For the past couple of weeks, I have been noticing the vision in my right eye (the “good” eye) has been worsening. To the point that I need a magnifying glass to read or sew and must have every light in the house on to be able to see. I saw my retina specialist yesterday for my regular injection in my left eye, and guess what? I now have macular degeneration in my right eye too. I won’t lie, this is a huge disappointment.
My doctor is fabulous and he says there is no reason to fear that the right eye won’t respond splendidly to the Eyelea injections, just as the left eye has done. He says we caught this early and I should see an improvement, but of course that will take time. So that is what is happening.
By one means or another, I am determined to keep reading and sewing. Let me tell you about a new sew-along that is scheduled to start on April 20th. Heather from My Sew Quilty Life is hosting it, and it is called 4th of July at Granny’s, featuring red, white and blue fabrics of course. That luscious stack of fabric in the photo at the top of the post is my fabric pull. I have included some very precious red Minick and Simpson reds from my stash, which will make me so happy to put to good use. The blues are from a new Camille Roskelly group called Blueprint.
If you are familiar with Heather’s sew-alongs, you know that she tends to love very large, complex blocks depicting sewing machines, strawberries, jam jars, etc. Complicated piecing. This project isn’t like that at all. You can see the layout above, which will consist of simple star blocks. Each week we will make 4-8 six-inch blocks with red, white, or blue backgrounds and a not-complicated star block. Seven different star block patterns will be used, each duplicated in various color combinations. The setting is on point, which is always interesting. Go check out her description, she explains it better than I am doing.
I love the fabrics, I like the layout, and I think the idea of duplicating a limited number of simple star blocks in different colors is fun. The overall layout of the quilt ultimately resembles a large granny square, hence the name “4th of July at Granny’s”. Also, the sew-along will not drag on forever, but lasts just 7 weeks, I believe.
What do you think? Could this be fun?
6 Responses
I love your fabric pull….funny when you describe some of the fabrics as luscious and precious as I totally get that. My husband and I are moving after 40 years in the same home and I am culling the fabric herd. So hard to do because the fabric is luscious and precious. No worries, the herd isn’t shrinking too much. I’m sending up prayers for your eyes and vision. The not knowing is hard, but I think your doc is right in expecting good results to the treatment. Attitude and determination will help your cause. Good luck and best wishes.
Moving after 40 years in the same house? The idea of that makes my knees go weak. We’ve been here for nearly 15 years and I am overwhelmed with the thought of what we’d need to get rid of! Good luck to you Kim! I have been getting rid of a lot of my fabric stash lately though. Not the newer stuff, but bins I have been adding to for years. I advertised a bit of it on a local Facebook page,and one lady seems to want to buy every single thing I am willing to sell her!
Sorry to hear it, Nicole! I am quite sure your eye will do as well as the other one—just a nuisance in the time being having to use a magnifying glass. Keep your spirits up and keep sewing. The fabric pull is gorgeous—I love seeing your strawberry blocks with Heather as well. Blessings and prayers from Maine. Xox
Thanks for the encouragement Carol. I am optimistic, but it is frustrating in the extreme. The worst of it is how colors are dulled. My world has gotten grey. I hope while working with those beautiful reds and blues things will come into focus a bit better.
You are having way too much fun at the AQS quilt show! The quilts on exhibit are breathtaking! Thanks for sharing those on your blog.
So sorry about your eye, hoping the treatment is a success. Your fabric pull is perfect for that design. I read about this sew along earlier and was thinking about joining, will give it some more thought. Problem is that I have too much going on right now.
I’m sorry to hear about your vision changes. Thank goodness there are options for treatment available that weren’t previously. I have vision issues as well and have been fearful of my vision changing and affecting my ability to enjoy my quilting hobby.
Your RW & B fabrics are glorious and will be another perfect addition to your summer quilt collection! 🇺🇸 Take Care!