project status updates

start date: 12 Oct 2009          total projects: 25          total completed: 4

25projects

Projects recently updated:

2 December:

iii) french provincial square quilt

iv) french provincial square quilt B

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ok so i couldn’t wait to show you the quilts!

My quilts look divine! I have the binding ready to go, so they should be done in no time at all. Amazing! People asked me today who they are for, who am I giving them to.

AS IF!!!

Click on the links to see the quilting up close. It’s fantastic! Thanks Desley, you’re a rock star!

iii) French Provincial Square Quilt A . . . . . iv) French Provincial Square Quilt B

(Scroll down to today’s entry to see the most recent pics.)

both quilts - machine quilting completed

my french provincial square quilts have been machine quilted!

I’m so excited. Desley called today, my machine quilting lady. She’s completed the quilting on both of my french provincial square quilts (projects iii and iv) and is bringing them to Amitié this coming Wednesday morning for me. She said the stitching looks really good, the design I picked works really well, and she’s glad she went with her idea of using a different colour thread for each quilt. Oh come on Wednesday!!!!! All I’ll need to do then is sew on the binding, and they’ll both be complete. Will post pics as soon as I can.

how reader-friendly is my blog?

Someone mentioned to me yesterday that she found my blog confusing to navigate. She specifically referred to having clicked on one of my Twitter links and then struggling to work her way back to the previous latest post. So, I’m taking a poll. Let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment. Thanks!

“the right stuff” was the right stuff…

the right stuff

Project xi) read 200pgs is complete! Woohoo! I’ve officially read 200 pages! Easier than I thought, really. So good to be reading again! Another part of my brain alive and well. Embarrassing really, that I’d stopped reading for so long a time. It’s been years. Shocking! Really, my intention for this project was not reading the 200 pages. That was just intended to kick-start my reading habit. So now I’m kick-started. Definitely caught tight in the grips of this book! “The Right Stuff” by Tom Wolfe. Love it! Can you see the smile of contentment on my face?

finally i can show you the progress of my matzah cover

Check out the project page to see all the details.

xi) read 200pgs – 171 down, 29 to go

I finished reading my Dad’s book in a day. 171 pages of easy reading. Now on to my next book…

I was going to read Buzz Aldrin’s sci-fi book, but after watching another episode of “From the Earth to the Moon” last night, I changed my mind. I’ve always been fascinated with the space missions, so I’m going to start with “The Right Stuff”. Sure, I’ve seen the movie many, many times over, but Moshe’s always said I should read the book too, and I just never got to it. So, finally, here goes!

cast off, stitches out [ouch!], and moon boot on

Yesterday I saw my surgeon and got the cast taken off. I’ve only ever had 2 casts in my life, both in the last 3 months, so I’m no expert, but I find it amusing how both times, the people who had the pleasure of taking off the plaster had the same to say.. “Who put this on? What were they thinking! I wouldn’t have done it like this! What on earth! What the…!”

I couldn’t wait to get it off! I was dying to see what exactly had been causing me such incredible sharp stabbing pain over the past week or so. Turns out all was looking good, according to the nurse and the surgeon. The length of the cut took me by surprise, I hadn’t expected it to be 5″ long! Anyway, it’s all cleaned up, with a nice piece of tape along the length of it, and I’m back in the moon boot. Pain hasn’t gone anywhere yet unfortunately, still stings like crazy.

So, my 25 projects… I’ve managed to make headway on a couple of fronts, even through the past 2 weeks. I’ve done a fair bit of work on my Matza Cloth – I’ll post about that separately – as well as a little miracle that happened. Yvonne came around a couple of days ago with a copy of my Dad’s book for me to read! I was blown away! So, I now have my book to read for my 200 pages project. The book only has roughly 178 pages, so it won’t be the 200, but I figure I’ll start on a new book and make up the 20-odd pages that way. I already have a book ready for that. It’s one of Buzz Aldrin’s sci-fi books.

OK, can’t sit here much longer. Gotta go take the boot off and rest my foot up.

xx
Helene

surgery and dreadful pain meds behind me

OK! Survived that. I’m delighted to say that my foot operation was a smashing success, according to my brilliant surgeon. My bones are strong he said and he only had to put a small plate and tiny screws in to hold it together. YAY! I’ve got a big plaster on my foot again, wrapped in soft bandaging, that has to stay on for another 1½ weeks. Then plaster off, stitches out, moon boot on, and I’m on the return path to life with a normal foot. Think I’m going to take out membership at my local pool and swim regularly. I suspect the low impact exercises will be my best bet for awhile.

today’s accomplishments – packed bag & bought fabric

fabric for gita’s chelsea quilt…

..and crutches and hospital bag packed

 

