Creating Art with the Older Granddaughters

Miss J's elephant first session . . .lines

Goal number nine on my October list was to document the art that my two older granddaughters created. For a number of years, I've participated in a free online course called Sketchbook Revival that spans a few works with two classes released each day. Classes can use acrylic paints, color pencils, crayons, watercolors, pens, inks, pencils as materials. Participants may draw, paint, collage any combination of all! Each video presentation is between 30 and 60 minutes. 

Miss K's turtle first session

Miss K and Miss J came for an overnight the weekend before my surgery. The online course was in full swing so we watched and participated in three lessons. They brought their art kits which contain watercolor paper and watercolor paint. 

My horse first session--pencil, color pencils

Carla Sonheim led the first session of drawing some lines on the paper with a pencil and then turning the lines into something. I like her approach. We all had different animals at the end! We were all surprised that we were able to draw "something" recognizable. Most important, we had fun!

The set-up

The second presentation was about using different art supplies to be inspired which Janine Vangool led. We all liked how Janine gave us a variety of examples of how to incorporate various supplies into her work. We stuck with what we had before us. 

We painted colors of emotion for the second presentation

In the third  presentation, we watercolored some flowers with Tamara LaPorte. Tamara is one of my favorite presenters. I always learn so much from her. Again, our work was similar, it was also different from each other. Miss J is so fast with her movements. Miss K takes more time. She said she liked darker/bolder colors. I was trying to practice the blending. Again, we had fun. 

Watercolor poppies 

The girls are coming over for an overnight this weekend so we will be making more art. I'm not sure how much I'll physically be able to participate as I am still in the early stages of healing!

The Youngest Granddaughter and Youngest Daughter

Playing spools with Mama

 Miss A had so much fun with the empty thread spools. She showed them to her mama. Mama played with them in a way different than what Miss A and I had. This is so like my daughter. . .always outside the box with her thinking!

Sampling a blueberry smoothie

Miss A and I spent a lot of our time together cooking. We made a couple of blueberry smoothies with the Magic Bullet. She liked layering the ingredients into the container. When we turned on the machine to mix, her eyes grew so big. Immediately, she was intrigued with the noise as well as the color change of her drink! When it was time to drink it, she preferred drinking it with a straw. She left nothing behind!

Dressed for baking bread

We made some sourdough focaccia bread. This process made me laugh as the dough to Miss A looked like play dough. I showed her how to knead the dough. I gave her a chunk of dough for her to "massage" or knead. She picked it up and slapped it on the bread board. She said, "Not working." She repeated the process and this time said not play dough. I explained it was bread dough. I took a bite of the dough and she was aghast. When I encouraged her to taste it, she wouldn't. I don't think she ever realized the dough we put to rise was the bread we ate for dinner!

Salad making

We made salads. She loved using the spinner. She was awed by the water that was left behind in the spinner. She also loved pushing the top as fast as she could so she could see the bowl spin around fast!!

She also liked tearing the lettuce. Although, there were a number of times that a leaf went in with a twist; but, no tear! Mixing the ingredients together was her favorite part of the process. There were times when she helped herself to a cucumber and or carrot chunk!

Helping Papa in the garden

She had a great time helping my husband outside. I chuckled over her imitating his actions in the rose garden as he pruned spent blooms and placed the discards in his bucket. Of course, she had to have her own bucket. She watched his actions carefully. Then she went to a plant, picked up a few leaves from the ground; which she put in her bucket. Then she moved to the next plant at the same time as he did! She was careful to avoid the thorns on the plant.

Riding the "horse"

She also had a great time convincing her Papa to get down on his hands and knees so she could ride him like a horse. I laughed as she mounted backwards! She giggled the whole time. Her giggles grew louder when she hit the ground. She never did mount a different way!

"Shopping" at Starbucks

She loved hanging out with her cousins. Miss A and her oldest cousin, Miss K,  played human burrito with each other. Unfortunately, I have no photos of this activity. The two of them laughed and laughed as they rolled each other up in a lap quilt!

Enjoying her drink

The two also spent some time at Starbucks. Miss K is all about shopping. Of course, Miss A decided she was a shopper too. Although, enjoying her drink was the best part of the visit.

