Monday, June 1, 2009

Trying to finish up

Good afternoon everyone!! I have been busy all AM, after 5 shifts at the hospital, this is the first day off. I have done a little housework, and a little sewing! I have a real yearning to finish things up lately. Above is a little quilt, made from the cast off triangle from Judy's bright quilt. I really enjoyed hand-quilting this one.
I went to the quilt shop, and have been trying to figure out which direction to go with my quilting. I had this book, and coincidentally, the quilt shop had a 25% off if you bought the rest of the bolt sale! I got this lovely Moda solid cream, enough to finish the Sylvia's bridal Sampler. I have made two blocks, and they are so cute at this size! 6 inch finished blocks. I am trying my level best to piece them perfectly, we shall see how that goes. The other piece of fabric is a batic, got it for 1/2 price due to a line of roller printing not even. It will work perfectly for a background for my batic fabrics.


This is one of the quilts I got back from Darcie, who quilted it in a lovely star pattern, all over with swirls and wonderful texture...mmmmm! I have the binding on as you see, just waiting for a spare moment and I will get it sewn down.

Another one ready for binding. This one is pretty representational of my fabric stash, a strip from each piece! I loved making this quilt. Bonnie of Quiltville has the pattern. This one just needs the binding stitched down also.
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Nursing News:
I had the loveliest old gentlemen for patients this last few shifts at the hospital. One was from Italy, and taught me "Bon Georno"!! (someone please correct my horrible spelling) and spoke non-stop about Italy and his childhood there. He was just a delight to care for, despite being pretty sick. Another was an 83 year old gentleman, five feet tall in stature, and about seven feet tall in spirit and grit. He had major cardiac bypass surgery, and was up and at 'em the very next day! Just a delight to care for too, always a quick smile and a joke. Sometimes my patients take care of me too!
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Health:
I have lost greater than 10 pounds lately, and this week! grrrrr.... I am really screwing up on my diet. I must, must not be a back-sliding diet sinner! Or it will be back to the hades of fat pants and double chins!!!
Sincerely hope each one of you has a wonderful day!
Gratitude's:
A Day off, with time to sew (and get the laundry done!)
Family, always.
This computer! It has been so fun to get to know you, through this medium!
Julie




22 comments:

Amelia said...

Glad to have you back - working that many shifts makes for one tired lady I am sure! Wonderful you had enjoyable patients...makes working more pleasant.


Quilts show the love sewn in each stitch.

May the diet be successful!

Karen said...

What a delight to read your post today. Time off from work is good and you are getting things done. Your quilt finishes are very good. I really like the blue & white one.

Trisha said...

Good luck on your Sylvia's Bridal Sampler! It is a beautiful quilt. Did you know that my SBS quilt was chosen to be in that book? My quilt is page 81! I still can't believe it. I just had it in a quilt show this past weekend and got a first place ribbon. I can't stop smiling.

I love your stash quilt. What a great way to represent your stash. I really need to use my stash more.

Shari said...

Hi Julie - glad you have time to play today...

Your quilts look good and it must feel so good to get a sewing needle instead of a medical needle in your hand. Nice patients so make up for the not-so-nice.

Hugs - Shari

Debi said...

Your quilts are beautiful. I also started the Elm Creek SBS and made about 10 blocks..as far as I got!

Elaine Adair said...

That little blue/white is a special treasure.

How wise of you to know what your patients give back to you. 8-)))

Loris said...

Wow! I'm impressed you even got out of bed after working 5 shifts...and then you actually got some things done. You are a wonder! Hope you get a few more days off to enjoy the stitching. I like the border quilting on the first little quilt. I love that cable look.

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie, your blue/white quilt is a real gem....love it....I have just purchased the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler book.........too much on my plate to contemplate making it..I bet it is a good feeling to have finishes...your patients would know the goodness in you Julie.....Hugs lyn

Unknown said...

I purchased that book as well. That is on my list of to do's! All your projects are lovely and I bet it feels great to sew. Congrats on the weight loss, but don't fret, you are just having a few bad days, just hop back in with both feet!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

You certainly have been busy with so many projects. The triangle one is beautiful - love the green fabric. The blue and white one is wonderful as well. I am resisting the temptation of Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. Still haven't finished the blocks for the Jane Stickle quilt! But they are so much fun.

The Calico Cat said...

Love that half square triangle quilt!

Teresa said...

Buon giorno! And the only way I know that is I looked it up on a translation service on the internet! Your quilts are all so lovely. I just love the brighness of the half square triangles and the star quilting is great. Good luck with your diet!

Finn said...

Each quilt is more awesome than the one before. Great job on all of them. Love your bargello, and what fun to have each and every fabric in it. Great memories!! Get back on the diet pony and get going girl! You can do it!!! Hugs, Finn

Sherri said...

Everything is lovely...and I LOVE the blue and white quilt...I enlarged the photo, and the quilting is fantastic as well!

Quilter Kathy said...

You have been very productive - at paid work and at the quilt work! Love the HST quilt!

Libby said...

Oh boy - don't you love those end of bolt sales . . . . especially when they have just the right fabric *s*
What fun to listen to the childhood stories of your patients. I love to hear those kinds of things -people have such interesting lives to share if only we'd stop a moment to hear the tales.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your post. Will visit more often!

YankeeQuilter said...

You are really turning out some quilts lately! Love the bargello!

Anne Ida said...

You had lots of lovely things to share in this post! Love your little HST quilt - it's so bright and cheerful :o) Hope you got on with those bindings - stitching them down to the back is tedious, but also relaxing work.

I see Trisha has commented that her quilt is on page 81 of the SBS book... Well, mine is on page 83 *lol* I love your first two blocks! I look forward to following your progress on this one. I feel my fingers itch every time I see someone starting a new SBS, and I'm inspired to start another one myself (trying to resist, though *lol*).

Hope your having a lovely weekend!

Darcie said...

Thanks for the *shout-out* Jules! You know I love working with you and your quilts. ;-)

It's so cool to hear you talk about those patients that just draw you in. Let me tell you, nurses like you are too few and far between! You're a gem, my dear!

*karendianne. said...

A Cast Off Quilt! Love it and boy the hand quilting, Julie - spectacular.

I have to tell you that I've never one time ever been taken with the Silvia's Bridal Sampler book but now that I see your stunning work, well, now I'm thinking in a whole new direction. I might have to make the purchase. What do you think? Just for fun?

Really touching to hear of your patient and how you said Sometimes my patients take care of me too! . Yet another reason you received that wonderful award. Julie, you have the gift of seeing the circle of healing that can occur and swirl around us all - knowing we are all one.

Yet another reason I luv ya.

Marilyn Robertson said...

Julie, I just love that little blue and white quilt. The border you used sure makes everything pop!

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...