Friday, October 13, 2017

Working, working!

 I have been working at the hospital a ton!  My good friend has open heart surgery, and asked me to be her nurse, so I have been working overtime for her.  She is doing fantastic!!  I felt kind of honored, that she ask me, of all the nurses there...wow!

I did put a border on this little quilt, and I love it!  This is Lori's quilt along...please see here.

http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2017/10/palmateer-point-linky-party.html



You can see everyone's quilts if you click on the link!!




I started something new...a rail fence variation.  I am just playing with strips at this point, and have quite the little mess going on, LOL!!




*************************A Musing**********************************


I pick out quilts to gift to patients, and one for my nurse friend was no exception.  I have given quite a few quilts to patients over the course of time.  As I went over my collection of quilts I have made over the years, I found myself finding it difficult to part with any of them.  Now I frown at myself over this...but..."This one...Oh, I remember it was my first applique!  OH this one!  I loved using all my mom's and my scraps!  Oh this one...I loved that mystery!"  This is absolutely not OK...it is kind of addictive behavior, if I were diagnosing it as a health care professional!  So, I just picked one at random (Carolina Christmas Mystery from Bonnie Hunter) and gave it to her, and she loved it, and I loved giving it to her!  But....


I think I am going to make specific quilt patterns, of not scraps, but planned fabrics, and plan to give them to patients.  My scrappy quilts are big treasures to me, but I think if I plan ahead and use specific fabrics, maybe the patients will like them better and I will not be so attached to them (because they are not scraps!)  Has my cheese slid completely from my cracker?  Hee!!

On the other hand, when I pass on, all these will probably be sold in a garage sale!  Now there is a slap of reality for ya!




Any thoughts???



Hugs!!

Julie

24 comments:

Nancy said...

Julie, on advantage to planning quilts to give away that are not made of scraps: you'll end up with more scraps! You are so generous to make and give away your quilts. I know the people who receive them love them and remember you fondly when they use them.

Libby in TN said...

I'm with you, Julie, all the way. I've been giving away quilts recently and I go through the same process. There's no way I can use all the quilts I've made and I'm sure my children don't want to deal with them, so I am thoughtfully gifting some of the nicer ones (that I've not yet slept under) to people who have made a difference in my life.

Leeanne said...

Oh the problems we have parting with our quilts. I have found for me personally when i just randomly give a quilt with no real thought it ends up like I've given myself a gift by releasing that quilt! Funny aye! Happy times creating and giving with your heart and hands ....kiwi hugs xx

Quilting Babcia said...

I know the feeling, and I think it helps if we have a planned recipient for each quilt when we start. At least for me, there is more love put into the gifted quilt when I'm thinking about the recipient as it's being stitched. It is hard not to be possessive of our creations when we've put heart and soul into them with every stitch. Kind of like giving up your first-born and all who come after.

GO STARS! said...

I have a cabinet, stair bannister, and closet full of quilts. Each means so much and I should use, sell, or giveaway at least some of them but I don’t. I’ve been trying to talk myself into it but find it hard so I just keep making and stacking and enjoying the process of playing with the Fabric and pattern.

Sherrill said...

I've said it a LOT on my blog that I'm trying to destash by donating to the church quilt group and making quilts that will go to charity but I do admit there are still some that I don't want to let go. I know my kids don't give a rip about them so I'd rather get rid of them now than have them go for $5 or 10 at a garage sale.

Goofin' Off Around the Block said...

We have so many quilters in my family, I would never have the room to keep what I finish plus what I am gifted. I almost always have someone or an organization in mind when I make quilts to gift. There is a joy and satisfaction in giving one away. Everyone is different, so follow your heart. Happy sewing!

WoolenSails said...

I think it is wonderful that you are making quilts for the patients and that you are comforting your patients as a nurse and with your quilts.

Debbie

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Perfect borders for your quilt. I love the green inner border color!

I have stacks of quilts around my house. While I do have a few quilts I am not ready to give up, I enjoy releasing my quilts out into the "wild" to bring warmth and comfort to others.

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie interesting post,also love your little quilt xx

Vic in NH said...

Love the new fresh beginnings on that rail fence! Those flying scrappy geese are more than amazing!

Little Penpen said...

LOL I can imagine the dilemma of deciding which quilt to give away. I dream of being someone who has a stack of quilts and when someone likes one, to be able to say 'take it'. It'll never happen, I'm sure. Sweet that you are working OT to help your friend.

Tired Teacher said...

I find it hard to part with the QOV that I make, but it warms my heart to know they will be loved by the recipients.

Linda C said...

Quilts are a legacy. I love to give away quilts to unsuspecting friends and family. The expressions on the faces of their faces are priceless...many times as I start a quilt I know who it is going to and sometimes mid-quilt there is a change of plans. Then sometimes I haven't a clue who it is for and I get to enjoy it for a while before it goes to it's new owner...no matter who gets the quilt the prayers that are sewn into it are worth every stitch...

moosecraft said...

I think that caregivers always feel guilty when they have a thought for themselves... don't be afraid to keep your favorites (which usually have memories of a certain time in your life). You've got a great solution too... about making quilts with giving them away in mind! :-)

Janet O. said...

If I was having surgery in your hospital, I'd request you, too!
I don't see anything wrong with having some favorite quilts you choose not to disperse yet. You are so generous with your quilts anyway. Seems to me you are well within your rights to keep some that make you happy, or have special meaning.
Your Palmateer Point looks very sweet with that border.

Barb said...

Oh, what a wonderful thing you do....love the quilt

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Beautiful quilt and you are so caring and generous too! Life will have its rewards!

Kyle said...

Sounds like a wonderful plan. I liked Nancy's thought that you'd be creating more scraps. Your heart is so full of kindness.

KaHolly said...

You have such a caring nature and this post is so inspiring to me! Hopefully, families will see the beauty and feel the love and your quilts will continue to keep someone snuggle warm and feeling safe!

Robin said...

When I sit down to quilt a top I consider who might like that quilt and maybe it will be me. The quilts seem to tell me who they want to be with. I am working on a scrap quilt right now that I originally started to donate to a center and then I decided to give it to my cousin. By the time I finished the top I knew it should go to a particular grandson who has a birthday next month. I had a really hard time giving up one of my scrap quilts to a nephew who was getting married. It had so many memorable scraps but I bit the bullet and gifted it away. I later found out that the couple was very pleased and used it as a picnic blanket in their little apartment in front of the TV. Aren't we lucky to be able to love our craft and share that joy with someone else? Twice Blessed. . . . .

Wendy Caton Reed said...

It is difficult at times to "let go". And you are so right in that it is even more difficult to let go of the ones that tug on our heartstrings. I applaud you and any quilter who can let go to those who are in need (or maybe just in want) of a gift from the heart. Thanks for this great post.

Sharon said...

My friend makes the pattern Blooming Pineapples from Bonnie Hunter on her freebie section. Pick a color and go for it. Then all the bonus 1/2 sq tri's she gets from this pattern she pieces together into smaller lap quilts. Win win, she gives them all away and at the same time, uses up her "less favorite" fabrics because this scrappy pattern is one color and cream or white. Easy piecing, easy cutting, easy construction, and easy to give away.

Quilter Kathy said...

I know exactly how you feel! I have to work hard to not get attached right from the beginning, or dislike the quilt
in order to be able to be separated from it!!

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...