All together now!!!

 I sewed all the blocks together, and now I am searching for the perfect border.  This is destined to be a chemo quilt.

Hope each of you has a wonderful day!

Number next!

Well, it all started with a jelly roll.  They are so pretty, but I never know what to do with them, honestly. The jelly roll I used is all polka dots!   Above is a perfect jelly roll pattern.  It is called Daybreak, by Georgette Dell'Orco; a Cozy Quilt design.  I am making a patient quilt, and it is going quickly.  Half of the blocks are pictured; half are still in the works!  I must say the 2.5-inch strips feel big after the mystery quilt with tiny pieces.  My friend Annie and I are enjoying making this quilt together.  

 I made a new bag for work...so that was fun.  The most time-consuming thing about it was making the quilted fabric.  I think the pattern would work well with pre-quilted fabric, too.  

Here is the free pattern...many thanks to the designer, Lynn!

LIFE WITH LYNN: TOTE TALK! (Plus free tutorial and pattern) (lifewithlynnb.blogspot.com)

*****************Nurse's notes*************************

I floated to oncology the other day.  I had six patients under my care.  All medical patients, no cancer...overflowing medical patients onto the cancer floor.  One pancreatitis, one pneumonia, one failure to thrive, one drug overdose, one septic urinary tract infection, and one deep vein thrombosis.  People became diagnoses, as I just noticed how I spoke about my patients. But I take time to know them, too, as much as I can...are they married, children, what did they do for a living... I must say, all my time on medical floor as a new nurse really has helped me be a generalist and take care of anything that comes through the door.  I ran all day long...19000 steps.  I really enjoyed it.  I charted standing up, ate in five minutes in the hallway, and away I went. Nurses everywhere will relate to days like this!

**********************1940's**********************************

I am reading about Hitler, and his rise to power, which actually started in the 1930's.  Very interesting how one man could control a population, and lay waste to another.  What a horrible war, involving so many, many countries, and the whole world was involved economically.  I am reading such books as Sophie's Choice, and Sarah's Key.  Alos, I am reading about the woman going to the workforce (think Rosie the riveter), and how woman stepped up to make a living for themselves as their men were off to war, and the grandparents stepping up to care for children.  Such interesting reading about this "Greatest Generation!"  Tell me if you were alive during this time and have remembrances, please???

Hope you have a great day, each of you!

Many thanks!

Above is a small quilt I had made for one Monthly Mini with Wendy, the constant quilter.  I just decided to send it off to my friend to be quilted, and here is what she did.

Isn't' that sunflower quilting so awesome!!!  Thank you, Paula Sue!  (my friend from childhood)

I recently bought a Moda scrap bag, sight unseen...(1/2 price).  The above fabrics were in the bag...mostly selvages. The most I could get from the strips was 2 inches, so I trimmed all I could to 2-inch strips and came up with this baby quilt.  Hurrah!!!  I am all ready for a baby to come along now!

This is a chemo quilt, and the top was given to me before it was tossed, I think.  It is so pretty quilted!

The little tomato plants are getting bigger!!!

I wanted to tell each of you thank you so much for your sweet and caring comments about the loss of Rosie, our poodle.  Your kindness is truly appreciated.  We are slowly getting back to a new normal around here.

Julie
 

A great loss of a small baby (Our Rosie poodle)

I have been making progress on this quilt, which is unexpected and very squirrel-ish in nature.  I had no idea I was going to make this quilt, and then?  There I was, making it.  That border was tricky, I must say.

EQP Mystery 2022 | Facebook

All the patterns are here.

I received my Quiltville mystery quilt back from the quilter!  Hurrah!!!  I have the binding on...just need to sew it down, and it will be a wrap on the mystery.  

Or will it really be a wrap?  I cut out another mystery quilt!!!  Different fabrics...here I go again!!  Same pattern...way different look.

Ukraine is on my mind, and I made another little quilt with their flag colors.

I planted tomato seeds five days ago, and wow!  They are springing right up!!

Rosie on the Dear Jane quilt.

