A Few Things

I've gotten a few things done and a few new projects started.

I finished one of the blocks for my Chedddarback quilt.  I still need to make the 5" blocks.

This block looked like it would be hard but was actually an easy block to make.


Next up is a Bluprint kit I purchased a while ago.

It is made from charm squares that are cut into 2 1/2" squares.   I think you could use jelly rolls for this quilt.


I purchased another Bluprint kit.  It was suppose to be blocks made of 16 patch blocks bordered with a contrasting color.  The kit came with 3 jelly rolls.  I decided to make a Scrappy Trip quilt.

I love the colors.  It reminds me of being at the ocean.  Right now I have 6 blocks made.  I'm trying to make a block a day.


That's it for quilting projects.  I have a health update.

I went and saw the surgeon.  It turns out that my tumor was twice the size as they originally thought.  Instead of being 4 cm it was 9 cm.  Still very small.  They told me even though I'm cancer free I'm not done with them.  I go back in 6 months to see her again.

Last week I went for my Radiology consult.  It was a two hour appointment.  We decided that since the tumor was larger I would do Radiation Therapy.  She also checked my Vitamin D levels and they were really low.  So now I am taking Vitamin D.

Yesterday was my Radiology simulation and breathing appointment.  First they checked to see how my films turned out holding my breath compared to breathing shallow.  Thank goodness they were the same so I didn't have to use the machine that stopped you from breathing.  I had to lay on this very uncomfortable table with my left arm in a sling over my head.  I had to stay in that position for 1 1/2 hours.  I hurt all night.  

At this appointment they set up the times for my Radiation treatments.  Since Thanksgiving is next week they are closed Thursday and Friday.  I will be going in on Sunday at 10:20 am for my first appointment.  Then I go everyday at 10:40.  I won't know if I go 3 weeks or 6 weeks until my first appointment.

Wednesday I go and see another Doctor regarding taking the Hormone Reduction pill.  And December 5 I see another doctor regarding Genetic testing.  So I'm going to be a busy girl.  Not sure how the radiation will affect me so I don't know how much quilting I will be getting done.

Well that's it for now.  I'll post again on the 30th to show you my next block for Celebrating Mary Brown.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always love hearing from you.

Hugs, Cathy

Early American Life Block 7

We are almost half way there.  

Today we are sharing the Pineapple block.  Karen is staying real close to the actual pattern where I am doing a simpler version.

I'm planning to add some cross hatch quilting in brown when I finish the quilt.
It's simple but it definitely looks like a pineapple.

Health update.  Sugar levels are coming down....yeah.  I've been going to physical therapy twice a week working on my facial muscles.  My facial features are now more symmetrical.  I can close my right eye and my smile isn't as crooked.  I have two more therapy sessions and I will be done.

Last weekend we got hit with 14" of snow.  What a mess.  Our street was one of the last streets to get plowed.  Cars were getting stuck everywhere.  It's hard to believe that it is suppose to be in the 40's next week.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Antebellum Album

I'm excited that Barbara Brackman's newest BOM is here, Antebellum Album.
Here is my version of Block 1.

I'm not happy with my piecing...still having some problems focusing my eyes.  But it will have to do for now.

A couple of weeks ago i spent the day working on a little Cheri Payne quilt.

I pulled out a bunch of 2 1/2" strips and hacked away.  The flower applique was suppose to be all one piece of fabric.  I chose to make the stem separate.

Health update.  I started going to physical therapy for my face.  I'm happy to report it is working.  Although not back to 100% I am doing so much better.

Being on Prednisone for my Bells Palsy caused my sugar levels to sky rocket and I gained back the weight I had previously lost.  I'm happy to say my sugar levels have gone down, (In fact they are lower than before) and I have lost the weight I gained plus another 2 pounds.

My eyes are still giving me problems.  Tomorrow I go to the eye doctors to have them checked out.

On the weather front....I woke up to this.   Ugh!

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay warm

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

AWOL

Well, maybe not Absent Without Leave but last month I was certainly absent. Last month I had some issues.  One day I bent over and when I sat up I had the biggest floaters in my eyes and was seeing bright bits of light.  I went to the eye doctors for an exam.  Nothing too bad...but I needed new glasses.  I had also had lots of eye watering so it's been difficult to sew at times.  The doctor noticed a skin tag on my eyelid that has changed since my last exam.  So off to the eye surgeon.  He said it had to be removed.  So this Friday I will have the growth removed and biopsied.  

Next up was my annual Mammogram.  Well it's been longer than a year.  Any way they saw something on my right breast.  They wanted to compare films from my last one.  However, they closed that facility and the films are in storage and no one can find them...go figure.  So tomorrow I have to have another Mammogram and an Ultrasound.  I'm not too worried about it.

Since I have had visual problems it has taken me longer to get some things done.  But here we go...

Up first my Front Porch block for July.  I missed the link up at Humble Quilts.

I wish I had chosen a different green for more contrast but I'm still happy with this block.


I am way behind on my Cabot Cuties.  Hopefully I can get caught up this month.

I do enjoy making these blocks.  These blocks are 4 1/2" finished.


1857 Sampler

You may notice that I haven't added the corner diamonds on any of my blocks. I'm going to try and figure out a different way of putting these blocks together.

This is my Westering Women block.  

Well that is it as far as sewing goes.  We did get to go to our annual Detroit Tigers game with my daughter Kelley and her hubby Chris.  It has been so hot here that I was afraid I would melt in the heat.  We lucked out.  It was a beautiful night and the Tigers won.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great day and get to enjoy some nice weather like we are.

Hugs, Cathy

In Just One Week.....

We've had 80 degree weather, 32 degree weather, a quilt show, a walk, and health issues.

First the Quilt Show.  A week ago, my husband and I went to the Oakland County Quilt Guild Quilt Show.  This show is special to me.  I used to be a member of the guild and I got my first 1st place ribbon at this NQA show.  Here are some of the quilts I saw.

It was a really nice show.  And they had tons of vendors...I did shop a little.  It was nice to run into some old friends too.

We went for a walk to Lake St. Clair Metro Park (formerly Metro Beach Metro Park) and it was beautiful out.  I made sure I took my camera hoping to see some wild life.  And I did.  The temperature was around 80.

These 2 Terns were flirting quite a bit.  We had to turn away at one point....lol

We saw so many swans.  There was a flock of 10 swans that flew over us.  Not sure where they were headed.

My first site of baby geese for the season.  They were quite small and as you can see the parents were very protective.

We went walking yesterday and it was only 32 degrees out.  I swear I saw snow flakes.  It must have been dog walking day.  There had to be about 80 dogs there.

Now for the health issues.  I've had Type 2 diabetes for years.  Tuesday I went to the Doctor's for my regular check up and my blood tests showed that my diabetes is out of control.  I am now on a new additional medication (which is playing havoc with my system) and I will need to start on insulin.  But thank goodness it will be a pen.  She said I could possibly get of insulin and some of my medication if I loose some weight.  That's not an easy task with diabetes and thyroid problems. 

So she suggested that I join weight watchers online.  I did.  From counting points I realized that I was eating too much and all the wrong foods.  I weigh myself Wednesday morning to see how much weight I have lost during this first week.   I will keep you informed on how I am doing.

Woo hoo....I finally finished my Scrap Squad Quilt.  I have to do my write up on the process for Quiltmaker's Blog and take a picture of my quilt.  I'll let you know when it will be posted on their blog.  Already got the pattern for the next quilt.  Trying to think up some ideas for it.

Well this has been a lengthy post and lots of photos.  I hope you enjoyed then and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy