Christmas time is here

 

It's been a while since I have posted, after all, it is Christmas time. The shopping is done, the cookies are baked and the parties are over. Hallmark is still pumping out cheesy Christmas movies, and people are on the move for the holidays.

None of my kids are coming this year. With Covid on the rampage again, my son and his family won't be here. They will be staying home and having a merry little Christmas in their apartment. Daughter number one has been recently engaged, and will be enjoying Christmas with her beau's family. Daughter number two has used her vacation time for a trip to Jamaica in January with her girlfriends. I hope it won't be cancelled at this late date because of the virus. Daughter number three is traveling coast to coast with her boyfriend to meet and have Christmas in Maine with his family. 

Mr Wazoo and I are staying home and will have a few otherwise 'orphaned' guests in for a few laughs and a nice dinner. The man put up less outdoor illuminations than usual, grumbling about the fact that half of the lights won't work. He put up and did most of the tree decorating, as well. Not as many ornaments as past years, but it is still lovely.

I want to thank you all for joining me here on my quilting and life journey. It has been a strange and difficult year for us here at Wazoo. After spending the summer in Texas and having the back surgery, I realized just how little work I did in 2021. I didn't quilt for customers from April to the end of the year. I have the new Handi Quilter, and we are gradually becoming more acquainted. The last quilt I did this year was a gift for my daughter's boyfriend. I finished the Tula Pink quilt and a couple of Quilts of Valor, as well as some nursing home quilts for the guild. 

Here is how it breaks down:

Tee shirt quilts made- 13, Repairs done- 9, commissions made, quilted and finished- 10, Charity quilts-14, QOVs quilted- 14, My own quilts for gifts and fun- 22, Customer quilts quilted- 103

Altogether, I made 59 quilts and have 20 still here in my quilt stash, and two on the rack waiting to be finished. The bathroom shelves were full, so I pulled out some of the older quilts I made and donated them to Family Connection in Blue Ridge. After giving a few as gifts, I recon I have 12 of the 2021 quilts in the stash. Not bad for being laid up for months on end.

I hope the pall over the world will lift in 2022. We all need to be together without fear again. Get vaccinated, get boosted and help your neighbors and strangers you meet live another year. No excuses! This is everyone's responsibility to humanity.

Happy Christmas, and I'll see you again soon!  

Susan

Merry Christmas!

A little nurse troll given to me by my Norwegian friend

No candy canes this year, but plenty of red.

My cheesehead snowman from my daughter

Tula Pink quilted and finished. The binding(not pictured here) is the green and pink hexie fabric.

I pieced the backing from all the leftover bits

Panto: Stacked Snailz

Off and running

 I had my computer lesson on Thursday, and by the end of the day my head was about to explode! There was a lot to learn and absorb in a short time. On Friday, I loaded a small quilt and made a good start. Then I got discombobulated trying to advance the quilt and sewed over the previous row. I consulted the manual and tried again. Oops! I did it again. I know how to read, so I read the instructions again and managed to get the row in the right place. Cropping the last row didn't go as planned either. There was a gap between the last two rows. Hmmm... I left it in. I was beat. It took a full day to quilt a 38x42" quilt, and my back couldn't take another minute.

Originally, we set the machine up facing the design wall so I would be closer to the domestic machine.

With Andrea's help, I quilted a beautiful sample of quilting. Then it was time for the real thing; my own quilt.

This is what the pattern was supposed to look like. Most of the quilt has this nice, neat, quilting.

Here is the quilt. I was so tired, I didn't get it trimmed. I finished it the next day, binding and everything!

Oopsie-daisy! Here are the screwed up rows. No picking out here, it is a give away quilt.

Nice plaid on the back.

Saturday was gray and cold. A good day to be quilting. I loaded the second guinea pig quilt and started anew. I got all the way to the second to the last row when Mr W came in and told me the storm was coming and we needed to unplug the machines. Oh no! I scrambled to find out how to do this without losing my pattern, and finally turned everything off and unplugged it. 

There was a lot of wind and a brief thunderstorm, but nothing like what they had northwest of here. It's so awful to see the news reports of the devastation from the tornadoes. It is catastrophic, and heart breaking.

After there storm passed, I booted everything back up and attempted to resume quilting. I must have done something wrong because the design wasn't in the right place. After a bunch of monkeying around and watching Youtube videos, I finished the quilt. Not perfect, but done.

Another small donation quilt.

I tried a square spiral type pattern on this one. These are patterns that come with the machine. I haven't tried to import my designs yet.

Route 66 backing.

Today dawned sunny and cool. I made a Sunday French toast breakfast and filled up before going to work in the studio. I had one small quilt left to experiment on, so I went at it with a bit more confidence.

Mr W planted this ornamental grass by the driveway, and it looked really pretty in the morning sunlight on my way to the studio.

The leaves are gone and the garden is asleep for the winter. It's still pretty.

Down in the studio, I had this quilt ready to go. If you're eagle eyed, you noticed that we turned the machine table around. I didn't like having the cord hanging down to the floor in the walking space. I don't want a customer to trip and fall.

Time to get going!

This one is almost perfect. That dang gap between the bottom 2 rows happened again. 

I don't know why, but I will by the end of the day tomorrow!

This pattern is an assortment of leaves. They don't show up very well on this busy fabric.

A bit better on the back. I used a gold thread for the quilting.

Well, it takes me a long time to do each small quilt. I have to stop a lot and read directions over and over, but I'll get the hang of it soon. I have three more quilts to practice on, so we'll see how it goes. I'm happy with the machine and really happy to be back in the studio quilting.

Now, if my back would get better, I'd be even happier.

Biding time before the big computer adventure

The machine was assembled on Monday, and I did a minute amount of free motion to try it out. It quilts like a dream. Actually, it feels a lot like Big Gammill, so I think it will serve me well. Tomorrow I get the Pro Stitcher lesson. Oh my! The manual was a bit scary when I looked it over last night on my laptop. I'm having it printed and bound at the local print shop so I'll have it at hand when I start quilting. Andrea is so calm and clear with instructions, I think I'll get the hang of it before she leaves me on my own. The great thing is that she is only a phone call away if I do something bad!

Josh and Andrea assembled the frame and set up the machine.

The table is shiny and new...and isn't all cluttered...yet.

We loaded a small piece of muslin and I tried out the free motion setting.

I'm excited about how that went and can't wait to try it out on a quilt.

The tablet is a funny named brand. Chuwi. I think I may need to name the machine Chewie. Ha ha

Yesterday, we had the longarm meeting at the beautiful home of the leader. She is also a longarm quilter with a studio to die for. Her work is always gorgeous, and I hope to learn some tricks from her to improve my work. Anyway, she showed us her method of squaring up backings. Another member showed us how to increase the size of small backings by using a formula and cutting them in a diagonal, and re-sewing. You can find the instructions at the end of this post.

Sarah demonstrate how to measure and trim backings to make them square.

This is a small ornament that Sarah had on her Christmas tree. Her mom made them.

I figured out it is needlepoint plastic cut in squares and stitched. 

Th bottom is not stitched shut, so when squeezed on the sides, it opens! They used to put Hershey kisses in these for the kids to find. I'd love to try to make one. 

Here is the link to the backing enlargement method. https://jinnybeyer.com/a-solution-for-just-too-narrow-quilt-backing-fabric/

It's here!!

 It came! Merry Christmas to me! Next Monday the folks will come to set it up. I should be having some lessons after that. Then, I'll be off to the races.

My supervisor was busy but stayed quiet during the un-loading operation.

Mr Wazoo used his hand truck and made several trips for all the boxes.

The freight driver unloaded at the bottom of the driveway and left.

Mr W took his pick-up down and got the boxes in the back, then drove to the top and unloaded them.

What a good guy!

The next morning, I was up with the sun, and off with Gail to Franklin, NC to pick up her quilts from the quilter. It was a fun, quick trip with one stop in Hayesville, NC at the fabric shop to get backing for my last two Christmas quilts. Some  bolts of  Christmas fabric were in the sale room, and I scored some great buys!

Sunrise in the mountains

After the trip, I relaxed and took a nap like I am supposed to do, with my faithful companion for company.

I'm doing everything I am supposed to to recover from my surgery.😉

This morning, I sewed the Christmas quilt blocks together and made backs for the last two quilts.

