Yes! A finish!

I must admit I have not felt really comfortable with not having a single finish this month……..
Well - what else to do than to get at it ??

The meshwork piece I had from summer 2008, when I attended a one day workshop at Ildri's, taught by Mia from Sweden.
I did not have any fabrics or any tools with me then, as the workshop  was an out of the blue happening when I was on vacation.
I bought some fabrics there, as well as some tools.
I remember the day with great joy!

Several hours later today, as I have never worked with plastic before, here is the result:

A pouch for my travel documents or maybe for carrying my hand work :-)

I can see some room for variations and improvements on this pouch.
It is good to have some creative juices flowing again :-)

Hanne

Filling up with Vitamin Q

A trip to Lappemakeriet is like an injection of Vitamin Q.
Tuesday is my favourite day to go there, as then I can meet sisters in quilting at Kaffelappen (Coffee patch)   :-)

 

This is Trine's new quilt in the Norwegian quilt magazine Quiltemagasinet.
It is gorgeous!

The little saying in the restroom is so cute :-)
I think I have to look for that pattern.

 

Sigrun is making lovely scrappy Dresden Plates.

 
Some retail therapy :-)
The ear rings says Litt Engel = A touch of angel  ~  nearly

 
DD2 and I had a decadent and lovely lunch yesterday :-)
A hot meal first, and coffee and cake as dessert.

I have been watching reruns of the show Herskapelig on TV - historic buildings in Norway.
See - I spot a hexagon quilt on the bed!
Sølnes Gård in Møre og Romsdal - the region up on the west coast where I have my family.
The quilt history in Norway is not rich, as Norway was a very poor country up to after WW2 and textiles went into rag rugs and not quilts.
Since I watch the reruns on web TV I could freeze the film and take a photo.
It made my day - I love old quilts :-)

Have I been sewing much - no
Will I meet the goal I announced on Monday - no
Will I have any finishes this month - no
Does it really matter - no
Have I had a good time anyway - Yes!

I am enjoying hand sewing and it is health and healing in every stitch :-)

3 stars done and 4 grab and go kits done :-)

See this lovely carry box I got as a gift from my friend Bente!
I can keep my blocks without folding them :-)

10 star blocks done, 14 to go :-)

A good saying:

A smile is a window on your face to show your heart is at home.

Hanne

This week's focus projects

7 star blocks for my BOM and 10 Log Cabin blocks for a care quilt are on my focus list this week.
Hand sewing and machine sewing - should give me something to change between.
I am not sure if I can deliver, but if I do not try I will not know :-)

Hanne

Many small healing stitches

The last block for Svennebrevet BOM, finished on Saturday!

The top was finished yesterday, and today I have brought it to Merete for long arm quilting, along with this quilt.

My shoulders do not like big movements right now, but I would love to have both quilts done to enjoy, so Merete is the right person for the job :-)

Some days I am so tired I can not get anything done and other days it is nice to do a thread or more.
Healing is a long term project ! I am aiming at healing, one stitch and day at a time.
I am so happy I have quilting, fabrics and friends to keep me on my wings. Hugs to you all (((( ))))

This is another BOM from Lappemakeriet, 8 Leaf Rose, Anne's Choice (Antique).
All in all 24 blocks, and with the one I just finished I have 7 down and 17 to go.
I have already ordered long arm quilting for it in May :-)

Here are the next 3 blocks, 2 of them partly done.

If you think I am "addicted" to Lappemakeriet's BOMs, you are soooo right :-)
I have 4 of 4 - 1 completely done, 1 lacking machine quilting and binding, 1 on my sewing table and 1 still in packages.
I absolutely love their kits !

Hanne

Thursday update

We did not have any family photos on the walls  when I grew up, but I have, and these two, new to my home, are definitively going up on the wall :-)

To the left is yours truly, 4 years old, on vacation at my favourite aunt's, up on the west coast.
I still love raspberries very much, like I did back then.
You can see I had a great time picking them :-)
The photo was in the local newspaper that summer.

To the right is my handsome grandfather, around  18-20 years old.
He was born in 1910, hundred years ago.
It is now 24 years since he passed away.
I have many great memories about my grandfather - I love him dearly!
He was a rock in my life, not by many words but by the way he was.
There was always a bed in my grandfather's house for me.

I had my Christmas DJ back from Merete yesterday, and it looks gorgeous !!!

Just look at this beautiful machine quilting :-)

I finished 2 more blocks for my Svennebrevet BOM today - 1 more to go.

