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, I've finished three of my unfinished quilts (photos next time) and I decided I've earned the right to make a new quilt. I have great intentions of never again leaving a quilt unfinished to lurk on my shelves for a year or more. Feeling quite virtuous. I am never going to have time to finish my Nearly Insane quilt and so have decided to make the blocks I've done into a smaller quilt. That will be my first chore when this quilt is finished. Not all the blocks are sewn in the photo - I was just auditioning my sashing fabric but this whole section is now finished and I just need to buy some fabric for the two borders and make the pieced border which goes in between the two. I'm glad I got the others finished but it is nice to be working on something new again.<br />
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<br /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-9507471812179382002012-06-01T06:50:00.000-07:002012-06-01T07:04:02.982-07:00Lindenblossom and lovely news<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've just walked our border terrier down by the Rhine and all the Linden trees are in full blossom - the smell is intoxicating. The design of this tree blossom is so simple, elegant and perfect in every way, I had to pick a small piece to bring home. In the evenings, the scent envelops you as you walk along, such beautiful trees. It was this flower that made the tea (limeflower tea) into which Proust dipped his madelaine and the taste of that triggered the beginning of 'La Recherche du Temps Perdu'. I've not tasted limeflower tea but shall find out how to make it and try some.<br />
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The good news is that my youngest daughter, who finished her Masters in Politics at the end of October last year, has just been selected from 200 applicants for a year's graduate placement in a large pharmaceutical company. She will be working in the Government Affairs office which liases with the government in setting drug pricing, drug policies, explaining new drugs, etc. She will be going to Westminster for meetings and is so excited. They have already invited her to choose which party political conference she wants to go to so they can get her a pass. I think she will be well-developed and get a good network from this job. It is only for a year but I think it will be a good stepping stone. It is in a lovely part of England and she has just been for a week to visit us in Germany and has now gone back to spend this weekend finding a house-share ready to move and start work. Luckily, she still has time before her start date to come to Normandy with us and her sister and boyfriend. I'm so happy for her and they will be glad to have her; she works like a demon, learns fast and has a lot of mature insight.<br />
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I have finished my split ninepatch quilt that was lying around needing border quilting and binding. It's a really cosy quilt and this one is staying with ME!<br />
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And here are my two little wild friends who I see every morning and evening - sometimes there are friends and/or family with them but these two are constant (unless I just can't tell the difference between rabbits). I watch them while I am making tea and they are so lovely; it makes my day.<br />
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<br /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-65320258274791941872012-05-11T09:01:00.002-07:002012-05-11T09:26:47.630-07:00Old and new things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So here is the first of the unfinished quilts that I want to complete before starting anything new. This is a split ninepatch that I love because of the dark, warm jewel colours and its rich cream/tan background. I wanted a very simple border pattern and went with this Amish pumpkin seed design - it is so elegantly simple and a real pleasure to sew.
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And here is the first block of our group's friendship quilt. We are all making ten blocks and will give them to each other for Christmas. I chose Dresden Plate because I had never done it. Our colour theme is blue and cream (much harder to find fabrics than blue and white) and I had problems getting a pattern the right size. Our blocks were decided to be 9 inches finished and I could only find a 9 inch pattern. I didn't want the plate to fill the block from edge to edge so I cut down the pattern and redrew the curved edges. What a pleasure these blocks are going to be to sew while listening to the radio or watching tv and good to take along to quilt group as well. This one is my first sample and will probably be mine as I want to make one the same for the four corners of my quilt. I'm not fond of sampler quilts and a friend said she was going to make the same block for the four corners to give it a bit of symmetry (I always need symmetry in my quilts - a substitute for an ordered mind, I think).
Right - off to do some more.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-65111795722698644332012-05-03T01:16:00.001-07:002012-05-03T01:19:40.144-07:00Labelled - what now?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I don't usually label my quilts but realise now that it would have been a good idea, so am going to go back and do them when I have time. But I have embroidered one for my daughter's quilt and am quite pleased with it. The only Aida fabric I had that had the right number of holes per inch was thicker than I would have liked and I must look out for something thinner because the corners were a bit clumsy when I'd turned them under. I know I could have left it flat but didn't want to risk it fraying over the years. I had to reinforce the corners which also took away from the delicacy but I love the alphabet I found - I have used it on embroidered samplers I've given as gifts and it always looks elegant.
We're making a friendship quilt in our group; blocks to be exchanged at Christmas. I've said I will do Dresden Plates so I could start them now. Or I could (and really should) put binding on a quilt which I love to bits but have never finished, put binding on a quilt that will really look good on our bedroom wall if I finish it, finish a Halloween table topper that I had to put aside when I was ill or start a new quilt. We all know which is most tempting from those choices and I do want to get into my new pile of Civil War reproductions. On the other hand, my new sewing machine is lovely to use and those two bindings would make me feel really good. We'll see...
Hummph! Irritated; I always write in paragraphs and this has come out as one block - I hate the new Blogger setup.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-23549356443626458262012-04-30T10:22:00.001-07:002012-04-30T10:26:39.872-07:00Finished!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Finished the quilt for my daughter and just need to embroider a label on the back. In the end I decided to do quarter inch quilting in the corners and a quilted pink heart done with embroidery floss. Of course, when I went to photograph it, someone got there before me - what is it with cats and dogs and quilts?
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Feeling good - have just booked a country house in Normandy for a week's holiday at the end of June and my daughters and one boyfriend are coming to join us; I don't care about the weather that much because I just love those Norman beaches but I hope it's good for the others' sake. Still, there are all the World War II landing beaches to visit, loads of places from 'Band of Brothers' to see and we have a view of Mont St. Michel. Looking forward to some great seafood. Promised myself 'moules et frites' as soon as we arrive...Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-25477917415380775862012-04-18T08:36:00.007-07:002012-04-18T08:52:14.854-07:00It's been a while.Just thought I would show progress on the quilt and the cross-stitch I've been doing. First, the teacup and saucer kit is coming along nicely - I need to do some mauve flowers under the cup and I've already started the pale blue border which goes around the frame (not visible on this photo). It needs pressing but I just grabbed it from the ring for a quick photo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSG2wJ89w3kSJdoPGztJULtVuJaa9avGpmeH5Po00KCyUlCmozWa9tc5VybhyphenhyphenNCgz_oQP5DFA2KdI71NNcHwMzjVY_oMFKGLnI1H4YfIsRL-m0HEIrLeO8igKGljqBz41tYSYQh22DY3G/s1600/IMG_2599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSG2wJ89w3kSJdoPGztJULtVuJaa9avGpmeH5Po00KCyUlCmozWa9tc5VybhyphenhyphenNCgz_oQP5DFA2KdI71NNcHwMzjVY_oMFKGLnI1H4YfIsRL-m0HEIrLeO8igKGljqBz41tYSYQh22DY3G/s320/IMG_2599.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732766235507016882" /></a><br />And here's the quilt with borders done - they are all done although the nearest in the photo just looks wrinkled because of the way the light has caught it. I have left the corners unquilted because I can't make up my mind what to do there - no inspiration. My eldest daughter wants the quilt when finished so I was thinking of a monogram on each corner but I decided it would spoil the simplicity of this quilt. I plan to bind it first and then decide when I see how big the corner spaces are - I do not quilt tightly so it won't matter doing it after the quilt is bound. I also might do a pieced binding as I have some of the fabrics left over from the layer cake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW9xda5MiRgyccSaaxz4KdaZJNvCFAvPPk9B5yU_5D6eiMVUTlYi22MltaimWRcm506j7fdP4q0WilWKi-QahiKfGwYoEoAnHfVyoqfu0bOUUeBWvoE101y2WpWRU9geMp0UUm93nWRLK/s1600/IMG_2598.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMW9xda5MiRgyccSaaxz4KdaZJNvCFAvPPk9B5yU_5D6eiMVUTlYi22MltaimWRcm506j7fdP4q0WilWKi-QahiKfGwYoEoAnHfVyoqfu0bOUUeBWvoE101y2WpWRU9geMp0UUm93nWRLK/s320/IMG_2598.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732766213006076066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1hwSyNEzFD2F52ESTdqfB05PxYG1F9EM50qXoTGJ6hROxbvj6ylWmMmiGX_pXbaF0j28Pc_ecDnqjq2KVVhlALl4DAFczxGmSemZdZnMQ3G4UV4XEX3K8XaPMNoBJhYQ781KMMeeO01K/s1600/IMG_2597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1hwSyNEzFD2F52ESTdqfB05PxYG1F9EM50qXoTGJ6hROxbvj6ylWmMmiGX_pXbaF0j28Pc_ecDnqjq2KVVhlALl4DAFczxGmSemZdZnMQ3G4UV4XEX3K8XaPMNoBJhYQ781KMMeeO01K/s320/IMG_2597.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732766224616361666" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-4741034757181246552012-03-15T00:32:00.003-07:002012-03-15T00:42:44.905-07:00Progress!I have always hated putting a quilt sandwich together; hated being on my knees on the floor, hated the pinning and most of all hated the basting. I just haven't felt strong enough to get this quilt put together, although I was longing to sit and hand-quilt it with my quilting friends and make my life feel more normal again. So yesterday I just got angry with myself and made a decision to Get It Done. I have never cut backing nor trimmed up batting so quickly. Instead of kneeling, I sat cross-legged in the middle and quickly pinned everything. I hate basting so I decided not to baste. And here it is, ready for quilting, although the borders are still in need of squaring up and are only roughly pinned - the perfectionist has decided to let this go - I will do them later.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttCkQFalfXi7haDKdSi_rktEpbd-CFHlylULOWiuu1DTF00EymKsTlm-mi1x4NSB6GneXg__RZfXmp8CWxgvIo2XKBdOrssuWon4JTGRRnAD1o40dQ5oYhdBxyt6i5VTJMPjNZG-K6eUF/s1600/IMG_2595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttCkQFalfXi7haDKdSi_rktEpbd-CFHlylULOWiuu1DTF00EymKsTlm-mi1x4NSB6GneXg__RZfXmp8CWxgvIo2XKBdOrssuWon4JTGRRnAD1o40dQ5oYhdBxyt6i5VTJMPjNZG-K6eUF/s320/IMG_2595.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720025771519978914" /></a><br />And here is the teacup and saucer embroidery that a friend sent me - it is very intricate and lots of the blue shades look like each other, so it needs lots of concentration, but it is looking very pretty.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX5NpREfrC1ycey8Jv1HYuVWH8Oys9_Ai9psK9xa-z_Oc9GztGJoowyFJG5k5TCW1Net0iW06oiaqxV_PC5UFIGUNsEr882kHXdSRXLZnlirc_Bzz0tDNtsSZfl-WRI1YOUTNfMnSEV_M/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX5NpREfrC1ycey8Jv1HYuVWH8Oys9_Ai9psK9xa-z_Oc9GztGJoowyFJG5k5TCW1Net0iW06oiaqxV_PC5UFIGUNsEr882kHXdSRXLZnlirc_Bzz0tDNtsSZfl-WRI1YOUTNfMnSEV_M/s320/IMG_2596.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720025184632313266" /></a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-79690648508678128602012-02-16T03:17:00.000-08:002012-02-16T03:26:21.153-08:00No photo dayNo photos today but I have finished the cheat's hexagon quilt top - just need to put the borders on and get the whole lot sandwiched for the first weekend in March when four of us from our quilting group are going to our friend Renate's house for a quilting weekend. Sadly, one of our American members (there are only nine members altogether) is returning to Seattle at the end of March and we will be very sorry to see her go. Renate had the idea for a repeat of our lovely quilting weekend when she lived in Bremen last year - we had such a lovely time that she thought we could repeat the idea so we could have sewing fun with Nancy before she and her husband leave Bonn. Although it is a ladies' weekend, my husband has been invited because Renate's husband does not want to be alone in a sea of quilts and they both love to discuss business ideas together, so they will be happy.<br /><br />I am also working on a little something that I cannnot show just now - I think photos will have to wait as it is a secret. but eventually....Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-75280224052620436062012-02-07T03:51:00.000-08:002012-02-07T04:02:32.977-08:00ProgressSo, here again are the blocks before the little squares were added:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pFuYZFS6YtUnsfcakJuQuPP49WCb-LcXjumQb-HwicjvBNhwdITcGZyhvMZecB5Iy6Uzy6_NpcnSlmq_jV5ot-ehF92l_yNBgn2kKn5lnCYjWL6G7vEHrxdmdNh_NGn894KvaRc5scu3/s1600/IMG_2592.