A surprise package arrived while I was sewing, and this beautiful art glass heart was inside with a note from my friend in Florida. It is just perfect! My favorite color (lime green) and a pretty addition to my family photo table. It made my day. Thank you Georgia!

While I was off getting my annual mammogram, Mr Wazoo put up the Christmas tree! Let the decorating fun begin!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

A little block sewing

 I started late today after taking it easy this morning and enjoying the TV morning shows. I sewed the blocks for the Christmas quilt, and have them sorted and staged on the design wall. I'll sew the top together tomorrow.

My friend thinks the blocks look like wrapped gifts! I'll go with that.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to talk about my surgery, my neuropathy and the medicine I'm taking. I hope to find out more about how long I'll be off my game. My machine might come this week and I am anxious to get to know it. That's all for now! See you later.

Taking it easy

After doing way too much on Thanksgiving, I have had to surrender to recovery and take things easier. I'm doing much better on my new medication (better living through chemistry...) and have decided to do what I am supposed to and not aggravate it further.

I got the backing done for the 16 patch, and decided I didn't like the top well enough to add the fancy flamingo border I bought in Ooltewah.

I used all the leftover pieces to make the back. 

This is the top. No border required.

Sewing the last seam! Back done and project on a hanger.

I have quite a few to practice on when I get my new machine.

Today, I started the last of the Christmas quilts. It uses a layer cake (again) and I have half of the pieces cut and ready. Tomorrow I'll get the rest cut, and maybe sewn. It depends on my back. I know when to stop now.

Squares in front, ready to cut. Squares in the back, all set to go.

My son sent my grandson's first school picture. I can't get over how grown he looks. I wish we could see them for Christmas, but with the new variant, I don't know if they will travel. We'll see.

I love this kid!!

This is my son and his lovely wife. They took a day trip to Cambridge, Wisconsin and found this paitntin on a building there. Perfect.

Here is a photo a friend posted on her Instagram account. It is my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. I think it is the most beautiful place. In the foreground is the Frank Loyd Wright designed center. The capitol can be seen for miles around, and the harvest moon is a perk!

My Dad used to work in the building with three parts on the left side of the photo.

Lake Mendota is behind the capitol.

Just when I thought it was almost over...

 Saturday was my last physical therapy appointment, and I told her I had some pain that I thought was because I had sewn all day. We brushed it off and had a nice conversation before wishing each other Happy Thanksgiving and parting ways. That evening, the pain began increasing in my pelvis and radiating to my left thigh. Mr Wazoo went off to bed at 9:00, and I followed at 11:00 because my leg really hurt and I thought the 'magic bed' would fix it. No dice. I got up at 2:00 and took some Tylenol but the pain was so excruciating, I thought about wakening Mr. W and going to the emergency room. I waited until he woke up at 5:30 and told him what was going on. He got dressed and planned to go at any time I was ready. At 8:30 I tried to get an appointment with my GP, but the office was slammed with appointments. I called my surgeon in Gainsville and the PA knew exactly what it was from my description and assured me I would be okay. He phoned in a prescription for Neurontin and Mr. W went to get it ASAP.

After one dose, I had relief. My thigh and knee were no longer experiencing the massive pain, and it was tolerable to sit quietly. I have Lumbar radiculopathy, an impingement of the nerve where it exits the vertebrae, causing pain to the affected limb on the side of the impingement. It will take  one to six weeks to resolve. Meanwhile, the side effects are annoying. I see double every once in a while, feel like my brain is foggy and I'm a bit dizzy. I did manage to make some of the side dishes and pies for tomorrow's feast and will still cook for and entertain my friends. Without pain! Yippee.

Here is the quilt I am working on. Another Stars over Minocqua pattern using a Christmas layer cake.

The blocks are done, and I will sew them together on Friday, if I feel up to it.

A full day was lost dealing with the complication of my back surgery, and I am again reminded that I am only 12 days post-op and need to take it easier. At least I have the Macy's parade to look forward to! I love the balloons...

My Grandson wrote his first story for his kindergarten class. I got a kick out of it because he is showing the same dark humor both my son and I have. 

I see the pencil.

The pencil sees me.

I fell on the pencil.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

That guy said "Ouch!"

But I was okay. Hhhhh!  

I can't explain it, but it made me laugh out loud.