The Power of Our Love

There are moments in our life when we see something happening and we feel moved to do something, do anything. That happened earlier this year. Earlier this year, my dear friend St. Elsewhere was faced with something no one should have to face. She lost her beautiful baby daughter after only 2 days of life and a long battle to have her. I knew I couldn't make it better. I knew I couldn't remove the pain. But, I felt I needed had to do something to show her we, the whole ALI community, would never ever forget her daughter. I wanted it to be something tangible, something that could carry our love to her, something others could contribute to, something she could wrap around her when she needed a hug. In short, I wanted to make her a quilt. I put the call out and asked for people to contribute in any way they felt moved to...fabric, notes, prayers, or money to help with supply costs and shipping costs. Y'all, I was literally OVERWHELMED with the response. There are truly too many people who contributed to list them here. My email in box was overflowing and, shortly, my mailbox was overflowing. Packages and letters came in from all over the world. I received so many beautiful pieces of fabric that I could only include small amounts from each one and still have the quilt be a normal size. This is the final product...
For those of you who have read my blog or visited before, yes, this is the quilt I attributed to my friend Sheila. It was the only way I could share the progress without letting St. Elsewhere know what we were up to. Due to a long trip overseas and circumstance beyond her control, St. Elsewhere didn't open the package until very recently and SHE POSTED ABOUT IT TODAY. I am truly honored that I got to participate in something that means so much to her. I honestly feel my roll in this was small. Without the love, support, and generosity of the ALI community, this quilt could not have happened. Thank you everyone for helping me do this. I'd like to send out one final tribute to both St. Elsewhere's baby and everyone who helped with this. Here is the slide show I created to go along with the quilt.

Two small notes...1) because of the music that goes along with this, a song by Michael Jackson, the viewing of this video is blocked in many countries. If you can't view it, use the email link in the right sidebar and I'll see about getting you a copy or link that will allow you to view it. 2) the third slide showing fabric has the name Helene K on it. She is the one who shipped the fabric, not the blogger who contributed it. I can't find the email with the correct name. Please let me know if it's from you.

A Long Overdue Commitment

Most days I have great follow through. Most days, if I say I'm going to make/do something for someone, it gets done rapidly. Every now and then, something slips off my radar and life gets in the way. Then, when I remember it, I am usually shamefully behind and past due on the thing (whatever it is). Well, I finally finished one of those shamefully behind projects and I want to show it off to y'all. I finished the tote bags for the previous winners of my Book Challenge drawing. Mrs. Gamgee of Hobbit-ish Thoughts and Ramblings was the 2009 winner and Rebecca (aka Idgie) formerly of A Long and Winding Road now titled The Road From There To Here is the 2010 winner. I have Mrs. Gamgee's address and will need Rebecca's so I can get the tote bags in the mail.

I made a 3rd tote bag which was originally going to be mine but I decided it had my mom's name on it instead.

There is two outside pockets, front and back, and one interior compartment. I hope everyone likes them and I promise (bwahahahahahaha) to really, really try to be more timely next time.

Q is for Quilt...with quilt dimensions added for Genevieve

Quilting is a craft I discovered by accident. Ever since I learned to sew those many eons ago, I had done some small piecework projects but I had never made or quilted anything larger than a pillow until about 7 years ago. The cross stitch bulletin board I belong to was making squares for a quilt that was to go to a member whose son was ill. There was a fiasco (not worth going into) and we ended up having to start all over. At that point, I just wanted to make sure it got done so I had everyone send the cross stitched squares to me. I just didn't tell the ladies on the board that I had never assembled a quilted project larger than a pillow. That first quilt had a few flaws but, over all, it turned out pretty well and I was hooked.

Quilts are more than something to just keep warm with. Quilts can be true artwork. Quilts can also be an expression of love and caring. Each and every quilt I have made for my boys not only keeps them warm but reminds them how much I love them. Quilts can also be a form of remembrance. When we were mired in the hell of repeat pregnancy loss, the same lovely ladies from the cross stitch board who collaborated with me on my first quilt made me a quilt to remember the babies I had lost. Even though they said they hoped I could one day wrap a baby in it (and I did), I could never bring myself to give that quilt to Gabe because of the meaning and memories it holds for me. Every time I hold that quilt, I am reminded that I'm not the only one who remembers the babies I lost. Quilts can also be just plain old fun. With all the fabulous patterned fabrics and textures that exist, a quilt can be anything you want it to be.

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Speaking of quilts, my friend Sheila finished that gorgeous patchwork quilt she was working on. She gave me permission to show the finished product to y'all. The binding barely shows around the edges of the pic of the whole quilt but it is a satiny chocolate brown material...


54" wide x 69" longand it's backed in fleece
Both pics are clickable so you can see a larger image and the colors in these pics are a lot more true to life. Sheila promised me she would let me know how the quilt was received but it is going to be a while until we hear about the recipients reaction. Sheila is going to be out of town for the next few weeks.

Back from the computer graveyard

A post brought to you in bullets (which almost got used to kill the recalcitrant computer) ...

*Once again, my wonderful computer geek husband has saved our computer from the junk heap. There are still a few things to be reloaded and a few things to figure out (like why, oh why is WeatherBug insisting on displaying itself in the task bar along with the normal lower right hand corner of the screen display) but, overall, the computer is 100% again..

*It is seriously wrong and unfair that after two days of 85 degree weather less than a week ago, we are now facing two nights worth of freeze warnings. What happened to in like a lion and out like a lamb?

*It's also seriously unfair that those two gorgeous warm, sunny days happened while we were all sick and now that we are well, it is cold and rainy...ugh.

*I am still tweaking the gloves I am making. Have to take the fingers back off and make them a bit shorter.

*Speaking of crafts, I finally got pics from my friend Sheila of the quilt she is making. I've seen it in person and the pics don't really do it justice. She still has to put the layers together, quilt it, and put on the binding. Sheila says it will be done in about a week. First and last picture are clickable for enlarged viewing.
You can see a better close up of the corner blocks in this post.


I apologize for my lack of substantial posts during ICLW but the computer issues could not be avoided.

Monday Miscellany

I know I saw that title somewhere recently but I can't remember where to give credit where credit is due...sorry.

Welcome, welcome to all my old friends and to any new ones I may make during ICLW. I'm going to do my very best to have a great week commenting and visiting a bunch of blogs but my best intentions seem to get derailed lately. So, to kick off ICLW, here's a bunch of random stuff (Sorry, my brain is still too addled by germs and the time of night for much else).

I am still sick...boooo hiiiisssssss. I have a lingering cough that I just can NOT shake.  What makes this all the more frustrating is that next weekend I am suppose to go camping with Joey and his cub scout den. I really need to be well before then.

I stuck with it and finished The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman. This was the book I mentioned on Friday that I was having trouble focusing on because by chapter 5 I figured out who the bad guy was and another major plot twist. I am really glad I stuck with it because there was so much more going on in that book than I had realized.  It was definitely worth reading and I may have to look up some of the author's other books.

I've been being all crafty and stuff lately. For those of you who hang around a lot, I know I promised you pictures of Sheila's quilt but I've been having camera issues (as in it is still MIA) but she's going to email me some pics so I can share the splendor she is creating. Also, I made a Pi necklace...the one with the beads not the numbers. I'm going to have to make at least two more because my mom wants one and Joey wants one too. Also, do y'all remember my post about the adult themed crochet designs? Well, a dear friend requested a Beanis (the first crocheted item in the post) in the most inappropriate colors I could think of. I just finished her Beanis the 18 inch Penis and it has a bright red head, a blue/red shaft, and balls in varying shades of blue. She says she's going to display it in her china cabinet. And, I am crocheting a fabulous pair of gloves. It kind of sucks that I'll have to wait until next winter to wear them but it gives me time to get the design to work correctly.

I'd also like to ask for continued prayers for the family friend with pancreatic cancer...only, now we are back to not knowing if it's cancer or not. The doctor's at Duke couldn't decide if it was but wanted to start her on chemo and radiation just in case (because pancreatic cancer is such a bitch to treat). Well, that logic didn't sit well with her and she went off to Johns Hopkins for a consult with the two top pancreatic cancer specialist. Well, even they couldn't decide if it was cancer from the scans (and they even called in a whole team of specialists) so she is going up to Johns Hopkins this week to have a biopsy done. Evidently, there are a multitude (I think they said 11) of variations on pancreatic cancer and they all require their own specialized approach to treatment. So, hopefully the biopsy will not only tell them if the two masses on her pancreas are cancerous or not but, if they are, which variation needs to be treated.

On a lighter note, I am hosting a uPrinting giveaway of 100 custom printed postcards. Please enter.

Also, if you like to read, check out the info about my 2011 Book Challenge and, if it sounds interesting, click on the sign up page tab under my header. The more, the merrier.

The Good, the Bad, the WTF, and the Ooooooh My Gawd

Hey y'all...I have a bunch of stuff I want to share with you and it's all vaguely related under the crafty heading. Enjoy!

