Pot Holder Pass Round 2 -- Sent and Received.

My  Pot HolderPass 2 swap buddy  Teresa  has yet to receive her potholders as a result of  my tardiness and the Ielandic volcano reeking havok, but told me I could post some pictures of them (she wanted to be surprise, but gave in :) ) Teresa I  hope you like them and thank you again for your patience.

 This pattern is called " Honor & Courage"  from The Quilter's Cache/Marcia Hohn.   This pattern was perfect for Teresa's color choices which were red, green & gold.  it just seemed to make the colors pop.  They are all paper pieced which took some practise, trial & error and a bit of cursing.   I also wanted to make a finger pocket potholder as I still manage to burn my hands NO MATTER WHAT and thought it made them a bit more sustantial.  I think this may be my prefered method of  potholder construction in the future. 

The potholders I received were from Bahamadawn with fabric made in the Bahamas which she sent some extra with the potholders.  I love the whimsy of the owl and the yo-yos seem to evoke a smile everytime I walk into my kitchen.

   

 Thanks again ladies.  A big Thank You to Amy  for putting this all together.  I'll be bowing out of round 3 but will jump back into to more swaps in the future!

Take care,

Been quiet on the blog....

because...

New (recycled) kitchen towels and washcloths.

Appliqued beach and bath towels.

 much needed ORGANIZATION

planting and repotting.

 pot holder 2 swap.

finishing baby quilt gift.

and ... a whole lot of beach days.

with NO MORE WHEELCHAIR!!!!!!!!

or shoes for that matter.

 

the Easter bunny. Kaiya had no interest again this year.

singing and swinging.

 and Jamie Cullum.  If you don't know who he is, you should.

 I'm still trying to get things finished/ sorted /sent/ freecycled or tossed and found I get more done * suprise*  if the computer/TV isn't turned on. 

Take care,

Pluggin' along at a snail's pace.

It's been quiet on the blog lately as I've been slowly working on my long list of in Progress quilts and finishing up my pot holders for the Potholder Pass.  Round three sign ups are going on now if you're interested, just let Amy over at http://duringquiettime.blogspot.com/ know.  She's been a wonderful hostess and organizer  and there has been a great collection of works by some really talented people.    I will be bowing out of # 3 as  life at home has gotten a bit crazy. 

Wednesday we are taking a trip to C.H.O.P.S. to meet a  new Dr/surgeon who has specialized in Perthes.  I hesitate to say he will be Brian's doctor as I know nothing about him except what is stated in his Bio on the Hospital's website.  There is still so much we don't know and numerous opinions as to what stage Brian's perthes is in, that we are at least going to have another opinion to add to the ever growing medical file.  It was stated that he will be casted and have some sort of surgey on his right side sometime this year; hopefully this doctor  can give us something a bit more absolute.  The unknown is what drives me insane or to tears on any given day.  We are still unaware of what the insurance company is going to cover. They didn't think the wheelchair is medically necessary,so...

He has recently learned how to use crutches for short distance walking and for home use and some excercises to help his range of motion in his hip.   He will likely need a walker for ease of use when he's casted ( I'm hoping for a Scottish-Rite Brace) , because he just feels that the wheelchair and crutches are "too much work".  Some days are good , somedays are bad and it seems as though it's a constant battle concerning his perthes.  This photo shows him as a happy child, right after this, he purposefully ran himself into a wooden fence for dramatic effect, outside of the tiger's cage  and yelled "this is too hard!  I hate You! I hate perthes", while onlookers leered at us; the  terrible parents of that poor boy in the wheelchair, with their mouths agape. He wanted a reaction and got it in spades.  It sucks for him, and us at times.    It's extremely frustrating  to continuously explain to an active seven year old ( he's frustrated with continously hearing it) that while he is able to walk, he is unable to run or jump because it will cause further damage and pain. I hope for a lot from this doctor without really knowing what I'm hoping for, if that makes sense. Thinking some good thoughts and sending our way would be greatly appreciated. 

 We participated in my friend Kate's day for Case for Smiles this past weekend and had a lot of fun with the kids.  So a big thank you to her for all her hard work and planning.  Make sure you check her out.  

I currently have 6 quilts in the works 4 of these are scrap quilts and here are some pictures of  the two I'm working on lately. 

This is my version of Paint Box Quilt made of scraps.  I pieced and sewed long srtips of scraps together and rotary cut them in 6-1/2 x 6-1/2 blocks.  I still have to add on the purple panel and the outside sashing.

This quilt is of my own design, although I'm sure I'm not the first to ever think of it.  These are the scrap leftover cuts from the scrap string panels I used to make my stars. This will be crib sized when finished.  I've been practicing my free motion quilting and have been using  a Skillbuilder #1 panel described here by Anita over at http://bloominworkshop.wordpress.com/.  I need so much more practice. :)

Take care,

Pot Holder Pass.

I entered the Pot Holder Pass put on by Amy  and sent them out a few weeks ago.  I thought I'd let you see.  My  swap buddy was Nichole from http://modernquiltlove.wordpress.com/.  I hope she liked them.  I decided to send out some fat quarter bundles  and some goodies after I received my  pot holders and goodies from  Katie.  Round two of the Pot Holder pass is starting soon, you should check it out.

Take care,

Katie Rocks!

 I received my Potholders from the Potholder Pass that Amy  put together.  My secret swap buddy was Katie.  I said that I liked retro 30's prints  and specified artist's choice for colors and design as I really like the element of surprise.  I'm so glad that  I did. They really are beautiful and honestly I can't bring myself to use them as potholders and even worse have something spilled on them *gasp*.  I have them hanging on my inspiration board instead.  

Katie generously sent along a few fat quarters and extra goodies that she used in making these beauties. They immediatly got tucked into my 30's fabric stash to be admired and touched while dreaming of one day making a quilt for myself.  I plan on using much of it to repair and replace damaged fabric from some family quilts that were handed down. 

Katie, thank you again for the lovelies. I look forward to Round 2 of the Potholder pass and seeing your creations!

I got mine finished last night and am sending them out this afternoon before the next storm.  I really had to step outside my comfort zone and did some paper piecing and after many mistakes and do - overs I  am very happy with the finished potholders.   I sure hope my secret swap buddy likes them and the goodies I sent along , and as soon as they are received I'll post some pictures.   Today I'm off to get some supplies to finish the backs of two quilts and a toothbrush rug and get them listed in my newly created Etsy store!

Make sure you check out  Katie and Amy's blogs as they are both extremely talented women. 

Take care,