Checking In

 It's been a while since I posted.  I must say this wasn't the best year.  As stated before I had breast cancer in January.  This was followed by radiation therapy.  Then I had cataract surgery on both eyes.  I went for a 3 month checkup and cystoscopy in May and they found the bladder cancer was back.  I had surgery again and this was followed up by 6 treatments.  These were done in August.  After the 5th treatment I started to feel like I was coming down with something.  I had my last treatment on the 25th of September.  I still wasn't feeling well.  On September 30 I went to the doctors.  She sent me to the ER.  She had a team waiting for me and I was admitted to the hospital.

Turns out that I had a very bad case of Covid pneumonia.  I was put on all kinds of medication and 15 liters of oxygen.  I spent 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital.  I was then sent to a long-term medical facility.  I ended up there for an additional 2 1/2 weeks.  I celebrated my 75th birthday there.  I was sent home with oxygen.  I was at 3 liters.  I have PT and OT coming to the house every week.  I am now down to 1 liter and am turning off the oxygen for an hour a couple times a day.  

Needless to say I am very weak.  But I am feeling so much better.  

However, I have not been in my sewing room for 2 months.  I miss it so much.  I'm hoping I might be able to prep some applique but not sure when.

I went to my urologist for a check-up after my treatments and had a cystoscopy and my bladder was clear.  No CANCER. This is the best news I've had in a while. In December I have to have maintenance treatments.  3 in all.

Thanks for listening to tale of woe.  I'm doing better every day and hope to have something quilty to show you soon.

Hugs to all,

Cathy

New Projects

Before I show you new projects, I'll give you a health update.  I've had my second cataract surgery.  There was a bit of a problem when they inserted the lens.  Everything looks good they are just going to have to check it every 6 months for a while.  I start radiation on March 4.  I will have 18 sessions.  I saw my Urologist for my three month check-up and was clear of cancer.  However, I have to do 3 sessions of maintenance chemo.  That will have to wait till after radiation.  

Now for some photos.

I decided to start a new BOM.  It is "A Quilting Life 2024 BOM".  This is Block 1.  I'm using some Fig Tree fabric leftover from different projects.

This is Block 2.  The block directions are posted on the 5th of the month.

A few years ago I purchased a BOM pattern from Simpson and Minnick called "Portage Lake".  I finally decided to work on it.

This is Month 1.

I also joined a group on Facebook called "Made and Found".  Here a couple of the blocks I have made so far.

There are 3 blocks so far.  I thought I had taken a photo of the second block but I guess I didn't.  I will get a photo of it for next time.

One last project to share.  Fig Tree Quilts BOM Midnight Mystery.  I only have photos of this last month.

I really love the fabrics used.  

That's it for now.  I will try and post again sooner.  Both treatments I will be going through tire me out.  Thanks so much for stopping by

Hugs, Cathy

More Surgery

I had cataract surgery on January 24.  This was scheduled before I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was a nervous wreck.  I was amazed at how quick the actual surgery was.  It was the 3 hours I had to wait before surgery....lol.  My vision in my right eye is so much better.  I can't wait to get the surgery on my left eye which will be later this month.

Next week I go to the oncologist and the radiologist.  I was told I should only need to take oral medication and not have to go through chemo.  I was told that I had to have 15 to 20 radiation sessions.  

I was going to take some photos of current projects but discovered my camera does not work.  Amazon to the rescue.  A new camera comes today.  So I thought I would show you some past projects.

This is one of two skull quilts I made for my granddaughter and her partner.

This is the second quilt.  I showed part of this quilt in an earlier post.  These quilts went together quickly and made with Jelly Rolls.

This is a little quilt I made for my daughter Kelley for Christmas.

That's it for now.  As soon as I get my new camera I'll get some photos of current projects.  

Hugs, Cathy

WOW

 I can't believe it's been a year and a half since I last posted.  Lots has happened.

Since I last posted I have 3 bladder cancer surgeries and in December I was diagnosed with a second breast cancer.  This time it was my right breast.  I had surgery on January 10th.  When I first met my surgeon she looked at me and said "You look much better in person than you do on paper."  All I could do is laugh. I'm healing well.  I have an appointment next month with my oncologist and my radiologist.  Wednesday I am having cataract surgery on my right eye and in February I will have the left eye done.  With all this I am feeling great and have been trying to keep up with my quilting.

I finished my Aviary quilt top.  I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for the next quilt which is called Samplemaker.  I'm so far behind on it because of my surgeries and chemo.

This is the center of the dog quilt for my daughter Kelley's new dog.  My son-in-law requested a skull on the quilt.  

This is going to be it for today.  I'm hoping to post more photos later in the week.  I'll let you know how the cataract surgery goes.  

Hugs, Cathy

June is Half Way Over

 I can't believe how fast this month is moving along.  Of course, the first 5 days was spent camping.  It was wonderful.  Cool weather, clear skies and great company.  I had so much fun I didn't take any pictures...so you'll just have to take my word for it.

I had time to get some sewing done.

