Saturday, April 27, 2013

Just a Little Update

It's been too long since I've posted to this blog, and a few of you have expressed concern about my silence. It's mostly been a matter of much to do and very little of it is related to quilting. 

So I'll make it perfectly clear. My lack of blogging has not been due to any post-radiation fatigue. Though I was told to expect fatigue one to two weeks after treatments ended, it just never happened! Perhaps that's due to following the radiation oncologist's suggestion to maintain strength by eating lots of protein. Not being much of a meat-eater, I made a concerted effort to begin every day with eggs and sausages. I also happily ate my hubby's wonderful, from scratch, refried beans which I eat like pudding. I guess it worked! Pretty much since April 12, when radiation ended, I've been feeling 100 percent my chipper self, full of energy and resuming usual activities. Oh, and for those who are curious, as an insurance policy against the return of the breast cancer, I'm taking a daily prescription drug for the next five years - Arimidex. Side effects include hot flashes and weight gain, among others. No one would be pleased about those side effects, but it in the big scheme of things, I'm not complaining.

My first happy obligation has been to make a couple blocks for Carla, our April quilter in the Mid-Century Modern Bee. She wants to make her own version of the Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt, so she left it up to us as to whether we wanted to make pieced or appliquéd blocks for her.

I chose appliqué, and designed this six-petaled flower on my Macbook using Pages software.

My favorite hand appliqué method is back-basting needle turn appliqué, because all the prep work is up front. It makes for a completely portable project.
back-basting, viewed from the back
The front, ready to be needle-turned appliquéd.

This flower is on a background of Architextures fabric. 
6" block 
I used YLI silk thread for the hand-appliqué so that's why you can't see any stitches. They practically melt into the fabrics.

This flower is made with Heather Mulder Peterson's Seaside Cottage prints, and one Anna Maria Horner print.
6" block
These went out in the mail this week.

That's not much sewing, but I have definitely have ideas, plans, and a long to-do list. In the meantime, these quilty-related doings are coming up:
  • Representing myself as the instructor for "First Time Quiltmaking" at The Lifelong Learning College open house on Saturday, May 4. During the open house, I'll have a table of quilts and information to promote two series of five-week beginner quilting classes I'll teach in July and September.
  • Making plans for and leading the next Central Florida MQG meeting on Monday, May 6. We're continuing a "Make it Modern," series and at the May meeting we'll focus on modern design.
  • Working on magazine story ideas! I'm pretty excited because I've again been invited to freelance write for American Quilter magazine. That means I come up with story ideas, including photo possibilities; do some preliminary research; and then pitch ideas to the magazine's editor. If the topic meets with the editor's approval, I start delving deeper, interviewing, writing and re-writing. Since I pretty much thrive on everything related to quilting, particularly modern quilting, this opportunity is a no-brainer. I can't wait to pursue the ideas that are keeping me sleepless, from about 3 to 4:30 a.m., every day!
Yep. These days, everything is about appreciating and reveling in life, and digging into the things one loves. Linda

25 comments:

  1. I'm inspired just reading about what you have coming! So happy for you Linda. God is so good. The blocks look so perfect. Can't wait to get them.thanks

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  2. Hi Linda, Glad things are going so well for you regarding your health and general well being. Love the blocks. Never tried applique that way. Very interesting.

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  3. I'm so glad you are feeling 100%! I thought of you as I passed the exit to your place when I headed North. Had a good trip, but traveling with a very elderly lady is exhausting! All of your projects looks like wonderful ways to fill your time. Loving the opportunity to write!! Good for you!

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  4. So glad to hear you are back to your chipper self. It sounds like you got some added energy to me! Your flower blocks are so cute. I believe your technique of back stitching needle turn is the best I've ever seen!! I know it's a lot of extra work, but boy, does it pay. They look perfect.

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  5. Linda, it's wonderful to see that you are back to your bright self! Thrilled for you too with the journalism opportunity.

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  6. Lots to be grateful for! Love the blocks for Carla- so clever and bright! And good luck with the writing- what a wonderful opportunity!

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  7. A happy flower to be sure...makes me think of the '70's and flower children. So good to hear you are doing well!

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  8. Love your blocks, your work is beautiful! And congrats on all the quilty things going on - especially the magazine job. So happy for you. And of course that you're feeling so good.

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  9. It's so good that you are feeling so well! Your block is so nice and colorful. I have never tried that way of appliqueing but I may have to try it!

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  10. Dear Linda I am so happy that things are going so wonderfully for you in all areas of your life. Congrats on all of the new accomplishments I know that you will do so well.Love your appliquéd flowers so bright and cheery.

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  11. Dear Linda I am so happy that things are going so wonderfully for you in all areas of your life. Congrats on all of the new accomplishments I know that you will do so well.Love your appliquéd flowers so bright and cheery.

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  12. Dear Linda I am so happy that things are going so wonderfully for you in all areas of your life. Congrats on all of the new accomplishments I know that you will do so well.Love your appliquéd flowers so bright and cheery.

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  13. Dear Linda I am so happy that things are going so wonderfully for you in all areas of your life. Congrats on all of the new accomplishments I know that you will do so well.Love your appliquéd flowers so bright and cheery.

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  14. So happy to see you back sewing and posting Linda.
    Love the blocks, I've been meaning to try that method of applique. You've inspired me to give it a go.
    Good luck with the writing..
    Julia ♥

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  15. Glad to hear that you are well and haven't slowed down at all! A lot of exciting opportunities ahead for you but do look after yourself!

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  16. So glad to hear all is going so well for you. Must mention your applique! It is just perfect. Perhaps you could write a how-to article on your method.

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  17. Hi Daphne! I wanted to reply to your comment, but you're a noreply commenter. So, thanks for the suggestion to do a tutorial about this back-basting needle turn appliqué. The link to how I learned it is in this post, but I'm always amenable to sharing too.

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  18. So appreciate the update Linda, and glad to hear you are doing so well. To echo another person's comment: Your applique is flawless! I have never seen that method of applique and would like to try it sometime. Best wishes for success at all of the new ventures ahead!

    sheri

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  19. Wonderful to hear that you are back to your usual busy self! Lovely blocks you've made for the Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt. That's also a quilt I'm toying with making myself one day. I must try your back basting applique; another thing for my "to do list". Happy Sunday! xx

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  20. Wow! So much energy and talent! The Green Tea & Sweet Beans quilt blocks are eye candy for this newbie quilter. Next week I'm signed up for a workshop on needle turn appliqué...it will be my first attempt at this technique.

    Also working on making my CFMQG name tag. Found fabric...now for a design. Let me know where to send my dues.--Lynda D.

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  21. Oh! You're so lucky to skip the whole fatigue thing. :D I'm sure your careful eating did help tremendously. Yep - that backbasting is the only way to go for hand applique. :D

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  22. Dear Linda, silly me - I missed the link! Anyway, your work is beautiful. I don't mean to be a non-reply commenter - just noticed I don't have the box ticked. Look after yourself.

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  23. Oh, that is the greatest news. So glad you doing so well.
    I like to use back basting for some applique too. Love those blocks.
    Looks like you are going to be very busy this next month.

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  24. It's good to get an update and I'm happy that you have had no ill effects from your treatment. I love your blocks and recently purchased some of the architextures because they are so interesting. Have fun and take care!

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