The Culprit

We finally discovered the reason behind my aching joints and total lack of energy/strength: asceptic meningitis, plus an allergic reaction. Not as horrible as it sounds--not life threatening...just life-style threatening. John and I were both diagnosed with the meningitis, and he went merrily on his way to recovery while I kept getting worse. Turns out all that sewing I did wasn't very good for me as our practitioner traced a chemical allergy to all the dyes in my fabrics, and all the residue of softeners, sizings, and such. So, into the washer went everything I owned. John was so good to me in keeping my laundry going since I didn't have the strength to go up and down the stairs so much. And fabrics all have to be pre-washed again. And I have to wear cotton or latex gloves if I'm working on something in process that has not been washed. Phew!
End result: I'm improving, finally. Still weak, but my joints don't ache and I'm regaining a bit of grace in my movements. Resting this week, being careful next week, then I'm ok to do what I want. That's just in time for a fun trip to North Carolina for John and me! We're going to visit his parents and take them on an excursion to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville. Then I get to stay a few days longer, with my freshly washed fabrics, and Rachel and I will have a quilt-fest!

Into the Cedar Chest

Here are three more quilt tops ready to go into the cedar chest until they are needed: one receiving blanket from flannel squares, one twin quilt for Jessica when she’s out of her crib, and a flower garden pinwheel for whatever I want.































This morning it occurred to me that even though I’ve been able to get a lot of projects done over the past 6 weeks while I’ve been weak physically, what does it say that there were so many projects for finishing to choose from!? And I’m certainly not going to attempt counting how many projects are still waiting for completion. I’ll just keep sewing...just keep sewing…sewing…sewing…what do we do? We sew, sew… (I need an icon to represent little musical notes.)

Another Project Done

I've been trying to complete the various projects that fill my sewing room shelves, cupboards, and assorted boxes throughout the house. This quilt top is one of them. As I finished it, I discovered it was begun before the time of rotary cutters because I can see the tracing marks on the back of some of the blocks. Seeing all the points that got cut off, I realized I made these blocks before I really knew much about piecing quilts. But I love the antique brown fabric--from my Grandma Sperry, my mom's mom--and I love that I finally put all the blocks together to form a quilt top. The size is about 45" by 60"--a lap quilt.


I took it to a quilt store to have it machine quilted in an all over pattern. I'm still looking for a next quilt-by-hand project. It has to be just right.

Wall-Hangings

They're not all completely finished, but I couldn't wait any longer to put up the picture of all my Humanitarian wall-hangings. I've had them taped up in our upstairs hallways, on my bedroom door, and all over the walls and cabinets of the sewing room. I thought there were so many...until I put them all on the same wall to photograph them. Now I see why they're in demand. A big wall swallows them up. But they're definitely colorful and fun to look at!

Humanitarian

Humanitarian Aid


“Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving. There are the homeless, the hungry, the destitute.”
Gordon B. Hinckley

Last week I attended our Stake's Humanitarian Work Day. I've been looking forward to it for a long time--having been unable to attend because I worked. As I entered the cultural hall, I was a little overwhelmed as to where to start. I'd envisioned being a part of an army of ladies working hard to save the world. The 2 1/2-3 hours passed too quickly with not enough done. I felt frustrated that I couldn't do more, that I didn't know which things were most important (they were all equal), and that I didn't bring lots of my own supplies. After a bit of personal review and introspection, I decided I could do the same Humanitarian activities from my own home on my own time. I've done it before, I can do it again. Why did I think I needed the Stake Humanitarian Day to be of use/service?
My latest service project of choice: wall hangings for the bare walls of various orphanages worldwide. I'm using up all the quilt blocks I've made and never assembled. My pinwheel blocks especially are making some really gorgeous wall-hangings. Pictures to come...

Regular Posting

One of my dear friends decided she would take the challenge to post her thoughts and activities on a daily basis. Though I'm not there yet, I'm inspired by her decision to make her blog something more representative of herself. That's the challenge I want to take--making my blog more representative of myself. Though I won't be able to 'turn a phrase' like my friend can, maybe I can put a little more of my day to day feelings and observations into print.
Today's observation--the joy and excitement my brother-in-law, Gene, radiates as we help him do the temple work for the names he's searched out through Family Search. We've recently done baptisms and initiatories for over 100 relatives on the Hiatt side. Hearing Gene's enthusiastic outpourings on finding family names renews in me the huge impact of eternal families and the joy the gospel brings to my life.

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful holiday season. Saw all the kids and grandkids, visited my parents and saw more family. Lots of food and fun. Here's a glimpse.