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pFuYZFS6YtUnsfcakJuQuPP49WCb-LcXjumQb-HwicjvBNhwdITcGZyhvMZecB5Iy6Uzy6_NpcnSlmq_jV5ot-ehF92l_yNBgn2kKn5lnCYjWL6G7vEHrxdmdNh_NGn894KvaRc5scu3/s320/IMG_2592.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706360349428001650" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiMKfqUoLMfFTBpKDNvC1YhAubLSvF-KBPUXDhl8BVivaWdMVuY2Eh8b3rsm7P0arIhEp4AsYESP-0C12klH5dOwQL4qqUaxCoX6316CR7dc_iXukR45cECvuaoMa7goH4Q3Klyx5gdN_/s1600/IMG_2593.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiMKfqUoLMfFTBpKDNvC1YhAubLSvF-KBPUXDhl8BVivaWdMVuY2Eh8b3rsm7P0arIhEp4AsYESP-0C12klH5dOwQL4qqUaxCoX6316CR7dc_iXukR45cECvuaoMa7goH4Q3Klyx5gdN_/s320/IMG_2593.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706362296634329730" /></a><br /><br />And here is a bigger area with the hexagon effect. I must say, doing the applique little squares is addictive. To make it easier, I have only made up half the quilt and when I finish adding the little squares I will then make the other half of the quilt. Otherwise, the top would be a bit clumsy and awkward to handle if I were doing the applique on the whole thing. I shall then join the two halves together and start hunting for border/binding fabrics. It feels really good to be making a quilt again after all that embroidery.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-22211902399131346732012-02-06T02:26:00.000-08:002012-02-06T02:31:54.234-08:00Cheat hexagons appearing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8nogd_wrBA669u-W1VuI1VBXPzT_DOTwtxHCJ24wkn3a1_oLh9-u2dkwnpCog8o8IBFEhbERatUDybfzOmrAu_OZoCRKRxrVcQswhJMpdloUF9AflQ7zqhLFiRBYfLFtUpV2VB9h7bph/s1600/IMG_2590.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8nogd_wrBA669u-W1VuI1VBXPzT_DOTwtxHCJ24wkn3a1_oLh9-u2dkwnpCog8o8IBFEhbERatUDybfzOmrAu_OZoCRKRxrVcQswhJMpdloUF9AflQ7zqhLFiRBYfLFtUpV2VB9h7bph/s320/IMG_2590.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705967624577490370" /></a><br /><br />Have been making some progress on the new quilt. I haven't completed the top yet but as I had a few rows done I wanted to try the cheat hexagon technique to check it looked okay - if I didn't like it then I could change my ideas for the design. But I'm quite pleased with it and it has been very peaceful doing some applique for a change. Here is a close up of the effect:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJlUI1tf7gY54HOsQf18xNgy5N9PQz5XDJS3Gy99p2cD6m2RJbjCHb5QBpPBDO2M-xh6Y2Z3RkVBOcRSFHyWvSZ3qwZ-oQSzeIopSerMgEyL-QDiaO0tqJlH5q0aEYkgojTbsg_gjLtIP/s1600/IMG_2591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJlUI1tf7gY54HOsQf18xNgy5N9PQz5XDJS3Gy99p2cD6m2RJbjCHb5QBpPBDO2M-xh6Y2Z3RkVBOcRSFHyWvSZ3qwZ-oQSzeIopSerMgEyL-QDiaO0tqJlH5q0aEYkgojTbsg_gjLtIP/s320/IMG_2591.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705967615476073250" /></a><br /><br />I think it will probably look better when quilted (as do most things) and then the little squares will look flatter, but I'm happy with it - off to do some more...Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-7382912499122555832012-02-03T05:54:00.000-08:002012-02-03T06:04:17.822-08:00New Quilt beginning...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWGtKtYyKAFKDCfWdkQ5SvDtYFcZlypjm_72lGwX2YG03IkbNhlLGV5cT1gTyTOZ5Oc5AKP4ctjLMrWUtuSGliT4-kxoOuP4y0ykXDsGSXHWP5f9suctNfYmKrh3OLi_AUcPkdRB3ETUW/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWGtKtYyKAFKDCfWdkQ5SvDtYFcZlypjm_72lGwX2YG03IkbNhlLGV5cT1gTyTOZ5Oc5AKP4ctjLMrWUtuSGliT4-kxoOuP4y0ykXDsGSXHWP5f9suctNfYmKrh3OLi_AUcPkdRB3ETUW/s320/IMG_2587.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704908423038648578" /></a><br />Above is the beginning of my new quilt. The fabric is the 'Hartfield' range by Moda - I bought a layer cake over a year ago and thought I should use it instead of stroking it. I love the names of the fabrics, which are houses in Jane Austen novels, etc; my favourite author. <br /><br />I decided I wanted something very simple, so cut the layers into four 5" squares and am just sewing them together by hand in rows of 10. But then I shall make lots of little cream squares and applique them where the seams meet - this will give the look of a hexagon quilt without having to make and sew hexagons. Below is the photo from the book I got it from.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBuHw1TC6ZkzmNlogWY7T-h7VxM_V1i8sNWfHLLmN7azCYe2k9mkLJT_D0oDi9ptXmp3eJFDBoFuGI13R6KII1W40OpTtUSERsmXxPuXen7xMPHscaYTNSRZmT9qhPX1zi3l9Cdy6H9Xj/s1600/IMG_2588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBuHw1TC6ZkzmNlogWY7T-h7VxM_V1i8sNWfHLLmN7azCYe2k9mkLJT_D0oDi9ptXmp3eJFDBoFuGI13R6KII1W40OpTtUSERsmXxPuXen7xMPHscaYTNSRZmT9qhPX1zi3l9Cdy6H9Xj/s320/IMG_2588.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704908421299253122" /></a><br /><br />So the effect is as shown in the drawing below<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRtmG_ymt6C1BRWw4MVcT9l1Cmlxz0Qr0i0SIIt3zRoL9A63x636l-MzjAB3Q8DafaErIWqLpZ1VhtyMqn1a77QnF2WwVYs8ULdOrZ21ZhL1b-EVjbPmNFoV1gd-K8eEbw1lihyphenhyphenLfdbi3/s1600/IMG_2589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRtmG_ymt6C1BRWw4MVcT9l1Cmlxz0Qr0i0SIIt3zRoL9A63x636l-MzjAB3Q8DafaErIWqLpZ1VhtyMqn1a77QnF2WwVYs8ULdOrZ21ZhL1b-EVjbPmNFoV1gd-K8eEbw1lihyphenhyphenLfdbi3/s320/IMG_2589.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704908417111307954" /></a><br />I think it will be harder to make and applique the corner pieces I will need to keep up the hexagon effect but I like applique and those little cream squares will look good, I think (and hope).Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-12756272453515411902012-01-10T02:54:00.001-08:002012-01-10T03:02:30.923-08:00That's better!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNUYgOh3eHh7NbZ3S6XM3R3Wx0oN7RjsvxmbAhburVCvpfb7ZKQ3v75Q8XxFEtU7GjbGVb5d-2f7zHXX0LFhNHLoPmHUSk2MZCOTuQSfdPWrdsXQXtLSfnolwMZbZf4l82-6vp2t5eZYV/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNUYgOh3eHh7NbZ3S6XM3R3Wx0oN7RjsvxmbAhburVCvpfb7ZKQ3v75Q8XxFEtU7GjbGVb5d-2f7zHXX0LFhNHLoPmHUSk2MZCOTuQSfdPWrdsXQXtLSfnolwMZbZf4l82-6vp2t5eZYV/s320/IMG_2582.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695955288036395746" /></a><br /><br />This pathetic sight met my eyes yesterday morning - my husband had bought me some tulips and they were really pretty but overnight they just decided to give up - I have rarely seen tulips give up so totally.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmmFuoPbz99z9yvlSsXBK8UlvTJHaL6CWUWXr7gEQlAqOQ3ISaijfcth3J8kTTI7wHCRnUBr5IwR1fsnnFEb8ZoxIINK4dSGv04faHPl4a9eHbEKxxjKhy30qDaMB_NEbXLDm8_Cvycie/s1600/IMG_2583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmmFuoPbz99z9yvlSsXBK8UlvTJHaL6CWUWXr7gEQlAqOQ3ISaijfcth3J8kTTI7wHCRnUBr5IwR1fsnnFEb8ZoxIINK4dSGv04faHPl4a9eHbEKxxjKhy30qDaMB_NEbXLDm8_Cvycie/s320/IMG_2583.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695955282621262978" /></a><br /><br />Here is today's version - lovely husband bought new tulips and these look like they want to be here. They feel really spring-like and full of hope. I adore tulips and always will.