Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Few More Sea Stars


It's hard for me to go very long without doing something quilt-related.

I took some time last week to get caught up on my Lucky Star BOM quilt.  I call them Sea Stars, since I'm making them mostly from Tula Pink's Salt Water fabric line.

I now have 11 of these finished, and plan on stopping at 12.  There is a new Lucky Star BOM round next year, but this will be it for me. I'm looking forward to getting this quilt finished, and to getting back to the City Sampler Quilt Blocks, which have been put on the back burner for a while...

What have you been up to? Have you ever done any paper piecing?

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Life's Mountains Quilt


I can finally share with you a special quilt that I finished in October, for a special friend of mine.

We've been friends for many years, and met while we and our husbands were all working at the BLM.  All but my husband worked doing wildlife biology.  We both have 2 boys, about the same age as well, so shared baby clothes and gear, and went to each others baby showers.  Our husbands still hunt together when they can.

During the summer of 2000, when we were both in our early 30's, she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a very aggressive, malignant brain tumor, and given less than a year to live by her doctors, when her boys were just toddlers.

Miraculously, now, over 13 years later, she's had multiple surgeries, and been through years of various treatment therapies, and is still fighting hard, despite the very grim prognosis. In 2004, she climbed Mt Shasta (elevation 14,167 ft), and wrote a book, called "Life's Mountains" about her experience.

Her last surgery was in the Spring.  We found out that her most recent MRI did not come back clean, and we're all hoping that the next one, in just a few days, will show no growth in the suspicious "spot".

Watching this wonderful, strong, amazing woman go through this journey over the last several years has taught me so much about what's important in life.  Her spirit, knowledge, hope, courage and determination is a guide for many.  I made this simply to show I care, and to help give her warmth and comfort in the months and years to come.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Lots and Lots of Zipper Pouches

After making my Pendleton Wool knitting caddy, I had some scraps that were left over.  I made a little zippered pouch for myself, and one thing led to another. I had some Japanese Echino fabric in my stash, and decided to make a few more out of this, as well as another piece of wool that I bought at our local blanket mill.
When I posted picture of them on my personal Facebook page, I had requests for 6.  Our local art center said they'd take some too.
So... I've been busy making lots and lots of zipper pouches.  I have some in my Etsy shop, and hope to continue making more and more at least through the holiday season!  If they don't sell, guess what my family will be getting for Christmas LOL!