New Block - New Year

Time to reveal the next block for the Early American Life quilt.

This was a fun block to make.  Be sure to check with Karen and see her version.  Four blocks down and 12 to go.


I was able to get the final block done for my Christmas BOM.  It is the first time sewing for me since I came down with Bells Palsy.  My right eye waters a great deal so I cant sew for to long. 

I was hoping to get it done for Christmas...but this darn virus got in the way.


Another planned project....

These are tree blocks from a Cheri Payne Christmas book.  I was wanting to make either a wall quilt or a table runner.  These blocks went together so easy.  Oh well, there is always next year.


A health update.  My face is still droopy.  I drink everything using a straw and pinching the right side of my mouth.  Eating is a real adventure.  I have no taste on the right side.  My ear still hurts and my right eye waters.  I start physical therapy after the first of the year.  Each day I feel better (although I don't look it).

I did get a block machine pieced.  It took longer because it strains my eye.  And yesterday I prepped an applique block and started sewing it.  


I hope you had a good Christmas and have a very Happy New Year.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

EAL Block 3

EAL stands for the Early American Life quilt that Karen and I are working on.

Here is my block 3.

I have decided to do an easier approach to the applique.  The hearts at the bottom were suppose to be individual hearts.  I chose to trace around the hearts and turn them into one piece.  It works for me.

Here is a health care update.  I've been working really hard on my diet to get my sugar levels lower.  They were 245 in am and now are 165-180.  A significant change.  In the process I have lost 6 pounds.

Last Saturday I had a horrific nose bleed.  It last over 15 minutes.  Felt like crap afterward.  Sunday my taste was off.  Everything tasted bland.  Monday another nosebleed.  Later in the day my lip felt swollen.  I went to bed and woke up Tuesday with the right side of my face drooping.  My eye wouldn't close, I couldn't smile and I couldn't drink with out it dribbling out.  I thought I had a stroke but my arm was fine and felt okay.  Went to the ER and was diagnosed with Bells Palsy.  I have a hard time talking.  I have to keep putting eye drops in my right eye and wear a patch.  They put me on an aggressive steroid regiment for 25 days.  I was told it could take 3-6 months to get better.  Since I'm on the steroids I have to stay out of situations where there are lots of people because my immune system is compromised and I will be more prone to getting infections and diseases.  So no Christmas shopping.  Because of the droopy eye my vision is slightly blurry.  So no driving for the time being.  It is also curtailing my sewing.  Applique is tricky and I'm much slower.  But hey it wasn't a stroke.  I need to get plenty of rest so I'm watching old movies on TV, reading good books and getting a little sewing done.

My family is being very supportive.  They bring me food, call and check on me twice a day and take me to the doctors.  I feel blessed.

Thanks so much for stopping by and listening to my tail of woe.

Hugs, Cathy

Christmas Blocks

I finished 2 more blocks for my Christmas BOM.  6 down 3 to go.

Block 5

Block 6

For some reason this block gave me a really hard time.  This is the center block for the quilt.

I put up blocks 1-6 up on the design wall.

I'm really liking the looks of this.  The next block is  a Santa block and then 2 more pieced blocks.

Now for a health update.  A month ago I went to the doctor's for my usual 6 month Diabetic check up.  Didn't go well.  My sugar levels were HIGH.  She now wants to see me every 3 months.

Her office called me and asked if I wanted to get some Diabetic counseling.  I figured it wouldn't hurt and hopefully it would help.  One visit with the counselor and dietitian and a miracle occurred.  I found out I wasn't taking my meds correctly.  They put me on a diet, told how many carbs to eat at each meal and told me I should have a snack at bedtime each night.  

After 2 weeks I have lost 2 pounds and my sugar levels for the first time in quite a while are under 180.  I should have done this long ago.  Now I just need to get out and walk.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great weekend.

Hugs, Cathy