The Good
Remember when I showed y'all the quilt pattern I was helping a friend design? Well, Sheila has made some serious progress on the quilt and says I can share it with you guys. She has finished piecing the center block that includes the machine embroidered saying...

and she has finished the friendship squares that go in each of the four corners...She has cut out almost all the other pieces for the quilt which means I may get to show y'all another progress picture soon.

The Bad
Honestly, I can't bring myself to put anything here. What I like or find amusing, someone else might think is horrible or vice versa. To get your fill of this, check out Regretsy or Craft Fail.

The WTF?!?
Y'all know I love to crochet. I can even see using crocheting to create striking artwork. But, I just have to scratch my head and say "What the fuck?" when I see these...

created by Rome based artist Magda Sayeg...the web site calls this a knitted bus but Ms. Sayeg is known for her crochet work so I think it has been misidentified created by the artist Olek as part of an art exhibit
another Magda Sayg creation...it was driven through the streets of Rome
created by Washington, DC artist Theresa Honeywell
 created by Prague artist, Jitka Havlickova While I can certainly admire the artistry or the color splash offered by these, the mind simply boggles at the sheer number of hours it must have taken to do these.  All of them are full size and, in the case of the bus and the smart car, are driveable. Can you just imagine hopping into that smart car and taking it for a spin...truly odd. A shout out of thanks to Crochet Today! for bringing this fucknuttery to my attention.

Ya know, this post has gotten awfully long. I think I'll put the Ooooooh My Gawd craftiness in a post later today.  You might want to check back because there just might be a chance to win something in that post.

Crafts Galore

I hope you don't mind indulging me a bit. I've been very bust doing crafty stuff and want to share it with y'all. This post is very picture heavy so feel free to skip it if you are on a slow connection or browsing via smart phone.

I finished this first two hats close to the first of the year. The first one is my own variation of the Divine Hat Pattern from Rheatheylia. The second hat is a newborn version that was added to the original pattern by the designer. I also used this pattern to make the hat I showed y'all back in October.

for Ben

for Doing Good In Her NameThis next hat is my very own design called Mimi's Hat. I originally designed this hat for a friend based on a hat her daughter has (and I NEED a picture of her wearing it...hint, hint) and I named it after her daughter. This version was made for my mom and I added a little shamrock to it. I sucked it up and decided to be brave and enter it in a contest.
Mimi's Hat for my mom

close up of shamrock

shamrock highlightedI designed this cowl, the Mobius Cowl, to go with the hat I made for my mom. I also entered it in the contest.
the Mobius Cowl

close up of the Mobius Cowl stitch pattern

me wearing itFinally, I helped a friend figure out this quilt layout. The colors are NOT representative. I just had to pick something to show the pattern. The dark lines represent how she will be quilting it. The machine embroidered piece after it goes in the center of the quilt.
quilt layout I helped friend with

the machine embroidered piece for the centerI hope y'all enjoyed my craft indulgence. Thanks for looking.

And, don't forget to enter the CSN giveaway.

Random and scattered...

Not only does the kitten climb the Christmas tree but he sleeps in it. Evidently, he has spent a considerable chunk of time in it because he has a sticky, tree sappy spot on his flank.

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Just got a text message that made me grin from ear to ear. I made a dress for someone based solely on measurements, she got it today, and she LOVES it. I am thrilled. Hopefully, I will have pictures to show you of it soon.

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I'm adjusting to Vic being back on night shifts. It's not horrible anymore but it's not wonderful. On the plus side (and this is a HUGE plus), since he has been out of the office and back in front of a 911 console, his blood sugar levels have been much better.

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It's going to be a weird Christmas, schedule -wise. Vic will be working those nights but we will be able to open presents together Christmas morning.

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Remember that quilt I was talking to y'all about? It is about 90% assembled and I will hopefully have the machine quilting done by the weekend and next week I can start the hand quilted motifs (a leaf, a squirrel, a turkey, an acorn, a pumpkin, and either a corn on the cob or an apple).

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Go over to Wistfulgirl's World and sign up for the ornament exchange. I'm making some absolutely FAB ornaments for the person I get matched with.

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Anyone want to go climb up on my roof with me so I can have help putting up the Christmas lights and fixing the spot around the fan vent that is letting in water? I can do it but I get very nervous on the part of the roof with the steep slope.

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What are you baking for Christmas this year?  I make Spritz, sugar cookies, rum balls, and fattigman (a Swedish version of gingerbread).  I also make coffee cake.  I'm debating adding a new, fun cookie to the mix but I just can't decide.  And, no, all the baking isn't just for us.  When I was little, my mom use to bake up a storm and take plates around to friends.  I do that now and I try to always have a plate of goodies to take to our local fire station for the guys that are stuck on duty Christmas Eve.

