A lady recently told me, "I don't use "junk" to make my quilts...I buy all new fabric for each and every quilt, and throw away my leftovers!! All this while looking at one of my scrappy quilts...so at first I was sort of put out by her statement...but then I thought, You know? That is what makes all quilts, made by so many makers, lovely and unique. So more power to you, dear lady!! This "junk" just makes me smile!! I think maybe she had not a lot of fabrics to work with when she was younger, so maybe now, she just buys everything new. So the put out feeling that I had just melted away and I was glad that she has her opinion and I am glad I get to have mine too, LOL!!
*****************************Nurse's notes (warning, sad!)**************************
We recently had a patient in the hospital for over a month. First cardiac surgery...then lung failure, then kidney failure, then liver failure, then ischemic bowel, then infections...poor guy!! The only thing that did not fail is his brain!! He was alert and oriented through it all. Really that is a bit strange...most patients fall into coma or just a far off place. Always a attempted smile, always his best effort for everything we asked of him.
His family member drove over 1000 miles through the great ice and snow storm of this January to be with the patient...to quietly sit with him, to support him, to just be near. Afraid to sleep, just in case his Uncle needed something. Stayed night and day...until the sweet patient slipped from this world to the next. He is a true hero to me; this quiet, unassuming young man, whose patience and love was just shiny bright for all to see.
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ON my walk today, the birds suddenly quit chirping and singing...I saw a shadow overhead, and low and behold, a big hawk landed in the tree right in front of me! I did get a picture...I will have to show you when I get it uploaded!! An awesome big bird...who did not get any breakfast just then, 'cause all the little birdies skedaddled!!
Have a great day, all!!!
Julie
21 comments:
I would have been too busy tripping over my jaw asking her if I could please have her "junk" to be put out! But I understand what you mean. Sometimes people feel the need to enforce their opinions, to make themselves feel better. So glad the gentleman had a family member there as he was leaving this world. I am so glad the young man made it there safely in time.
If each and every one of us had someone like your patient had who would be there for us, think of what a different world it would be! How awesome for him to have known the love and care from this devoted nephew before he left this place.
Emily was sitting at her desk the other day and a hawk landed in the tree outside her window. It was so cool to see it sitting there! :0)
You are making masterpieces with your junk!!
Loved the story about your patient... very inspiring as always. So glad you weren't the lunch for the hawk!
I would have asked for her "junk". I think a lot of "new" quilters, do not realize the wonderful creations created with scraps..nor the fact that those junk scraps cost the same as her brand new yardage!
Thank you for sharing both your stories!
Love your attitude! Your little quilt is wonderful.:)
We had a sad weekend at work too. A young 18 in cardiomyopathy due to lupus in critical care. Sigh, so young. I did work on my hexie project at breaks though. I would have said that to keep stuff out of the landfills, I would find homes for her leftovers!
What a snob! I love string quilts! Even if she did not like them, to call them junk was even worse!
That young man is pretty special, I wish I could have been there for my uncle when he passed on.
Did you scribble down your address for her along with $20 to get all that junk??? Lol! Very cute little string thing :)
Glad the patient had company, that is a bright spot in the sad story!
Will look forward to the pic!
'Junk' quilts rock!
I don't understand the lady's comment .... Her fabric is new, she cuts out the pieces for a quilt ... how come she now considers what is left as 'junk', isn't it still new fabric?!?! Maybe she meant she didn't like multi-fabric quilts. If I had to buy all new fabric every time I made a quilt and then throw away what wasn't used I wouldn't be able to afford to quilt! I like the challenge of using up every little piece and getting full value. Luckily there are plenty of us in quiltland that like multi-fabric or scrap quilts :)
To each her own, I guess, but hate to see that old junk thrown out! What a waste. Such a sweet story of your patient.
I would have looked that woman right in the eye and said, "With the price of fabric at nearly $14 a yard, I always get my money's worth. Do you?"
Bless the young man who sat at his uncle's side.
What a sad and wonderful story - thank you so much for sharing it, Julie. Also, I like your "junk" LOL - and I like your attitude!!
Too bad the lady doesn't realize that the scraps she throws away ALSO cost the same as the pieces she cut from them to use in her quilt. We bought or exchanged our scraps that are just as valuable as if they were fresh off the bolt and a lot more interesting! I grew up with scrap quilts, but when I started quilting, I bought fabric for a specific quilt. Now, I'm using all the leftovers from those first quilts! I loved the scrap quilts I grew up with as much as the brand new yardage quilts! And I love the scrap quilts I now make. Your scrap quilts are fabulous, Julie!
You should have asked the lady for her JUNK! lol
Nice that family was able to be with the man in the hospital.
So wonderful to have you come and join us for a little while. It was great seeing you again.
So wonderful to have you come and join us for a little while. It was great seeing you again.
At least that man had someone who cared enough to travel that far, and be with him thru the end.
Junk? If it wasn't for junk, I wouldn't be able to piece quilts!! Bless your patient's heart. I've been there as the niece, having traveled a long distance, sitting for a week...brings tears to my eyes. Can't wait to see your hawk picture.
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