Amateur Night...

Oops. 

Uh... no comments regarding the irony of, or appropriateness of, which of my fingers was injured.  

After all these years, you would think I would know not to put my finger under the needle of my sewing machine while it was running.  This is what happens when you're sewing in the middle of the night and you're rushing to finish something because you want to see what it is going to look like.  

As injuries go, this was rather minor.  No stitches required.  The needle broke and both pieces were in my finger, requiring me to use pliers to remove them.  And the thread went through too, meaning that I had to cut the end to pull it out... trust me, it wasn't nearly as gruesome as it might sound.   

A little Neosporin and a couple of BandAids and I was ready to finish... but can I just ask one question?  Why is it that the world can create rockets that fly to the moon and back, robots that can do micro-surgery, and put all the knowledge in the world at your fingertips with smartphones but we can't come up with packaging for a bandaid that you can open with one hand?  

Just so you know, I did consider calling 911 to get some good-looking assistance but while in the bathroom looking for the aforementioned bandaid, the mirror provided a reality check.  One look at moi and the paramedics would have thrown me a bandaid and run.  

Bleeding stopped and wound dressed, it took me less than an hour to finish these.  

These are by The Quilted Crow and they are two of their "Weekenders" patterns.    

Except that I made both of these in an evening.  When I bought these ~ can't remember where ~ they were packaged as a little kit with the pattern and necessary wool.  I did make one change though, substituting this red for the solid black included for the background.    

Okay, two changes.  My pineapple is a skosh bigger as I wanted a little bit of the background showing.  And I got the pieces of the crow spaced out a little more so my finished circle is also a bit larger. 

Pretty cute, don't you think?  I was going to give these away as Christmas presents but I think I just might have to keep them.  Or make more.  

After all the wonderful comments and sweet e-mails I've received in the past month, I should make a lot more. Though a pincushion wouldn't begin to convey how much I appreciate the kind thoughts and good wishes.  Thank you.  And my Mom thanks you.

She's doing well and getting better every day.  She's busy making lists of Holiday baking.  And once the weather cools off, she's got plans to go through the closets and cupboards in the garage to clean out holiday decorations and accumulated "stuff".  That's a good sign, right?

The irony of all this is that when I decided not to worry about Fall Market, I wound up pulling out, working on and even finishing various projects that I had started over the years.  

I finished this Penny Rug by my friend, Ginger Sanchez.  When I pulled it out a little over a year ago, it was about half-done.  I worked on it and then life got busy... so when I pulled it out again a few weeks ago, it was about three-quarters done.  I finished it in a couple of days... then had to go back and re-finish it when I found a couple of pieces that had been "stored" in another box.  (I'm organized but not THAT organized... if that makes sense.)  

My Mom loves this so I gave her the choice ~ penny mat or pillow?  She picked "pillow" so that she would be able to see it every time she looked over at the sofa.  (She adores Ginger.)

I've also been playing around with some boxes.  I bought two little boxes about five years ago with the intent of changing out that stitchery.  

The boxes sat unused on the shelf waiting... until a week or so ago.  Now I have two "new" boxes that I'm using and enjoying.  Both have "stitchy" stuff in them ~ the needles, scissors, etc. stuff that I use while stitching, binding, and so on.

New Box No. 1.  

New Box No. 2.

I even put some of my favorite cork Contac paper on the inside.

I've also been dabbling with the Block of the Week thing I received this past summer from Primitive Gatherings.  Each week for twelve weeks, I received the fabrics to make five (5) Lemoyne-like sawtooth star blocks that would finish at 4" x 4".  As with most programs like this, I fell a little bit behind.  

Okay.  A lot behind.  

But I'm catching up.  I've got another twenty blocks done, and then about thirty more to go.  

Of course I had to make a few changes.  

It's okay.  You can laugh about that.  Everybody else already has.  First, since there was enough fabric, I decided to make the blocks finish at 5" x 5".  And I'm switching around all the combinations ~ after all, I want mine to be different.  And since I was switching the combinations around anyway, I might as well make some substitutions.  If that wasn't enough, I am going to need about 12 more blocks for the setting I decided to use.  

If you're wondering... yes.  I've always had trouble with following directions.  

What I hope all this tells you is that life is different but good.  We're adjusting and figuring out what sort of routine and schedule works.  While I don't have long stretches of uninterrupted time, the time I'm spending with my Mom has resulted in my pulling out handwork and projects that I can work on in little bits of time.  

And just so you know, I really am very lucky.  I know that many of us in this age-group are in a similar situation, caring for elderly parents.  While I have teased about my brother, the truth is that he is incredibly supportive and has dropped everything, re-arranged his life and schedule and come for a couple of days or a week so that I could do whatever it was I needed or wanted to do.

I will be back tomorrow with a book, some fabric and one of my favorite new little gadget-things.  All of which could be somebody else's... but more on that tomorrow.  

Really.  

I promise.  

 

Comments

[Elizabeth E.]

My husband and I just got back from a trip to Canada (business for him, play for me) and on the drive from Quebec City to Montreal, we had a long talk about the "new normal" in our lives, now that we are both older. Things that were once so easy--that we didn't ever give a thought to doing--now are harder. Like squeezing in all my projects in a given amount of time. Not going to happen, most days, as I run out of steam far too early. I think adjusting to situations is making the "new normal" feel okay, feel like it's on its way to comfortable. I wish a good journey for you on that particular challenge.

Glad you weren't mortally wounded with the needle. Don't want to keep a good woman down! And glad to get an update on all your projects. It's fun to reacquaint ourselves with those things We Just Had To Have (but have never finished). I've had a bit of that going on for a while now, and truthfully--it's a different kind of discovery.

Glad to hear from you--
E.

[Amy C]

Your much braver than I am. I've had the needle break and go through my fingernail. I totally freaked out.

[Carol]

I'm so glad to hear that your mom is doing better...love your attitude! I'm working at embracing the "new normal"...you're my idol!

[Kate]

Ouch. Wishing your finger a speedy recovery :-)

[Leota Krantz]

I am so happy that your mother is feeling better and that you are sticking close to her. This time is precious. Too precious to waste. Take care and will be checking in on all of you tomorrow.

[Linda P]

Gosh, it's good to have you back! I'm sure you will be anxious this week, wondering what you are missing at market, but hope you will post a lot here to keep your mind off of it, or at least post to us some great photos someone has sent you!!
I have been there/done that - sewing the finger thing! We never think it's going to be us!! ouch!!
Love the little boxes - the best laid plans to change them out - sort of like the little cross stitched frame I have of snowdrops for each month.....LOL!!!
Give Mom & Rosie a high 5 and hang in there!

[Pat]

Not to worry about market = a good thing..

Jealous in Atlanta,
Pat

Projects are fabulous! sigh

[Pat]

BTW about that finger thing. I have done that 3 times...I agree about the bandaid.

Pat

[Auntie Pami]

I've done that before. My Mom had to take me to the ER. I was 10(?). And, it hurt like, alot. I almost sewed my finger bone. You are lucky, but you really need cuter bandaids.

[DebrafromMD]

I've sewn through my finger too. It didn't break the needle and I couldn't reverse the needle so I was kinda stuck to the machine for a moment. Once I pulled on the tread and got it out of the needle eye, I was able to raise the needle and free my finger (without bleeding on my project).

[Mary]

I'm glad to hear your mom is doing better. I miss your posts but SOOOO understand as my mom is in the same age group as yours. The projects you finished are wonderful. I had to take a closer look to see why the stars are Lemoyne 'like' and the technique is so much better! I'll have to give that a try.

[AnnieO]

Gruesome enough, thanks! So far I have managed to avoid this type of injury, though I have had needles break and fly up into my face--glad I was wearing my glasses at that moment.

It sounds like your mom is responding well to her treatment and I hope her strength keeps coming on more and more. I'm sure she gets frustrated by the illness.

Lovely fabric and thread play going on there! The boxes are too sweet.

[Linda]

I sure hope you video taped that one-handed "homestyle micro-surgery". I'm sure you have a nephew that would enjoy the DVD. Stocking stuffer? would probably show up on the youtube top 10 before long.

Change is good. It helps us to see the bigger picture, pulls us back in from that long stretched out tangent we're in. Sounds like you're all adjusting.

What a great example that such a talented and sought after quilter would have priorities in order. . . yourself, your Mom, Rosie, quilting (not necessarily in that order).

Will miss you this week-end, and look forward to the next.

[Mary D]

Hi Carrie, I'm so glad your Mom is doing better and interested in doing those Mom-type organizing and sorting chores. That is a good sign. I treasure all the time I had with my Mom. I always say the only thing I've really resented is that she is no longer here. I see friends with their Moms and I have to admit pangs of jealousy.

Hope your "shots" are current after that needle episode--hate when that happens!

I, too, have been pulling out those half finished projects and it is so fun to see them finished. Heck, I even finished reading a half finished book! woo hoo!

Looking forward to your next post with gadget news. Love knowing about good gadgets, you've never steered me wrong!

[Sandie~ call me crazy]

Ouch! I hope you heal quickly! Love your boxes! And blocks! Have a good day!

[Debbie I]

Hi Carrie,
Had the same thing happen with me and a sewing machine needle. I pulled it out of my finger like a hand grenade pin. Freaked me out! Hope yours heals soon.
I love that you acknowledge your treasured time with your mom. I lost mine 20 years ago when I was only 31 - she was 59. How I wish we could still talk and do things together.
Thanks for the updates. :-)
Debbie

[Archie the wonder dog]

Ow! Hope your finger heals soon! I love the new tops in the boxes, I have the wanties!!!

[Nancy]

Carrie, I love to read your posts, every word. Without fail you make me smile, often laugh out loud and more often amaze me with your creativity and wonderful projects you show us. Now, that being said, this is the very first time you have ever made me cringe!!! Please tell me the needle didn't go through your fingernail. When you said you got the pliers and pulled the pieces of the needle out and the thread, I literally cringed and got goosebumples! OUCH!!! All the same, the paramedic comment, got rid of the cringing and had me laughing out loud again so your still in good standing here *wink*. I do agree with you that we need bandaids that we can open with one hand. Really, how many times when we need a bandaid, do we stop to yell "help, my finger got "stuck" in the sewing machine and I can't get the bandaid open." No, I am woman, I am quilter and I am tough so I shall dry my tears, free my finger from the Bernina, suck it up and find the bandaids myself, as soon as I find the pliers.
Actually, if your very careful not to slobber on it, you can open one with you free hand and your teeth, but if you happen to drool on it, you have to start over because that tissue paper stuff the bandaids are in gets really soggy and you just have a mess. The voice of experience speaking here. Nuff said.
I'm also very happy to hear that you mom is home and doing so well.
By the way, I was reading over my post on your giveaway and noticed that I hadn't proof read the comment. I left a lot of letters off of words and the punctuation is so horrible its kind of hard to read. My apologies...I have sick dog (my little bright eyed sweetie) she came awfully close to making that one way trip to the vet yesterday, lots tears were shed but at the last minute we decided to wait today has been better. All the same, I was concentrating on her and trying to write my comment at the same time. My apologies. Hope you can get the gist of it. I also read that post before this one so I didn't know your mom was home and doing well when I wrote that one. Okay, well, now I've written a nonsense novel that I hope you can sort through. I'll stop rambling and just send you some hugs with and extra one for your mom. A little scratch for Rosie is also enclosed.

[kathie]

ok is this a sign maybe you shouldn't be sewing on the machine maybe you should only be doing applique now, you new found love?
or working with wool, love those projects , how fun would it be to have a whole basket full of little pillows like that, think you should trace a picture of Miss Rosie and make one of her!
LOVE those boxes what a great idea! very clever hmmm wonder if the top could work as a pin cushion?stars look great, love those fabrics!
hope your finger is better and hey its ok you can go back to the sewing machine, nothing better then the humming of a sewing machine
Kathie

[Susan]

LOVE those boxes!
So sorry about your finger! I'm a nurse and a really good "sticker" but I can't stand to be stuck myself!

[Beverly Ferro]

I would want to take with me my list of favorite jokes to share. I have some really funny stories that would make everyone laugh and have a very "funny" time. I have done that before and it has been a hilarious good old time. That is what I take with me when I gather with a group of quilting gals. Fun stuff!

[Ranch Wife]

Just think of your needle encounter as a war wound. Hope it's healing well and that it hasn't put too much of a kink in your stitching. Love your altered boxes! We too are experiencing a 'new normal' and adjusting to an empty nest. Spent some time taking care of in-laws too. Thankful that I can do that though and keep a hand stitiching project ready to go at all times. Sending hugs to you and your Mom and toss Rosie an extra treat for me.