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-743960075835885602012-01-05T02:25:00.000-08:002012-01-05T02:41:56.904-08:00New Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI82A7fnrTu9UNOCexuZmrBrKfwVYeJgn3GaM6JKv69kBuhB5-WydsWpqP3U3O9mgBXop-N0juwa8p99jUvu-GeL4hkRlWXIfIprxPS_2Tq3ull3xM5hMqLtJXRY2uFvBvg4aa1DlPqUEB/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI82A7fnrTu9UNOCexuZmrBrKfwVYeJgn3GaM6JKv69kBuhB5-WydsWpqP3U3O9mgBXop-N0juwa8p99jUvu-GeL4hkRlWXIfIprxPS_2Tq3ull3xM5hMqLtJXRY2uFvBvg4aa1DlPqUEB/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694093142011412242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_fXJ1s9J1Qa8td26F6OEzr9sq8LobyLcF9ZIwIP1vYvPQE254-_YPo0JFPiVUgckXckXJlpptwBOtwaTJRwjQpYwdb9P7ld5BNCtUSbnitNwUEGrl3YZM26idQ35mmhLF-1ra9o7RhzX/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_fXJ1s9J1Qa8td26F6OEzr9sq8LobyLcF9ZIwIP1vYvPQE254-_YPo0JFPiVUgckXckXJlpptwBOtwaTJRwjQpYwdb9P7ld5BNCtUSbnitNwUEGrl3YZM26idQ35mmhLF-1ra9o7RhzX/s320/IMG_2580.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694093138960839218" /></a><br /><br />Well, Christmas is over but I just wanted to show our perfectly-shaped tree before it gets taken down tomorrow. My husband and youngest daughter chose it and I was so pleased with it - several visitors thought it was an artificial one because it was so neat...<br /><br />I did rotate the Father Christmas embroidery when I uploaded the photo but for some reason it did not take and I am too tired to go back and rectify it. It was supposed to be a stand-up Santa but it was designed in a stupid way because to make him stand up you have to lace him at the back, at which point most of the handiwork is out of sight and he becomes extremely thin and looks weird. I decided to leave him whole, stuck him on a door and he looked happy enough. He could also be hung on the Christmas tree but I prefer to have him on a door. It was embroidered on plastic mesh, which I would not use again as it made my fingers very sore when sewing. In fact, although I got this at a very reduced price at an exhibition last year, it really wasn't a bargain as it was a huge amount of work for a small result. At least he's done and he can come back next year.<br /><br />Keen to get started on new quilts and finishing two borders and bindings on quilts already done but haven't got the energy or motivation to do them. Instead, enjoying my youngest daughter's company with dvds and embroidery until she leaves for England tomorrow evening. My husband has gone to Frankfurt on business today and we have terrible storms, so I'm hoping he can leave early after his meeting and drive back safely while it is still light. I'm also hoping the European storms settle down before my daughter flies to England tomorrow - I shall worry myself sick if the weather is still bad.<br /><br />Happy New Year to all, I wish you a 2012 full of satisfying sewing, kniting, crochet, whatever you love.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-19765388977383550152011-12-16T07:07:00.001-08:002011-12-16T07:17:14.483-08:00Phew! Finished in time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCipNj3RSmVi_qHNKvaLWHggu1zyxFeVpyK529KNzRGOlgi6Iofzt558hXS7r_tomZ_zW5xYl9uZK9aYq9FCBwD9vitqNatlaYaiXFO_Tf43XmCNvJ9mfT_3ZSJt4IJwoyuuPQDkCyPv5K/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCipNj3RSmVi_qHNKvaLWHggu1zyxFeVpyK529KNzRGOlgi6Iofzt558hXS7r_tomZ_zW5xYl9uZK9aYq9FCBwD9vitqNatlaYaiXFO_Tf43XmCNvJ9mfT_3ZSJt4IJwoyuuPQDkCyPv5K/s320/IMG_2576.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686743305460248482" /></a><br /><br />Finally finished the Christmas embroidery which I began last Autumn in the hopes that it would be done by last Christmas but I was left with the last line unfinished and it had to be put away. I'm afraid I took a very quick photo on our white and grey marble table, which makes the embroidery look a bit grubby but I will post a better picture when I get a frame for it on Monday. I am really glad I made the decision to do this on antique linen as it is very traditional and it just looks right. There are so many beautiful German carols but this has always been one of my favourites - rough translation below:<br /><br />Oh come, little children, come to the crib,<br />Come, all of you, inside Bethlehem's stall,<br />And see what our Father in heaven has done<br />In this holy night to give us Joy!<br /><br />It has a really beautiful, innocent melody - I could sing it for you but that would spoil things!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-107524287927693282011-11-27T23:44:00.000-08:002011-11-28T00:55:05.429-08:00New Quilt - not mine!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH31IBOG3Ig9o1zOPniKoPhy21zLGfBeqGSde3hWchTz8p7wRoxjk3cNa3qhkaOQ9hLcFwtLOOhg894hdeue0rHwZrhew3SgBtqGFazY77tZNz3fpINlIfX370R9Nvdm42h6fxTLTNhAiM/s1600/IMG_2564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH31IBOG3Ig9o1zOPniKoPhy21zLGfBeqGSde3hWchTz8p7wRoxjk3cNa3qhkaOQ9hLcFwtLOOhg894hdeue0rHwZrhew3SgBtqGFazY77tZNz3fpINlIfX370R9Nvdm42h6fxTLTNhAiM/s320/IMG_2564.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679967515307396594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_comIihMU-B6dS6uo6OOq612DW_kObBVI7uQs7q54oyaZuVJKou_kVOJdtgCmFSqi-eoSBV94Hip9VhpHqp7INGKuiRYzNcVaKFJFWfGqAAlNRULQAotrQUh6j1j-53mcTMsYAdvZD1M/s1600/IMG_2563.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_comIihMU-B6dS6uo6OOq612DW_kObBVI7uQs7q54oyaZuVJKou_kVOJdtgCmFSqi-eoSBV94Hip9VhpHqp7INGKuiRYzNcVaKFJFWfGqAAlNRULQAotrQUh6j1j-53mcTMsYAdvZD1M/s320/IMG_2563.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679967216460485618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqPsC6kZsXplxPfvMPGRplPytMzdrD-B4JYpvdqfmf-ZZBLVui9wi27ZEkVlZogIAKFIpphnX9L8h0qCYMyQP_fOwHGdbJuWLLLHZxO3lBhPEYCt9GmGQQuEJnG48WNbAZ6N-fCEOY3Wj/s1600/IMG_2566.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqPsC6kZsXplxPfvMPGRplPytMzdrD-B4JYpvdqfmf-ZZBLVui9wi27ZEkVlZogIAKFIpphnX9L8h0qCYMyQP_fOwHGdbJuWLLLHZxO3lBhPEYCt9GmGQQuEJnG48WNbAZ6N-fCEOY3Wj/s320/IMG_2566.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679965894080457202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjDAo4oCfIwAeCdmwypfSYalXzaTFZKkDo1a-96Lx5VmxjHJ6WNwsBb4-fWJHkpbd4pCI2SMFE_n7jivk33MY5MrLlu168fu2ngVV5Erx_mNsw2IVW9oCO5ZiAmmNQ-aJZkDqA1o4Puyu/s1600/IMG_2565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjDAo4oCfIwAeCdmwypfSYalXzaTFZKkDo1a-96Lx5VmxjHJ6WNwsBb4-fWJHkpbd4pCI2SMFE_n7jivk33MY5MrLlu168fu2ngVV5Erx_mNsw2IVW9oCO5ZiAmmNQ-aJZkDqA1o4Puyu/s320/IMG_2565.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679965891710975538" /></a><br />Radiotherapy finished, third chemo about to begin - feeling okay apart from diminished hearing (probably from the RT).