Monday, November 14, 2011

540 seams later...seems like a LONG time!



Some progress!! The quarters pieces of blocks were made into half blocks, and I have finished some of the whole blocks above. Rosie is our guest model for today. I am making 270 blocks, and a border, so it is taking me quite a while, but now the sewing is easy, breezy, downhill and not a rock in the road!!

The stacks of half blocks, ready to be sewn when I have a spare minute or two. These go fast! I love that these fabrics are all plaids, and around 90% are re-purposed from old clothing from the thrift.



****************************Nurse's Notes******************************

Well, it seems that I am in charge at the hospital most of the time now. I would much rather be just in charge of myself, that is a tough enough job! I do adore getting to know the patients and families, and I miss that...but I sure am getting to know my co-workers very well, with all their needs and wants. It is hard to please everyone, but I am sure trying!! Layoffs are eminent, according to those in management...that is scary, and I just hate that this is taking place right before the holidays. We shall see what happens!!!


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


Something new...we are tearing apart our kitchen! Sounds fun, right? The old wall paper from 30 years ago and worn baseboards just never look clean, no matter how much I scrub...so we took it all down, and are painting fresh and new!! New floors too...out with the old linoleum...how about some pretty marble tile? Yahoo! Later...and many $$$ later...I would like to have new counter tops too. Maybe in the new year, depending on the work situation!!

Hope you have a really great day...thank you for stopping by!


Julie

35 comments:

Nancy said...

Heavy lay-offs happening at the hospital here, too. I sure hope the economy picks up soon.

Wow, 540 seams. Impressive!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

But who's counting? ;) Your plaid blocks (ALL of them!) are splendid. Thanks for sharing your progress. I pray for peace of mind with the job insecurity and good luck wishes for a fresh and bright, updated, kitchen. Lucky you!

Darlene said...

I'm sorry there's lay-offs coming for some of your co-workers. Big Sigh!

Your quilt top with all those seams is looking wonderful.

Carol said...

Love seeing the progression of these plaids. Wonderful! And an updated kitchen does wonders for a house and the cook as well! We updated ours a few years ago and I still love it every day--silestone counters, travertine backsplash, new stainless sink, new gas cooktop--from electric, convection double ovens, and new tile floors this summer. Love it. And prayers for job security for you and coworkers. I know you are really an asset to that hospital.

Caroline said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your plaid quilts. I have a heaping pile of plaid shirts I bought at the thrift shop here when they have their $4 bag sale. I need to start cutting strips, so that I can make a string quilt, and I also have a 16 patch block planned with black as the second fabric in each block. Keep making beautiful quilts and adding to my idea list!

Loris said...

I'm going to need to go shop the yard sales and thrift shops. You find the best plaids :-) I just love 'em. The quilt is looking wonderful!
I guess 'employed' is the good news even though being in charge is usually not that rewarding.
Hang in there and keep stitching. I'll keep praying for you and your co-workers. Hard changes to see!
Hope the kitchen re-do goes smooth. It will be lovely!

Lois Arnold said...

Your quilt is looking really good, Julie! You get a lot done! Remodeling is always fun -- when it is finished anyway! Hope you get all the things you dream for in your kitchen and that the layoff does not affect you!

~Joan said...

Lovely work as usual. I will make a plaid quilt someday.

Ali Honey said...

That is one of my favourite quilt patterns ( that I have not yet made )Yours is looking fabulous so far.

You are so good at your jobI am sure other look up to you.

I wish they wouldn't lay off staff in any hospital anywhere.

Anita in Florida said...

Love how your quilt is coming! ....remodeling is always exciting...you'll love it when it is finished.

Merilyn said...

Quilt top progress is looking good!!! The lay-offs don't sound good - we don't have that here, but if a hospital wants to save money, they just don't replace staff who have left/retired etc, they just stop recruiting until the next budget comes in! Makes it tough for the nurse/patient ratio, everyone gets a raw deal, fortunately our nurses' union is strong and they have lobbied for a safe nse/pt ratio, so they look elswhere to cut costs, non-frontline staff positions disappear instead.

Anonymous said...

I'd have ditched counting long ago...I sure like your plaids!! Best wishes.....

Angie said...

Oh Julie, you are such an amazing woman...I wish just watching you whip up all of these luscious quilts could rub off on me, even a tiny bit. LOL I adore the plaids, and mine are still in intact piles...BUT eventually I'll start cutting into them. :) I hate to hear that cuts are coming where you work (or anywhere else, for that matter). These are really scary times for a lot of us. Love and hugs.

Pat said...

When hospitals are having lay-offs, it is very scary. To my way of thinking, the number of sick people hasn't declined, so I believe we need all the healthcare workers and shouldn't be laying any of them off, but....I'm not an administrator and into the "almighty dollar", so what do I know?? *sigh*

Janet O. said...

I'm loving this new plaid quilt. Excellent, as usual. : )
That is tough anticipating layoffs at holiday time.
WooHoo! Love a redone kitchen! I am in my kitchen so much, it is nice to make it a place you love! I'll be pulling for you on those new countertops in the new year!!

Sharon said...

Great quilt in progress. Sorry to hear about the layoffs, I thought people just kept getting sick, regardless of the economy?? Yes, a few upgrades in the kitchen will be fab, I did my shower/tub last week and I Love it!

regan said...

Your quilt is looking great! I love it! And I think we need a pic of your new kitchen! Sounds great!

Donna Keating said...

Love your guest model. I know what you mean be "being in charge" when you'd rather just take care of yourself and your patients. Most jobs that I had ended up that way because I took my work seriously and had a half-way decent head on my shoulders. Hang in there.

Quilter Kathy said...

Same thing at my work. It's just so hard on everyone's nerves to have so many unknowns. Sending positive thoughts for you and your colleagues.

Cheryl said...

Jeez, I thought the healthcare industry was safe.
Love your quilt top!

Elisabeth said...

I like the way your blocks turns out, lockin forward to see how it will be finised.

Elisabeth

Kristie said...

Lay-offs are so hard, we know this first hand. Richard got layed-off Dec 09 and went back to college 3 weeks later. We found out last week that his unemployment is over and he still has 6 months of school before he graduates with a degree in nursing. It is going to be so tough on us right here at the holidays. I'm stressing over how I am going to do Christmas for my kids. I've looked for a job but there is nothing right now, but I'm not giving up.

Oh well...on to quilting....I love your quilt and my goodness girlie, how many plaids do you have??? :) I love them and you always make the prettiest quilts with them.
Kristie

Debi said...

Love the plaid blocks. Sorry to hear about the layoffs, went through that at my job four months ago.

Libby said...

You count seams?!?!?!? I would never finish a quilt if I did that *lol*
Layoffs are never fun. Hopefully they will be true layoffs and folks will be back at work soon.
Enjoy your new kitchen!

Dian said...

Hi, I love this plaid quilt. I have been saving my plaids for the string quilt at the top of your page, but might have to change to this one. Is it from a pattern, or do you just design them?

Elaine Adair said...

Hey, isn't that a second quilt that looks similar to an ealier version? My goodness, it looks so friendly and inviting, I may also have to make MY second plaid quilt.

I GAVE my first one to the Quilt Guild for Silent Auction, and I MISS it. Seeing yours kinda jogged my memory.

Nicky said...

Is Rosie studying the block layout and committing it to memory so she an tell you later if you go wrong?

Jeanne said...

You're making wonderful progress. I love it. I don't know why lay-offs always seem to come before the holidays. Good luck with your kitchen.

Binsa said...

Hello Julie, love the look of your new quilt....good luck with the reno....Rosie is gorgeous...Hugs O'faigh

The Calico Cat said...

For half a second, I said, "That cat looks weird." then I realized its a dog. Head slap (& too many blog catch=up posts in a row.)

Lori said...

That quilt is coming along so nicely! It is going to be fantastic!!

How fun to be getting a "new" kitchen!!

kmcallister said...

Where did you find the pattern for this quilt you are now working on? I just love the look of it.

Linda C said...

Julie, it is a treat to the eyes seeing all your quilts in progress.

Some in one of my quilt groups are doing the Dear Jane and one day I will HAVE to join in. I have had the book and software and even some of the fabrics for years.

Of course, looking at the plaids always make me want to go digging in my box of them. Good inspiration!

Stephanie D said...

Call me cynical, but did they try getting rid of administrative fluff first? Probably not; they never do. I always worry about that Mistake waiting to happen because we nurses are stretched to the max.

Am loving the plaid jewel box!

Lynn Dykstra said...

these are wonderful--I look forward to the completed quilt.
I know exactly what you mean when you want your own patients. I am finishing up teaching a 10 week clinical group and look forward to working on Christmas Day if only for the reason I will have my own and only my own patients.

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...