Being a "star" in the pool

She and Papa also spent some time in the pool. He was able to get Miss A to float on her back as still as a star in the sky for about seven seconds! For this busy gal, seven seconds fells like a lifetime!

Documenting my first spin cycle ride

Her mama and I took a cycle class. My daughter loves to spin/cycle. It was my first time to cycle. I was concerned that my knee wouldn't hold up to the movement. My daughter helped me clip in to the bike after the instructor had given me some pointers about how to use the bike and how the class was organized. When the instructor asked if I had any injuries, her eyes grew larger with each of my admissions. I said, I most likely would spend most of my time sitting. Sitting was not comfortable for my backside!! It was a fun class. My knee didn't like standing so I didn't do that often. This activity is one I'd like to do when my left knee is up to the task. It was special to be able to share this experience with my daughter.

Documenting a few more activities with Miss A was goal number ten on my October list. I am feeling better after my knee replacement surgery; but, I'm still not able to sit for handwork. I hope that I can stitch on a hand project next week.

Knee Update--Not Quilting Related

Upper left and right: Bruising after October surgery
Lower left and right: Bruising after April surgery

WARNING: This is a non quilting post. I'm documenting my knee progress.

When I last reported about my right knee May 1; I was planning a two week break from PT because I wasn't making any improvements on my flexibility or extension. I still had the thigh pain from the quadriceps tear and the pain from the Achilles Tendonitis. My range of motion (ROM) was about 115 degrees for flexion and 3 degrees for extension.

The first week, I worked on the exercises on my own. I continued to ice my knee, heel and thigh at least three times during the day. At the beginning of the second week, I came down with COVID. Other than going to the bathroom, I was most comfortable laying in bed. About day six I could sort of sit up. I restarted my PT exercises on day 10. Day 12, I tested negative for COVID. Fatigue and a cough remained at day 13. 

Upper: Swelling after October surgery
Lower: Swelling after April surger

So for ten days, the closest I came to PT exercises were a few stretches and flexions while I laid in bed. It was like starting over with the quadriceps muscle exercises. I sure wish the muscles would remember like the brain does!

Laying around did have benefits because the swelling in both of my legs reduced. The pain in my Achilles  also lessened. July was when I came down with COVID. It was mid August before I started feeling like me again.  

In August, I went to a podiatrist because of the heel pain in my right foot. Turns out, I have two bone spurs. One on the outside of my heel which could be removed in an "in" office procedure, The other is at the bottom of the heel. This one would have to removed by going through my Achilles tendon. . .ugh. . .!!!!

The leg wrap that worked in April

I lived with that pain because October 1, I had my left knee joint replaced. The surgeon reported to my husband that this surgery went as well as the first. One would think that the same surgery would bring similar experiences. The short answer is yes and no!

First, I've had a lot of nausea this go around. Last time I had none. Second, I have little numbness around the knee. I still have a large area that is numb on my right knee. Third, the NICE ice machine isn't the winner it was last time. It is uncomfortable to use. I think having more of my nerves intact is a factor. I also have more bruising under the bend in my knee that I didn't have last time.

As an aside, the colors again are amazing. Perhaps, these will become the inspiration for a future quilt!

Fourth, I'm more comfortable sitting in my chair or laying in bed than I am laying on the couch with my leg elevated. It actually is uncomfortable to elevate my leg. Fifth, I have more range of motion at this point than I did last time. Sixth, my pain level is about the same. This time, I've taken one oxycontin dose. Last time, I took one and a half oxycontin doses. Seventh, swelling and bruising feels and looks similar. This time, I've been able to wear the support stockings as prescribed. I wasn't able to wear them last time because the stockings rolled down, caused a rash and bruising.

Penne pasta in a wine and sun dried tomato sauce with 
broccoli and pecorino cheese

This time before surgery, I got to have an echocardiogram because I had too much swelling on my pre-op appointment. The echo showed that while I had been diagnosed with a congenital heart murmur about 20 years ago, this echo showed I had none. Improvements in technology was the reason given for the false murmur diagnosis

The test did show that my left atrium was a bit dilated as was my right ventricle. So, while surgery went ahead as scheduled, the consensus of the surgeon and pre-op team was that I would be spending the night. I asked to reevaluate because I wanted to go home same day.

Me with my husband--the best care taker ever

On surgery day, my prep went well. We had a CNA, Alex, who gave us a great tutorial on how to get the support stockings on my body without so much pinching! 

