HI everyone,
Well, Hallelujah! The little pink set I made for Bailey and thought nobody liked, was snatched up at 4 seconds before the auction ended tonight! YAY! It’s going to a new little Twinkle in New York! I hope she loves it!
I’m a bit under the weather… not with a cold or the flu, but my lower back went out on me! EEK! I think it might be Sciatica, but I thought it always went down your leg… mine hasn’t… it’s just lingering in my lower back and left hip. I’ve been quite confined to home…and pretty still at that! I don’t know what happened, but my hubby just realized, he’s out his extra mower now… He was doing part and I was doing the long stretches that didn’t require much turning, but that will be postponed for now! I hope it gets better soon! I really don’t have time for this… who does?
Anyway, I do have some pictures from Charlotte, who saved the day for me! I have some from Anne too… (Actually I did start something, but I didn’t get very far, so I’ll wait to show you more when it’s farther along!) It’s for a doll! :o)
We were discussing UFO’s on the blog a while back… (Un Finished Objects) and Charlotte found a few she has been working toward getting finished. I think we get to see them!!!
Charlotte will narrate what we’re seeing today…
Hi Jeanne. I am enclosing some pictures of recent sewing projects, in case you need to use them to fill some space on the blog one of these days.
This first group of pictures is of a baby quilt I recently finished–one of those eight “quilt UFOs” I have found (so far) in my sewing room! I took it over to church with me Tuesday and took pictures of it in our church nursery. The first picture shows it draped on the crib; the second one shows a little of the backing fabric, and the last picture is of the whole quilt, laid on the floor so you can see it all.
I think I may have pieced the top about 30 years ago! I had the four main fabrics in my stash and thought they looked cute together (although rather “busy”!), so I made the blocks and pieced the top. And then it sat and waited. Eventually I got and cut borders, backing and binding, and got it put together. I like handwork, so this quilt is hand quilted.
Tonight I started hand stitching the binding of another baby quilt that I pieced at least 25 years ago. Stay tuned!
Hey, Charlotte…about the blue and red and yellow quilt… who was it going to be for or was it just to have in your stash for when you might need one? Just curious… Jeanne. It’s very sweet and will work for a boy OR a girl!
Charlotte again…
My next picture is a bag I made last fall. It’s a sort of “slouchy” style and makes a good knitting bag (you can see my knitting peeking out). The handle is stuffed with thick cord, as I recall. It was certainly interesting to make! You can also see the pattern I used.
Some years back I made the largest size and donated it to the silent auction our local chapter of the American Sewing Guild was having at the annual meeting. There turned out to be a bidding war on it, because it was big enough to hold a folded-up quilt that was being worked on, to carry it to quilt meetings, and two ladies apparently both thought so! I don’t remember who got it, nor how much she paid.
The next two pictures show a small card holder I made using Valori Wells’s “Little Wallet” pattern. I had made one some years ago, and used it at every Expo, and any other time I didn’t want to carry a big purse, but for some reason, when I was getting ready to go to Expo in February, I couldn’t find it anywhere, and had to use something else. I’m sure, now that is done, I’ll probably run across my original one. I did interline the main body piece with RFID fabric, to help protect my credit cards. The fabrics were just scraps I had in my stash, but I thought they went together pretty well!
Sorry, no doll clothes pictures this time. However, Nolan (Russell) is still waiting for his t-shirt to go with the shorts Aunt Jeanne sent him, so perhaps soon!
Charlotte, I LOVE that blue and purple batik fabric… It’s VERY pretty and I can see why you liked it! :o)
Thanks Charlotte!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I’m so sorry about your back. I’ve had problems off and on myself, especially in recent years after an incident where Ron was trying to step up on a curb, lost his balance, and fell into me, knocking me flat onto my back on the concrete. He felt so badly!! (I had told him to use his walker, but, no, the cane would be just fine! 🙄) It took a good month after that before I could stand or walk for any length of time, and it frequently acts up, even now, about 5-6 years later.
I sure hope yours can be gotten over quickly, with no recurrences. Back pain can be very frustrating!
I’m glad you were able to use my pictures. I see you got the first and third ones reversed, but that’s not a big deal. And, no, it’s not for me. It’s a crib quilt and I will hold it in reserve for whoever has the next baby. I will add a label at that time.
I love that purple and blue batik, too! I think that was my very last bit of it that I used. It’s shown up in several small projects here and there over the years!
I will try to check back throughout the day to reply to any questions anyone has.
Charlotte, your quilt is just wonderful, so many pretty little pieces any child would just love it, and all the hand work on it…just amazing. Your other pieces are so pretty, too. You really find such lovely fabrics to use. Thank you so much for sharing !
Thank you so much, Sissy. It was fun to work on. The small pieces were just things I had here; the borders, backing, and binding were bought especially for this quilt. No, I think I had the yellow in my stash already.
I know you said that the baby quilt was busy, but it is lovely and babies are very attracted to busy and even black and white. So, the quilt is perfect.
Where do you buy your RFID fabric?
Thank you, Joy!
I don’t remember for sure where I bought the RFID fabric, as I’d had it for a few years. It might have been at one of the sewing expos I attended, but most stores (including online) that carry bag-making supplies would probably have it. I think I bought just a 12″ square of it, as I used it for a pouch for Ron’s credit cards, and then this pouch, and that took most of it. You might try doing a search for “RFID fabric”, and see what turns up.
Tks, Charlotte.
You’re welcome, Joy.
Your baby quilt is absolutely adorable. It’s a fun quilt and any baby would enjoy seeing all the colors. I crocheted baby afghans for Skyy, Jaiden, Andrea’s son and my one great grandchild but I finally gave it a go to create a quilt for Azure when for the first time Dionne had a nursery theme. It was “I love you to the moon and back” and I found a baby quilt with that theme. I’d never done a quilt before, but it came out nicely. It did have a lot of handwork.
Thank you, Barbara.
I hope you have a picture of the quilt you made for Azure. Maybe Jeanne would share it so we could all see it!!
Oh Jeanne, I feel for you with back problems! I really do understand how it feels because I have it too off and on. I think resting it would be best, and maybe the vibrations of the mower could be making it worse. I would guess you have a heating pad and that would help.
I am going to attempt to send my pictures of the Mo. Botanical Garden today. We have switched computers, and I am not familiar with the newer one, so am still learning!
Charlotte, what a stunningly beautiful quilt! How colorful and cheerful for the baby to see and how it would brighten up any nursery! As for me, I would use it for a wall hanging for everyone to see and appreciate without the fear of getting it messed up! Lucky the person who gets this someday!
Love the bag, and unique way you made the strap! The card holder is Beajtiful! Love those colors together!
Thank you for saving the day for Jeanne!
Thank you so much, Linda! Well, I make these quilts to be used–I prewash all the fabrics, and will probably wash the quilt before I give it, just to make sure there are no “surprises” (such as color bleeding).
Yes, that was an unusual (and somewhat cumbersome!) way to make the handle on the bag, but it worked well for the style of bag it was.
I love those fabrics on the Little Wallet, too! Just scraps, left from other projects, but they worked together!
Oh, no Jeanne, not your back! I am so sorry and hope you can get better soon. Please take time to rest and help it get well. I know about backs…I have a pain doc and get back shots every 3 months. It has really helped. I get my next one this Friday. Maybe you need to go see someone to help it?
We had RAIN last evening!!! We sat on the porch and praised God! We just hope it will go where the fires are.
We are heading for the Y. Check Y”all later.
Oh, the rain is great news, and I hope that the fire zone got some too.
Good morning dear ones 🥰
I hope all of you had a decent week-end.
Jeanne, I am so sad to hear your back is painful. Something like Sciatica ? Well, that part of the back can irritate a whole lot of areas. Best thing is rest, ice and heat treatments and Tylenol…. Sadly, the worst trigger is sitting but not everyone gets sciatica but something like it. The other truth is stretching and exercise regularly and building core muscles. I do not follow that program so I do get back pain now and then. Gentle stretching, heat and ice and tylenol. I do not exercise much or regularly, so I do set myself up for this.
I hate pain. Keep hydrated too so that you have to get up and go to the bathroom constantly (being sarcastic)
I am happy that the little dress sold. I know it is going to a really good home, yay.
Charlotte, this is a sweet quilt. Perfect colors for a baby. It has a lot of contrast and really attractive design. Congratulations on a beautiful happy finish.
The purple bag looks like a terrific carry all for just the essentials. When I go to Lidl (I am getting less impressed with that store, I hope the perk up the effort) I usually have a list stuffed in my pants pocket, and my keys, phone, and credit card. This bag would be perfect because sometimes …. my credit card fails to make it back into my wallet.
This week-end I went to Homie Depot (yes I call it that) and got some zinnias.
I also …. spent a lot of little time each day, making a “prototype/copy” of the little Vera Bradley bag from Target. I used some (this is an official term… for me anyway) junky fabric to make this bag. It turned out super cute and nearly perfect. I only had a Coats and Clark zipper in my stash and it was not great, really tight and stubborn-ish. The VB bag has a YKK zipper.
I also started a small lone star block… well, it is big actually. Big pieces. It is dreamy looking, I think because … some of my favorite fabrics.
Today I am taking my loaded car of movable charity things from the old house and bringing them to Leesburg. I am going to stop by Costco for gas, Hobby Lobby to check for white Kona cotton, and YKK zippers, and maybe zip over to Homie Depot for some bright fancy geraniums for the front of the old house.
I hope all of you have a good day. Jeanne, I sincerely hope the pain eases.
I bought some “lemon dipped shortbread cookies” from Walmart (their brand). Do not buy them!! they are highly addictive.
Okay, now Rosemary, you’re going to have to send Jeanne some pics of the VB replica bag, please. I’d love to know how you went about putting in the little zipper, and well everything. Your dollies will love the bag I’m sure. 🙂
upon thorough inspection, I assembled as it was made, but I have better ways of making this bag that does not include a chunky inside bias taped seams. The zipper is surprisingly easy… I was lazy and did not even install my zipper foot.
Thank you so much, Rosemary! It was a fun quilt to make.
I use the “Little Wallet” for my driver’s license, insurance cards, one credit card, and other essential cards (like the medic alert card), and put it into my waist pack or small purse that I wear when I walk around Expo or the fair. I don’t trust my pockets for those! 😂
Thanks for the warning about those cookies!!
Well, I hope that Jeanne’s back is feeling better this morning. Although, if it is Sciatica, it’s going to take awhile and may get worse before it gets better. Rosemary’s treatment tips are exactly what you should do. I’ve had it, and it didn’t go down the leg for me, but made doing much else very uncomfortable. I was determined to keep walking, as I had just convinced other person to join me, so I kept at it somehow. Had to go much slower though and uphill was a bear. And I tried every contortion known to try to relieve the pain. Time was the cure, so take it easy and try some walking around somewhere when you can.
We woke up to wetness on the deck again this morning. The weather people were right on this time. But, it is supposed to clear up, so hopefully, later I can get in a walk and some weeding. I did manage to fill another can with gravel weeds yesterday. I’m finally seeing some progress except where the blackberry is coming back within the iris. Ugh.
I was able to order a cute RRed on Saturday. Looks like she sold out pretty fast though. So, I’m guessing that another delivery will be headed here soon. I’d better get a plan in order. 🙂
Did you order Arina? I was actually looking at her. She is a cutie. If she is the one that’s sold out I guess that answers my question of whether or not to buy her.
I will take pictures.
I got better zippers at Hobby Lobby.
When you have sciatica, have any of you tried walking backwards?
in 2023 I was moving mom and dad’s stuff out of the apartment. It was a lot of bending, lifting, sitting, oh just not a good memory those months. Anyway, near the end I developed massive pain that shot down one leg (my right) originating from my sacro-iliac. I would barely walk. I either used a cane, or since we had Christina’s little dolly, perfect really, it worked well as a support as well. One mischievous thing my sister and I did, instead of moving two old book cases to the trash area, we proceeded to bring them down to the parking garage under the basement. There were assigned spaces of course. Some people stored stuff, down there against the wall of their parking spot. So we found a few spots that had stuff just stacked and surprised them with a shelving unit. hahaha
Anyway, walking was painful, and I found walking backwards holding onto the dolly and pulling it, I had no pain.
Should I get a twinge again, I will definitely try walking backwards. 🙂
A beautiful job on all three projects, Charlotte. Sorry I can’t comment more today, but “gotta pull weeds while the sun shines” and the fact that tomorrow is trash. yard waste day.
Hope your weeding went well. I’m about to start in here too. 🙂
Thank you, Laura.
Don’t overdo on the weed pulling!!
I’m with Rosemary on pain and Sissy on rain. It’s supposed to rain all week. Years ago, when I was in school, it rained all May. I never saw a dry iris. Those days are gone, but a week of rain will be lovely. This morning we had rain and FOG. We get very little fog here, so, unless I’m driving, I love it.
Keep us up on the back pain — solutions are always welcome. I think my problem started in the hospice, when I couldn’t walk for 3 months, and then had to relearn with a walker — core muscles get no exercise and your back has no muscle support. The cause of yours is clearly different, but you solution may help several of us.
Charlotte, I love the quilt and think a baby would too. It’s so interesting and non-bland. It also has a kind of appealing visual rhythm. I think some day it’s going to be someone’s favorite blanket.
Thank you so much, Marilyn! Definitely not bland, that’s for sure! 😂 Truly, it was fun to put together, and the fabrics just sort of “found” each other. I like when my fabrics “sing” together, and I think they do on this one.
I am so glad that the little dress sold. I wonder, if you use Yu Pin again, whether you should also show photos of Bailey in the same outfit. Maybe, if they had never seen Yu Pin they weren’t sure if it would fit their doll and it is a lot of money to spend when you aren’t sure.
I am sorry about you back. I think that may be what I am having too. The pain is mostly in my left hip (the one I had the op on) but may be originating in my back. Unfortunately, since my Louis died I haven’t enjoyed walking the same and it is easy to find something else that is more enjoyable. Or more urgent (like cleaning…ugh).
Charlotte I loved your quilt it is so cute. The bags are great too. I have certain fabrics that are my favourites but mostly they are reduced to squares or other small pieces now.
Sissy, I really hope the rain lasts and helps put out the fires. I hated the earthquakes when we had them, they just seemed to be never ending, over 13,000 that we could feel, and they went on for years but I would sooner put up with that than fire. fire terrifies me.
I have finished my machine quilted blocks for my Alice quilt so now have all the border to do and the applique blocks. I have also prepared most of the extra blocks for the leaders and enders quilt so have pulled out another UFO, the one my sister-in-law found at a charity shop. I think there are 28 x 8inch blocks finished but quite a lot of fabric to make more but no white with it. I have a pile of different whites and creams but they are all either too white or too cream! I will take one of the blocks to Spotlight today and buy some more too finish it. It will be a leader and ender when the other one is done. One of the pieces for the crossroads quilt, when trimmed, leaves two triangles as waste. I was throwing them out but Sam snaffled them and is using them as leaders and enders and making tiny half-square triangles out of them! I will have 64 more for her soon!
I have been so focused on the UFO’s That all my other sewing has been put on hold. Poor Sara still hasn’t had a proper outfit, other than some sweaters. I haven’t made any bags either for the shop or any other items.
It is coffee morning so will have to get ready. Have a great day everyone, for those who want rain I hope it comes and for those who want it, I hope the sun shines for you.
thank you for the update, Anne.
I hope you start feeling less pain too.
I think we sit still too much… but then we also do a lot of things that trigger the pain like bending over and not using our core. It is terrible on the spine. I wish I had my own personal trainer that came to my house and helped me exercise every day. Wow.
I am glad you are going after your UFOs. I have not been. I am hoping I can incorporate some blocks into other quilts.
I am interested in your Alice quilt!!
Thank you so much, Anne. I know exactly what you mean, about favorite fabrics being reduced to small bits and pieces! Sometimes I wish we could turn back the clock to where we were purchasing that fabric, and make sure to get More than we originally did!!
I understand about the whites and creams, too. They can be so different, but you don’t realize it until you start putting them with other things!
Jeanne…sorry to read about your back pain. It can really affect our day to day living. I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis (the lower 4 discs are involved) several years ago….was sent to pool therapy to help strengthen the core muscles. When I asked the doctor for how long on pool therapy, he responded with: “Probably for the rest of your life”. When I lived in northern Indiana, There was a heated therapy pool at a retirement village….the entire floor of the pool could be raised up to a walk-on level and then lowered you down in the water up to your chest or wherever it was most comfortable for you to go thru the exercises the therapist paced you thru, and then the last 10 minutes or so of your hour session, the pool floor was also a treadmill…you had a bar to hang onto in front of you….and the therapist controlled the speed for what was okay for you to handle. Wonderful therapy! My insurance covered the two months of sessions the doctor ordered, and after that I found you could sign up for 2-3X weekly hour long sessions at just $6.00 per session and the place was just 8 minutes from my apt.!! Plus the therapist stayed with you each visit.
After some time had passed, I knew I wanted to live nearer to two of my daughters, who live here in Texas, and I made the decision to move. I no longer drive or have a car (couldn’t handle the Texas traffic and convoluted roads if I wanted to!), and even if I had been in Indiana, I eventually would not be able to drive myself due to eyesight and I experienced one episode of driving out to the Hobby Lobby and JoAnn fabrics stores and panicked because for several minutes, I could not remember where I was going or why I was out driving. I made my brain back-track and after several minutes remembered where I was going, but it was very scary. To say nothing about the snow to navigate thru during winter months. My youngest daughter and her hubby have a nice pool here in Texas, which I have used to walk back and forth in and that helps the back too.
The spinal stenosis has stayed with me, but never any sciatica pain. And I have learned how to get into the car without torqueing the lower back, which will send a throbbing pain from the lower spine all the way up to the base of my neck. The pain is intense, takes your breath away, but always passes after 7-8 long seconds. I cannot handle climbing into my son-in-laws truck….it is too high and requires some “torqueing” of the back. Some walking, sitting in firm chairs (no “sinky” soft furniture!), and sometimes using my large chilled “ice” packs at my lower back, plus Tylenol on occasion, help tremendously.
And I must say…I am so glad to know other “sofa sisters” who sometimes share similar situations to deal with, and also have a love of dolls and sewing to make our lives brighter! Really enjoyed seeing the many sewing projects today….the baby quilt is so professional and colorful, the card holder is great and makes me want to try making one of those, and the Hawaiian Carry-all bag is unique. I’ve never seen one of those patterns before.
My application of fire-ant mound killer four days ago, worked out in the front landscaped areas and my daughter and I worked nearly all Saturday on cleaning the front porch, the breezeway, patio furniture, and she was able to try the new 12 in. bush trimmer which really cut time spent doing it with scissors! Some weeding still needs to be done around flowers and bushes but will wait a bit to make sure no fire ants re-appear. I’ve learned NOT to wear sandals here when gardening and always wear garden gloves!
Thank you Jeanne for sharing the many sewing projects sent your way, and congrats on your latest posted outfit sale! I am still working on the Siblie doll outfits, but did finish the real leather English riding saddle and the reins for the horse, and the Equestrian outfit to go with the Siblie. I’m taking photos as I go and hope to send them to you if you wanted to share…probably won’t be until another 2-3 weeks.
I may have mentioned this before, but my uncle, in his 80’s developed spinal stenosis. He didn’t like it at all and decided on surgery. He had surgery and was only in the hospital one day. He had immediate relief and was back playing tennis again without pain within a couple of weeks. Probably, against doctor’s orders. It never bothered him again. 🙂
That was Ron, too–only without the tennis! He did very well with the surgery.
Wearing garden gloves when weeding in fire ant prone areas in Texas is definitely a necessity. I was once weeding a garden I thought was free of them when I looked down and my gloves were covered with the nasty little things. I took the gloves off and set them down but then had to make sure they weren’t anywhere else on me. They have this pheromone thing going where they very quietly get all over you and then the signal goes out to chomp down. Before that you probably have no clue there even there. I once was standing in the grass and thought it was mosquitoes that were biting me when I saw my legs covered with them. I’m allergic to their bites so ended up in the doctor’s office for a shot and then had to drink a baking soda solution since their bites are very acidic.
This sounds like a nightmare! Fortunately, we don’t have those here yet, but you never know.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I agree, that Hawaiian bag was a different way of doing things for me, and thus somewhat challenging.
Oh, my, that must have been so frightening for you, forgetting where you were/how to get there, etc.!! With that happening once, and then eye issues, you were probably wise to give up driving. We were thankful my mother did, also–they had just moved, and she gave up driving because she was afraid she would get lost (even though my brother had lived in the area for years and she had driven there many times). At that point, she was starting to really show the signs of arterial dementia, and we were thankful we didn’t have to take the driving away from her!
So sorry about your back Jeanne. I’ve had a lot of trouble with sciatic nerve pain at times and it did not go down my leg but stayed up near my hip. It’s raw nerve pain and so painful to the point that I often had to be careful what clothes I wore so not to aggravate it. It seems that going to the chiropractor was helpful for this but I will be going to the orthopedic doctor Friday to see about all the rest of my issues.