<br /><br />My eldest daughter came to Germany for five days recently and we had a wonderful snuggly, cuddly time, watching movies, lots of comedy, eating lovely food and lots of talk. It did me so much good. And this week my sister came out, also for five days and she has not quilted before so, as I was feeling well, I got her a simple table runner pattern and she went through every stage of making a quilt as a learning exercise by making this runner - she chose the fabrics so well and it looks beautiful. Unfortunately, my sewing machine just collapsed and refused to sew towards the end, so my sister had to turn the wheel manually and my goodness, those stitches were slow. But she finished and I am so proud of her. She is going to applique/quilt something in the big orange square when she gets home and has time to think about it more. I really think she'll carry on with this and she wants to do some placemats next so she's setting herself realistic goals rather than taking on a bedquilt and investing in a load of fabric. Luckily, she used to make clothes so has already quite a stash of cottons to choose from.<br /><br />And here are the two embroideries I am working on (quilting is a bit too physical at the moment but I hope to get back to it soon). The German Christmas carol is a favourite of ours and I tried to finish this for last Christmas but didn't make it - am determined to get it done and framed by this Christmas. The other is the old German Coffee shop which is extremely tiny stitches and very slow progress but I do love the look with the copper thread picking out all the lettering and special features. I will not finish this until after New Year.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-10773854499585747202011-10-16T04:06:00.000-07:002011-10-16T04:22:16.628-07:00Dealing with thingsThis is a difficult post to make. I never intended this blog to be anything other than quilt-focused, with a little bit of holidays, family and food thrown in. However, my life has completely changed over the last four weeks and I cannot go on with the blog without mentioning it. <br /><br />My MRI revealed that the pain in my rib was from advanced metastases from an unknown tumour. Health care is very good here in Germany and I spent the next two weeks doing every test imaginable to try to discover where the tumour was. Eventually, a form of breast cancer was diagnosed but still no evidence of the guilty tumour. I was admitted to hospital for a mastectomy and the doctors hoped to find the tumour in the tissue which was taken. The pathology lab worked on the results for a week and eventually found two tiny tumours of a very powerful and aggressive nature. These had sent metastases through my spine. After leaving hospital three days ago, I am due to begin a strong course of chemotherapy next week in order to treat the metastases. Then will come some radiation and any other therapy thought suitable to keep me going as long as possible.<br /><br />I feel well-looked after, have good medical support and great friends and my husband has been with me at every appointment and completely there for me. After the terrible black hell of the initial shock, something in the human spirit seems to let in the light again and I am able to look positively at life again.<br /><br />I just want to make clear that I will not be giving a blow by blow account of how I am all the time - this is still my quilting blog and I want to keep it that way but over the next few months I might not be getting much quilting done or anything else to show. I will, however, have even more interest (and time) for reading all my favourite blogs. I have given up my part-time job and am going with the flow.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-90403137102735801552011-09-18T07:05:00.001-07:002011-09-18T07:28:48.332-07:00Slow but steady.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pUJJc9hKP9hvzBkt5I2YbQKdXqcQ8A8yiDMMQdeUVyXei0FyaWq5_BVpL6ESMl_wwE_L8AHlYEpb9qSeglSJAYCW6gHmcOxuYD93s0V3-uFZB8CoID-sonwZvC9roRotG4jzrHD2FLZr/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pUJJc9hKP9hvzBkt5I2YbQKdXqcQ8A8yiDMMQdeUVyXei0FyaWq5_BVpL6ESMl_wwE_L8AHlYEpb9qSeglSJAYCW6gHmcOxuYD93s0V3-uFZB8CoID-sonwZvC9roRotG4jzrHD2FLZr/s320/IMG_2487.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653701159290926802" /></a><br />This is my progress so far - I like sewing by hand but am hampered by not being able to sit upright so this is going slowly. I am enjoying it, though, and it is proving a great distraction. I now have to make up the pumpkins to go at each end, then borders and prairie points. I also will have some small pieces of fabric from the kit left over and I think I'll make some matching coasters. Don't know if that plan can include the little triangles below, but if not then they will go into my 'little triangle' box for use later (Bonnie Hunter has made me feel so responsible for fabric that I can't throw them away...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NFlLH26H3UT9B9KEaNr6OjyHE2kZYkMWLrk1AGZSZsyQsXLPB7ULGU7i1sYKXBp4xkAvA5eQnUYTZPtOknWTBmabltwdGrVZ0RpSIH5E_33mAQ9Zpx5yyN9gvjc7dwuRV7oEqc6YpX7a/s1600/IMG_2488.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NFlLH26H3UT9B9KEaNr6OjyHE2kZYkMWLrk1AGZSZsyQsXLPB7ULGU7i1sYKXBp4xkAvA5eQnUYTZPtOknWTBmabltwdGrVZ0RpSIH5E_33mAQ9Zpx5yyN9gvjc7dwuRV7oEqc6YpX7a/s320/IMG_2488.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653701151164671570" /></a><br />And here is my little friend, Logan, watching over me - since I've had this back problem, he has stayed close unless he is on his walks with Stuart. He doesn't understand why I can't play with him at the moment but in his own way, he's looking after me. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMypvhXjtmQnbjEEeHZEeT3QD0HWYN42CCwFWMq0Ii2ZPR0maF_crErdztGbZa2Ve0IAtsbSRNp9eBRTgcm-4UxXBA2wEvAC4k_vzlmWAT4kZxjvueub_ddBcBUOH91jjnASeSPvCd7yV/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMypvhXjtmQnbjEEeHZEeT3QD0HWYN42CCwFWMq0Ii2ZPR0maF_crErdztGbZa2Ve0IAtsbSRNp9eBRTgcm-4UxXBA2wEvAC4k_vzlmWAT4kZxjvueub_ddBcBUOH91jjnASeSPvCd7yV/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653701145625120914" /></a><br />It is Stuart's and my 35th wedding anniversary today. Unfortunately, because of me, we can't go out and celebrate or go away for the weekend but it doesn't matter. The real celebration is our recognition of how far we have come together and that we are happy to carry on. Good things.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-73721671828897590932011-09-16T03:13:00.001-07:002011-09-16T03:26:54.138-07:00New Quilt beginning.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJGt4-xrONk_S8zykFA48Tayr0N-HLw765jDM0P3grJoeebVCnmTRYbGn1M4ezZRHHX_NykXkAalVZhrK_tsB5AdP3hon_tnW3zpORnwy2mKGG1mRVdQSzmssG9QPcbyuz3fvqw3dZ3Qj/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJGt4-xrONk_S8zykFA48Tayr0N-HLw765jDM0P3grJoeebVCnmTRYbGn1M4ezZRHHX_NykXkAalVZhrK_tsB5AdP3hon_tnW3zpORnwy2mKGG1mRVdQSzmssG9QPcbyuz3fvqw3dZ3Qj/s320/IMG_2485.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652899225612672210" /></a><br /><br />This is the start of my new quilt but it is not one of the big quilts with my new fabrics that I was mulling over. I'm still only comfortable when lying or half-lying on the sofa - otherwise big pain. Only three more days until my MRI and then I'll know what the problem is. I hope. So I can't sit up or use the sewing machine, which most people would take as a disincentive to quilting. At first I was reading and watching movies etc. Then my hands got fidgety so I managed to do some embroidery. Then yesterday, knowing that the quilt group was meeting and I couldn't be there, I decided to adapt to my situation. Amongst the fabrics that Renate brought back for me from the US when she moved countries was a Thimbleberries Halloween Pumpkin table runner kit. I've never bought a kit before and I don't like Halloween so it was a weird thing for me to buy. However, I do like eating things made with pumpkin and I love Autumn, so I decided to see if I could hand-sew without sitting upright. Well, I can and here is one of the first completed blocks. I feel I'm back in the human race even if I can't work, walk the dog, go shopping or any of the things that make up a normal day. Anxious about the MRI but so much more cheerful being distracted by this!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-91390579775061572042011-09-13T02:29:00.000-07:002011-09-13T02:53:44.999-07:00Almost finished.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBifH9jGtdJzlERsJQpugVq2lU6GflCZDAfIKc5fvmzzU7hcxosRqCv9rT9glkKoXm_soYG8DJ5uXyH1pTE2i8tycKijBoc3j4w0zk7pwaSQY2-ijoK7BuMd-WFhttM6xgXQRcSsIwmhin/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBifH9jGtdJzlERsJQpugVq2lU6GflCZDAfIKc5fvmzzU7hcxosRqCv9rT9glkKoXm_soYG8DJ5uXyH1pTE2i8tycKijBoc3j4w0zk7pwaSQY2-ijoK7BuMd-WFhttM6xgXQRcSsIwmhin/s320/IMG_2483.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651775212919990514" /></a><br />Above is the Provencal table topper that is almost finished. One row of machine quilting on coloured blocks remains to be done but I have no idea when I can manage this as I have injured my back and am out of action for a while. I am pleased with the quilting as it was only my second attempt at machine quilting and although it was laborious to keep turning and shifting the quilt while going round the flower petals, I really like the effect and also the look of the back (below)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gTQpkiKtOHIWlhy_V3IsWVLbqN9boidlg4pGtkegKZuovRWqJGhILoVkOxgLBsURI7XrJFwGQ2LXOcxjWRnOEuO50QJTnhU3rYFwKi7xod-hg4v3NCN5J2EpIggCaQHA7cCYbxaBLOM7/s1600/IMG_2484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gTQpkiKtOHIWlhy_V3IsWVLbqN9boidlg4pGtkegKZuovRWqJGhILoVkOxgLBsURI7XrJFwGQ2LXOcxjWRnOEuO50QJTnhU3rYFwKi7xod-hg4v3NCN5J2EpIggCaQHA7cCYbxaBLOM7/s320/IMG_2484.JPG" border="0"alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651774911534999586" /></a><br />I have not pulled the quilt straight enough for this photo and it looks wonky but it is, trust me, straight in real life - it is only cyber-wonky!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9iydvm5nzuTonhfv4kOV84v7MomJKgcCqhmZTtSge7bA7UQvShle27zK_oRMgNBIbZ74n-AbuNm_ybohDIP8DPV-_EMZBRadNzltTz-D_4VzRJmBRqTaAKQ4FMGRRlELos6At8VJmDO6/s1600/IMG_2482.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9iydvm5nzuTonhfv4kOV84v7MomJKgcCqhmZTtSge7bA7UQvShle27zK_oRMgNBIbZ74n-AbuNm_ybohDIP8DPV-_EMZBRadNzltTz-D_4VzRJmBRqTaAKQ4FMGRRlELos6At8VJmDO6/s320/IMG_2482.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651774909208986354" /></a><br /><br />Am having an MRI next Monday to find out exactly what is causing my pain but until then I am only comfortable when lying or half-lying down. This means I can still manage to embroider a bit but quilting is out of the question (although I do have a little halloween quilt kit packed away, hmmm, maybe I could hand-sew it?) My husband is looking after me wonderfully and I am so glad that he is only travelling once a week now and is able to work from home more. There was no quilt group meeting last week and I know I cannot go to this week's as I cannot sit at all. Thursday isn't Thursday without the quilt group! Thank goodness for BBC Radio 4 and thank goodness for Youtube, where I am watching old episodes of Family Ties (I know it's dated but still so funny and my daughters and I have always adored Michael J. Fox, so I'm on a nostalgia run and it keeps me amused and is non-demanding).Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-72594820194898741032011-08-23T01:07:00.000-07:002011-08-23T01:39:18.314-07:00Back again.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKUmTDKcSDB-B2kRhGSGmqCAuJI7_8wYROMfojeC9qhctxVN7Mu9kVZ3S8SzCabpzso2FI9VIvgrLfrNfn5IbY1Vj5_Z0JroSiZ44AlfMvnMvlJ9bsJOWAAx2czcRs7iTtZeq6pttmod0/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKUmTDKcSDB-B2kRhGSGmqCAuJI7_8wYROMfojeC9qhctxVN7Mu9kVZ3S8SzCabpzso2FI9VIvgrLfrNfn5IbY1Vj5_Z0JroSiZ44AlfMvnMvlJ9bsJOWAAx2czcRs7iTtZeq6pttmod0/s320/IMG_2480.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643962531014727874" /></a>
<br />Above is the small top I made from the Provencal charm squares. As I said before, totally outside my comfort zone and I found it quite exciting to play with bright colours and not quite know where I was going with it. I'm not usually so adventurous (although a lot of quilters would not see this as particularly adventurous!). If I were making a large quilt I know I would not have been able to go without a plan so this is the second time that charm squares have freed me up to be a little bit looser.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUInmLbF0oTh-iHzLvzBFB59oZXNBYDVq8l86HPFSWvtMfgRaMCyJmqbak8fhyphenhyphen2Lxm35swCs0bDKFF53btXd1OiTH3PIOocYbvrT_NoxUm663p428lsZ73X380dXrrZA23hCPdGMDavlf/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUInmLbF0oTh-iHzLvzBFB59oZXNBYDVq8l86HPFSWvtMfgRaMCyJmqbak8fhyphenhyphen2Lxm35swCs0bDKFF53btXd1OiTH3PIOocYbvrT_NoxUm663p428lsZ73X380dXrrZA23hCPdGMDavlf/s320/IMG_2481.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643962524678576514" /></a>
<br />I cut all 42 squares in half and used eighty of the eighty four rectangles. I saved four rectangles, one of each primary colour, to make the flower middles - this left me a little short in the strips but I just filled in with a few white blocks. Then I drew very quickly and loosely the petals and backstitched them. I did feel the temptation to use a symmetrical petal template but gritted my teeth and resisted. I do like the result as it is bright, happy and naïve in a childlike innocent way. I've almost decided that my next quilt is going to be a 'tree of life', very traditional, so you can see I'm already reacting against my phase of relaxation. I think there are just two sides of me, one that adores Handel, Mozart and Haydn with their beautiful symmetry and sense of order in the world, and then a side that loves the wildness of Cajun music and (some!) improvised jazz. In my quilts, it's Haydn who wins nearly every time.
