Saturday, August 08, 2015

Six Months Have Passed….

It has been half a year now since my Ernie passed away.  I’ve made it through two more holidays….
Memorial Day & July 4th plus a few family events, like hosting this dinner when my baby sister visited from Maui.

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It was fun to *play* with my dishes again!

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Ms. C. rode with her school’s unicycle club the entire parade route!  I was amazed!!
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Two other “occasions” that just weren’t the same without him were Ms. C’s 11th birthday party
as well as my daughter’s birthday.  *sigh*

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I’ve been keeping busy with my sewing & baking, though, as it helps to distract me & pass the days.

I made this little toddler quilt from a piece of Ikea fabric & Minky backing for extra cuddle-softness.

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It was VERY warm on my lap while I hand stitched the binding!

This was the first time I had quilted anything with Minky & I was glad that I didn’t have a bit of trouble.

I used Hobbs 80/20 batting inside & Sew Fine thread throughout.
The Minky is stretchy & I had been warned to place the selvages parallel to the poles of my long arm,
to help control the stretch. 

I did make sure to clean out my machine really well afterwards, as it leaves more fluff than usual behind.

The quilting pattern is called “Green Tea” & I was hoping the big leaves looked rather jungle-ish, given the critters on the front.

Here is a shot of the back, where you can see the pattern better:

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I have also used my Innova longarm to quilt some items for my friends.
This first one is Nicole’s gift for a young relative with health issues.

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I was SEW impressed with the beautiful job she did with her embroidery machine on the blocks!

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I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the theme she has chosen, using the words from St. Patrick's breastplate (and song) "Christ Be Beside Me".
hey played this at my husband's funeral in Feb. & I find it so touching & meaningful.

Known as "The Breastplate of St. Patrick" and "The Lorica"
This powerful prayer was composed by Saint Patrick in the year 433.
He was aware that there was an ambush to try to kill him and his group en route to the King's court.
It was during the march that they chanted the sacred "Lorica" or Deer's Cry -
later known as St. Patrick's Breastplate.
As the druids lay in hiding, ready to kill, they saw not Patrick and his men,
but a gentle deer followed by twenty fawns.
St. Patrick and his men were saved.

I put a design of a "deer" on the back of the quilt, per her request.
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She has used her embroidery machine to create the individual blocks by Anita Goodesign, called "A Quilt For All Seasons" here:
http://www.anitagood...seasons-spring/
She also stitched out the words of the prayer with her sewing machine's built-in fonts, in the sashings.

I did a lot of ruler work to just anchor along the edges of the sashings.
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She wanted it to be "poofy" so I used wool batting.   
I did each block's unembroidered triangle areas in a color that will blend into it.
I anchored down each embroidered section but they're pretty thick so I didn’t do much ON those areas… just SID, as the intersections were thick.

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Ive also done a few smaller projects for my friend, Robin.
If I remember correctly, this quilt pattern is called "Sand Dunes" & can be found HERE.

Yippee-Ki-Yay Panto full front

The quilting design had a Western theme, per her request.
It is called “Yippee Ki Yay” with cowboy boots, lassos,
stars & cowboy hats.  It went beautifully with the
fabric she chose as her backing…too cute!

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I did this little table topper/wall hanging for her, too.
There are faint white *pumpkin seed* designs in the squares that are half white.  Hard to see them in this photo.

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With lots more time on my hands these days, I’ve been a *Domestic Diva* in the kitchen, making over 100 Eiffel tower cookies for DGD
Ms. C’s Girl Scout troop.

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They sold them for $1 apiece & also won an award for the “BEST DESSERT” at the event!

I just completed a really pretty & very dramatic quilt but I don’t want to share too much of it until
after I enter it into the upcoming Mutton Hill Quilt Show at the John S. Knight center.
Here is a sneak peak, though:

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There is more to come…I have TONS of beautiful photos from a Pat Knegel (Eleanor Burns' sister) trunk show I attended
but this post is long enough. I'll save those for another day.

I thank each of you who have contacted me to check on how I was coping.
Some days are better than others & the weekends are still the worst.
However….I muddle on!
Thanks for stopping by!

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21 comments:

  1. So glad to hear from you! I know this is such a difficult time. You should be proud that you are producing so much happiness while you walk through it. Thinking of you...

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  2. It's wonderful to see you posting again. It must be difficult. I must say, you look fabulous, Rett. LOVE the long hair. Your quilting is amazing and its hard to believe you haven't been at it that long. Love all that you've shown. You've been missed and I know I speak for many when I say it is wonderful having you back to blogging.

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  3. My friend you look gorgeous! I'm so glad to see you back with such a lovely table and pretty dishes. They say that the first six months after losing a close loved one is the hardest, then it's sort of like after the rain... birds are singing shyly again and the sun comes out not as warm as before, but pleasant enough to make you smile and start enjoying things and family again.
    I've been thinking that I want to buy me a sewing machine again and here you are sharing such wonderful work now I feel embarrassed just of the thought, lol!
    Enjoy your weekend and your sister's visit.
    FABBY

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  4. Hi Rett, The cookies are adorable and all of the quilts beautiful! Your table looks pretty too. And you look stunning, Rett...kind of like a blonde Meryl Streep. I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that you will be comforted and that you will once again enjoy holidays even though you will always miss your dearest.
    I'm sending you a big hug, Beth

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  5. Hi Rett! Oh, my heart goes out to you. I can't imagine how you've gotten through this time but I'm so glad to know you're keeping busy and blogging again. You look beautiful and I love your long hair. How did Miss C get that big!! Time flies. You're still one of the best sewers out in blogland and the quilts are just beautiful! Have a wonderful time with your sister.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  6. Oh Rett, so glad that you are back again.and that you are keeping busy. Your quilts are stunning. Love you new hair do, you look terrific. I know it''s been hard, but keep busy and that does help. You have many friends in blogland that care. Take care of yourself.
    Hugs,
    Mary

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  7. Hi Rett:
    I was so happy to see your post in my blog feed. I've missed seeing your posts and think of you often. It's nice to see that you're busy with family and still creating beautiful things. I hope you make a trip again to Florida some time so that you, Carol and I can spend a little time together.
    Be well, my friend. You are loved.
    xo
    Donna

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  8. Rett, I was so glad to see a post from you pop up in my Feedly this morning! I know the past six months have been very hard. It looks like you have stayed VERY busy with all the beautiful quilting and family activities. You really are an "artiste" with your quilting!

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  9. Everything looks so gorgeous - as do you. Always thinking about you and how you are getting along.

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  10. It's so difficult to pick up the pieces and move forward. Your quilting is just gorgeous and I am sure very therapeutic at the same time. Your table is also beautiful.

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  11. How beautiful you look as a hostess for your sister's party, Rett! I know you miss your Ernie so much, and I'm so thankful that you're keeping busy with all your sewing and quilting projects. They are SEW beautiful and I can see all the love that you put in them. Your cookie decorating skills are impressive, too. Ernie would be proud of you for "muddling" through and keeping on.
    Love and hugs are sent to you, my friend. It was good to read a post from you, and I look forward to seeing more of your quilt next time.

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  12. Yes, Ernie would indeed be proud of you. Gracious! Look at all the creativity you have shared! Thank you for the pictures of the quilts, for I find them very inspiring and clever. They are a delight to the eye, and I want to recreate every one of them. I really look forward to your next post(s).

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  13. You get so much accomplished and everything is beautiful. I look forward to your posts. Keep on keeping on, you are an inspiration to many!

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  14. Rett, I've been thinking of you, you've been sewing up a storm and your work is beautiful! I look forward to more photos of the quilt you're entering. Playing with dishes and in the kitchen is therapeutic for me too. I love your Parchment Rouge paired with your star plates for the 4th of July! And I'm so impressed with your icing skills and your petite Eiffel Tower cookies! How fun they won best dessert too, très bien :) You look beautiful at your table and as the hostess with the mostess. ♥

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  15. Hi Rett - I think sewing is good therapy and, as always, I'm so impressed by your beautiful quilting. What fun to have a long-arm machine. It all looks so complicated to me and can't imagine doing it myself. Thank heavens, I have a friend who does a lovely job of it. I have the same Eiffel Tower cookie cutter but haven't used it because I wasn't sure of a pattern. I'm going to follow your design and make a batch. I can see why they were voted best dessert. I'm happy you are keeping busy and doing well, my friend.

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  16. Hi Rett - I think sewing is good therapy and, as always, I'm so impressed by your beautiful quilting. What fun to have a long-arm machine. It all looks so complicated to me and can't imagine doing it myself. Thank heavens, I have a friend who does a lovely job of it. I have the same Eiffel Tower cookie cutter but haven't used it because I wasn't sure of a pattern. I'm going to follow your design and make a batch. I can see why they were voted best dessert. I'm happy you are keeping busy and doing well, my friend.

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  17. I am so glad to 'see' you again, Rett! You have been on my mind and in my prayers. Your work, as always, looks beautiful...as do you!

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  18. It sounds like you've been keeping wonderfully busy which must help so much. Best wishes and hugs.

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  19. Hello Rett. I've been away and am catching up on blog posts. I'm so happy to see one from you. Your sweet Ernie would be pleased at how you are coping with his loss. Your quilting is so beautiful, and I love the St. Patrick's Breastplate themed one. It's so meaningful. Hugs and prayers for comfort and peace.

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  20. Rett, it is good to see you posting, though I've been out of town and just now seeing this. You've obviously been busy creating. That has to feel good! I know your life feels empty without sweet Ernie beside you. My heart aches for you!
    You look fantastic, by the way! I'm happy you shared a photo. The table is filled with pretty dishes. Love the stack!
    Take care and know that you are close in my heart.

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  21. Rett, I'm so happy that you're playing with dishes and quilts again. I've thought of you often and sent prayers your way. So glad to see you at Rattlebridge!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~