1.  Aviary BOM.

This is block 4 from last month.  I finished it on May 30.  I did add it to the top of my blog but didn't get to blog about it.  This took forever to get all the leaves done.  I'm surprised it turned out as well as it did.

2.  Prairie Flowers.

I love these little blocks.  I want to make all the blocks in the book and then I will decide what quilt to make.

3.  Autumn Frolic.

I love this BOM.  Autumn is my favorite time of year, so I am always drawn to quilts with an Autumn vibe.  We are close to the end of this BOM.

4. Blue Skies BOM.

These are this months 3 blocks.  Each block has a separate block design and then they all have the same border.

5.  Manchester by the Sea.

The bouquet blocks were a bear to make.  If you look closely the cone shape is different in each block.  Not by design.  They were very hard to make.  But other than this block I am really enjoying this BOM.

We have been having some beautiful weather here in Michigan.  It's been in the 70's and 80's.  This ends tomorrow.  The weather will be in the 90's, and I don't do well in the heat.  We don't have central air but we do have a room air conditioner in the bedroom.  Luckily Hubby put it in yesterday.

I still have lots to do this month.  I'm not sure if I will be able to work on this month's UFO.  Especially since we are going camping again for the 4th of July weekend.  This time both daughters will be going.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you found something to inspire you.

Hugs, Cathy

Busy

 Lots happening here.  Some good some not so good.  First Hubby came down with the flu (not covid).  He was sick for a couple of days.  Then as it usually happens, I came down with it.  As usual, I got it worse and was sick for a week. 

On the 19th my youngest daughter had surgery done.  She had had a partial hysterectomy a few years ago.  They found a mass and decided to do a total and removed the mass.  It was benign and she is doing wonderfully.

The last couple of days we've been getting our travel trailer ready to go camping next weekend.  We are camping with my oldest daughter and her husband.  I can't tell you how happy it makes me that they want to spend so much time with us.  We have another two camping trips planned.

Now to share my sewing projects.

1.  May Monthly Mini

When I've had some spare time, I've been cutting out 3" finished half square triangles with my Accuquilt Go cutter.  I really wanted to do a pieced mini this month and this is what I came up with.  

2.  Fig Tree quilts Autumn Frolic BOM

My birthday is in October so I'm and Autumn baby.  I love anything to do with Autumn.

3.  Open Skies BOM by Connecting Threads

This is month 2 and already my husband has claimed this quilt.

4.  Prairie Flowers by Joe Morton

This month I got lots of practice sewing circles.

5.  Red and Green Blocks

Each month I put the blocks up on my design wall so I can see the blocks I already made and what fabrics I used so I don't make any duplicates.

These are the blocks I made this month.

6.  Finally my APQ UFO #11 for May

This month's UFO was Fig Tree Quilts Strawberry Mystery BOM.  I had completed 6 months of the patterns.  That left 6 to go.

The photo is not the best, but it will do for now.  The pattern called for a pieced border on the long sides.  I decided I was going to add a plain border all around the quilt.  I've ordered the fabric and I'll show a photo of it when finished.

I've been working on my Aviary block, but it was slow going.  I will have something to show you after my camping trip.

I hope you are having a great Memorial Day weekend.  Ours has been quiet and we will be celebrating when we go camping.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you found something you liked.

Hugs, Cathy

Every Month is a New Beginning

 I love the beginning of the month.  I write up my list of what I want to accomplish.  I have my BOM's, new projects and my APQ UFO of the month.  I try and keep the list to 10 projects.  More than 10 and I won't get them all done.  Less than 10 and I'm running around looking for something to do.

1. This month's APQ UFO for May is #11, Fig Tree Quilts Strawberry Garden.  I had 7 months finished.  I started working on Month 8.  This is the first month that we started putting sections together.

I had to make a few blocks but mostly I made filler blocks.  It was really nice to see the quilt taking shape.  I've got the blocks that I made for Month 9 up on my design wall.  I still have to make a few more blocks and then filler blocks and borders.

2.  I got my monthly packet of fabrics and patterns for the Manchester by the Sea by Fig Tree Quilts.  The colors in this quilt make me so happy.

The sailboats or Dinghy's as the pattern calls them are so adorable.  

3.  Bee in My Bonnet Sew Happy Quilt.

One of these cherry blocks will in the center of a Hole in the Barn Door block and the others will stand alone.  These blocks are 4 1/2".  I only work on these when I need a quick project to work on.

4.  My final project is 4" bow tie blocks.

I have a bag of plaids and stripes and when I get a few spare moments I pull out my Electric Accuquilt Cutter and my Bowtie die and cut away.  This will be an on- going project.  No end in sight.  When I get enough for a quilt I'll stop.

I did start working on some of these projects April 29th.  The rest I started on May 1st. I feel very accomplished.  It's a good feeling.

Tuesday I went to the Urologist for my 6th month check up after having Bladder Cancer Surgery.  I go every 3 months and have a cystoscopy.  Good news every thing looks good.  So back again in August.

I hope you are enjoying some good weather.  Our weather has been good one day and rain the next.  I'm learning to enjoy the good ones.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy