Don't look up, don't bend down

Have you ever had vertigo? You don't want it, let me tell you. It's amazing the number of things we do without even thinking about it and then when you can't do them it's like "what the heck??" I woke up last weekend just as dizzy as all get out. Holiday weekend, couldn't get in to the doctor until Tuesday. Wednesday went for a doppler ultrasound of my carotid arteries. Got good news today, arteries are fine, just an inner ear thing. Apparently the rocks in my head are out of place ;-) So I bounce from wall to wall all the way down the hall and when I lay down the room spins like I have been on a cheap drunk. (can't afford an expensive drunk) I am able to sew as long as I don't move my head very quickly and I can use my embroidery machine - just be really careful when I lean forward to thread the needle. Ah, life can be so interesting.

Small tablerunners

I found the pattern for these tablerunners while I was searching for something else and just had to stop and make a couple. I seem to have trouble staying on task as I was supposed to be working on something else but they were so easy that I couldn't help myself.

I'm glad I did them when I did because I woke up Saturday with a case of vertigo and haven't been able to do much since. Since this was a holiday weekend, I couldn't get in to see my dr. so I'll call tomorrow for an appointment. Being dizzy is not much fun (although my DH thinks I'm dizzy most of the time).

I guess I'll go to bed - in this case bed is the recliner because if I lay down flat the room spins. Not a good feeling at all. TTFN

I hate to do bindings

I really hate putting bindings on quilts although I do a fairly decent job of it. Most of the time I put them on by machine but for my brother's quilt (see above) I sewed it down on the back by hand. It just looks prettier, I think. I'm so glad I had plenty of time before the reunion to get it done! It was machine quilted by a member of Frayed Edges, Erika Phillips. She does an amazing job and when I want something to look it's best, I send it to her.

I'm putting the binding on a quilt for Quilts of Valor right now. Erika machine quilted it also and used stars and loops. Beautiful!!

I'm about to the point that I can start quilting the quilts that I pieced in Florida this winter. I really need to get them done so I can put the plastic totes away in the garage. My sewing room is never going to get cleaned up if I keep putting things off.

That's it for today.

Happy, Happy.......

I'm so happy today. The weather is gorgeous, the sky is blue and no rain until tomorrow. The only cloud in my sky is the fact that my sweet mother-in-law is in the hospital. As she was putting on her shoes yesterday, her foot slipped and she tumbled to the floor. Thru the grace of God, she didn't break anything but she did crack her tailbone. Since she is 94 and lives alone, she will be staying in the hospital for a few days until she can get up and down by herself.

And, yes, we have tried to talk her into assisted living or something where she would have people to look after her but she insists she can take care of herself. Bless her heart, I understand that she doesn't want to give up her home and her independence but we are all concerned that she will fall again and break something for sure.

On a lighter note, I have been intending to post a photo of a double wedding ring quilt that was made by my honey's grandmother and aunts. I feel so fortunate that I was given this quilt.

His sister was given a beautiful appliqued quilt in the dogwood pattern.

How wonderful to have heirloom quilts such as these in the famly.

Quilt Fest Challenge

My guild's challenge for our Quilt Fest 2009 was "black, white & one other color". I thought this woud be nice but, in my haste to pack and leave for the winter, I forgot to give it to one of my friends to enter for me. Alas, one cannot win a ribbon without entering first.

I'm so happy, I got all three comfort quilts finished - quilted, bound and labeled YEAH!!! Two were quick and easy and the third was one that I made the top for over the winter and then finished now that we are back to the soggy Midwest. My inspiration was some coasters that my MIL made out of plastic canvas.My DH and I bought some veggie plants and seeds today but goodness knows when it will be dry enough to till the garden.

I'm finally getting brave enough to use my Featherweight. I'm afraid I'll break it ;-) I did some ditch quilting and was just tickled by the nice straight line. My Janome doesn't do that good (or maybe I try to go too fast). Next I plan to put together a top from blocks that I made down south. I don't like not having any floor space to lay things out but sometimes you have to accept things and work around them. I don't have to shovel that white stuff either.

I've been looking at some other blogs and seen quite a few fabric postcards. I know they have been around for a while but I haven't done any so I just might try it. I have some Timtex somewhere. If I can just find it. Maybe it's in the top of the closet? Will look tomorrow.

Gotta go. See ya. Thanks for stopping by.

Comfort Quilts

Alrighty!! I got this one finished today and had to hurry outside and take a picture. It's a little breezy today so it isn't hanging straight but that's okay - at least the sun is shining.

Tomorrow I'm taking serger class. Even though I've had mine for a few years, I really have only tried the basics. I made a tablecloth and napkins to match and I use it for Project Linus preemie blankets but that is about it. We're supposed to make an heirloom pillow in the class. Should be interesting.

Comfort Quilts

My quilt guild had a "sew-in" Friday night to work on "comfort quilts" for the wounded at Scott Air Force Base hospital in Belleville, IL. We started at 6:30 and tried to make it til midnight. There were around 15 of us and we had a great time. The quilt shop "peace and Applique" in Rochester donated several bolts of fabric and the attendees brought some of theirs and we just put it all together, cut 5" squares, sewed them into 9-patches, cut again, moved them around, sewed again and 'ta-da' we have a quilt top. I think that all told, we got 7 or 8 done. I'm going to sandwich mine tomorrow and get it quilted by the next guild meeting.

I should have taken a picture of the food table. After all, have you ever known a bunch of quilters to get together and not have food?