Literally and figuratively. Things are looking up and good in Rosieland.
While I'm sorry that I haven't been able to thank each of you individually, I truly appreciated your kind thoughts and good wishes for my Mom. It definitely worked!
My Mom has been home for a little over a week now and she's doing really well. While we're still adjusting to a few changes, her improvement this past week is such that she's probably the best she's been in a year. It's amazing what being pain-free and able to sleep can do for a person.
With the outlook here being a little sunnier and happier, I've managed to get back to work a bit and finish up a few things. Some patterns, a little bit of sewing and a crafting task with my hot glue gun have been on the agenda.
Okay, so this isn't a whole lot to show for my sewing but this is the only thing I have that was actually finished. I'm not really in love with the navy perle cotton but that was what I had on hand that looked the best. When you've only got about 30 minutes and a leftover 5" "test block", you do what you can. I experimented with the filling because my goal is to get it so that it has enough squish to allow it to be "pinched" by the perle cotton but also have a little bit of weight to it. The Beta testing for Pinkeep v.1 went well but after deciding I could improve on it, I went in search of another block.
When I get caught up with everything else and have a little bit more time, I think I'm going to have to continue working out my filling issues. It's getting better but it isn't "perfect" yet. Still, I like the way they both turned out and they look very nice on my shelf.
On the quilt/work front there are four new Schnibbles patterns being printed later this week, and I think a big quilt pattern too. While the Leap Year PDF will be in the online store in another day or so, the other three will go up when the paper patterns are complete. At this point, the instructions are done and I'm just waiting for covers. After that, there will be a few more Schnibbles patterns next month and something else, the result of my latest experiment and/or flight of fancy. For now, let it suffice to say that when I first heard about [name of whatever], I thought it was kind of silly. But as with too many things, the thought of [it] kept rolling around in my head until I got an idea. That lead to another one and so on.
In the meantime, there is a little sewing going on in bits and pieces. Again, literally and figuratively.
The mail has helped me out too as I started working on the new pieced Summer Block of the Week from Primitive Gatherings. It arrived on Friday and I've finished all of my blocks for this week.
After having so much fun with both of the Summer Blocks of the Week last year and then seeing the terrific blocks planned for this Summer, I couldn't miss out on the fun. There's a pretty good chance that I'll wind up changing something with the pieced quilt again this time but not because I think I'm making it better. As if?! I don't mind that everybody else's quilt will be better than mine so long as mine is different. It's odd and compulsive and rather silly, but I just can't help myself. Besides, I still have all these great charm packs that I bought at the shop that I can use for those lovely blocks.
As for my hot-glue-gun adventure, the impetus for that was simple -- I have this corkboard in my sewing room and I needed some "new" tacks. Since I was having a hard time finding any that I really liked -- I know... picky, picky, picky... they're just tacks! -- I decided to make my own.
I stuck them into a small square of cork to make it easier to glue the buttons on.
This is what I stare at when I'm at the ironing board. The little embroidered redwork rooster under the stamps? I didn't stitch that, Ginger did. It is stitched with a single strand of embroidery floss and measures about an inch across. I'm not at all sure how I wound up with that piece of fabric but she's not getting it back. Ever. This is as close as I'll ever get to stitching that tiny and perfect.
As for the stamps, I'm not really a Hello Kitty girl but I thought these stamps were way too cute not to save.
That's pretty much what's been going on here the past week. I was thinking it sounded a little boring but there are times when a little bit of boring is a good thing. Given the alternative, I could get used to boring.
So until I have more to share, I hope you're having sunny skies and good days too. Though hopefully not boring... I need the vicarious thrill.
Those stamps are so cute! My daughter would flip. Where did they come from?
Posted by: Robyn Brown | June 11, 2012 at 05:15 AM
I agree. They are cute!
Posted by: Auntie Pami | June 11, 2012 at 05:49 AM
I love your button drawing pins...if I had a cork board I'd be copying you!!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | June 11, 2012 at 06:50 AM
Glad to hear your Mom is doing better. As for pincushion filling, have you tried wool batting scraps? I've been using those and really like it. I'd be happy to send you a bunch of scraps because I have to start clearing and decluttering in prep for a move, so NOT what I want to do. Especially since we have 22 years of stuff to sort through. DH just doesn't understand about saving scraps of batting. Let me know f you want them.
Posted by: LizA. | June 11, 2012 at 09:15 AM
Looks like you've finally had a little time to have some fun. I'm so glad to hear that your mom is doing better. And thanks for the sunny sky wishes, but I'd appreciate it if you could wish us a little rain -- the earth is cracked here in the heartland! ;-D
Posted by: Thimbleanna | June 11, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Good news about your mum! I like the button tacks...very, very pretty. ;p
Posted by: ina | June 11, 2012 at 01:24 PM
So glad your Mom is doing well and feeling better. Good health makes everything more enjoyable for sure. Like the pincushions, they are one of my little treats to myself when I want a quick project that has a completed SOMETHING at the end...and it comes quickly. I really like to use crushed walnuts shells and I always put a couple of tablespoons of lavender in so it smells good. I have learned to add a bit more than I think is enough since it settles just a smidgen.
Posted by: Mary ann | June 11, 2012 at 01:29 PM
I LOVE those buttons I may have to dust off my hot glue gun and give it a try, first I need to go buy buttons! those are adorable
Glad Mom is doing well, what a relief!
ok I have to admit I never make a b o m or a kit the same I am always tweaking a pattern and changing the fabrics, just me
so I totally understand changing things up. Just getting her fabric choice packs each week would be fun!!!!good for you signing up a again. She has the best charm packs!
cute pincushions btw
kathie
Posted by: kathie | June 11, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Yay for sunnier conditions! I thought sure this post would be showing us the quilts from the previous post - *crossing my arms and sulking (not becoming to me!)
Very cute button idea - I've had out my hot glue gun also, but on a larger scale. Have glued velcro to my box spring for a bed skirt - no more moving of the darn thing!
Glad Mom is on the mend - sleeping heals a lot in itself! Have a super day!
Posted by: Linda P | June 12, 2012 at 04:29 AM
OMG don't blaspheme The Kitty!
Glad your mom is doing well and things are looking up. I know how those things go. Love reading your posts.
Posted by: pam | June 12, 2012 at 08:32 AM
Really glad your Mom is doing and feeling much better. Sounds like you've been busy with Schnibbles and other things. Love the pincushion except the corners. Have you thought about making it a round pincushion so there won't be corners. What a cute idea for tacks. Love your philosophy - just want to make it different. I also like to be different - my home, my yard, my everything! Take care; glad your life is getting back to whatever you want it to be.
Posted by: Janet | June 14, 2012 at 04:23 PM