Life as I See It

Sissy’s Diary

January 4^th, 2022

Well, here it is another year. It has been 3 years since Roger passed. I am still very saddened at losing him but time does ease some of the pain. It is not so heart wrenching as it once was. I will be 68 in 2 weeks and 2022 marks my 50^th anniversary of graduating high school. I am hopeful of another 15-20 years if God so chooses. I figure I can get all those quilt projects finished. That will be my legacy to my nieces and nephews.

So to start the year off I have just finished my Quilt Challenge class by Angela Walters. It was a 16 class project learning how to machine quilt. It is so terrible in places but the finale was worth it. I really did learn quite a lot taking those classes and I am proud of the finished product. So on to the next QIW (quilt in waiting)

Currently under my needle is an adorable heavy equipment quilt that any 2 year old boy would love. I finally received the sashing fabric I had ordered and for some reason I started second guessing my choice. I really detest that waffling indecision period of time while the idea is percolating, but when the resolve sets in and a decision is made I am usually pleased with the outcome. It’s a process. So now that the decision has been made to go with the original idea it’s time to cut fabric and get sewing. I have also decided to add Connor’s name to the bottom of the quilt in random colors and fabric designs just to give it a little personalization. My original goal was to have it completed this week. Did I hear a raucous laugh in the background. I guess I’m confusing myself with super woman, yet again. But I will give it my best shot. So off to the cutting table I go for now.

January 6^th, 2022

Good morning world. I’m here another day. Isn’t that wonderful. I spent most of yesterday taking a friend who has cancer to her doctor’s appointment after her very intensive surgery and is unable to drive. Afterwards, she felt well enough to make a quick trip to the fabric story, i.e. our local quilt shop. I had a couple of coupons that would expire this month and I wanted to use them. I found backing fabrics for 2 of my projects and used one of the coupons and received my batting for free. Now that’s a bargain I really like. I was so excited about finding just the right fabric to accentuate each quilt top (unmade at this point, but fabrics at the ready). That is one of the things I like to do is make the back compliment what’s going on in the front. Sort of like following a theme or as in decorating complimenting each other. Not sure why I was so giddy about those fabrics but I really liked them. And yes, I like pink.

Before I headed off to pick of up my friend I did manage to finish adding the borders to Connor’s work truck quilt. I almost talked myself out of adding his name to the last border. I was having a challenging time with fabric choice. In the end it is a go for putting his name on the quilt and of course I chose polka dot fabric, my favorite print for the letters instead of a mixture of fabrics. My thought was the quilt top was vibrant enought. I did get them made and ironed on. Today I plan on zigzagging the letters , basting (sandwiching) the quilt together then I get to play with my Q16 again.

It’s supposed to snow today and the temp drop down to single digits. My wayward outdoor kitty was AWOL again yesterday but when I opened the door this morning to put out kitty food, there he was and promptly walked into my laundry room. So I have kidnapped him for the day as it is going to be way too cold for that baby to be outside. We’ll see how much protest he puts up on being held prisoner.

January 7, 2022

I did get the I Love Dirt quilt basted and one of the squares quilted. I am being meticulous and not just higglty pigglty with my quilting. It’s a matter of me slowing down and being careful. The squiggle lines are using ruler work. Now that’s a challenge. That darn ruler wants to slip a bit at times so I am really being careful. I’m liking the results.

My niece posted a picture of baby Olivia and her paper doll quilt I made her on facebook, so I copied the photo for my files. Isn’t she adorable.

Last July I decided to take control of my life again and began the process of getting my A1C on track and losing some weight. I find out how successful I have been with the A1C on the 13^th when I have my 6 month visit with my doctor. As for the weight I have lost 25 pounds. Very pleased with that. I am struggling at the moment with my momentum at losing. So I’m thinking I need to get creative and change something again with my diet to keep going. I’m finding I’m a snacker so I need to think of satisfying snacks that are low cal and low carb. Working on that idea for now. I also removed all sugar from my diet for a year. So far that’s not a problem. This is my christmas photo for this year at 25 pounds down.

Today, not sure how many blocks I can get quilted but I would like to try and get them all quilted. Wish me luck.

April Wells is the quilter I chose to quilt my Baltimore Album quilt. I know I chose the right person. Just look at her incredible work.

heart goes pitty pat just looking at the photo she posted. I can hardly wait to see the final result. I could just stare at it all day. She is so very talented.