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<br />Haven't been posting mainly because I've spent the summer holidays enjoyably wasting time, doing chores and looking after guests; youngest daughter, two of Stuart's oldest friends from Scotland, and eldest daughter and partner. Naturally, I put on some of the weight I lost because I was cooking for them and eating out as well. I'm back on my 'good' regime this week but we have more guests coming up; Stuart's brother and his new wife are coming next week - they are about to begin a two-year part-world-tour in a yellow Unimog (like a cross between a four wheel truck and a camper van) as an early retirement venture.
<br />School starts this week, too.
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<br />We had beautiful weather in May and June, indifferent weather in July and pretty awful weather in August. I am wishing for an Indian summer to please all my sun-deprived friends.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-67251015530536840442011-07-11T08:36:00.000-07:002011-07-11T08:53:24.592-07:00No picture dayHave just started a small quilt, probably a table-topper, from the Provençal charm pack I had. No photos today as I have been too busy to get the camera out but will do soon. Dental check today ('Perfekt, Frau Johnstone!') and had to rush to buy a new hoover before my appointment as the old one blew up yesterday (probably my fault). My youngest daughter is visiting from England for a few days so I might not have much time for sewing. I decided to keep the quilt very simple as the fabrics are so bright and busily patterned - quite outside my comfort zone - and just cut them in half and did chinese coin strips alternated with white. I plan to use the very few (5) half squares left over to make some applique flower middles and then embroider the petals and then, Horror of Horrors! - machine quilt the lot. I hardly ever machine quilt and I know my hands will be itching to quilt something so small scale and easy to manipulate. However, for once I want to do something seasonal and use this tabletopper while the weather is appropriate. It makes me feel happy to look at it and very summery so I hope to get it finished and on the table very soon in order to enjoy it. <br /><br />I think then I will finish the two unfinished quilts I have which only need binding and do a bit of my Kaffeerösterei embroidery before I start another quilt. Ideas for the next one are shifting around my head but haven't settled yet so this will give them time.<br /><br />Have heard quite a few stories about other people who have had a taste problem after a heart op - in some cases it can take months for the problem to disappear; am hoping that my husband does not have to wait that long.<br /><br />This is the first week of my long school summer break and I have that luxurious feeling of abundant time to do wonders before school starts again. Let's hope I get at least some of the things done around home that I've been postponing until just this time!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-15037302840675887762011-06-16T00:09:00.001-07:002011-06-16T00:40:26.438-07:00Finished and unfinished...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKTsPkZuJYTN-x_Y2To9xgPIHj0c8rragF6NqqA5rYG3j6qCzENDzYDdVmFWJUnTLeZxLRwfp0mgzWKw_B8o81OsPpjoaI0eiIRwSQlZT-VHw6u-hL1KP7I150GcV9OwPDWbk5sImmtoW/s1600/IMG_2452.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKTsPkZuJYTN-x_Y2To9xgPIHj0c8rragF6NqqA5rYG3j6qCzENDzYDdVmFWJUnTLeZxLRwfp0mgzWKw_B8o81OsPpjoaI0eiIRwSQlZT-VHw6u-hL1KP7I150GcV9OwPDWbk5sImmtoW/s320/IMG_2452.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618712522466932914" /></a><br /><br />Above is the finished quilt for my sister-in-law, Helen (who doesn't know I've got a blog so will not find out about this).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vtWdxzgbsxlBb-uRiXDOBxCylURbzcHwLERRi4kEZAe1eofESK0unpe8diYQZATZOAWl7YRJspAQ0ZoC_bLlHFb4B8x1CYh15APnvKE-j5oGgXJjjc_PEpR1cMLFF75_uFkIhkiHYk7t/s1600/IMG_2456.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vtWdxzgbsxlBb-uRiXDOBxCylURbzcHwLERRi4kEZAe1eofESK0unpe8diYQZATZOAWl7YRJspAQ0ZoC_bLlHFb4B8x1CYh15APnvKE-j5oGgXJjjc_PEpR1cMLFF75_uFkIhkiHYk7t/s320/IMG_2456.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618712528301991602" /></a><br /><br />By doing simple quilting from point to point on the tumbler shapes, quite a nice geometric result happened on the back, and I really enjoyed using the figure 8 template for the bands and borders because it had no stop and start points except for the floral corners, so is a quick pattern to use. Miind you, for some reason, this is a heavy quilt and the quilting was quite hard work. I think it is because I used an iron-on batting and the weight of all that glue stuff seems to make quite a difference.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahswBBfeUiY0Tmj32rTSikl3gXWx-ikZKD0OavHg-2zOrRdC-rNXOMKDBoLdl68OJrnMTMHLxOA6XCMvZvhugJnFlu2BjVK01RiBpOiTUZ_1Ny9WRTofL6Q5LdFDj60Oz7kAsi1aJFI1U/s1600/IMG_2455.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahswBBfeUiY0Tmj32rTSikl3gXWx-ikZKD0OavHg-2zOrRdC-rNXOMKDBoLdl68OJrnMTMHLxOA6XCMvZvhugJnFlu2BjVK01RiBpOiTUZ_1Ny9WRTofL6Q5LdFDj60Oz7kAsi1aJFI1U/s320/IMG_2455.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618712534034224258" /></a><br /><br />Logan, the Quilt Policeman, on duty inspecting my stitches and finding a few knots on the back from that awful King Tut quilting cotton I used (King Tat, I call it and will never touch it again, however pretty the colour might be).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0Z8OQ1YFGjvsUqPJbhcKJXCxTY1cqulwo1K0Y6oA8dLKN67IdG7vgDxbbIZglD670Ksga6WlqK4JGalVYNop8GyaWQz0sDu27RiuFHbbYM3lzECau4JgZ-xFZtJXvefwZK6CARgnFkAK/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0Z8OQ1YFGjvsUqPJbhcKJXCxTY1cqulwo1K0Y6oA8dLKN67IdG7vgDxbbIZglD670Ksga6WlqK4JGalVYNop8GyaWQz0sDu27RiuFHbbYM3lzECau4JgZ-xFZtJXvefwZK6CARgnFkAK/s320/IMG_2454.JPG" border="0" <br />alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618712538481994306" /></a><br /><br />I tried to enhance the colour of this photo as it came out rather dark but although it has left the cream border cream, for some reason it has changed our grey/beige carpet to vivid turquoise. Still, you can see the lovely corner pattern of this nice template.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0D_5hRlmmo0Qcf2VbW_E5DbgvU1nUjKeH2-d9-ANhBImAJR7wDIqY_MAF_a4c7Tv7IJeNib0ro6oQ0O0F-iaD8ELB-J0MS4qkqMTOZg97aikaDe0Ud5_mVlgDGBNaw8DOAsvPF44DK5F/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0D_5hRlmmo0Qcf2VbW_E5DbgvU1nUjKeH2-d9-ANhBImAJR7wDIqY_MAF_a4c7Tv7IJeNib0ro6oQ0O0F-iaD8ELB-J0MS4qkqMTOZg97aikaDe0Ud5_mVlgDGBNaw8DOAsvPF44DK5F/s320/IMG_2457.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618712540316504338" /></a><br /><br />And the finished article, just needing to be washed (christened) and labelled and then Stuart will take it with him to Scotland on his next visit as it is too precious to post.<br /><br />Don't know what to work on next. Really want to use my Jane Austen-ish fabrics and my Civil War reproductions, all of which have remained untouched since I got them. But as we have had such warm weather, and it doesn't look like we'll be having a holiday this year, I'm tempted to do something sunny and holidayish to keep in cheerful mode. I have a charm pack of French Provencal fabrics and just might play with them for a bit...