Rosie on my plaid scrappy Jewel Box quilt.

Rosie on the apple core quilt.

And Rosie on the mini bear paw quilt.  All these pictures have been taken through the years.  

Rosie is gone from this life.  Here is a bit about her.  

******************************************************************

 01-30-2023

There comes a time when it is obvious there is no cure, and no treatment. When the drug or the knife can do no more good. When the relentless juggernaut of the dying body supplants the will of the mind to survive. When all hope is lost for this life, and hope arises for another one, after death. Comfort becomes important. Being clean, fed if able to eat, good things to drink, positioned for comfort because you cannot move, to have someone who loves you present to supply a calm, kind, loving voice; to be touched and held if that comforts you. All these are paramount now. Meds to ease suffering and pain, to promote sleep and rest, and to ease the anxiety of the unknown.

You may think I am telling my hospice nurse story, and yes, that is true, but this is the story of a different kind of hospice...the one for my dog, Rosie. Rosie came tripping into our life many years ago, a stray, dumped in the neighborhood; discarded, uncared for, ungroomed, covered with six inch long matted, muddy poodle hair and full of brambles and weeds, covering a famished, starving little body and a will of pure twisted steel. It was love at first sight for me.

After fresh water, nourishing food, love, and a good grooming and vetting, who sat before me? A darling tiny poodle, most likely purebred, full of the fierce intelligence of the breed. Full of strength, honor, wisdom, a fierce devotion to me. She would always get between me and anyone at the door...and she would have died in a heartbeat, using all of her 15 pounds, defending me if needed, there is no doubt.

Full of play! Catch, fetch, running in circles and just full of fun. Down on her forelegs, bottom in the air, wagging so hard the air got out of her tail's way.

Full of love! She would launch herself into my arms when I came home from the day and liked nothing better than to be nestled close to me, being stroked and petted and told what a pretty girl she was. (For of course it is true)

Full of intelligence! She just knew. I never had to teach her a thing. She could do all the normal things...sit, fetch, stand up, come (only if she wanted to though!) ...all the tricks. But she also would take me to the bedroom, so she could be placed on the bed for her naps...to the door for potty time...she would tell me with a short bark. She just knows what I am saying and taught me what she wanted and needed.

Full of honor! Dignified and beautiful, too, in that way of dogs. An honorable person, with no spot on her character whatsoever.

A traveler! In the air on planes, in the truck...she just did wonderfully, and was such a joy.

And now? We are to this point. Hospice for the poodle doodle girl. Gently singing the poodle song to her..."Rosie Posie Pumpkin pie, you are the best girl in the world, in the world, in the world!"

The liver malfunction, Cushing's disease, insulin dependent diabetes, blindness from the diabetes and cataracts, hypertension, collapsing trachea with cough that does not seem to cease.... all have taken their toll, and now we are at the end of her life.

So? What does a nurse do? What does anyone who loves a dog as much as I do, do?? As many, many of you have done???

Love...presence...cleaning the patient...good food if wanted...cool water...strokes and holding...life review...and those meds to ease suffering...a gift for her that is wholly inadequate to the gifts she has given to me.

Tears for my loss. Tears for her suffering. They just don't stop, do they???

More as the journey goes along.

2-1-2023

Rosie just will not eat. Maybe a bite or two. I put a bit of baby food into a syringe and trickled it into her mouth, she seemed eager for it. She mostly sleeps. She enjoys being tucked in tight to my leg, as I sit on the couch.

2-2-2023

More of the same. A few wiggly tail moments, but mostly sleep, goes out to potty, and back. Drinking water like crazy (diabetes)

2-03-2023

Started her on megace, and she ate like a trouper. Later on in the day, she went into respiratory distress...a subtle increase in the respiratory rate. Then full-on rales, exp grunting and wheezes. Did she aspirate? Is this heart failure, or just her large liver crowding her stomach? Just heart breaking. Her final vet appointment is tomorrow, and I cannot, just cannot stop crying. It is now 1:40 AM, and I am bawling...she is asleep at last. I keep on checking her for respirations.

08:00 2-4-2023. Rosie had rapid respiration’s part of the night, interspersed with deep sleep. She will no longer take water or food, but went out to potty. We had a final vet appointment at 8 am. Rosie started have irregular respirations and a slowing heartbeat. She passed in my hands at 0800, right when her appointment was supposed to be. A huge part of my heart goes with her. She was my darling girl, and I grieve her loss. Dog moms know....my heart is broken.

And that is why I have not posted for a bit. Quilting brings me some solace, but I look for my baby everywhere, and she is just not there.

Julie

Good morning!

Good morning to all!

Above is a pure squirrel.  I had no clue I would even start this, but low and behold?  I did!!!  I like it so far.  You can find the link here, with all the patterns freely given.

(4) EQP Mystery 2022 | Facebook

This is my leader and ender.  My great friend sent me some reproduction scraps, and away I go!  It is too small so far, so I am cutting more scraps, so I can continue to leader and ender away.

I made a few key ring straps...these go around your hand as you are walking, so to carry your keys in your hand.  Just fun sewing.

While my machine was out being treated to a spa and diagnosis appointment at the Bernina shop, I cut out all these star blocks.  These are 6 inches finished and are cut from scraps in a bag that was all together and seem to go together.  These are fun!!

I made some homemade lotion.  A lipid, along with sweet smelling almond lotion.  My hands are a wreck from all the hand washing at the hospital, and the lotion seems to help.  It is vitamin e cream, a bit of Vaseline, and almond lotion. I use it at night. 

I found an old piece of upholstery material and made this wristlet purse.  I find I carry less and less when I go to the store or anywhere now, so these small purses work very well for me...a lip chap, credit card, driver's license, keys and twenty bucks!

 Not a Dooney-Burke purse or the like! What kind of purse do you carry, please???

 The Bernina store advised me to use a small vacuum each time I change the bobbin or needle, to vacuum bits of lint out, or at the start a new project. 

There was a ton of lint that I could not reach or see with my cleanings of the sewing machine, they said, and also some bits of dog ears that I had cut off and did not know they got in there, too.  So this tiny vacuum is a wonderful 20-dollar investment.  There was nothing wrong with my machine!  Hurrah!  Although my sewing machine does sound different now?  The shop gentleman said it was perfect, and the sound was just different because it was cleaner.  Anyway!!!  It is louder!

I just loved making the Quiltville mystery quilt this year!!  I have chosen fabric to make another one!  Several times, I have gone through what I have, and chosen different fabrics.  Indecisive much??  LOL!!

I received this amazing towel to celebrate National Squirrel appreciation day!!!!!!  It was January 21st.  I adore it!!!  Thank you, thank you!

Rosie the poodle loves it too!

Speaking of Rosie:  She rescued us 13+ years ago.  The vet seems to think she was 2-3 years old when she came to us and she appears to be a purebred poodle.  Because of her little stretched out boobies and body, and non-docked tail, maybe she was a breeder dog?  Not sure, but we have adored her and spoiled her each day from then to now. She is at the end of her life.  So many things are wrong, and much care each day goes to her.  In return, we are blessed with the most loyal, wonderful little baby dog in the universe.  She has glaucoma, collapsing trachea, chronic cough, Cushing's disease, diabetes, blindness.  On and on.  and yet?  She takes very good care of us.  Guarding for us, outside the bathroom and we never step a foot anywhere that she is not right with us.  She will not eat now.  It takes an act of congress to get her to consume any calories. So?  We have put her on hospice care.  Pain meds, nausea meds, bp meds, insulin (cut drastically due to not eating) ...all of it, but the emphasis is on loving care and comfort, dignity and peace.  Just like my human hospice patients. You have seen Rosie on many of my quilts, and I pray for all the good in the world for her...peace and comfort.  I will ensure this.

*****************The 1940's***********************

My study of this era has started!!  The overshadowing event of the era was World War 2, of course...both the events leading up to it, and the aftermath of it.  I was surprised to find few books on it at the library...the young librarian asked why I wanted to know about that anyway, and that I could find it all online.  Ok, well I am doing that, but really wanted an old history book, just the facts, man!  I have found two.   

I loved that the ladies stepped out of the home, and onto the assembly lines.  People gave up, conserved and saved everything, for the troops and the war effort.  Victory gardens! Paper drives!  Anything to help. I love that spirit!!!

Much information is available about the holocaust, enough to make it a separate field of study.  So horrific, and there is a newer movie and book out...Sarsh's key. Actually from 2010, so not so new, LOL! New to me, I guess. 

I love history, and love reading, so on I go.  

Thanks for hanging out with me...if you would like a key fob or handmade lotion, please leave a comment, and I will have a drawing for these.

Have a lovely day, all of you!

Julie

Mystery quilt is complete, and sewing machine drama

The mystery quilt is complete!  Yahoo!!!  I ended up putting a border on it, at my husband's request.  I am delighted with it!!!  

 There is a free quilt along going on via Facebook, and I made this block yesterday, quilting along.  It makes a great center block for a quilt.

My sewing machine is malfunctioning, so it goes to the Bernina store today for a diagnosis and spa treatment.  Hope this patient (machine) will live, and it is nothing serious!!

Julie

Huge thanks to Katie, who helped me get pictures on the blog again...however dark they may be!

I am this point in the mystery.  I have one more border to go!!  

 I may put an outer border as well.  

Hope you are doing fantastic!

Help?!

I am unable to put pictures on my blog now. The pictures just come out as computer language. Can anyone help me? I finished the Mystery quilt, and so want to share it with you all!

Some finished tops, and mystery quilt step seven progress

I am starting to put rows together on the mystery quilt.  That funny triangle in the middle of the squares is just pinned to each one, so I do not lose it!!  On we go...seems like I only make progress on this in the middle of the night.  I wake up early, and in the quiet...I sew!  Takes a bit of concentration!

Ok, I just added another red border, and I am calling it good.  I have a backing all ready.

The binding is cut, so I can just add it when done.  This bit of prep really helps later on in the process.

I added this border to the Christmas quilt.  I am changing Rudolph's nose to RED!  of course...

Have a lovely day, each of you!

Julie

 

Mystery quilt, part seven!!!

Good afternoon!  I am off work...hurrah!  This means laundry, and grocery shopping, and general cleaning, but also...a bit of sewing!  

I found this set of blocks as I was cleaning and organizing, so I set them together with red, and will choose a border for them.  The first UFO of the year is finally getting completed.  I made these blocks in 2015.

 I am concentrating on sewing the mystery quilt.  I have this many blocks completed and have five more to go.   I have already cut out the pieces and parts of the last clue, so I just need sewing time.  

How are you doing???  I foresee a library run today!

Julie

Happy New Year, and mystery quilt, part six!

 

First of all, Happy New Year to each of you!  I hope this one is the best year yet!

  I have completed my rainbow bowtie blocks.  Hurrah!!  Now to sew them altogether.  Lots of bright colors are delightful for my soul!

I found an old pair of plaid pajamas for the border for this quilt.  Instead of matching the plaids, due to my limited fabric, I put little random spacers in-between the little pieces of plaid pajama pants.  This will all be trimmed prior to the last border, which I am still thinking about.  I think it adds a little more "folk" to the project. That is my story, and I am sticking to it!

I 

My amaryllis bloomed yesterday, on New Year's day!  It is a harbinger of a lovely year to come.

This is my first Mystery quilt block, for step six.  

And I have four of the centers of the blocks completed.  More coming today!

