project status updates

start date: 12 Oct 2009          total projects: 25          total completed: 5

25projects

Projects recently updated:

17 December:

iii) french provincial square quilt A

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NEW 2010 BLOG

For more info, here’s the link: http://goldberg25.com/25reasons

so has my little metatarsal decided to behave and finally heal?

Today’s Judgement Day. It’s x-ray and surgeon appointment day. Today we find out the truth. DID IT HEAL? I sure hope so. I sure don’t need another thing to worry about. Sleep has deserted me, my appetite is gone. Can’t watch much TV, everything reminds me of Dad, or something that happened at the hospital, or some memory of something over the whole span of my life, and I can’t watch it for long. I can’t read, same deal, and I haven’t got the head for it now. The book I started reading? The Right Stuff? Well I’m up to just the beginning where all the test pilots die and the tall thin man in the black suit and hat comes walking down the path to the door of the newest widow. Can’t read that right now. Can’t play my piano, haven’t got the head for it either. So what am I doing? Sitting at my computer and creating a new WordPress.org blog. I can sit for hours adding and configuring new plugins all over the place, changing colour schemes, getting pissed off that things don’t work and getting even more pissed off that I can’t figure out why. And then suddenly I try something on a hunch, and it all works out. And I’m please. That can take hours and hours and hours! But it’s something I can get myself lost in and not have to think about anything else, or deal with tears out of the blue, or end up just sitting and drifting into some thought stream that takes me away. Don’t get too excited. I’m not tripping, and I’m not going loony. I just need healthy little foot bones! Get it?! I need to be able to go for a walk in the park out our back gate. A long walk if I want to. And I need to be able to drive myself somewhere. Where? Anywhere!

So keep your little fingers crossed for me. Read Tarot cards. Look at the stars. Pray if you like, if that’s your thing. Whatever you do. That little bone better be good.

shiva is over, loving the sound of rain, & here’s my fps quilt pic

This morning I went over to Dad’s house to sit the final hour of shiva with Yvonne. At 10am, I leaned across to Sheila and said, “At exactly this time a week ago, Dad took his last breath”. And then shiva was over. Yvonne and I hugged and wished each other long life. Then we just sat there, until I looked at her and said, “I think we should get up”. And we did. Then I suggested we take down all the tablecloths and linen for the mirrors and glass-framed artwork, and we did that. Then there was nothing else to do.

I had to go home to change out of my torn shirt and go off to my dentist appointment that I’d postponed 3 times since I broke my foot. I was sure I’d be fine. I mean, why shouldn’t I be, right? Well, I sat in the dentist’s chair while he talked to me about my teeth, and all of a sudden I burst into tears. It wasn’t any thought I had, it certainly wasn’t anything the dentist said, it just came out of nowhere. There I was, sobbing into his shoulder as he tried to comfort me. He called to his assistant, “Bring Helene a cup of tea”. And I said “no, that’s fine. I’m OK”. Then he asked me, “Would you like some chocolate?” He was so sweet, trying to console me. He’s Jewish too, so he knows all about sitting shiva, and my mother-in-law also goes to him (on my recommendation), and apparently she’d been there and told him about my Dad, so he knew what I was dealing with already. Thank goodness.

I think it’s time I showed you how the French Provincial Square Quilt A came up. It’s my favourite of the two square quilts. Have I said that already? Think so. I just love the purple polka dot binding, and the back, and how it’s more yellow and purple than red and blue. That’s how I see it. You can see for yourself and make up your own mind.

french provincial square quilt A - front

french provincial square quilt A - back

Now here’s FPS Quilt B for comparison..

french provincial square quilt B - front

french provincial square quilt B - back

So what do you think?

last day of shiva for my dad. i watch the candle burning down and i don’t want it to go out. crazy huh.

Nothing really to add. I feel like I’m in no man’s land. It’s very bizarre. I don’t know what to do with myself. Not that I need to do anything. I just feel very strange. It’s been a real time of reflection for me, this last week. Like episodes on telly, I remember things about my life with Dad. Funny, I was in the shower this morning and I had a thought – Dad’s not here to approve or disapprove, condone or condemn, like or dislike anything I do, anything I say, anything I have anymore.

ix) wardrobe makeover – i pulled everything out this morning!

piles of clothes

I decided that today was the day. Enough with the messing around with my clothes on the floor of the bedroom. I started by pulling everything out of my wardrobe and sorting it all into piles. One for Hania, one for the rubbish – things that I couldn’t give to anyone, things for Devorah, and then a big pile for Gita and Sarah to go through. Gita came over in the afternoon, and I gave her the clothes for thrift shop, as well as the things for Div, and she tried on everything else she though just might have looked good on her, and ended up with a nice pile for herself that she took away with her. Then I pulled the vacuum into my room and oh man! should have seen the dust on the closet floor carpet! Shocking! Anyway it’s all clean now.