So before going into the hospital tomorrow morning, I’ve done the following:

1. Packed my toiletries, PJs, X-rays and crutches (for going home)
2. Bought the fabric Gita chose for her Chelsea quilt, including that gorgeous beige fabric with big brown flowers for the back. Should look sensational Gita! Well picked!
3. Cut the top and layers for the matza cover
4. Prepared the letters for “matza” in hebrew with vliesofix to be finely cut out and then sewn onto top of cover
5. Organized a new book to read – Gita’s bringing it for me to I can take it to the hospital tomorrow morning

Not bad, eh! I am now preparing for the seminar that I’m about to lead tonight, then I’ll get myself dressed and go. I only have to make sure I eat dinner before midnight and I’m all set for the morning.

foot surgery on for tomorrow morning

It’s on. I’m going in tomorrow to have my little 5th metatarsal bone mended. What that means is I’ll have surgery, be home same day or Friday at the latest, all being well. Then for the following 2 weeks, I’m only allowed to get up to go to the bathroom. Otherwise, I gotta have my leg up. Then in 2 weeks’ time, I’ll have the cast off, and back in the moon boot for another 4 weeks, but still not putting my foot down to take any weight. After 6 weeks, I should be able to walk, if it’s all healing as planned.

So, my posts will be less frequent over the next 2 weeks, and I may have to reassess my projects. Such a bummer.

Wish me luck!

beethoven coming along, bach now. then mozart

Well I’m a lot happier with my Beethoven today. Beginning – just beginning – to sound like something worth listening to. I’m now working on the Bach.

sarah’s quilt pinned and ready for my needle and thread

sarah’s quilt pinned

pinned and ready

I wanted to get it done before Wednesday morning, just in case I end up in surgery Thursday morning. I can’t see myself standing on crutches at the table, pinning the quilt, but I can see myself quilting whilst recovering from the surgery. So, I’m all set. It looks so pretty all fluffed up with the batting. Actually can’t wait to get the needle and fuschia thread to it!

tommy and java pics

Tommy and Java looking cool

Moshe and Sarah looking pretty cool too. But not as cool as Tommy and Java

and the back for sarah’s triangle quilt is done!

NOW for the sandwiching and basting (possibly!) and quilting. I have to get the pinning done at the very least, just in case I do have surgery on Thursday to finally fix that 5th metatarsal.

i found the afikomen!

fabric for matza and afikomen cloths

Well, I found the fabric to make an afikomen cloth, and also of course a 3-tiered matzah cloth, and even some matching fabric for kiddush cup coasters!

Not sure if you can see the beautiful gold shimmering thread in this picture, but if you go to my Flickr site, you can see this image in a larger size, and I think you’ll be able to see the gold then.

you are so not going to believe this!

I started measuring my fabric to see where I should cut it for the back of Sarah’s quilt, and realized that it wasn’t 30 centimetres more fabric I needed, but 30 inches!!! How on earth I made that mistake now is reason for concern. Where’s my brain at??? Anyway, not a problem. I got onto Amitié immediately and had them put a metre of fabric aside for me. Darn! I hate that! I hate being all ready to sew and then not being able to. IF ONLY I COULD DRIVE… THEN I COULD GO PICK UP THE MATERIAL MYSELF! SO frustrating!

Patience-inducing calming actions needed now. Hmm. Chocolate? Don’t have any of that either. Darn!

30cm and sandwich

Picked up the 30cm of fabric I needed on our way home from the dentist, and am about to sew the back of sarah’s quilt. Know what comes next? That’s right – sandwiching and pinning. Wouldn’t mind some sandwiches actually. Gluten free ones though. Darn . Kinda takes the edge off the enjoyment of eating bread if it’s gotta be gluten free, don’t you reckon?

project xvi recreated for passover

Well the project I originally had down for number xvi just wasn’t working out as a 25reasons project, so I changed it. I’ve been wanting to make a new matza “dekl” or cover since mine went walkabout a couple of years ago. As I was surfing the internet, finding new and delightful sewing ideas, I came across The Purl Bee blog with a pattern including brilliantly clear instructions from Molly’s Sketchbook for an Afikomen Cloth. It is gorgeous, and I got inspired. So, I’m now on a mission to find new fabric for not only an afikomen cloth, but a matching matza cloth too. Perfect, huh!

amitié to the rescue

Thank goodness! I just remembered this morning that at our Wednesday morning class, I spied a piece of the Lotus Leaf fabric in the pink in the hands of one of the girls as she was choosing fabric for her quilt. I called Amitié as soon as they opened this morning and ta dah! they have it! Phew! Now all I have to do is figure out how to get it from them today. My family still won’t let me drive. Fair enough, I mean my foot still does hurt, and the break is still there. Any ideas?

