Still Need Prayers. . . . .LOTS of them!!

Regular readers of this blog know that I do not often put family issues here. . . . my opinions on things, oh yeah; understated requests, yes; but actual details, not so much.

Today that will be different.

My BIL has been battling cancer for a while.  They thought that he was doing well.

Unfortunately, cancer has come roaring back in another part of his body.  The chemo he is undergoing is much, much stronger than what he had the last time.  He is continuing to work during this time while being hit with almost every side effect that the doctors warned him about.

The doctors said that he has to have chemo in order to live.

And now they have received a form letter from their insurance company that due to a "pre-existing condition" they will no longer cover the costs of his chemotherapy and related medical expenses.

He is only 50 years old.  They have 3 terrific kids. . . . their oldest is a senior in high school & is due to graduate in May.  The other kids are 14 and 9.

I don't know how they are holding things together. . . .I'm a basket case because there is nothing that I can do on my own to help them; except to pray, and to ask you all to pray for him as well.

This really sucks. . . . .we can send money to countries that hate us; we have politicans that give tuition and health care to illegal immigrants; there are able bodied workers "milking" the system for their housing and medical care; but this normal, middle-class, hard working guy is told "sorry, we aren't going to pay anymore".

I know life isn't fair and that God has a plan for everything and everything is done in His time. . . . . but this just really, really, really sucks.  (Yes, I've told God that quite a few times lately.)

Thank you for your anticipated prayers, and listening through my rant.

In peace and pieces,

Gee, why should I donate to the Humane Society?

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/Harrisburg-stray-crisis-update-no-contract-plenty-of-finger-pointing.html?ref=facebook.com

In peace and pieces,
 

What a terrible state our society is in. . . . . .

I just read a note from Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer) and I have to say I just don't understand.  How could Harrisburg, PA authorize the "kill, adopt or dump"program?

Here is a link to the newsletter entry http://www.cesarsway.com/newsandevents/cesarsblog/Solving-the-Stray-and-Unwanted-Dog-Problem?utm_source=mobilestorm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Jan12NL_4

There are so many ways that we could solve this terrible situation of stray animals that I just can't believe that a city would do this.

Yes, I realize that there are children that need our help. . . .and yes, I realize that there are people who have been out of work, etc., etc.

But my question is. . . .how can Pennsylvania come up with this program but still allow puppy mills to thrive.  Where do they think all these "excess" animals are coming from?


In peace and pieces,

FNSI Project

I didn't get to get as much done last night as I hoped. . . .but I was able to get 2 rows on my latest project:

This is a quilt kit that I purchased so I can't take credit for the fabrics -- which are wonderful.  The pattern is called "All Stars".  It is one of the strip club patterns from Cozy Quilt Designs.

I have three more rows to complete and add to the top; then I have the borders to make it a flimsy.

Part of my goals for this year is to get a handle on my fabric stash and to get moving on the stash of quilt kits that I have accumulated.

I'm thinking that if I work on sewing tops while it is cold I can work on doing the quilting during the summer.  There is some method to my madness here; since my sewing area is in the basement while it is cold I can work with the gas fireplace keeping me warm.  However, in the summer I use a fan -- which could make fabric pieces and patterns float around.

Of course, as with any plans I have made before, everything is subject to change.  I just know that I would like to get more things completed this year than I have in past.

We got some snow (actually it is still snowing) this morning so Mr. Books has to go to work. . . .which leaves me on my own with the TV and the sewing machine.

I hope to be able to post again later today with more progress on this --- or another project.

In peace and pieces,
 

Friday Night Sew In!!

Tonight is the Friday Night Sew In. . . . .go check out this blog for all the details & to sign up.

I have several projects in mind to work on (did some housecleaning yesterday so that I would free the time   --and space -- to work).

But first there is work and haircuts for both Mr. Books & I. . . . then I get to sew!!

In peace and pieces,

Status Update

Yesterday was a wonderful day! 

Our quilt guild had a mini "retreat" day. . . .meaning that we had the building available to us from 10AM until 4PM.

Mr. Books & I got a little bit of a late start and didn't get there until almost noon. . . but we were able to get started relatively quickly.  Mr. Books was able to complete a quilt top that he started a couple of years ago at a quilt show --- it is a small quilt that we will be completing and donating to either our charity program or sending it to Margaret's Hope Chest for their program.

I started to sew the blocks for the All Star quilt that I had pieced previously.  I was able to get three rows sewn together (and 2 of those rows are attached; the 3rd one is half pinned so it will be attached shortly).

However, that wasn't the only sewing that I have gotten done recently.  I completed the two blocks for the January block of the month drawing (neither of us won); I completed the two blocks for the February block of the month AND I was able to sew 2 additional blocks for one last swap that I was involved in.

Those of you that know me are probably in need of assistance getting off the floor. . . .because my standard mode is that I'm sewing everything at the last minute.  Having February blocks done are definitely a "new" thing for me.

Today is a holiday so I am home.  I would like to get some more sewing done today. . . .at least get the third row on the All Star quilt (there are a total of 10 rows) and perhaps get started on a Christmas gift (so I'm not doing those at the last minute either).

So, need to get moving. . . .housework needs to be done & then I get to "play".

In peace and pieces,

Ok, swap pictures

Here are pictures of swaps that I have been involved in.  These are the last swaps that I will be in for a while since I want to get alot of my own projects done.

This is a picture of the quilt that I received in a Delphi Swap.  It was a Doll Quilt Swap.  I love that the quilt was sent to me in a stocking!

Sorry that the picture is sideways. . . . I haven't been able to flip it the right way yet.

This is the quilt that I made & sent out to my swap partner in the same swap.

 I found the quilt block design in the latest issue of 100 Blocks magazine.  The pattern in the magazine was for a 12" block so I had to downsize the block to a 6" size.  The dark fabrics are black and blue -- I don't know how well that translates in the picture.  Lots of fun fabrics make it a little like an "I Spy" quilt.

The following blocks were made for a Flickr swap bee that I was involved in.  We each were to made the same blocks for all of the participants but in their color combinations.  The pattern that I used was called "Indian" and I got it from the latest Fons & Porter quilt pattern magazine.

It was fun working with alot of the color schemes because they forced me out of my usual style. . . and I've decided that gray makes a great background color!

I'm hoping to have more to show next week. . . . like a quilt that I have been working on.  Here's a hint:

.All Stars by Cozy Quilt Des


In peace and pieces,

Stash Report --- January 8, 2012

Ok, I didn't get anything done this week, as far as projects, but I did get through a bit of organizing and stash reduction (of the giving away kind).

I also got my 7 1/2 yards of fabric for a new project that I would like to work on as a "leader/ender" item.

The fabric that I donated to a local Quilts for Kids group was a large black trash bag full. . . .and I did not calculate the amount of fabric. . . . but I am going to call it a wash between what I received and what I donated.

Here are the numbers:

Stash In:    7 1/2 yards

Stash In Y-T-D:   7 1/2 yards

Stash Out:   7 1/2 yards

Stash Out Y-T-D:   8 1/2 yards

Stash Reduction Y-T-D:   1 yard

Ok, so I'm not doing too badly so far; I have an all-day quilt guild meeting coming up so I am hoping to have the 80 blocks needed for a quilt top done so that I can set up my design wall (by Cheryl) at the meeting to decide on the block placement.  My main goal is to get the quilt top mostly completed during the meeting so that I can get another flimsy on the pile.

If you are looking to see how others have done with their stashes go see Judy's blog.

In peace and pieces,

Stash Busting Report #1

For 2012 I'm hoping to get alot of stash busted.

Yup, I know, I've said that before. . . many times!

But I really do plan on being more diligent in keeping track of what has come in & gone out of the stash this year.

Judy has changed the way she will be reporting her stash usage for 2012 & that got me to thinking that I really should look at how I make my reports.

It would take forever for anything to show as going "out" if I waited for an entire project (like a quilt) to show; smaller projects would help the numbers since those projects would be completed quicker.  What to do, what to do.

Well I will only report on stash reductions when a project is completed.  So I won't have alot of reports (especially when the bigger projects come up).  For me, this seems to be the best way for me to keep my progress organized.

So, for this report :

Stash In     0 yds.

Stash In Y-T-D   0 yds.

Stash Out     1 yds.

Stash Out Y-T-D     1 yds.

What constituted my reduction?  6 blocks for a Flickr swap and a doll quilt.  I know that I have 7 1/2 yards of fabric coming in for a quilt that I want to make (and some extra for the stash).

Go to see Judy's blog for more reduction posts.


In peace and pieces,