Hi friends. Hope you are having a good start to your week. This was a three-day weekend for us in the US. Memorial Day. I always find it strange when I hear people say “Happy Memorial Day”. Um, well, it isn’t really a happy holiday, as we are memorializing those who lost their lives in service of our country. However, it is for many of us the start of the summer season and barbeques, swimming, and vacations. And I am definitely on board with that!
I’ve got something different up on my design wall for a change. These are the blocks I have made so far in the 4th of July at Granny’s sew-along hosted by Heather Briggs of My Sew Quilty Life. I love the way the blocks are coming together. I have fallen a bit behind. What you see are the blocks through most of week 5. I have two more blue blocks to make for week 5, and then I have to make four blocks for week 6. I will get it done. I have to say it’s fun to see the space fill up with the blocks!
To tell you the truth, I have not felt much like sewing. After losing that quilt through the USPS mishandling and the most recent setback with my vision, I have been in a bit of a slump mood-wise. I’ve had a “what’s the point?” attitude that I am trying to snap out of.
I tidied up my sewing room, attempted to organize my huge stash of French General fabric, and started to get caught up on the 4th at Granny’s project. Getting organized and tidying my space does wonders for my spirits. I have also read some great books this month, which I can’t wait to share with you. Reading has been the main activity I have fallen back on, using my Kindle with the font on extra large so I can see it.
Things will get better. I just need to keep busy and cheer up!
Wishing you all a happy last week of May.
33 Responses
This will be a really nice quilt for sure.
Thanks Mary, it’s a fun one to make. Lots of blocks, but they are easy.
Beautiful Granny blocks!
Since I’ve broken my right arm (my dominant) I haven’t been able to sew. Because of that I’m reading a lot more, so I’m looking forward to your book reviews.
Oh gosh, sorry to hear about your arm. So inconvenient!
It’s shaping up into a beautiful quilt! I can empathize with your slump- as I slowly lose more of my hand mobility due to RA, I sometimes don’t even feel like plugging along with sewing. But I too am a huge reader and that’s my go-to R&R activity! Losing that beautiful quilt definitely had to damper your enthusiasm! Love the book reviews – keep pressing on and know all of us blog readers love your posts! 🫂
Thanks Kelli. There are some really good ones recently out and a couple older ones that should be easy to find at the library. I will start working on my review post as it takes a while to write.
Always look forward to your book reviews. I was on a beach vacation last week and read through “The Calamity Club”. Loved it. Don’t be hard on yourself. You are just readjusting. You will “find a way, make away” to what is right for you now. Wishing you a blessed day.
Thanks Anita. So happy to hear you enjoyed The Calamity Club. So far, you are the only person I know who has read it besides myself!
I’m reading it now !!
I ordered the Calamity Club at B & N. It is currently back ordered so I am waiting but looking forward to it! I was happy to see lots of new books by authors I love out so it wasn’t a lost cause. Have you tried Jane Harper? Her books are very suspenseful and well written.
I do love trying your recipes for a change of pace. Thanks for being an adventurous cook and sharing.
I hope your slump is short lived. It can be frustrating to be sure. Do you ever go to a sew day with friends? In the Midwest shops have started doing that. The friendships and laughter goes a long way plus the ideas that inspire you.
Jane Harper is great. She has a recent one out that I haven’t read yet. I think it’s called Last One Out.
I used to go to sew days with friends all the time years ago. Then we moved away and there aren’t any such groups in my area. There was a shop with a back room full of tables where we would set our machines up. Those were such fun days. I used to go with my sister Kate.
Nicole,
I think we all go through slumps for one reason or another. Enjoy your reading or maybe do some baking, whatever you find joy in at the moment. Even if you are not quilting, I think all of us enjoy your friendship through your blog. Your quilt blocks do look lovely.
Baking would be a great activity for today. Our nice weather is gone and now we have temperatures in the low 60s and nothing but clouds. You have me thinking of making muffins or a quick bread.
Nice to see your granny blocks up on the design wall and they do indeed look beautiful. I echo what CarolE says that we all enjoy your friendship through your blog, so whatever it is that you would like to blog about, we are here for you!
I tried out the Boursin Chicken recipe that you posted last week, and my new son-in-law dubbed it “Yummy!”
Oh Sally, I am so happy to hear that you tried it. My sister Andrea also made it. I think it was even better the next day, but there might not be leftovers if you serve it to more than 2 people! Thanks for the kind words.
Hi Nicole,
Totally agree with your sentiments on the Memorial Day holiday. I understand your feelings on sewing right now. I lost the sight in my right eye several years ago and sewing is a real challenge for me. I too, was in a lull for a couple of months recently, but am pushing forward and working on a quilt for my guild that will be gifted to a local foster child. Can’t give up! Take care.
Good for you for plowing ahead. I am so frustrated with the blurriness in my eyes. I am hopeful for improvement, but also impatient! I felt good yesterday to have spent some time working on my blocks.
I think most of us get to the point of not feeling like sewing once in a while. Reading is a great substitute! I’m waiting for my husband to finish with his macular degeneration shots this morning. It’s a pretty day, I have a shady parking spot & most importantly the office is in a quiet neighborhood so I can take the dog for a walk.
How far apart are your husband’s injections spaced out, Jan? I am still at every 4 weeks.
I just got back from walking Archie. It is cold and grey here today and i think I kind of rushed him. He loves to stop and sniff every 10 feet and I was kind of dragging him along today.
His right eye is every 2 months & left is every 4. So, every other appointment is both eyes. I’m the designated driver after retina specialist appointments because it’s 2 hours from home. We’re grateful for the injections because in the 1990’s we watched his dad lose his vision because the technology just wasn’t there yet.
I recently got an insurance statement for my injections. They are over $2000 per shot! My Grandma Agnes lost her sight due to the condition also. My dad was able to be treated. So, thank goodness for advance in medical care and for insurance. Something to be very grateful for.
those blocks are gorgeous! I think a lot of us are in a slump. pulling fabric really cheers me up. I remind myself every day how fortunate I am so I need to just get my sh@t together and act like it. I didn’t have to cancel any travel plans and I’m feeling sorry for myself? ridiculous. I hope Ahren can take time off in the fall to travel with you.
Oh my gosh, don’t talk about travel plans. Ahren texted me this morning from my favorite bookstore in Edinburgh, Topping & Company. There he was in the middle of the best bookstore, and I wasn’t with him! Waaaahh. He is meeting up with my sister Kate and her husband in Scotland, then he will go to London, then back to Dublin, where my sis and hubby will stay with him for a few days. Fun times. By hook or by crook, I want to go this fall to visit him. I may have to go on my own, sadly, as Dennis just isn’t up to it.
oh, Nicole. I’m so sorry Dennis isn’t up to it. that is just heartbreaking. I really understand the sadness you are feeling right now. too much all at once.
Love your Granny Blocks quilt and the fabrics you’re using!
I’m almost finished with the Skylines quilt I’m making for DS2. It should have been finished in April for his birthday but that didn’t happen. He was delighted when I showed him the quilt on the day. I think I can, I think I can!
Hugs!
I have a quilt for Ahren that I need to start. He has collected a ton of William Morris fabric, and I have promised to make him a quilt with stars. Need to start!
I am sorry to hear of your low spirits! This is so weird, but I dreamed I went on a USPS website and there were dozens of quilts that had been lost displayed on a big wall. I looked for yours, but I didn’t see it— I thought they might let you pick another one! I’m really feeling the loss of that quilt for you— if you decided to make another one, I will do it with you! PLENTY of red, white, and blue collections out there. Sewjo comes and goes and I’m sure it is hard waiting and wondering about your vision, but all will be well, I am sure. Enjoy your days reading and spending time with your wonderful family. xoxo
That is so nice of you Carol. I love your dream! Clearly you took my sad story to heart. lol
I may just make another Summer in the Country quilt. Maybe next summer….
there is the cutest patriotic collection coming out in February— by My Mind’s Eye— we usually like the same fabric so take a look! I’m in if you decide to do it. And I may just do it anyway, because I missed your first stitch-a-long!
https://www.fatquartershop.com/star-spangled-garden-yardage
That fabric is perfect!
Love the stars. It will be such a delightful quilt when it is completed. So sorry you are feeling out of kilter at the moment. Just lately it seems like unexpected things that happen (and unwanted!) really knock the stuffing out of us. I hope you get back to feeling your jolly sewing self and sometimes it is hard work fighting your way out of it as something else will pop up out of the blue try to stop you. Hang in there your mojo will be there soon!
I just need to concentrate on the things that are going right in my life. I have so much to be grateful for.
There is a great book. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green. I was a nurse and we had that test for TB. They stopped using it because people
became allergic to the to the test material and had false positives.
I have been living with MD eye problems for six years and know how frustrating it can be. You do amazing work.