Artistic Ideas Needed...

Hey y'all...I'm asking for advice again.  I am making a quilt out of unusual material and I need help figuring out what motifs I am going to quilt onto each block.  The quilt is done in bold Fall colors and each block is a solid not pieced.  There are 36 blocks in the quilt and I need at least 6 motifs.  They need to be objects that can be represented with fairly simple drawings.  So far, I have come up a leaf, a squirrel, a turkey, an acorn, and a pumpkin.  I need one more motif and I am sort of stuck.  I am thinking about an ear of corn but I'm not set on that.  Anyone have any ideas?

Bueller?  Bueller? Anyone?

Craftiness Abounds

Welcome to the new edition of Show & Tell blogger style hosted by wonderful and fabulous Suzy at not a fertile myrtle. I know I already made y 'all look at the crafty goodness of the red ghost costume but I can't resist sharing more craftiness with you.

I recently finished the cutest hat for a friend's preschool aged son. Since her son has a big head (just like my kids), I used Gabe as my test model.  This hat was crocheted using the Divine Hat Pattern from Rheatheylia and I added my own little twist.

I also finished the front of what will be a denim rag quilt tote bag. With this style, you sew pieces with the wrong side (inside) together so the seams fall on the outside of the piece. Then, when you wash it, the edges of the denim fray and give it a really cool look.
Head on over to Suzy's to check out the other Show & Tell entries this week.

More Fabric Porn

Here are the rest of my favorite quilts from the show.  I had intended to split the pictures evenly between posts but, obviously, I can't count...

Do you have a favorite quilt out of all these or do you have a style that appeals more to you?

These were a few of my favorite things

There were so many truly incredible quilts.  And, the vendors had some truly amazing fabrics and fabric stamps and yarns and embroidery threads and...despite all that I was a very good girl.  I only spent a total of $22 ($5 entrance, $5 on raffle tickets, and $12 on fabric).

Here are a few of my favorite quilts from the show...

I came away with so many ideas and plans for quilts.  I will have to put another post up tomorrow with the rest of my favorite quilts.  I think this is long enough as it is.

The 10 Promises Of A Stitcher

All of you who are crafters of any sort will get a good giggle out of this. Crafting has a way of taking over your life and your house. If you do something other than cross stitch, just substitute in your craft of choice.

The 10 Promises Of A Stitcher (with thanks to Robin for posting this list on Facebook)

* I will not stuff embroidery supplies in every corner of my house. I fail at this.

* I will not keep 14 projects going at one time. I do not fail at this. I have many, many more than 14.

* I will not buy more threads, patterns, or books when I have a ton at home. I fail at this.

* I will not let my stitching space look like a condemned area. I fail at this.

* I will not relegate the kitchen table to needlework. I fail at this.

* I will not stock up on more stitching supplies just because they are on sale. I fail at this.

* I will not let my embroidery distract me from making dinner. I fail at this.

* I will not stay up all night stitching. I fail at this.

* I will not buy every embroidery magazine I see. I fail at this.

* I should not make promises I cannot keep.

So, tell me, do your crafts take over your life and your house? Have your supplies morphed into a stash and your stash morphed into *S.A.B.L.E. ? It's confession time...come on, it's good for the soul.


*S.A.B.L.E. = Stash Above and Beyond Life Expectancy

A Labor of Love...

Right before the end of 2009, I finished up a massive craft project. I know most of my regular readers remember me talking about my friend Velda being diagnosed with cancer. Well, Velda is the wonderful woman who built the group of cross stitchers I have been a part of for 10 years now. These ladies are from all over the world and, yet, it feels like we are friends who live just around the corner from each other. We have celebrated so many things with each other. More importantly, these women have also banded together to support each other through births, deaths, pregnancy losses, and illnesses. Many times, we have combined our love of stitching with the need to provide tangible evidence of our love and support and many beautiful cross stitch quilts have been produced and mailed to all corners of the world. When we heard about Velda's diagnosis, we knew what had to be done. I had the privilege and honor of being the person who got to put together Velda's quilt. In less than two months time, 37 cross stitch squares from all over the world (38 counting mine) and various kinds of purple fabric converged on my house. Many people generously donated funds to help with the costs of fabric and shipping (holy hell is International Express Mail expensive) and Velda recieved her quilt on Monday the 11th.

Please take a moment to click on each of these pics and see a close up of the exquisite stitching work all these ladies did






I am honored to have been a part of a project that carries so much love and so many prayers and positive thoughts in it.