January 10, 2022

The dump truck quilt is finished. I had all but the outer border quilted by Saturday a.m. I needed the right color blue thread which did not happen to be in my assorted colors. I took it anyway to Saturday Sampler group and showed it off as well as my pink and white quilt challenge. I wish I could bottle the feelings of accomplishment, pride and all those other feel good feelings to apply when one is down. I was very happy with the response from the group of 50 ladies and the compliments I received. My friends are biased and think I’m uber talented but the ladies of the group who do the same thing can give you feedback. That part I love. It helps me to grow as a quilter. So once home from Saturday Sampler group I loaded up the Q16 with the correct color thread and finished quilting the dump truck quilt for Connor. I have to admit I am very pleased and my skill set is increasing. Yesterday I added the binding and originally thought I would machine sew it from front to back for finishing. Well that didn’t work so well. Jack and I spent some quality time together taking it all out which means I hand sewed it. I smashed my right hand last October and I still have trouble doing things with it. So by the time I was finished hand sewing the binding I was in a great deal of pain and I had to take something stronger than Aleve, which I still have a few pain pills left from my bunion surgery last fall, so I took one of those. Today it’s not in pain but it is swollen and stiff. I guess I need to finally see a doctor about it. I will take a photo of the finished quilt before I send it off to Amanda. Today I plan on making the label and hand sewing it to the back.

Next up on my list is the Savannah quilt. It is Savannah animals, Elephant, Zebra, Rhino, etc. All I have left on it is the Rhino block and the feathers at the top and bottom of quilt. Maybe I can get it done this week and next week get it quilted. That would complete my list for 2021. Then I can begin my 2022 list. I have 5 quilts on that list and several smaller items. Anxious to get started on that list

Okay, so now label sewn on and note written to include with quilt. Swiping my hands in job well done completed. Woohoo. I have also cleaned (straightened) my sewing room. A ritual I have once I finish a project and am about to work on the next project. Such a good feeling. I will probably ship the quilt on Thursday as that is when I go into town for my doctor’s appointment.

I received a notification that my closet system I ordered from Wayfair should arrive today. Guess I better get busy emptying my closet to start that project. I do want to paint the closet also before I install and modify the system. I scored on this system it was on clearance. It is regularly priced at $659.00 and I got it for $196.00 Yay for me.

It is designed for a children’s closet but I plan to modify it for my closet by adding shelving above the hanging rack and across the top as well as adding side walls to it. Plus I need to go to Hobby Lobby and get a drawer pull. Thinking some sort of girly glass pull. I’m soothing my inner little girl.

January 11^th, 2022

Yesterday was exhausting. I posted on Facebook to the group Friends of Baltimore the most recent photos I had received from April Wells, my long arm quilter. Boy did it ever send off a bevy of activity. Replying to everyone all day truly exhausted me. It was exhilirating but exhausting. Then last night she posted another photo. Her work truly takes my breath away.

I signed up for a class in Springfield to properly learn how to machine applique. I have tried to teach myself but would really like to learn how to execute proper points and turns and different stitches. This morning I have put a tub together to take to class with all the items on the supply list. The class is January 31^st. A bit anxious I guess. I will need to call the Quilt Shop and cancel an order for the # 10 pressor foot as I discovered I already have it. Bonus for me.

Today is blood drawn day. Today I discover whether I have lowered my A1C. I’m dying for coffee right now. In an hour I get to have caffeine. Today I also start working again on the Savannah quilt. Just the Rhino block to make then assembly of the whole quilt. Maybe I can get it finished this week and quilt it next week. Now that would be an accomplishment. But I’ll try.

January 13, 2022

Yesterday I went with a friend to her Doctor’s appointment in Springfield. On the way home we stopped at The Quilt Sampler and I found the most fabulous piece of fabric that will go into my Stars & Sprigs quilt that is on the list to make in 2023. I am in process of collecting fabrics for that quilt. I am in love with Tilda fabrics and I also fell in love with this fabric. So many possibilities.

This morning I began construction on the Savannah quilt and found I have over pieced the blocks. Is that possible? Anyway, I am rip, rip ripping and am worried that I will now not have enough background fabric to piece the top together. Im hoping I purchased it at my local quilt shop Buckles Bobbins & Bolts in Lebanon. I have to go to Lebanon today so I will take a swatch with me and hope upon hope that she has it. I may not have purchased it there but I believe I did. All this ripping will slow down my projected timeline of finishing the top. Argh.

I have my doctor’s appointment this morning to review the results of my blood work. The good news is I have gone from A1C of 8.2 to 6.4. I am awesome! So back to ripping before I head to Lebanon.

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