**************Nurse's notes**********************

In addition to my beloved open-heart patients, I have now been trained in the ICU, oncology and hospice.  Training was kind of hilarious, because from day one I took all the patients and my "preceptor" just signed papers that I was competent.  After decades of doing this, I just need to know where things are, mostly.  The charting is ridiculous...I feel like I take great care of the computer, and no time for patients!!  But I speed through the charting junk so I can be with the patients.    Becoming a more versatile nurse is challenging, but fun!  I worked as a "task nurse", the other day.  I gave meds, hung IV's and IV antibiotics, started IV's, hung blood, bathed patients, took patients to the car after treatments, turned patients and did oral care, and ran one code!! Anything to help out the nurses. I did not sit once all shift.  Honestly, it was great fun!!  Super busy, but I just did tasks...no thinking involved.  I loved it!

ICU is for the sickest of the sick...nurses teasingly call it the "Icky Care Unit", because of all the infectious diseases there. We try and keep the Cardiac Intensive Care unit infection free.   Last time I worked there, I had a covid patient on max vent support and a cancer patient with cancer everywhere, that moved on to hospice.  It was challenging and amazing to see the baby nurses there...most 21-25 years old.  I was the float there and they frequently asked me for advice.... but I don't work there!  I can help with the nursing stuff...but I didn't know where anything is. I did have a brain surgery patient, and wow!  That is intense.  I loved that too.  He had a ventriculostomy.  

Hospice is reverent, and sad, and a release of so much emotion.  It is exhausting for me.  Lots of sitting and waiting.  I find stuff to do...I dust and clean and disinfect and such in-between patient care. There are few meds except comfort meds.  Little charting, unlike the at least every hour vitals/drip management/vent management, balloon pump and dialysis management for ICU/CCU.  Lots of patients are just alone, with the phone calls checking on them. I focus on these people, and read to them, and sing to them, until they tell me to stop please!  LOL!  Not really!   One lady was a huge bible reader, and I read a bunch of the Psalms to her, as she slumbered.  I found that very meditative, and very calming for me, and I pray she benefitted too.  Some have family in the room non-stop, and I support them with love, hot coffee and blankets, information and care of the patient.  

So my nursing life is different now.  I am glad I made the change!

*************************************************

Continuing my history exploration of the twentieth century, I am going to read about the 1940's this year.  This is a fascinating, horrific decade for America and much of the world, and I look forward to knowing more history about this, which my parents lived through, and maybe some of you, too.  Library, here I come, and internet searches too, and the best thing...interviews with folks from WW2.  They are few and far between, but I am privileged to meet some in the hospital

Julie

Mystery quilt, clue five

Happy day after Christmas!!!  Clue five of the mystery quilt has been released, and many of us are hard at work sewing pieces and parts, and surprising, we are making blocks already!!  

Mine are super scrappy.

I have two made, and others in the pipeline!  Great fun!

 A dear friend from my childhood (we are talking 50 years ago) has sent me these cat blocks.  Rather, she sent me the brown pieces.  I have this many pieced. How fun to connect with someone I used to do 4-H with at 8 years of age??

Hope you are having a great day, each of you!  I am in cleaning mode...zoom, zoom!

Julie

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas to each of you!!!!!!!!!

Mystery quilt, step four finished

Good morning!  Above are my mystery quilt clues.  I am caught up!  Hurrah!!  You can find the mystery here, and all the clues are available, but will not be free forever.

Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!: Chilhowie Mystery!

I finished hand binding this quilt.  It is very, very heavy, as the machine quilter chose to put minky on the back and save my backing for a later quilt. She asked me if I trusted her, and I said yes.  So, I have a very different quilt, and I really like it.   IT IS HEAVY!  Like a weighted quilt.  It reminds me of the quilts we used as a child, which were so heavy that it made it hard to get out of bed.  It was hard to bind, because of the bulk of the minky fabric, which is a very soft, thick, fur type fabric.  

I finished this binding as well.  I am so glad to get these accomplished and in the books!  This quilt is a chemo quilt.

I used another fabric for the binding...using what I have.

 I finished the hand quilting on this little quilt.  I adore it...because it is plaid, LOL!

Have a lovely day, each of you!  I work on the holiday, so Merry Christmas to you! Our hospital is overrun with covid, flu and RSV, like every other hospital in America.   Maybe I can be off Christmas Day if our unit stays closed???  Haha!  Likely story!

Julie