Just a note . . .

and a thank you to all who have stopped by. Dad passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon. Continued prayers appreciated as I have to attend the viewing tonight and funeral tomorrow and clean out the house with siblings. No doubt recovery of each will require much fabric therapy.

In stitches . . .

Hi folks,

Finally on Friday evening, dad was admitted to Hospice House, a lovely facility with calming decor and a marvelous staff. Comfort measures are in place. Your continued prayers and good wishes are much appreciated.

In stitches . . .

I'm here . . .

and yes, it was as long a drive as I thought it would be. Florida is cold too, but not like NC.

The good news is they moved dad out of ICU today. The bad news is he is still slightly confused with slurred speech, very pale, and has lost weight. Since I'm the only one who can even partially understand him, I have to be there throughout the majority of the day making sure he is as comfortable as possible. Your prayers and good wishes, as always, are greatly appreciated.

In stitches, . . .

Thank you . . .

for all of your prayers and good wishes. They are sincerely appreciated.

A total of 12 liters of fluid was removed. His BP has stabilized somewhat. However, dad is still in the ICU.

I'll be heading down tomorrow.

For all of you in the frozen/freezing areas of the country, please stay warm and well. It's supposed to be 8 degrees here tonight, so if you're further north and west, I hope you'll be huddling by the woodstove with a warm quilt and a glass of hot chocolate.

Thanks again. In stitches . . .

Prayers requested

This afternoon, my father is undergoing an ultrafiltration procedure to decrease fluid build up from his kidneys. This is largely due to his weak heart. All prayers and good wishes would be sincerely appreciated at this time. I am waiting to hear how soon I should leave for Florida.

In stitches . . .

No clue quilting

My second quilt. Begun in 1974, completed around 1979 or 1980. The pink and yellow fabric came from Grant's back when folks shopped "down town". Does anyone else remember Grant's?

This was hand quilted using polyester batting. At the time, I did not know any better and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. (Please don't tell anyone that I ever used polyester. It will be our little secret.)

The gingham check was from my eighth grade graduation dress. The brown print from a dress I made when I was 14 and the blue print was a skirt my sister had made. I guess it's time I made a label for this poor quilt.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Memories

This is one of the very first quilts I taught at local quilt shops and at workshops in Alabama. I think the most difficult concept for students at that time was working "on point" using side setting triangles and learning the math for cutting them. The border is something I invented and named "variegated" after a type of yarn my mom used. It was a very unique concept at the time.

Considering all of the quilt software, pattern accessibility, rulers in all shapes and sizes that we now have, I smile when I see this and know "we've come a long way baby!"

Pinning in the New Year

I finally started to feel about 92% better by New Year's eve. (Thank goodness for antibiotics.)

In a stack in the the living sat 5 smaller quilt tops waiting their turn for pinning. This is #3. I've been building this quilt in the back of my mind for 18 years. It's nice to finally see it coming to completion. And even though the dishes need doing, the floor needs mopping, and the vacuum needs to be run, I've decided to finish pinning. Some things just have to be put on hold for such historic events as an 18-year goal. Well anyway, . . . that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .