On the Mend

I've been on quite an adventure since I posted last. At the end of July I went to UCLA Medical Center to have a portion of my kidney removed due to renal cell cancer, by a robot no less. The good news is that it was contained, so no chemo or radiation and an excellent prognosis. The bad news is while I was feeling really good, at exactly two weeks out I had blood in my urine. Not a good sign when you've just had kidney surgery. Another 5 days at UCLA and I'm on the mend. A little slower this time but that's okay. 


Since all I have been sewing is hexies and yo-yo's I have no sewing pictures. I have seen many a bloggers beautiful flowers from their garden so I thought I would share my Las Vegas garden with you.

As I write this it is 108 degrees and our large metal flowers and fish are surviving well.

 The fish don't seem to notice they have no water around them and they are happy with the fake kelp.

The ceramic mushrooms are always happy and full of color.

When it cools off I will go out and uncover, rearrange and clean off the petals of the summer's dust and grime.


I hope to be back in my sewing room in the near future with something to share.


Until then, happy sewing. 

I'm Back

Yes, I am back but I don't know if I am hitting on all cylinders yet. No sewing on my machine but I am getting some hexies made. I've even sewn some together. As small as the piece is because my hexies are only the 1" ones, I am very proud to say it is coming along. 

I wanted to get this posted so you know I am on the mend and will be full speed ahead in no time. Until then, I will continue to grow my little piece using my scraps hoping to make a dent in my stash. 


It will be good to catch up on my many blogs to see all the cool quilts these creative ladies and gentlemen are coming up with. 


Until next time, happy sewing! 

Modern Block of the Month - July

Sew, Mama, Sew just started the Modern Block of the Month (BOM) quilt along with Alissa Height Carlton. It will be a very interesting adventure for me because I have a hard time with blocks coming out the proper size unless there is 'trimming' at the end. Like a half square triangle is trimmed after sewing. You can choose to make a whole quilt out of the block shown or make a quilt out of all twelve blocks at the end of the year. Allowing a whole month to do the block is very adequate for me to get it done. Modern Block of the Month posts on flickr will fill up with all the different blocks that the members make. Check it out. It should be great fun and easy with only a block a month. Glad to have my BOM done before my down time starts. Looking forward to seeing the block for August.

I finished my Kona solids challenge but I haven't quilted it yet. I guess I will have to wait until next month to take it to the Modern Quilt Guild meeting. I will show you a picture of it though. I know it is dark but I will have to figure that out later. I'm going to have to work on the photographing of my projects.

I figured out how to do a pillowcase type method, so now I can quilt it and not finish it in the traditional method using binding. I have never made bias binding and I really didn't want to start now! The other method will be just fine. I like this piece but it is totally different than my original idea. Once I started in one direction I had to work with what I had since there were no more color pieces. I have enjoyed working with solids and will do more of it in the future.

Until next time, happy sewing.

Oh No, Hexies!

I am going to be having a lot of down time in my near future. I am caught up on my yo-yo's so I decided that I should pull out my hexies and continue that journey. I had made 70, and for a project of any size I have a long way to go. I put them in another big jug just like the yo-yo's. The yo-yo jug is full and this one is about a half an inch in the bottom. I made another 50 or so last night.

I might as well do something fun in my down time. Between hexies and yo-yo's, I will be productive.


Until next time, happy sewing.

Not Much Done

The only thing I have made any progress on is additional yo-yo's to my pile. My husband and I went to California to deal with some issues. I made 9 yo-yo's before we stopped for lunch and when I looked for the bag with my finished yo-yo's it was gone. After searching the entire car I figured they fell out of the door compartment where I had stashed the bag. Luckily, I had more fabric of those I lost so I used it to make more to feel better about the ones that were gone. Someone picked up some colorful 'circles' I hope they enjoy. I only got 45 made in the 8 hours of our trip. 

Yo-yo's July 2011 - 602

I thought I would only be able to get 500 in this jug but maybe I can get 700! 

This week I am going to try and finish my Kona challenge, that I am very excited about and the quilting on the Jolt 52" circular piece. This project is a big one.

My sewing time is a little sketchy for the near future but try to hang in there with me and I will return.

Until then, happy sewing.

I Needed A Change

A couple of days ago I could feel the quilt tops pile getting bigger and bigger. My Dad bought me a Juki last year so I figured I would oil that baby up and jump right in. The last time I tried to use it the tension wasn't right, so I have been a little reluctant to jump back in again. Yesterday when I sat down to test the tension it was beautiful. I decided to quilt my Jolt banner piece that I started 3 years ago. I am still working on it but I have a question. 


Question  When quilting a piece like this, do I use a rust colored and purple thread in areas that aren't black and white? 

I don't have very much experience quilting but it sure is fun when the tension is right. I am also working on the Kona solids challenge due this month at the MQG meeting. I need to make a final decision for my Block Party block too since I've already lost a month. Lots to do and plenty of time to do it in. Back to the Juki.


Any ideas on the quilting thread would be helpful.


Happy sewing, quilting or whatever you're doing.

KIP (Kaleidoscope in Progress)

It wasn't as difficult to sew the blocks together as I thought. There were only a couple that were a bit off. I have not worked with bias cut fabrics that much and next time I think I will starch my fabric before I cut it. Besides handling, the fabric stretches when it is ironed not PRESSED. Overall I was very pleased with the way it turned out. 

Posting these pictures has really helped me see the things that need to change (the blue block) before I get them all sewn together. It didn't work this time because I made last minute changes and didn't photograph it before I began sewing. The things you learn through this process. Learning and having fun, what a concept!

Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts is having a quilt along starting Monday so go on over and check it out. It's for her birthday, so join in.

Until next time, happy sewing.