30cm short on the back fabric! fingers crossed please!

kaffe fassett lotus leaf

I can’t believe it! How did I manage that! I am 30cm short on the back fabric. Keep your fingers crossed that Sunspun still has this fabric. Think I’ll get another ½ metre, just to be on the safe side. Isn’t this picture pretty? I need the G29RD colour. What if they don’t have any left??? No, think good happy thoughts. They will.

 

sarah’s triangles quilt top is finished!

Oh crickey! I’ve finished the front of Sarah’s quilt and it’s stunning! I just adore those Kaffe Fassett fabrics. The colour just makes your heart sing.

sarah's triangles quilt - front complete

Now I need to sew the back of the quilt – not much in it really. Just cutting the fabric in half and stitching it together. Then sandwich the top, batting and back, quilt, add pink striped binding and it’s done! It’s such a huge quilt, but so striking! Sarah’s really pumped.

another one bites the dust

Project no. 19 – COMPLETE! Wow! That does create real peace of mind! All the medical bills that had been paid but never claimed – done! Ready to go out in tomorrow’s mail. I know, it seems like a small thing, but it’s amazing how little things like that, when they’re not done, and they nag at you, boy do they weigh ya down!

and even more excitement!

Sorry, not really. Just thought I’d drag you all into the boredom of this one with me. See, I’d scheduled to prepare the claims for our medical bills yesterday, but I put it off till today. I just must get them done! Any suggestions for making this project exciting? No, didn’t think so. Just gotta knuckle down and do it. OK. Here I go. One phone call to make first. Then I promise. I’ll do the bills. Promise.

and now on to sarah’s triangle quilt!

Cutting and sewing on the final border, then sandwiching the front, batting and back of the quilt so I can begin quilting the triangles tomorrow. OH! First have to cut and sew the back, right? At the moment it’s in one long piece of fabric. Won’t work at all.

the back is done for quilt B!

I tell ya, that was a major exercise in strategic piecing! I hope it’ll look OK. Think it will, At least it’s ready for the machine quilting lady to pick up tomorrow morning, and beyond that, I’m not really that concerned. Oh, I took a picture of the back so you can see. Hard to tell all the pieces though, you’ll just have to take my word for it!

french provincial square quilt - back complete

french provincial square quilt - back complete

rediscovered beethoven today

… How do I express in words what the experience is of playing Beethoven? I’m now resolved about which 3 pieces I’ll be playing at my audition in December. You can click on the links below to open YouTube in a new window where you can listen to some of the experts play these pieces. I’m listening and learning…

1. Mozart: Fantasia in D Minor

2. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “Tempest” (1st and 3rd movements)

3. Bach: Paeludium 1 (C Major)

update, upgrade, up-whatever

I’ve had to change project 25! That 25images thing just hasn’t got the same “juice” as this new one… Moshe & I have come to the decision that it’s time. We need to seek professional advice about our house, what we should do with it, and when we should do it. And since I already have a photographic project (see project xiii) photoshoot with g), I think it’s fine to ditch the old images one. This project’s really appropriate. AND VERY EXCITING!!! Funny. When we moved into this house, I said “I’m never going to move again!” Now, we may not move, we may renovate. Whatever. But I’m ready for something new.

quilt back is shaping up!

french provincial square quilt - back - work in progress

I’ve been piecing and measuring all morning. Was supposed to finish at midday but ran into some strife. What kind? Well, things like sewing fabric wrong side up! In too much of a hurry I think. Slowed it down, kept piecing borders and trying all kinds of combinations and layouts using leftovers etc, and now it’s just about done. Just have to wait till I hear back from machine quilt lady about how much larger the back needs to be than the front. Anyone know the answer to that? Currently, it’s 12cm. Is that enough? If I have to make it larger than that, I’ll need to buy more fabric, so I’m hoping it’ll suffice.

project iv) complete!

french provincial square quilt B - front complete

French Provincial Square quilt B – finished! Woohoo! Now, I’ve decided I’ll extend this project, just cos I don’t think I could stand it being in the cupboard unfinished when FPS quilt A is all done. And besides, the machine quilting lady said she can do these both together before the end of the year. Too good to pass up, right? So I’m declaring this project complete, and I’m creating the back of the quilt this morning so it can go to be quilted on Wednesday. I’ll upload pics when it’s done.

appointment with machine quilting lady

Appointment set for Wednesday 4th November. Booked it in, all we have to work out is the design. Woohoo! She’ll be able to do both of my French Provincial Square quilts before New Year’s she said, so that’s awesome! Now I just need to complete quilt B sometime in November and get it to her house. Easy peasy!