Slow and Steady

I am taking things very slow and steady since my surgery. Today I feel so well that I have to remind my self that I just had surgery two weeks ago. You all have overwhelmed me with all your care and well wishes. It is really so special to know that so many of you stopped by to wish me well even though we have never met in person. Thank you all so very much. You have blessed me greatly.
I did finally get up to my sewing room and made one more string block. The other day I went over to Kaaren's blog and read about her sewing time with strings. As I was sitting there sewing I was thinking the same things that Kaaren was thinking. Sewing a string quilt is fun, easy, and stress free. As I sit there at my machine picking out fabrics from the scrap bag I also take a walk down memory lane thinking about what project that piece of fabric was used in last.

Making a string quilt is fast and easy because you don't have to cut your strips if don't want to especially if you have a bigger scrap. Just take a snip with your scissors the width you want and tear. Your string quilt can also be a leader and ender to another quilt that you might be working on at the same time. In no time you will have a block done.
Here is my last international siggie block. I have decided not to do the swap this year and will try to make a quilt with the blocks I do have. It has been fun getting so many blocks from lots of different countries.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

A kind word is like a spring day. ---Russian Proverb

A Statistic

I have become a statistic. One third of women before the age of 60 will have this done. I have joined the club. A week ago I had a hysterectomy. I had it done with something called a DaVinci robot and I am doing very well. So this past week my husband and daughter have been taking very good care of me. A very sweet friend brought over some meals for us which was so kind.

While I am recuperating I have been working on a little bit of applique and some yo yos for a little pillow I want to make. My elbow is stilling bothering me a lot so after my first post op visit when I can drive again I will probably go see the doctor.

I have been doing a lot of TV watching and reading too. Check out the cover of this new book I got. It could definitely be one of those coffee table books. The cover and the inside have the most beautiful photos. It has lots of primitive style projects.
I think I am going to attempt the stairs to my sewing room today and work on my String Quilt Challenge.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Change is inevitable-except from a vending machine. Robert C. Gallagher

ps. this is for Karine P. in Belgium who has no reply. I do not use the pencils. I use crayons when I color my blocks. The color does not run and it will fade if you wash the quilt a lot. Hope this answers your question.

No Strings Attached!

You all are so sweet and understanding about my elbow. Thank you all for your encouraging words. Still hurts a lot. I am being good and bored. I really want to do some hand work. Trying to be patient. How about something fun?

Are you up for a challenge this year? Stephanie is having one on her blog so check out the rules.

Lots have signed up already. You have until January 15 to sign up. The challenge is to use what you have and make a string quilt. I started one last year so I am going to take the challenge and get this UFO done this year.

I know a lot of you are very organized with your scraps but not me. I just throw them in these paper bags under my cutting table. As you can see they are overflowing so I need to get busy.
Instead of using muslin for my foundation I use this really cheap pad of paper that I buy at the dollar store.
I took a class with Bonnie Hunter last year and she has this free pattern for the spider web if you like this one. This is as far as I got so I am ready to take the challenge. Hope you will too. It will be fun.
With Passion,

Carrie P.

Challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth. Tame the dragon and the gift is yours.

Noela Evans
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A Pity Party

Anyone ever have your own "Pity Party?" Well, that is what I have been doing the last couple days because the tendonitis in my elbow has flared up again even though I have been really good to my elbow since I had a shot in it last summer. I am so frustrated and have put all the hand projects away to rest my elbow some. I have switched my mouse to my left hand to help too. So while the elbow rests some I decided to get out some UFOs that I really want to get finished this year.

This first photo is a top that I finished last year. So I made the back and I will be taking it to a longarm quilter tomorrow.
Some of you might remember the Orange Pile Challenge that Pat Sloan had last year. I had made the blocks. I have sewn the blocks together and will work on the border next.
It sure is not the way I want my year to start out but I will just take it easy. I will try to keep up with your blogs but probably will not comment on too many because typing aggravates the elbow too. UGH! I guess I am done being pitiful.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat. ~Author Unknown

Happy New Year!

During the Christmas holiday season I have been working on my first knitting project...
on hand quilting...
on some embroidery...
and a needle punch project.
I wish you all the best for the new year. May your troubles be few, may you keep all your resolutions and may it be a prosperous new year in all ways. Blessings to you all! Thank you for making my first year blogging a very fun one.
With Passion,

Carrie P.

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, who onto man his son hath given. While angels sing a tender mirth, a glad new year to all on earth." Martin Luther

ps. I was asked about the iron on interfacing for the coloring technique I have on my sidebar. I do not preshrink the interfacing. I think if you tried to wash the interfacing before you used it you would lose the ability to iron it to your fabric. I do not know if it is woven or non woven interfacing. I just buy the very lightest weight iron on interfacing I can find. Hope that answers your question.