Monday, January 18, 2010

Insomnia quilts...

Hi Y'all!

I have started on a year long quest...to make a blue and yellow extra big sampler quilt. The blocks are all kinds of different sizes. My friend Debi gave me this pattern last year, and I have been waiting, and cutting out kits for each block...and waiting for January. So...here are January's blocks! The quilt is amazing when it is finished, and what fun it was to just grab the pre-cut kit and have fun putting the blocks together. Some blocks are applique and some are pieced. Thank you again, Deb!! Stay tuned...these flowers will grow!

I can't sleep, ladies...do you know why? I really need some help, so any suggestion would be wonderful. Is Peri-menopause the reason? Anyway, I can't sleep, so I hand quilt. I completed hand quilted this bear paw quilt is the wee hours of many nights. and some quilting took place on trips to Florida and New Jersey. Now it is done and ready to wash and cuddle with. Thank you to Judy at Patchwork Times, she and her quilt was the inspiration for me. Of course, I had to make it my own way....scrappy!




I am off work today, so off to clean and wash clothes now. And I have one nursing fire safety class to attend this afternoon.


Have a super day,

Julie

25 comments:

Carole said...

Wow! Your own BOM! lol Sounds like a wonderful quilt! I cannot wait to see your blocks each month!

Love your banner quilt! The plaids are sweet!

As for not being able to sleep, join the club. I'm in the same boat. There are nights I'm up until 2:00 a.m. At least, like you, I'm being productive! Cheers!

Suzy said...

I love scrappy quilts, too. They're my favorite! I just finished putting the top together for one from about 10 years ago. I hated the blocks on their own, but when I designed the top and starting putting it together, it looks so great now. It's on my blog. If you get a chance, stop by and peek. :o)

Love the yellow and blue blocks for your sampler quilt. The yellow is so bright and cheerful. Can't wait to see the top put together to see how it turns out.

Have a quilty day!

Darcie said...

Oh my. Getting all of that hand quilting done is terrific...but it's too bad that it was at the hands of insomnia. I hope that you find answers soon. I would perhaps chronicle a journal of sorts...to try and pinpoint when you sleep/when you do not. ???

Love the blue and yellow in progress! Looks like Springtime! ;-)

Connie said...

YOUR QUILT ARE SO PRETTY! I really like doing sampler quilt. I have got one done and another to finish. hope you can get some sleep. When I get my sewing ideal on my mind at night I can't sleep.

Nancy said...

Nothing is a fresh and welcoming as a blue and yellow quilt. I am going to keep my eye on this quilt!

Jeanette said...

Love your quilts. About not sleeping... my dh has that problem and recently has been using melatonin. It works amazingly for him. It's worth a try?

Kaaren said...

Gee, when is the first quilting meeting for all of us insomniacs? I'll be there!

I just love your scrappy bear paw quilt, Julie. Now that's a real treasure, especially being hand quilted...and during the wee hours as well.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

What cute BOM blocks~ that is going to be a beautiful quilt! And I love the scrappy bear paws! Sorry you can't sleep though. :-/

Anonymous said...

You've joined the insomnia club...welcome! Yeah..it sucks but you are not alone!

Unknown said...

Your blocks look fantastic as does your quilt!! Isn't it amazing what you can get done when you don't sleep. I was up last night finishing a project too. Then when I went to bed, I read for a while. Then sleep set in only for me to wake early again. Oh well, it happens.

Susan said...

Wonderful bear paw. Aren't scrappy quilts just the best?

Barb said...

I love your BOM, it is going to be so fun with such happy colors.

Yep, you are probably right, I just get on these crying spells...hate it!!

Hope you can get some sleep, but atleast you are productive..

Sharon said...

There are several herbal trys. Melatonin was recommended by my oncologist when I was awake throughout the night. (side effect of tamoxifen) Luckily I have gotten over this hurdle and now I sleep. I sympathize, it's tough to not sleep.

Nicole said...

Your blue and yellow quilt is going to be beautiful! The applique is just the perfect touch.

Stephanie D said...

That's going to be a lovely, cheerful quilt!

Off the wall idea--any chance you have sleep apnea? I went to my doc complaining of insomnia in two forms--not only difficulty in staying asleep (which I'd dealt with for a while), but then difficulty falling asleep. And forgetfullness, and chronic road rage, and no energy. Turns out I had severe sleep apnea. Once I got my C-PAP, it was heaven! I feel like I have a brain again.

Well, most of the time.

Mary Johnson said...

I have a lot of problems with insomnia too but I don't worry about it much anymore -- I'm lucky that I can sleep late to make up for sleepless nights.

I love the bear paw, I've always wanted to make one but haven't decided on a setting - I'm going to bookmark this one.

Connie said...

Thank you for you comment, the quilt in my header was make back in the 1970, it was when I started getting into makeing quilts. The first quilts I done was dutch girl twins size quilts for my girls when they was little, now my girls are married and I have 7 grandkids. But any way I really like you quilts.

Pat said...

I've started collecting some blue and yellow fabrics with a quilt in mind "someday". I love your bear paw scrappy quilt,too!!!

Debi said...

Your yellow/blue BOM is awesome. I really love that pattern. Your bear paw quilt is adorable. What helps me sleep is a cup of hot decaffineated herbal tea right before bed.

Lori said...

I love what you've been working on although I can't imagine quilting in the middle of the night!
If the insomnia is a new occurence it wouldn't hurt to ask your dr about it. I love to sleep so I hope it doesn't happen to me!

Helen in the UK said...

Love the Bear Paw quilt - great colour combos in your scraps :)

Rose Marie said...

Another lovely quilt!! I find that when I can't sleep, hand quilting or hand work helps a lot during the early morning hours. Glad to hear that I'm not the only one up and about during those hours.

The Calico Quilter said...

Sorry to hear you can't sleep - but I'm afraid it's part and parcel of the dreaded aging thing. It too will pass, along with the other "symptoms". I just wish my internal thermostat would reset. I haven't been cold since 2003. I can make quilts but can't stand to sleep under them - too warm. (Is this sounding familiar too?)

Loris said...

The yellow and blue are gorgeous. that is going to be quite the cheery quilt.
As for sleep, you might try something called 'Calm' google it..the maker is Peter Gilliam (?) my sister has been having trouble sleeping for a few years and this has now really helped her.
Hope you find something that helps.

Leanne said...

You must be exhausted you poor thing. This is coming from my desk(nurse for a gynae) poor sleep can very well be a menopausal issue.

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...