Again, the surgeon said I'd be staying the night and I asked if we could re-evaluate after surgery. He wasn't excited about my request; but, he agreed.

Surgery went well as well as it did the first time. My heart performed "normally." I was again on the list to go home same day! 

I've had two PT sessions. Embracing PT was goal number three on my October list. The therapist spent our time reducing my leg swelling. Tomorrow, I have another PT session. We're going to work on stretching my thigh muscles. He did see how much range of motion I have in my right leg. . .122 degrees! (My goal was to get to 120 degrees.) I'm not at zero yet on the extension on the right leg; but, I'm working on it. It pays to keep doing the exercises!

The therapist was impressed with my progress. I imagine many people don't follow through and are back with the same issues. Thursday, I have an appointment with my primary care doctor for his opinion about my echo results. I imagine that I'll be seeing a cardiologist. Perhaps, having COVID a few months ago is a factor. Perhaps, having this surgery uncovered an issue. We shall see.

My husband has been by my side the entire time. My in town daughter sent us a casserole Sunday which was good; but, delicious the second day. It was nice for my husband to have a break cooking! I wouldn't be able to advance as much as I have without him!

I haven't been able to sew. . .even hand stitch yet. . .maybe in the next day or two. So far, I have been able to report today is a better day than yesterday. All is good!!

Pieced Back for the Guild Challenge Quilt

Two extra blocks

I volunteered to piece a back for the guild challenge quilt. I shared our first get together in this post. Since that post we've gathered five more times. (Piecing the back was goal number five on my October list.)

I've enjoyed working with the committee members. Every meeting was fun and each person picked up a part of the project and got it done! There was lots of discussion about how to accomplish a task and there was lots of support!

Two more extra blocks

I was given a huge bag of donated musical fabric prints to make the back along with nine blocks that we couldn't fit on the front. As a committee, we decided at our first meeting that if we had leftover blocks, we would use them on the back. 

Another block

All nine blocks were stitched by the same person. She made a lot of blocks. At least two blocks she made are on the front of the quilt! Among the fabrics, was a panel which related to the blocks so that was where I began. I auditioned the extra blocks around the panel and decided I liked the arrangement of four on the top and five on the bottom of the panel the best.

Auditioning fabrics and blocks with the panel

I used some black fabric from my stash to sash the blocks. I made the blocks the same width as the panel. My favorite fabric was the black fabric at the bottom of the above photo. The top of the fabric had a small version of piano keys; the bottom of the fabric had a larger version of piano keys with white musical notes on a black background in between the two. The date on the selvage was 1995! It had aged long enough!

View of the top of the back

I added the white musical notes on the black background to panel. Then I pieced the violin, trumpet and saxophone fabric to the top edge. I split the other yardage of musical instruments on a black background in half. I did have to piece each side. I was able to use a leftover of the violin fabric adding a black strip for one side. For the other side, there was a fat quarter of the same fabric in the materials. I used that! I did not use that black and white fabric in the photo. It might end up as a sleeve though! The back measures about 90 inches wide by 98 inches long. 

Finished back

If the sides need to be trimmed, that can happen. If the length needs to be trimmed, it can be trimmed from the top so we can preserve those piano keys at the bottom. I like how it turned out. I've had a favorable response from the committee members which was a great sign!

Our label courtesy of Su S

Our group has finished piecing the top. A guild member has donated the batting. A wonderful longarm quilter has agreed to donate her time/expertise and thread to quilt it. The tasks of creating the binding, label, sleeve and bag have been divided among the members. The label is finished. Su S created it on her computer. Using a lightbox and fabric pen, she inked the label. Once finished, she heat set it. I'll share the finished quilt once it has been revealed to the membership next April.

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday; Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

September Recap and October Goals

Some of the leftover challenge blocks

 My September goals were:

✔1. Piece the Quilt of Valor blocks that I made last month into a top.

✔2. Press Indigo Way and remove all the threads from the 
back of the quilt. Get it, the back and the batting to the quilter.

2024 Temperature Quilt

✔3. Keep up piecing the blocks for the 2024 temperature quilt.

✔4. Continue quilting Transparency.

✔5. Continue working on the challenge blocks.

6. Work on the September Embroidery Software class.

✔7. Stitch the selvage squares in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. 

