Loss

Ernest, my husband of fifty-five years passed away February 23rd, 2020.  I've been very sad, and I still expect to see him at unexpected times, or forget that I don't need to be quiet so as not to wake him.  My only regret is that I wasn't kinder at all times and that I didn't do more for him.  It's true that we never regret our kindnesses, just our shortcomings.  I was pretty much housebound for the past few years, so being quarantined for the past few weeks hasn't been as hard for me as it is for many others, it's giving me a chance to grieve quietly and lick my wounds.  I'd like to share a few pictures.

One of my favorite pictures.

Being Silly

His Personality, Happy and Friendly

Just because

A more recent picture 2 years ago.

I haven't felt like blogging, or doing much of anything, but I have done some sewing before and after he passed away.  I had obligations and sometimes it just takes my mind off of things for awhile.  These first ones are ones that I had already finished.

A quilt for my grandson's kind but injured friend.

 

For my niece's step-daughter, who had worn out the previous quilt that I had made for her.

A small wall hanging

These are quilts that I had started for baby showers, and birthdays.

Birthday gift for my new son-in-law.

Baby quilt for a friend's grandbaby.

Baby quilt for my son-in-laws grandbaby, who will be born in a month or so.

I wanted to make myself a comfort quilt from my husband's shirts and pajamas, so I made one, but it was too large for my chair.  I use it on the bed and made a smaller one for my chair.

The larger one, back and front.

 

The smaller one.  My husband was an avid New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and especially, Boston Red Sox fan.

I don't know if it's completely healthy, but I know that it makes me feel better to be in my cocoon that I've made for myself and cover up with my comfort quilt.

I've also been making various styles of masks, but haven't found one that is simple to make and comfortable to wear.  I ordered patterns from Martelli, and am hoping that they will be the answer.  https://www.martellinotions.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MFM-03    https://www.martellinotions.com/adult-face-mask.html   They have videos and the templates look like they will greatly reduce cut out time.  I'm anxious for them to get here.

My daughter and I both like bees (not real and close enough to sting) and I had some panels. so I'm making us wall hangings,  Mine is the one on the left, and if it doesn't look good on my wall, I figure it can always be a baby quilt.  https://www.joann.com/novelty-cotton-fabric-bees-on-black/17183302.html#q=black%2Bbee&start=1 
This will be an additional 2" border, and this will be the back.  Fleece.  https://www.joann.com/blizzard-fleece-fabric-happy-bee-on-yellow/16494213.html#q=bee%2Bfleece&start=1

I hope that we all weather this trying time, and I'm grateful that I had 55 years with my husband.  I'm sad, but I know that I will be with him soon, and I'm trying to get myself to a better place to be able to return to my Heavenly Father.  I have some work to do, and hope to be with my husband for eternity.

It's Been Awhile

I thought that I was going to put all these pictures in some sort of order, but I'm not that good.  As usual, a hodge podge.  These are dog collars that my niece requested.  She has 3 dogs, so they will be looking really cute.

I thought that it would be even cuter if she coordinated, so I made her a matching reversible tote.  I was having some sewing machine issues, but I have them corrected now.  Knock on wood, I don't want to tempt fate.

She had asked about a blue king sized quilt a few years ago, and since she is the niece who gave me a wonderful dog (which I had to give back after a year or so, due to my husband's health issues), I finally got around to it.  I already had some blue Slab blocks, so I added more framed them and sashed them and with a border, got them to king sized.

Basting was an adventure too, but it is so heavy that I was able to just drape it on the table and go for it.  

And, on to quilting, lots of smushing and mushing, but I was able to accomplish my usual mediocre meandering.

Now it's a quilt, mailed and she received it yesterday.  She should be taking a picture on her bed, probably today, I'm anxious to see it and will add it to my blog.

We have a vet friend who has been very good to us, and so I decided to make him a quilt.  Unfortunately, I messed it up a bit, and haven't decided if I should go ahead and give it to him with apologies.  It started out with wonky stars from Darlene Michaud's youtube channel tutorial.

My daughter got an amazing deal on a table and 6 chairs on Marketplace, and I made her these placemats.  I had 2 in a red border already, the same red as the center of these, and so I added 2 that size, and 1 smaller one to use in the center of the table.

One of my grandson's dog got very ill and had to have surgery.  He got some amazing financial help from a friend, so I made her this quilt as a thank you.  It is also from Darlene Michaud's youtube channel tutorial.

My little chubby toy Australian Shepherd got groomed a couple of days ago and at least to my eyes she looks so cute that I had to add her.

A couple of potholders from a Sewcanshe tutorial.  I really like them.

I watched a youtube tutorial on this Swoon pattern bag and decided to make with and add additional pockets.  The tutorial was by Lauren Mormino.

More dog bandannas.

I made 30 something pillowcases for Christmas presents.

And, a lot of aprons, I think about 13 or 14.  They were also from a tutorial, but my mind is a blank right now.

Then there were grocery bags, and again, an excessive amount.  I think I made at least 8.  these, plus 3 butterfly ones for my daughter.  Again, a blank mind on the tutorial.  I'll add the info when I think of it.

For mine and my daughters 3 each grocery bags, I also made pouches to carry them  I put the little strap on and my thought is a carabiner clamp to attach the pouch to the grocery cart handle.

This fabric that I made all but one from was the valances in my brothers brand new double wide.  He didn't care for them, but it's nice sturdy material.

And last that I can think of, one of my granddaughters moved into her own little place and asked if I'd make her a couple of curtains.  They are cuter in person, teapot duck fabric from Walmart.  

I almost forgot, my youngest grandson's baby quilt.  He has 2 older brothers and so he also got the Marvel theme so that the bedroom coordinates.  The blocks were from a shop hop I went on a couple or 3 years ago.  I haven't been on one in a long time, my husband is too ill to go with me, or to be left at home alone for that long.