This picture was taken just a day or two before my accident. I was trying to determine how much border to add to the top. As you can see, the Quilt Inspectors had to add their two cents. It's all ready to send to my long-arm quilter and I hope to have it in the mail this week. She tells me she can have it back to me quickly. Yay!
Anyone that has spent some time on crutches will agree with me - it's amazing to discover just how much furniture and general stuff gets in the way when you're trying to navigate around the house on those crutches. It gets pretty tiring. And crutches aren't very comfortable to use.
If I had been more able to sew when I started this little adventure, I would have made myself some cute quilted padding for the arm and hand areas! Right now I have washcloths on the arm rests, fastened on with rubber bands. Just soooo appealing. And the hand rests started bothering my hands. These crutches are about 30 years old, and the rubber is less than optimal on the hand rests. So, I folded up some black fabric and tied it on with ribbon to cushion my hands. It helps, but my hands are still getting pretty sore. Those dumb ribbons want to keep slipping off the ends of the fabric and I'm constantly adjusting them. I can't seem to get them tight enough. I'm still considering the "remodel" with something cuter - but I'm hoping I won't be on the crutches long enough to make it worth the trouble. The physical therapists tell me I'm making good progress, so that is encouraging!
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| Hollyhocks and daisies - I haven't been over to this side of the house in a month, so I don't know if these are even alive anymore. |
I have managed to get up to the quilt studio a few times, trying to work on the 9-patch blocks for the swap with Barb. It's been slow going. It's difficult to stand and cut for long, and really hard to move about the studio. Frankly, most of the time I don't even use the crutches. It's only a step or two away to get to the cutting table, sewing machine and ironing board. And I'm being very careful! I am making progress on the 9-patches, but it's slow. I'm going to try again today to see what progress I can make. And I have some things to finish up for the quilt show which is in October that I really MUST get moving on. Cross your fingers for me!
I'll be going to the quilt shop tomorrow to buy fabric for the 9-patches for the swap. I was hoping to make a scrappy assortment, but I think I'm going to have to go with only 4 or 6 fabrics and make them production-style, just to get done in time. I think that will be faster and hopefully easier.
Mary Arnold of Vancouver, WA came and talked to my quilt guild a few months ago. I was really impressed with her quilts! I took a bunch of pix and thought I'd share them with you, since I have nothing of my own to share with you.
This quilt is a challenge quilt. The challenge was to include a lime green horizontal line somewhere on the quilt. I think this one is fantastic!
And this quilt is my favorite of Mary Arnold's. This is a new technique for her.
These pieced areas are only about 2 inches wide! Mary said she sewed a bunch of pieces together, chopped them apart, then re-sewed. Rinse and repeat to get them really small.
I love this! What a great way to use up some scraps. And isn't her quilting awesome?
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| border detail |
Good to hear you are getting a little sewing done, don't overdo it!
ReplyDeleteHang in there!!! Been there, done that (crutches, that is!) I SWORE I would lose 10 lbs because it was sooo difficult to maneuver, but it's been years, and no reduction in lbs! Yes, I DO remember all the furniture in the way, and also how scared I was that I'd trip myself or someone else!!! The grocery guys were very helpful with my bags though. Small compensation! 8-)))
ReplyDeleteThis has nothing to do with anything...but did you hear Country Threads is closing it's doors this fall?
ReplyDeleteThe ladies are going to retire!
Hang in there!
Yep.....except I was not on crutches....I was one armed for several months with a broken shoulder. I could do nothing but whine! I hope you heal quickly and improve qith the therapy. Being limited is such a headache!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to learn you're making good progress with your healing. I've never had to deal with crutches, thank goodness. Hope I never do! Good luck with the 9 patch blocks. ;- )
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your accident. Amazing how that fortune cookie was spot on. Be patient with your healing! You don't want a setback.
ReplyDeleteThose crutches sound dreadful. I know at my age, I would be getting a lot of extra aches and pains from trying to navigate with those things. On the other hand, at least, you can navigate when you need to, right? The hollyhocks and daisies are so stunning. You have a good knack with flowers. And I enjoyed looking at the quilts. It sounds like you have a good guild there where you live. Hang in there. This too shall pass!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I just read what you did - you poor thing! Stairs are awful with crutches, I remember going up and down on my behind with a baby in my lap. Still don't know how I did it. Feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteUgh. I remember crutches...and not very fondly, my armpits ache just thinking about them. On the upside, I bet your upper body strength is great! Here's to fast healing, and to whatever sewing you're able to do -- though when I was on them, I knitted an extra-large Icelandic sweater, that was much easier than trying to navigate the cutting/sewing/ironing loop. And there's always sketching!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I am wishing that you get better now!! I.love the quilts
ReplyDeleteHope you are healing well and taking good care of yourself!
ReplyDeletegood for you to find the energy and get some sewing done, despite the handicap of those crutches!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling tons better now. I love Mary Arnold's quilting! I was in the same guild with her for a while and she is a lovely and talented quilter/person!