<br /><br />The unfinished thing is my poor husband, who is now home from three weeks' rehabilitation but still not feeling too great. All is well with his heart, everything fine there, but he is having difficulty putting on weight after having lost 11 kilos in the last couple of months. The altered taste problem, which probably came from the anaesthetic or from his antibiotics before the op, has prevented him from eating much. It is getting better and now he is home I am able to cater more specifically for what he thinks will taste okay, rather than having what was given in the clinic (very little choice). So things are improving but slowly and he is an impatient man (probably how he got to be heart-stressed in the beginning) and wants to get back into his life and feel normal again. He is still not supposed to drive his car (but has been as there was a problem with mine this week), NEVER EVER supposed to lift anything above 10 kilos again (he is not a weightlifter or anything but this news has depressed him and made him feel old) and he is still not supposed to sleep on his side for another week. Poor lad, he is therefore underweight and sleeping badly with many interruptions, still taking a load of drugs and on top of that he has given up smoking. So he is dealing with a lot of frustration with no help from a cigarette. He's using an electric vapour cigarette to calm cravings and give him something to wave around - it's an excellent idea and contains no nicotine, just a flavoured vapour, battery-operated. So he is doing really well, considering. Not the easiest person to live with at the moment, however!! He has decided to go to a business meeting tomorrow (something else he shouldn't be doing) but I think it will be good for him to see clients and colleagues and feel he is needed again. It is in Frankfurt but he intends to go by train and stay overnight before the meeting tomorrow, which is a gentle approach.<br /><br />Well, no quilting group today, so I need to look over some ideas for those provencal prints.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-36168617438165704572011-05-24T02:45:00.000-07:002011-05-24T03:04:20.924-07:00Time to breatheFinally, a chance to catch up a bit. Quilt photos will have to wait. <br /><br />The post-mortem was finally done on my father and the results straightforward. The cremation was held on Monday, 9th May, and I flew to England just for the day and met my daughters at the airport. I had to get up at 4a.m. German time to catch my early flight and I was so strung up that I didn't sleep at all during the night. I had time to wait until the girls' train got to the airport so I had a quick breakfast - it felt really strange to be wasting time at an airport knowing that within an hour I would be seeing my father's body. My daughters were tremendously loyal and supportive - they decided they would not let me do the viewing alone and insisted on joining me. Heartbreaking experience. I had the chance to say goodbye and slip in something small and important that I wanted to leave with him.<br /><br />Very small cremation, just a couple of neighbours and the close family, beautiful weather, food at my mother's house and then back to the airport to say goodbye to my girls and fly home again - got in at 11pm. and slept like a baby.<br /><br />Two days later, Stuart went into hospital for his double bypass. He was very anxious and then was told that it would be delayed for a day because he has O Negative blood, which is rare and that they had to order it specially for the op. The operation went very well and he came out of hospital after a week, home for four days and then today has left for three weeks' rehabilitation at a clinic near Cologne. He has had very little pain from the op in either chest, or the arm and leg from which the veins were taken. However, he has terrible nerve pain in the arm that wasn't involved. The surgeon says that it is from too much pressure being put on it during the operation so he is left with something akin to tennis elbow. The slightest touch sends him screaming with pain and that has been his main problem. Also, all food smells and tastes chemical to him and so he has lost a lot of weight since the operation when he should have been putting it on. He has grown very thin, very quickly. I have been as patient as I can but must say that I am relieved that he is now in rehabilitation so that the responsibility for his recovery and further progress is left to the professionals. We have paid extra for a single ('comfort') room and he has internet connection so we will be able to Skype in the evenings. I shall try to go and see him at the weekend and I am on half term holiday from school next week, which is very fortunate. I don't like leaving the dog for too long and the journey will be an hour both ways but I need to visit fairly regularly.<br /><br />Last week was hellish - locking the dog up while I went to work, walking him, locking him up again while I visited the hospital, constantly answering the phone, making phone calls, doing emails, contacting Stuart's work colleagues, family, friends, more dogwalking, work, visiting - you get the picture. My eldest daughter flew out to be with us this weekend when he came home for four days because she knew it had been a bad week for both of us. After collecting Stuart from hospital, getting him settled and leaving him for a long nap, we both took the dog to the nearest nice beergarden and had a delicious lunch of Kölsch, cold roast beef, bratkartoffeln and home-made remoulade. The sun was sparkling and we sat and watched the barges go by and thoroughly relaxed. It may sound selfish but it was just what I needed - an hour and a half of sheer pleasure! (Stuart was still asleep when we got back so we didn't feel guilty...)Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160060541556251997.post-21347908049771266412011-04-11T07:38:00.000-07:002011-04-11T07:45:34.888-07:00Shocked and tiredToday I went with Stuart to his cardiology appointment. Basically, the doctor said he needs a double bypass but they are not sure they can carry it out in his case and they need further discussion before making a decision. If they don't do it, he will take beta blockers for the rest of his life instead. If they do the op, it will be in a couple of weeks. Naturally, I want to be here and we have a conflict with my father's cremation. My mother is still waiting to hear if there has to be a post-mortem on my father's body, so we have no idea how soon a cremation service can be organised. And my daughters are in England not knowing if they are coming here to Germany as planned for Easter with us, staying in England so they can go to the cremation, or coming here to Germany a couple of weeks later so they can be here if Stuart is operated on. I was worried about Stuart when I was in Sylt but had no idea my world would be turned upside-down when I got back. I want to be with my mother, sister and brother, but also want to be with my husband. I need a cloning service. Feeling torn and sad.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198119176772158393noreply@blogger.com0