Next I’m going to clear out my general stuff shelf. All my bits and pieces, when I don’t have anywhere else to put things, they go there. After that, I need to go through Moshe’s clothes, then our shoes, and find a place for my Carlton footy gear (scarves, blankets, jackets, etc) and I’m done. I think one more full day and it’ll be complete. Fantastic.

The photos here don’t show the full story. It got much messier than that. And I”m not ready to show you how it looks along the way, I’d rather show you the finished product, so to speak.

stuff all on the bed

This has been very therapeutic today, in between visits from friends and family coming to be with me. Really great. I’m absolutely wiped now though. Didn’t realize I’d picked a 30 degree day to do this. And you know how I love the heat! Not! Tomorrow’s going to be 39 degrees, so not sure if I’ll get to do much till Thursday. Stay tuned!

really good evening with family, taking my sewing and off to bed

My Mum came over with a cooked dinner tonight. Div and Mark were here too so they stayed for dinner. Stir fry beef and veggies, salad with heaps of garlic, and best bit – her apple compote for dessert. Cousin Ben is in town, and he come over too. Then more cousins, Sluggo and Mich came over. It was so good. I laughed and watched YouTube videos, and was well distracted from thinking about Dad. I love my family. Now, I’m off to bed, my afikomen cloth “hooped”, needle threaded with cornflower blue embroidery floss, and I’m ready for the telly, my pillows and sewing. Good night Dad. Miss you. Love you. xxxxx

which colour thread? cornflower, cobalt or metallic gold?

Oh dear. I can’t work it out. Although I’m pretty sure I don’t want the gold. It’s a much harder thread, and will make the cloth harder in hand. The cornflower is very pretty. And light, which I like. The cobalt is much darker of course, and stands out more. I’m leaning towards the cornflower, but your thoughts will be appreciated. My head is still not terribly clear after the last few days. And I know, the image isn’t very clear, especially where I’ve put the cornflower blue thread. Write me a comment?

cornflower, cobalt or metallic gold?

you gotta see where tommy is sleeping

tommy

Have a look at my dog! Can you believe it? He crept into the corner under my desk and curled up. He’s been sleeping there all morning while I cut and rule and sew. He snores! And can you see his head? Tommy you’re hilarious! I love you.

I’ve also updated my progress on the afikomen cloth. Remember.. scroll down, scroll, scroll.. that’s it. Keep going..

ok so now i’m really getting into my sewing.. afikomen cloth coming right up!

cut two squares of fabric

Following Molly’s Sketchbook’s brilliantly clear and simple instructions, I’m sewing my matching afikomen cloth. Check it all out here. Scroll down to today’s date.

sitting shiva and sewing

stitched together and ready for finishing the edges

After Dad died, after the funeral, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I couldn’t leave the house to go to Dad’s where Yvonne was sitting shiva, I was exhausted. I decided to sit shiva at home. But then, here I was, with nothing to do, with no one here except Moshe and Sarah most of the time, , and I thought I’d go nuts. So I sewed. I know, I shouldn’t be sewing if I’m sitting shiva. Too bad. Here’s where I’m up to with the matzah cover. You can see all the steps on the project page.

iii) french provincial square quilt A is finished and my dad lies dying

I finished the last 15″ of stitches last night after I’d come home from the hospital. Going back there now. I haven’t got any words to put down here now. My quilt looks beautiful. It’s my favourite of the two square quilts. I love you Dad.

what’s the blood alcohol limit for using a sewing machine?

yellow fabric - so wrong!

I really thought, after I got how wrong wrong wrong the yellow fabric was for the binding for this quilt, that I’d have to wait till Wednesday’s class at Amitié to buy another piece of fabric for the binding. However… lo and behold! I did open the hall cupboard one more time, and there it was… the most perfect purple fabric, and it looks just perfect! So, I cut the strips for the binding before going to Seven Stars for dinner with the family, and now that I’m back, the question is…

purple fabric - so right!

How many glasses of wine would be the limit on using a sewing machine? Would it still be a reading of .05? Anyway, whatever, I’m going to have a go. I’ll let you know the outcome. Stay tuned and wish me luck.

just cut yellow binding for square quilt A and i don’t like it!

yellow binding

It’s just wrong! Dang! I could use some of the leftover provincial fabric I have in the cupboard, but that’s just boring! I’ll have to wait till next Wednesday to find something better. Yeah, do you agree? It’s wrong isn’t it? I think it doesn’t frame the quilt well, if you know what I mean.

it's just wrong!

binding on iv) quilt done!

one down, one to go

One down, one to go. The binding on iv) French Provincial Square Quilt B is all finished, and it looks fantastic. I’m really thrilled with how it came out, albeit I’m not entirely thrilled with the job I did on the binding itself. However, it’s done. Complete. No more sewing on it at all. Done. Click on the project link above, or on the left menu, to see the quilt hanging in all it’s glory

Now all I gotta do is the binding on the other square quilt and all my French Provincial quilts will be done. Can’t wait!!

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!