✔8. Begin to embroider the legend of Rita's 
temperature quilt.

9. Sew with Miss K should she be available.

✔10. Play with the youngest granddaughter. . .she arrived August 31 and will be visiting for two weeks!

These scraps are a new project

Last month, I had a number of starts to work on the embroidery software class. Each time, I was distracted. I made no progress. My updated plan is to make progress in October! 

Miss K visited; but, we didn't quilt. She came with her younger sister and we completed a few art classes instead. I'll document those this month too! I've decided that I'll finish quilting her quilt so that she can enjoy it.

All in all, I had a great month.

My October goals are:

1. Cut the fabrics for the 2024 temperature quilt. Piece blocks if possible.

2. Embroider the legend of Rita's temperature quilt.

3. Embrace PT for my left knee--joint replacement surgery is October 1. . .today! 

4. Begin a mini handwork project using scraps.

5. Document the making of the back of the guild challenge quilt.

Creating through an online art class

6. Document the latest sourdough recipes.

7. Catch up with the August bonus lesson and the September and October embroidery software lessons.

8. Document the art classes I did through the 2024 Sketchbook Revival online course.

9. Document the art classes I did with my school age granddaughters.

10. Document the last few days of play with my youngest granddaughter.

11. Select fabrics for the Rainbow Scrap challenge. The color is brown.

Linking to Carole at To Do Tuesday.

Transparency--Finished---Post 8

Transparency is FINISHED. . .binding, sleeve and label are attached. I like the zing of the bright green binding. It electrifies the project and says HAPPY! Hey, I'm happy with the finish. It is smoking because I finished it this morning!

Label

The label came from Kerr and Wingle. The format was part of the final clue. I placed a printed version of the format on my light box and traced around the graphic parts that related to the mystery. I added my pertinent information to the right side of the label. I used fabric marking pens like micron to ink the areas.

Quilting on the back 

I like the texture of the circle quilting. I don't know that I'll do that again as it was boring to keep making the same shape over and over. It took time too! I do like the pieced back. It is like a quilt in itself so I suppose this could be a two sided quilt!

View of the back

It took me about 80 hours to complete this project. I used about eight yards of fabric from my stash to complete it. This brings my total for the year to 0 yards as I have purchased 28 yards of fabric since my no shopping ban! I do have two quilts at the quilter so in time, I'll be able to report more usage in time. Although, I anticipate purchases in my future for three upcoming projects!! It is my fifth finish for the year.

Finished front

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday, Frédérique at Quilting and Patchwork and Cynthia at Oh Scrap!

Transparency Quilted--post 7

Yesterday, I spent the day blocking Transparency. I finished the all over quilting pattern on Tuesday. I like the texture the quilting provided. I like that the pattern is the focal point of the project. While the quilt dried, I cut leftover backing fabric for the sleeve and for the binding. I made a label. Last night, I trimmed it. I'll attach the binding, label and sleeve next time I have a few free hours.

Blocking Transparency

 

#3 Quilt of Valor is a Top!--post 2

Stitching blocks into rows

Goal number one on my September list was to piece the Quilt of Valor blocks I had made last month into a top. I did! This is a pattern that is available on Alycia's of the Quilty Girl blog Etsy site. It didn't take too long to stitch the blocks into rows and then join the rows into the top.

I had no stitching errors. . .meaning I didn't turn a block a way that wasn't listed in the pattern! I delighted in sewing the victory lap. This is when I stitch an 1/8 inch around the perimeter of the quilt so that when the project is quilted the seams will remain stitched! The top measurers 60 inches wide by 70 inches long.

Sleeve and two bindings

Last Wednesday, I shopped a sale at one of my local quilt shops and purchased fabric for backing and binding. I purchased 12 and a quarter yard of fabrics. This brings the total fabric purchased since February and my fabric ban to 28 yards. I'm back to being negative in fabric used from my stash. The number is -8 yards. I have some finishes in the works so I'll be reversing that negative number soon!

Batting, backing and top

The backing is pieced. The batting cut. The sleeve is prepared. The binding for this quilt and Indigo Way are prepared. I will be quilting this project by checkbook too! I have too many projects waiting to be quilted so I've decided for now, paying will help me get the pile quilted and free up room in the studio!

Finished top

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday; Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilting and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.