I’m reporting live from the office of the LeeHaven Executive Committee Breakfast. So far all that’s been served is one orange and coffee to the stakeholders and deciders. Interesting that all the four pawed members have been fed their best and the jet setting crowd, those that fly… good lord I want in on the power they hold! Those parrots got a warm, fresh breakfast. What’s up with that?
As a key Executive I thought it might be a good idea to mingle with some of the other attendees. Wrong! Of all the members at the meeting this name you might find familiar – Duke! He was so excited greeting me that he clawed my neck and now I look like I’ve been attacked by a monster. It’s Sunday and I have plans – limited as they are. I had hoped to look my best and now I have this business on my neck. Sheesh.
I have other things going on but this is the prettiest and most addicting so naturally I chose these five to share. I love the look of the center red one. The way the print in that red one reads is really attractive to my eye. The butternut and blue one happens to match this quilt Lynda is working on. I didn’t plan on that but I love that it does.
If you’re wondering what I’m going to do with these or what color I’m going with I’ll be happy to share. I have no plan for a setting or a number of blocks nor do I have a color scheme. At least not beyond my civil war fabrics. I don’t care what comes up. This is about as liberated as I get. I have two more ready to stitch. Looking forward to sharing those because they’re eye-popping pretty me thinks.
If you’re interested in what I’m learning from all this hand piecing besides how to sit still, I’ll share this.
- I have a new respect for the work that Cathi does. I consistently make the effort to do a good job with my hand work and while I’m improving it’s nothing compared with what she does. I’m so utterly impressed.
- I think my stitches are too tight and I can’t figure out how to loosen them up. I’ve run up against this problem with all thing hand work I’ve ever done. I often have to find a rhythm to get nice, gentle even stitches.
- I totally dig this new found activity while the evening wears on! It keeps my mind focused and builds my hand/eye coordination which I’ve mentioned before but I can’t say it enough. With MS this is so incredibly important.
- And I’m learning just how much more there is to do in the world of Quilting. If you’re like me and shunning the idea of Inklingo – you’re really missing out. This is killer fun! It’s been a good probably 3 years before I tried this and gosh… what dork I was!
- Printing patterns on the fabric for Inklingo works out better for me on a good day, when I’m feeling good and when that’s all the focus there is. It’s not an activity that I can just do as needed. I guess it’s akin to having a day of cutting or something now that I think about it.
As for how I’m feeling, well let’s see. I went out to the grocery store and that about slayed me for the day so that wasn’t any fun. The grocery store never is so I don’t think this is Breaking News either way.
Today is another test run with my friends to see how I hold up. I’m working at about half-day productivity right now. Thing is, it’s been my experience when it gets like this with the MS it’s like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride!!! Have to investigate the body each day, every moment, to see how it’s working.
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Hope you feel better today. I have dropped the ball with Inklingo. Time doesn't permit me a lot of hand sewing but I love the concepts.
HEY….I didn't get 'the memo' about the breakfast meeting!!!
I think your handwork looks pretty good….better than I could probable tackle…so you just Go Girl and know you are doin' good!!
Frog went a courtin' he did ride…sword and pistol by his side…oops sorry…you said Mr. Toad didn't you!!
I still consider myself a beginner hand piecer and these blocks scare me but wow they are stunning. You have skills there.
I think your hand work is looking great, I'm still to chicken to give it a try. I also know that I need more hand work stuff as that is what it seems I am most able to get done now.
Love the blocks and that they have no plan. Sometimes beautiful things happen that way. Thanks for sharing what you are learning. Hoping you have a great day and that you have plenty of energy. I need to go to the grocery store today but like you I hate it and it may wait.
Those blocks are beautiful and they ALMOST make me want to hand piece!
Hi Karen Dee
Your handpiecing are just great to me…those blocks are beautiful but look sooooo hard to make. But you are the pro over here at Leehaven.
Well, you know I will just have to try Inklingo now Karen..I love your blocks.
Your inspiring me to give it a go, though I don'y know how my printer will be with the printing..
Arhh…I hate grocery shopping..no fun!
Julia ♥
Very pretty blocks. Thanks for the update of hand piecing from a newbie perspective.
Next time you mingle at a LeeHaven Board Meeting, you'd better come equipped with treats for all the attendees – you may not get attacked then!
I am becoming more and more fascinated by Inklingo. You find such satisfaction in creating these blocks, and it is drawing me in. I just may have to try it one of these days…….
Ah, grocery shopping – it's like laundry, which I have always called “job security”. It's a forever-type chore, isn't it? But since we've all gotta eat and shouldn't wear dirty (aka stinky) clothes, what can ya do?
I hope Mr. Toad and his wildness is a short ride, and then you can get back to whatever your heart desires without so much effort.
p.s. The scratches on your neck remind me of how many bruises and scrapes I have from my 3 warm and fuzzies. All in the name of love, right?
I loved the board meeting bit.
The blocks are really great and I'm totally with you on grocery shopping – it should be banned!
Such a fun post, until I got to the end. I hope you held up through the get together with friends, and get your peak self back soon. Beautiful blocks those are!
I love reading your posts! By gosh, those little stars are coming along beautifully aren't they. Knowing how to pace yourself, and how to work with your body, is so important for everyone – not only those with MS.
OK my dear – I've given you the “Sunshine Blogging Award” for all that you're creating, both physically (beautiful) and with the community you're building Please go to my blog to get your award and to see the rules for acceptance and why I'm offering this award to you.
Cheers!
Your handpieced blocks look outstanding–and it is a good thing to learn! With all the techology we quilters now use, it is good to know that a needle and thread and scissors will still create beauty like that.
Hope your wild ride winds down to merry-go-round speed soon…
I love your blocks! Looking forward to watching them grow on your wall. I hope you have a successful outing with your friends today.
Lovely blocks, just fabulous! Scars from your Executive Breakfast is not so good. Sounds like they are behaving like animals. You take care now!
your blocks are coming along great! I find handwork a bit less tiring than working on the machine…less getting up and down with the ironing as well. HOpe today is a good-toad day…
Your blocks are gorgeous!!
If you think you're pulling your stitches too tight after you pull the needle through each load of stitches, then run your thumbnail along the seam to relax the stitches — I always pull my thread tight and then do that. Better the seam too tight and then relax it than too loose and gaping is my motto! LOL
Lovely blocks – you are learning a lot.
Riding the wave…I understand that. Hope today is a better day…sorry about the neck slash that is there now! Baby didn't mean to, MOM! I love those blocks. Because I don't know…are inklingo blocks stamped on the fabric, then stitched??
Lovely, lovely blocks. Makes me want to join in the fun. Take care of yourself.
AARRGGHHH grocery shopping! I do not like to go grocery shopping! If I could go at midnite, when everyone else is asleep, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad – but then there wouldn't be any food left on the shelves either ( that might be good! lower food bill!)
your blocks look wonderful! make one for me, cause I'm not the hand piecer, at least not yet,, nope, you can't make me, can't entice me, nope nope nope
Beth in Dallas
OH I love these hand pieced babies! The disign is just gorgeous and I am going to borrow them for a layout.. taking your quilting into my scrapbooking!!!!
Back when the kids were little, grocery shopping was always a welcomed escape from the babies when I got to go alone .. just me and all the lovely things to look at.. a slow stroll down the isles… peace.. I love food and actually love to go to fun grocery stores in those bigger cities! They are like Barns & Noble.. lots of options and I can look forever! Sushi at the deli? Heaven…so out of our world in rural America.
Take care today sweets…
I am loving the inklingo stars. I think your all civil war fabrics will be beautiful. Hope that your outing goes well today and you are not too worn out by it. Have a fun day with your friends.
Your hand piecing looks great to me! I can't offer any suggestions because I've never done it before!!!
I really dislike the grocery store so I'm not surprised that was enough for you! I hope you get off the ride soon and have everything settle down a bit. I never did like Mr Toad's Wild Ride!!!
Hope you and Mr. Toad have a great day….!! Have to do that “grocery” thing today….ugh!!
Enjoy….LindaMay
Hi Karen….I love reading your post. You are always funny and insightfull. As for the grocery shopping….I hate! Too much loading and unloading.
Hope you have a great week!