May musings

Preparing for Quilt Market in Portland...quilts are 'resting' in loose lumps on the bed under Molly's supervision, of course.  They have been in the suitcase, so a quick plump in the dryer and a nap were in order before they are flattened again and packed for shipping.

I would prefer to carry the quilts myself, but just in case something happens with my mom, the quilts will be there for a Schoolhouse presentation whether I go or not.

 

Do you think Fed Ex will ship a cat? How do cats know you have just taken something out of the dryer? I moved her once, left to get another load, and there she is again.  Surely cat hair can't be seen from the audience, right?

 

Mom was placed under the care of Hospice last month.  She is staying with me most of the time. It is a pleasure to care for her, but we both have had to adapt to the situation.  Best part, is kissing her goodnight and telling her I love her and that I'll see her in the morning, and then each morning getting a good morning hug when I get her out of bed as I rub her back to ease the back pain from a long night's sleep.

I've tried, as much as possible, to continue a normal routine, teaching, working one day a week at the quilt shop, and travel for programs and workshops, and sewing. Well, not getting much sewing done.  One thing I'm doing a lot of, though, is cooking! I use to complain about eating out too much and now, I long for a dinner 'out'.

I'm ok, everyday is a new day.  I make lots of lists of things to do, usually losing the list.  There is a lot of paper gathering around this house!  Notes and records from nurses for us caregivers, bills, yuck, a journal of mom's day...now that is cool...something the caregivers started a year ago when Daddy passed away.

 

Speaking of Daddy, he helped me identify this quilt as Lizzie named it.

This is the antique inspiration hanging over my cupboard door.

 

I had asked him if he knew anything about a bird trap, he said yes, it wasn't sucessful in a very emphatic way, but did draw me two pictures of this scrap wood structure boys built to trap a bird.

What Dad drew was a Courthouse Steps block. I love the quilt I made for the book.

 Bird Trap
 

 

If any of you are going to attend Quilt Market in Portland I'm giving a Schoolhouse presentation on Lizzie's Legacy at 1:55 on Thursday, May 16. I've never been to Portland, Oregon...Market should be fun and inspiring.

 

Just for grins, and this doll does make me smile, here is a sweet doll given to me at the retreat I taught in March.  I'm calling her Lizzie.  She is dressed in one of my favorite pieces from my Wrappers collection.

 

I'm spending a lot of time thinking these days, musing really. Reflecting on mom's story and the events she has seen in her 93 years.

This time with her is precious, as everyday should be anyway, a treasure to behold with fond remembrances of yesterday and wonder at what tomorrow will bring.

 

Until next time...

~My best,

Betsy

 

 

The freshness of Spring

Here is Spring...has it arrived where you live?  The bright green of new growth seems to increase daily. Makes me smile.  Spring is so often a time for new beginnings, maybe that energy should go toward finishing those unfinished projects.  Hmmm, no, more fun to start something new.

Have you seen http://www.pickledish.com/ lately?  I was interviewed for a blog post about me and Lizzie's Legacy.  Check it out. The posting is for March 28. If you leave a comment, you have a chance at a free book.(I don't know how long this runs.) Deb asked me what I was currently working on, and Molly suggested the hexagon project, no doubt so she could be in the photo.  Random fabrics, very scrappy, no plan for colors nor size.  Hexes are on the large size, a little harder to hold for stitching and helpful kitty adds to degree of difficulty.  :-) A few hexes stitched each evening and before I know it, I just might have a good size quilt...how big is that? As big as I want, a throw, or bed size, who knows.  It is calming project, fairly portable and fun.

Molly has a thing for English Paper Piecing, but I won't allow her to help with the basting.  Thank you Sue Daley for introducing us to Sewline glue!!!!! I may never thread baste again. Grab some of this fabric glue and give it a go, running a line of glue on each side/edge of the paper , enough so your fabric's seam allowance with cover it and then press it down with your finger.  TA DA basted.....so fast!

 

Molly trying to decide on the backing of Sister's Block quilt.

 

 

She chose the paisley.

 

 Now I'm wishing I had a larger quilt, big sigh...they can't all be big.

 

I had wanted to be decorated for Easter and Spring, maybe tomorrow! The same Christmas quilt, red and cream, is still on the end table. Was ok for Valentine's Day, but not good for spring.  Taking care of my mom is about all I can do.  She is napping right now. 

 

I had a lovely break two weeks ago when I taught a workshop for several days in East Texas, wonderful food, great students and friends, fabulous sewing room and one realy good night's sleep!

Next week I host a JO Morton retreat and I cannot wait to get away, relax and sew.  When I am away, Mom has very good care...my son, or husband, stay with her at night and my comfort keepers during the day. Her dementia is progressing and it is harder and harder to get away.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can go next week and in May to Portland for Spring Quilt Market.

 

My time is up, sad to say...until next time, take some time to enjoy Spring.

 

My best,

~Betsy

Lizzie's Legacy

My books arrived and my quilts came home.

13 quilts and a pincushion, which you can barely see on top.

 

One of my friends wrote this to me, "Congrats on the birthin' of this baby,

I know it was a long labor for you."

How true!

You can preview the book here at the Kansas City Star Pickledish Store.

Hope you like it.

 

I feel free to a certain extent...you know how it is when you finish a project and you are so happy with your project, and so glad to be done, you can't wait to start something new,

but you can't decide on what to do!

That is me to a tee these days.  I have time to plan, to sew, to work, but again, on what???

I'm busy with my mom and her care, hand sewing at her house in the evenings. When I'm there with her during the day, I'm cleaning her closets and, ugh, the garage. My parents saved everything from their 72 year marriage, and I do mean everything!

During the day when I'm at home, well, I dart from one quilting thing to another. Lizzie would have called it, "knocking around"; I call it "messing around", but the meaning is the same...busy with a whole lot but nothing accomplished! Maybe it is just a lack of focus. The one thing I haven't done with my free time is clean the sewing room....too depressing a thought.  Yet, I know one of these days the mood will hit me and I'll tackle that awful, jam-packed room!

 

Until next time,

~Betsy

 

Where did January go?

How did we suddenly reach February??? Guess editing and a teaching trip to Louisiana took up all my time in January.  How is your winter going?  Here, in Texas, it is pretty warm. Trees will be budding too soon if it doesn't turn cold pretty soon.

The trip to Louisiana was wonderful, good food, meeting new friends always a treat to go on the road. Just wish there was more time for seeing the sites.  Visited two great shops, The Bourne Quilter in Lafayette and The Quilted Owl in New Orleans, and toured the plantation, Laura along plantation road, beautiful old Creole home.

The editing finished and I got to see the final pages of Lizzie's Legacy while in Louisiana. I'm sooo happy! The book will start shipping this month. Here is the cover...

 

 

Hope you will like it.

 

Molly enjoyed helping me plan the quilts. Here she is on an especially productive day...

 

I think we were trying to select the backing for Sister's Block quilt.  Do I remember which we choose?, no. Will have to check when the quilts return and they are on their way.

The tracking number came today from my editor Jenifer. You may want to check out what Jenifer is doing now that this book is done. She is a modern quilter. Her style is quite popular and you can find her work in magazines and books. Check out her cute book Quilt Retro and her latest, Stories in Stitches which pairs antique quilts with modern quilt versions.

 Both of us are trying to catch up on everything that got pushed back while working so long on this book. Thanks Jenifer, and my team, too, at Kansas City Star books for working with me...I can't wait for my copy to arrive! 

 

Winston saw Molly's photo and reminded me he helped quilt Sister's Block.

 

Hopefully the quilts will arrive soon, and I'll tease you with some more snippets of the quilts then.

 

Until next time...my best.

~Betsy

 

Good Bye 2012

Here we are, the last day of 2012.  Thank goodness tomorrow is not just a new day, but a new year!!!

2012 has not been the best for my family, so it is wish great anticipation we are lloking forward to 2013.

 

I'm sure you all thought I was through with blogging since I haven't posted since October, but no I have been just so pressed to finish the new book, that little time was left to spare and something had to give.  Quilt Market, Thanksgiving, photo shoot in Kansas City, Christmas, well, simply too much to do in a tight time frame.

Thankfuly everyone is well and son Matt starts a new job January 2. Of course that changes everything for me concerning Mom's care at night...details to be worked out. Mom and I both were very fortunate to have his care as long as we did.

I have a thank you note from One Safe Place to post, but can't get it to copy and paste, will work on that.  In the mean time, I delivered 144 pillowcases. I thank you all very much for your participation . 

 

Time to take down the Christmas trees, yes mutiple trees.  I decided to have smaller trees this year, no room for a big one and I really enjoyed having them scattered throughout the house.

 

 

Nice, I captured the defective branches!

 

 

See the frosted looking silver balls....easy to do!  When your glass balls get old, don't throw away...cover partially with white glue (drips are good),I used Elmers glue and while wet, pour glitter over the glue ad let dry.  Can be done with any color ball, just match the glitter color. They twinkle and sparkle with the lights.

 

I throw away nothing, and it shows!  Every once in a while pack ratting comes in handy.

 No room in this house for another thing, but I will not make a resolution I cannot keep. I would love to be organized and know where things are instead of always wasting so much time searching for the thing I cannot find.

 

All my best for a safe, happy and healthy NEW YEAR,

~Betsy

 



  

Some Twinkle Time

One of my friends told a while back in a very sweet note to find a way to get my 'twinkle' back....

Stress sure has a way of dimming one's 'twinkle'.

 

Nothing lifts my spirits more than playing with my Halloween collection...twinkle, twinkle!

 

I like black cats.

They make me smile.

Winston made an appearance.....hated to tell him he was in the wrong collection.

 

I move things around each year, add new treasures, fun!

Fall, October especially makes me happy. I'll show more another day.

 

now a pillowcase update....

62 and counting!

Thanks to Marilyn who made 15! Plus Mary Jane, Barbara B, Barbara C, Patty, Karen, Brigid, Gloria and a mystery stitcher who made multiples as well!

 

Thank you all!

 

Until next time,

~Betsy



Incoming!

They are arriving!  Yes my club members (JO's Little Women Club and Betsy's Best) are busy sewing Pillowcases.  Big thanks to Pat B, Karen W, Kay J, Linda T and Julia B who made 5! Julia told me spent spent Sunday afternoon whipping up pillowcases and that since they were fast and easy, she got on a roll turning out 5 in no time. I've got 10 pillowcases on the bed, then with the 3 I've made, the total is 13. My goal is of course higher...so there is still time if you want to join in. Delivery to One Safe Place will be in October.

Hope you have been following the APQ Pillowcase Blog Hop...some great ideas and stories out there!  Don't miss out! Blog Hop list is in the previous post, catching up is easy.

 

It is hard to find an uncluttered spot for photography is this house!  I've got Halloween and fall quilts stacked to the left of these photos waiting to be placed all over the house...Will show you some pictures when all is ready.

 

Whew! ...only 3 blocks left for one of the book projects...so hands to work today! Deadlines are on the horizon!

 

Until next time....

~Betsy