Friday, October 7, 2011

Wisconsin Quilting Getaway Weekend Report







Last Thursday I headed north to Wisconsin for a quilting weekend with friends. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was able to sew almost everyday on my machine - thanks to having cut out a gazillion tumbler shapes prior to my first surgery!






This pile of tumblers slowly but surely turned into this by Saturday evening!




That's me on the right with all my pieced rows of tumblers behind me. Im proud to say i was able to piece all the rows that i think I'm going to need for this quilt - but i did pay for it on Sunday because I sewed so much on Saturday! I should have taken many more breaks for my hands!

On the left is Pam Buda - of Heartspun Quilts fame - AKA-the brilliant mind behind The Prairie Women's Sewing Circle! That's her tumbler quilt behind her on the left - isn't it cute! You can visit her blog here (link below and look for three posts made on Sept. 26, Sept. 29 and Oct 3) if you've not already been over to visit her there - please do - she's been posting an excellent tutorial on English Paper piecing and I blame her for my current infatuation with hexagons. Those cute little things keep spinning around in my mind - I may just have to go into my sewing studio today and pull out my own current hexi or other paper piecing project (there's about 9 of them in the works, so I could literally take my pick) and start my own form of physical therapy for my hands - I'll call it "fondling my fabric" and work those hand muscles back into shape in no time!

Anyhow - here's the link to Pam's blog - go on over and visit and tell her I said hello!


http://heartspunquilts.blogspot.com/





Here's a picture of our sewing area while in Wisconsin




Here's a picture of my wonderful sleeping area! I felt like a little kid with my own private fortress each night! Loved it!




This is a Blackbird Designs quilt that we all fell in love with and of course had to go searching like mad women on the Internet for the pattern! It was such a treat to view all the gorgeous quilts on display in my friend Lisa's home (The one and only Lisa - you know the one - Queen Mum at Primitive Gatherings Quilt Shop!) I'll show you more pictures from her home and all the lovely quilts in another post!



And here is my very own quilt on display at The Primitive Gatherings Quilt shop! That was super exciting seeing it there, right as I walked in the door! They have the patterns for sale and might have a kit too - you'll have to call them and ask! The pattern is called Two Piece Puzzle. 1-920-722-7233

I'm off to see what fun I can get myself into today. I have fabric fondling/physical therapy if I chose and a walk to the library and through the forest preserve on my list today! Such an exciting life I lead!!!!

Tara
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Shipshewana Fun Day

Last Tuesday the husband and I decided to take advantage of his vacation time and we headed out to Shipshewana, Indiana. It was his first time visiting there - but I am a veteran Shipshewana addict! I love that area and all the rich Amish history that can be found there!

Here's a few photos from our "date day"!




Isn't this quilt gorgeous? Here's another picture:









The pattern for this great quilt is in this book shown above. Stellar Quilts by Judy Martin - excellent book - and I will make this quilt one day!




Ohhhhh and look what I spotted on the shelves at Lolly's Quilt Shop - my book!!! How fun is that! ( very, very exciting and yes I started to cry I was so happy! Happens every time!)




The "great wall'o fabric" at Lolly's.




The fat quarter boat at Lolly's!




Fun candy cane display! So stinking cute I could not resist!





I love old fashioned candy store displays!




Had to make a trip inside Yoder's!















I think I need to go back to Shipshewana and get some of these for my garden next year!




Fell in love with these rockers!




Are these super huge baskets not the cutest thing!




I want one of these for my new quilting studio!




Love the outhouse!




And one tired husband. I love the chair - well and the accessory in it too!

Carpal Tunnel Update

It's been 2 weeks and 2 days since the surgery on my left hand and 2 days since the surgery on my right hand. Everyday is an experience, let me tell ya! I have very little strength right now. Even to brush my teeth is a chore and needs to be thought through beforehand. I have so little strength in my left hand and just cannot use my right hand as of today - I thought this morning I would be better off just squirting toothpaste in my mouth and swishing it around. I'm not kidding.

I drove for the first time since my first surgery last Wednesday. So a week after the left hand and I drove to the store. I did it but I did not enjoy it. I drove about 2 miles to get to the store and personally - I think I needed more strength in my left hand in case of an emergency while driving. Shopping for the few things on the list went fine - got what I was searching for and came back home and happy to be here.

My left hand stitches have now been removed. The area on my hand is very itchy and super sensitive. It's incredible just how sensitive that scar tissue is. My left hands skin is extremely dry also. So Vitamin E oil from the health food store to the rescue! Still a lot of bruising and tenderness on that hand, but I see the bruises disappearing everyday. My thumb area is the most sore and the lower palm area of that hand. Here is a picture of just how dry the skin is on my left hand - yuck warning!




As I said - I'm using Vitamin E oil - if you know of anything better - suggestions are being accepted!


The right hand - just the same as it went for the left hand. The right hand is still extremely swollen today - but oddly enough I have full movement of that thumb with little and very manageable pain.

Bath time with two injured hands - ok that was another memorable experience and I'll spare you the details, but I did survive but it wasn't easy. I think I need to by a bottle of Johnson and Johnson tears free baby shampoo for next time because trying to wash your hair left handed when that hand is still healing and you are a righty - is not fun, let me tell ya!

Getting dressed - forget anything cutesy or foo-foo for this chick for awhile. It's hello baggy jammies for awhile - consider yourself warned if you decide to drop by and surprise visit me or want to "FaceTime" chat! LOL - and forget styling the hair or doing makeup!!!

I attempted to sweep my floors today - forget that! So my dear children as you are reading Mommy's blog today (they do read it you know - when they are extremely bored that is) consider yourselves warned. The dust bunnies are at a high level today and I just cannot take looking at them another day. Today is not a "quick sweep" day - we have to show the dust bunnies who's boss. Your previously, cute finger prints on the bathroom mirror must go today so you have a clean slate to begin with tomorrow. And the dust in the living room - well I left you a little message in the dust on the top of the pie safe it says "Clean Me" - you see that is text messaging..... Mom style.........This sign is for you today my two darling children:



( in my children's defense - they are good kids, they do their assigned chores and earn their allowance weekly - I'm just adding a bit of humor to our daily life!! But our home is in need of a little TLC as I just can't do what I did prior to these surgeries quite yet!)


But on a brighter note - life's still good, I know I will recover and I'm looking forward to doing everything I'm told to do during physical therapy that begins on Oct 18. Everyday I do see improvements and I'm continually amazed at how the human body can heal and how well I can adapt and get things accomplishment with my temporary disabilities. I really do believe that everything in life happens for a reason and for me - I've learned to really appreciate some of the little things in life that I used to take for granted. I also have a better understanding of what people with permanent disabilities go through.

Now I just need to find someone to run to the quilt shop for me to get the latest issue of Sew Scrappy quilts magazine by American Patchwork and Quilting and I'll be perfectly content for an hour or two!

Enjoy your day!

Tara

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

2nd Carpal Tunnel Surgery Update





The above saying is what I keep reminding myself of today.

Yesterday I had my carpal tunnel release surgery on my right hand and also - the bandages and stitches removed from my left hand. So here are a couple photos of my world.



Right hand all swollen and bandaged.




Left hand all bruised and waiting to have stitches removed yesterday.





Left hand today with the stitches gone and a bit cleaner. My scar looks great and is about a half inch long and extremely itchy and sensitive. Such a small incision for a whole lot of pain! The bruising that remains is a bit painful yet also.

Chat more later - I have so much to share but need to let my "tender" fingers rest a bit!

Tara
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Quilting Get Away Weekend!

I've been having a blast this weekend in gorgeous Wisconsin! A few of my friends and I are on a quilting getaway weekend as guests of a "Superstar" quilter! (any guesses where I'm at?)





I've been doing really, really good working on my sewing machine - even with limitations with my hand! Breaks every now and then are a must! But that silly bandage in the above photo is not going to stop me!






I'm just working on a simple scrappy tumbler quilt. Lots of mindless sewing this weekend. And plenty of retail therapy!!!!!!










Enjoy your weekend!

Tara - in beautiful Wisconsin this weekend!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Antique & String Pieced Quilts!

Here are the String Pieced and Antique quilts that were on display at the West Virginia State Quilt Guild show this past July.  I really enjoyed studying the fabrics in these great old quilts!

Just click on the link below these photos to go directly to my Picasa Album!





Thursday, September 29, 2011

2011 Faithful Circle Quilt Show

Here are the photos from the 2011 Faithful Circle Quilt Guild show that I was so pleased to visit a couple Saturdays ago.  This is the show that I originally was going to be vending at but had to cancel out of due to my carpal tunnel and surgeries. The link to go directly to my Picassa photo album is below!!





Enjoy the photos and below is a link directly to my Picassa Album!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sunday Morning Funnies....



Ok see that cute but scary photo of the cat up there? That is close to the hair style I sport in the mornings. Actually I think it may be worse because my daughter came down the stairs this morning to greet me on my bed/ couch and the look on her face was priceless. She gave me the normal hug, backed up a bit, tilted that head of hers and asked me if I'd like some help " with the hair"?

So needless to say, I had my hair brushed and styled by a 13 year old this morning. Hubby says it looks great, I just feel better, son wants to take pictures to post on FaceBook. Great priceless memories were made this morning.... It appears I'm getting a pedicure later on from dear daughter also!









Two more "new" to me books arrived this week. Both written by Linda Giesler Carlson. The first one is called Roots, Feathers and Blooms. The second one is Four Blocks Continued.... And after searching for the above images on the internet, I realized she has a third book in this series. Guess I'll have to go shopping for that third book now...... Anyhow - both these books are great. Good photos, good stories and nice patterns. I'm a big fan of four block quilts and applique though so these are right up my alley.


Well..... It looks like we'll be making a trip out to Shipshewana next week, probably Tuesday if I'm up to it and feel like joining civilization again instead of hanging out in my living room! You see, my dear sweet husband is on vacation next week and I wanted to figure out something fun for us to do one day that didn't cost a ton of money and that we could enjoy together.



I know - your probably thinking - why in the world is that man on vacation the week in between both of that crazy woman's surgeries? Well, I'll tell ya! Originally I was supposed to be going to the Des Moines Quilt show this week and vending. Well obviously I had to cancel out of that. Dear husband had to cancel all his vacations for the rest of the year too, since I was not going to be doing shows and obviously - the extra money is always needed instead of vacation pay wages. Well this coming week of vacation time was not an option to cancel, we had to take it due to scheduling reasons at my husbands job and instead of irritating his bosses and begging until we where blue in the face - we decided to go ahead and leave this vacation in place. Sure - it would have been really nice to change it to the first week in October during my second surgery which I think will be harder on me - but come on, this is real life here and not everything is so easy and convenient!

So, the hubbie is on vacation this coming week. What better time to get the house and yard ready for winter. Great time for fall cleaning. Good time to do the winter tune ups on both vehicles. Good time to get more prepared for my second surgery. Great time to pull out the fall decorations and get the outside of the house decorated. All this with me not being able to do much. This is going to be really rough not helping out like I usually do, but I'm sure some good stories will come from this!

But on the bright side - it's a great time for us to sneak off for a mini day trip together to Shipshewana!



I'll have a driver (I really don't care much for driving), a tour guide (he's a great map holder and great at listening to that GPS thing that I find irritating!). He's perfect to share that wonderful Amish meal that I'm anticipating eating - it's always more fun to share all that wonderful yummy food with good company! Plus the auction is on Tuesday - and 2 sets of eyes are better then one! I'm on the lookout for antique quilts and fabrics - that's my mission for the day! I also am going to go here:
















Lolly's Fabric store - an awesome place to go and be inspired! Www.lollys.com

I am also going here,

















Yoder's Department Store. Love that place. Not only am I of course going to shop for stash enhancements, but I'm on the mad hunt for one of those older style irons with NO auto shut off feature and good steam you know - like the older Black and Decker style that lasted forever and didn't die after 3 months of use. I'm also searching for another Hurricane lamp - I'm addicted to collecting those beauties! (I think I need to win the lottery before I go!). Www.yoderdepartmentstore.com


Next on the list:





E&S Bulk Foods. Love this place. I stock up on baking and cooking ingredients each time I go here - and Mama Tara's pantry is looking a bit bare. Gotta stock up for winter. They have some of the best ground cornmeal here. Perfect for homemade cornbread! I also love the bulk spices.... Geez I just love it all!

I'm getting hungry so we'll eat here:










The Blue Gate Restaurant. Finally! I've dreamed of this moment. Eating here, a family style meal with my husband and enjoying every minute of it. I normally watch what I eat pretty closely - but when those doors open up to us next week - I'm not holding back on all that Amish homemade yumminess. Might gain ten pounds that day - but that's ok. I'll just drink a couple extra Diet Cokes that day - those and all the walking around should balance each other out right - and put all the extra calories in the negative pile -right??? ( come on - just nod your head and agree with me on this one! Pretty please??? )


Then bright and early Thursday morning, I'm sneaking out of here for a little mini vacation of my own. I'll save that info for another blog post because this ones getting kinda long again. But here's a few hints: it involves quilting girlfriends, a 4 1/2 hour drive north, sewing machines (please dear Lord let me heal more by then so I can sew!) and lots of laughing with good friends. Even if I'm not able to sew on my machine, I'll enjoy some good girl time!

Carpal Tunnel Notes To Myself For The Next Surgery:

-feeling more pressure, ache and moderate pain in my left hand. I hope it's just because I've tried to do to much and not because it's getting infected. Very strange sensations running through my wrist and hand.

- waking up at 3 AM wide awake is a norm. Look for it to happen. My body has gotten so rested and relaxed now from taking it easy and getting caught up on sleep. Instead of fighting it and trying to force yourself back to sleep - just deal with it. Get up and read, draw (if I can!) and plan on your next stage in life for when your completely healed.

- two steps forward and one step back is absolutely true during the healing process. Every time I think I'm getting a lot better I over do it and end up hurting or aching because of it. I think I should wear my arm splint a lot more so that I cannot try and use my arm as much. I wore my splint all day yesterday which forced me not to try doing as much and the hands doing much better today!

- stress. Remind myself daily that I'm not supposed to be working right now. I need time to heal and re-injuring myself is not an option. I could do major and serious damage if I over do it! Quit trying to be the "I can do it all" person.

- keep working on my goals list for myself personally and for my business. Things will become clearer and clearer everyday that I review this list and add to it.




Tara

Location:Sunday Morning Funnies........

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