The sashing fabric and the border fabric have been washed, and is ready to use as soon as the last block is done.

My goal is to have the top done on Saturday :-)

Hanne

Focus projects - let the week begin!

By setting my goals not to high, I am aiming for success :-)
8 blocks for 2 BOMs in 7 days - I think I can do that !!
All but 1 block are hand work and go well with the Olympics on TV and other things going on.

Hehe - the furball tested herself as an Olympic commentator, but prefers to watch the birds through the living room window, making funny noices.

The furball is leading by example, and I am planning to chill out like her every day this week. Maybe not with the same amount of stretching and grace, but anyway.
I am very tired after the last days events.

Olympics on TV, hand sewing, a lot of hot tea and rest - life is good and strength will come back!

Have a good Monday all of you!

Hanne

Let the healing begin !

Through this past week it has been busy and emotionally draining.
One good thing though - sorting through all my late mother's papers I got confirmed that it has been so very right to protect myself and my family from her substance abuse, which lasted to the end.
Now we have to wait for 2 months to know how my late mother's financial situation is. The papers are sent to court and now we can do nothing but wait and start the healing process.

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

Today is Mother's Day here in Norway,
and my girls gave me these lovely gifts.

I love you both, and I am so proud to be your mother !!

We will be celebrating DH's mother later today :-)

Today is also Valentines Day

I absolutely love tulips. They bring tidings of spring and longer days.

We also celebrate Fastelavn, the last Sunday before Lent.
Traditionally we eat wheat buns with cream.
We have baked some with raisins, which is our favourite :-)

I have also picked up thread and needle, and I must say I feel blessed being able to create and enjoy both the sight and the feel of fabrics.
The last 3 blocks for Svennebrevet are under construction.

Button hole stitches to be done.

16 petal Dresden Plate in the making.

Foundation paper piecing. Done today ?
Never underestimate some retail therapy ;-)
Goodies from Lappemakeriet to the left and Trådsnella - my local hobby shop to the right - including the Tilda angel kit.

The same goes for inspiration therapy and Vitamin Q at Lappemakeriet :-)

 
Some models from Trine's new book:

Sjømann - seaman - the latest BOM at Lappemakeriet

The Gardener variation of the same BOM

Anne's new class model. It is gorgeous !!

Happy Valentines Day to all!

Hanne

Angel wings

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet
when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

You have all been my angels this past week, and I can not find the right words to tell you how grateful I am about that!
Thank you ever so much - and consider yourself hugged (((( ))))

I have felt so much love and friendship from friends near and far, and it has really eased a terrible and very hard week.

Now we can not do much more about my mother's estate or anything else, and I have sent in papers to the court so we can know about her financial state.
So now we have to wait about 8 weeks until we can clear and clean her home for sale or not, depending on whether the family or someone else are the rightful owners of her belongings.

Hanne

Melancholy

My mother died in her sleep today, 70 years old.

I wish things could have been different,
and that she would have chosen her grandkids and family,
instead of alcohol and pills,
many years ago,
when she had the chance.

I am glad I  had the strength to be strong for my girls,
and that they have not had to live through the hell with alcoholism and drug abuse!

I have often missed you and the relationship we could have had !
Rest in peace mum.

Salg på Trådsnella i dag

 

I dag, 4 februar, gir Trådsnella, Lørenskog,  50 % avslag  på alle quiltestoffer!

Butikken har åpent til kl. 19.

Today my local hobby shop Trådsnella gives 50 % off all quilting fabrics.

Monday again

Mondays are nice - like white paper and new crayons, ready to be used !
I like weekends too, just in case you think I don't :-)

Today the sun has been shining bright, and even if it is very cold outside, -17 C, it brings promises of spring.
The beloved furball has been sunbathing in her favourite cardboard box and chasing her tail like mad.
Maybe cats are not as smart as one thinks  ;-)

I am done with all the previous focus projects, so today I have picked new projects to focus on for the next 2 weeks:

 
My Gail Pan BOM - I am done with the stitcheries for January and February, but have to do the piecing for both.
Stitchery is so nice to do - and I can keep my left shoulder calm.

The three last blocks for Svennebrevet.

I have 18 more of these blocks to do for this quilt.
Did  I mention they are hand pieced ? :-))
Another BOM from Lappemakeriet!

These blocks are from "the stone ages" and will be turned into a care quilt very soon!

Hanne