Importance of Starting Early

In today's hectic world it is much easier to go to local store and buy clothes, curtains, household items and stuffed toys. But have you ever taken the time to browse through a pattern book in the fabric department or local fabric shop (LFS)?  It is amazing what you can make.


Why it is important to start kids out playing with scraps of fabric, a needle and thread?

2011 in Review

I haven’t got into updating my Blog regularly so thought I would look back to some of my best memories relating to my addictions….Sewing, Quilting, Longarm Quilting, Pro-Stitcher and now the Art & Stitch Software that came with the PS.

It took me awhile to get out of the winter funk I was in at the beginning of 2011. I was still recovering from knee replacement on my good knee. (My left side suffers partial paralysis from a childhood disease at age 10) I was in physical therapy several times a week plus a Swim Exercise Program and by the time I was finished I was too tired to do anything. I did enjoy my computer and Ipad I received to help recuperate.  It was fun reading blogs and entering contests. Like most folks to win anything makes the day. 

One of the interesting contests was by Aurifil Thread. We were to make a video . This was not the easiest but when I was done I was happy. I titled it “Charge It”.    

My HQ Pro-Stitcher

A very special day!! I spent 2 afternoons with Elaine and was able to quilt 2 charity quilts I had brought with me. I belong to the Village Quilters Guild and enjoy being able to work on the charity quilts they make. I will add more about that in another time.

My Souvenir from FL.

Each Fall Break, hubby and I take our daughter, Jackie and 8 yr old grandson Dakota to Daytona, FL. on vacation.  Our arrival was the last of 3 days of wind and rain folks had been experiencing. I have been in some strong winds before but to have the ocean waves come across open sections of the highway and street signs bending I would have swore it was a Tropical Storm.  TS Rocky Top sounded good to us. By morning the sun was shining and a beautiful day was in front of us.  I had made plans to visit my friend, Elaine at The Quilting Machine Shop in Bunnell, FL. Outside of picking up some AccQuilt GO Dies at 35% off, I was going to learn about the Handi Quilter Pro-Stitcher and take on a few more lessons on how to make feathers free hand on my HQ Avante 18. To my surprise, my wonderful husband John had been in cahoots with Elaine for months and had bought me the Pro-Stitcher! I was in shock. I couldn't believe it! But the card with it said it all!! It covered every holiday on the calendar. I think I came home with the best souvenir!!

Quilting Again, Finally

I had a Right Knee Replacement Aug. 23, 2010 and life pretty much came to a stand still for awhile. This is not an easy recovery but it has been well worth it. I came out of surgery in good shape already being able to bend my knee but I think later that night my pain medication was too strong. It sent me tripping! Because I didn't get my full therapy, I was taken to a rehab center where I stayed for 5 days and only received one day of therapy. I was told they didn't have me on the schedule because when I got a migraine they gave me a pill and here I was back in LaLa Land!! I don't see how people can do drugs. I ended up in ER and found dehydrated so after a bag of fluid I was sent back to rehab.  I wanted to go home so bad and I told everyone I was leaving on Monday, Aug. 30 because it was my husband's John 65th birthday.  It took a battle but I came home that day!  My sister, Diana came to help John. She was a blessing for sure.  I started rehab 3X a week as an outpatient.  It was hard and the only pain medication I was taking was Extra Strength Tyenol but I survived the 1st 6 weeks.  Then I went through 12 weeks of water therapy which was much easier. My biggest problem was swelling and I wasn't able to keep my leg down long enough to sew. Finally, my swelling is down and I am ready to start sewing and quilting again. Life is Good!