Persimmon Quilts’ blog

Man Hard at Work 

Claudia and I are in countdown mode, and working a lot of long hours trying to get our new book finished and sent off to our publisher by month's end.  Scott offered to help sew labels on the quilts. He took a break from splitting firewood to help me. He thought it would be fun, and an easy project. WRONG! 

He quickly found out his big fingers don't play well with a little needle, and even with reading glasses he had trouble seeing the eye of the needle when threading it.  I heard lots of "OW!" and "OUCH". I told him please don't bleed on my quilts!  He struggled, but he managed to get 3 of them done, before he decided it was time to go downstairs and get a beer and do something manly like watch football.  He's a good sport, but I'm sure he won't be happy when he checks out my blog, and finds I'm sharing this with the world.  

In case you're wondering about the name on the photo.... his nickname is Gonzo, but he announced that Gonzetta was going to help me quilt.  ROFL! 

Don'tcha just love the one suspender, the mussed up hair, and the look of concentration?  Love ya, Sweetie.... thanks for helping me.

Yes... it has been awhile since I updated my blog.  Life is pretty hectic. Lots of time spent on the new book(s), Quilts of Valor, customer quilts, Quilt Shows, knee, and family always keeping me busy.  I'll fill you in on all of it.....

What's on the Frame?

Here's a few of the customer quilts I've been working on. I have not been able to accept as many quilts as usual due to my new book project deadline, but you'll see some nice eye candy:

 

Quilt Shows 

There's been 2 local quilt shows this fall, Claremore's Country Fare Quilt Guild and my guild, Pryor Patcher's Quilt Guild. 

 I set up a Quilts of Valor booth at the Claremore show.  Had a nice turnout, and had several hundred signature blocks signed by spectators.  Mary Ellen and Linda helped me in the booth.  Here's one of my customer's quilts with a Red Ribbon pinned on. Congrats to Deana Raynor!

 

At the Pryor Patcher's show I had a vendor "room" that I combined my

 Persimmon Quilts items and Quilts of Valor.  I had some of the quilts from "Loose Change" on display, along with several Quilts of Valor.  Mary Ellen helped me, and we had several hundred more autograph blocks signed. We have our work cut out for our QOV group now!

I was thrilled to see many of my customer's quilts on display, and 3 of them won ribbons!  Congrats to Shirley Cowan for a First Place ribbon on her Noah's Garden.  Her granddaughter, Amanda McNeil won a First Place ribbon on her Flying Cranes quilt. It was her first quilt!! Awesome job, Amanda.  Deana Raynor won a First Place ribbon on her baby quilt. The same one she won a red ribbon on in Claremore. Congratulations ladies!! 

Here's some pictures of my vendor room at the Pryor Show.  The show was held at the Freewill Baptist Church, and all the vendors had Sunday School rooms of their own to set up and show their wares.   www.pryorpatchers.com

Quilts of Valor

It's been a busy week! I've had 4 QOV events.  Since it's Veteran's Day week, they were all special. The first was the Pryor Show I mentioned above. 

The second was an invitation to speak at the Tulsa Honda Goldwing Chapter dinner.

 http://www.chaptere-ok.com/  The Chapter has been very active in making Quilts of Valor. Not just the women members, either. Men and women work on these quilts, and they are truly beautiful.  They had 2 quilts for me to pick up. They will be included in my next shipment to Landstuhl hospital in Germany. THANK YOU HONDA GOLDWING CHAPTER "E" !!. 

The third event was a truly touching one.  Sharon Ferguson with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart contacted me and asked if I might have two quilts for two special Purple Heart Recipients.  http://www.purpleheart.org/Membership/Public/LadiesAuxiliary/default.aspx   She arranged for us to meet at Floral Haven's Family Center. The two men's wives were also in on the planning, but the men knew nothing about their special presentation of quilts. They were so surprised!  Both men are WWII vets. They were both part of the Normandy invasion. They were awarded the Purple Heart after they were wounded in battle.   After presenting them with their quilts, they kept us listening to their every word as they told their stories of the war. Such brave heroes!!!  Thank you so much for our freedom.  Mr. Gene Beleele and Mr. Bill Chaney.  

 The fourth event took place yesterday at SewFlakes quilt shop in Broken Arrow. Our QOV group meets there the 2nd Saturday of every month to work on quilts.  The Oklahoma chapter of the Rolling Thunder had contacted us and wanted to come to our meeting to give us a donation.  We were thrilled!  www.rollingthunder1.com   www.rollingthunderok.com

It was a fun and LOUD event. At first some of the biker men seemed a little intimated to be in a quilt shop, but they soon saw we wouldn't bite and relaxed.  We had signature blocks ready for them to sign. We look forward to putting them in to Quilts of Valor soon.  We had local media attend the event, too.  As the Rolling Thunder was leaving, our QOV ladies, quilt shop customers and employees, and other shoppers on the street lined the sidewalk to send them off with cheering.  They put on their loudest effort! I'd like to thank these wonderful men and women who combine their passion for riding with their passion for Veterans' causes. And thank you to them for their generous donation to our group.

 

 

Scott's Book

 Scott is having a great time marketing his book. He was at Steve's Sundries last Saturday for a book signing. Sales are brisk on Amazon.com, and most of the other national bookstores have picked it up too. http://www.amazon.com/Hey-Look-Found-Loose-Nut/dp/0881444308/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top 

It would make a great Christmas present!  (Along with my book, "Loose Change: Quilts from Nickels, Dimes, & Quarters).

 

 

 

Speaking of my book....... Claudia and I found out this week that our new book, due out October 2010, will be called "More Loose Change".  We are really working hard to get the projects and manuscript finished and shipped to Martingale by mid-December. 

The Nebraska State Quilt Guild chose "Loose Change" as their yearly selection to be sent to all Nebraska Public Libraries. We are thrilled and honored to have been chosen. http://www.nsqg.org/index.html

My Knee Saga

    Tuesday I begin a series of Orthovisc shots. One a week for 3 weeks.  My surgeon and I are hoping that it brings some relief and delays a total knee replacement for awhile. Part of this summer's knee surgery is doing fine, but the rest of the knee is not so good. No other repair possible at this point, so I am sure hoping the shots work

 

Scott's Book is Published!

For years we have been telling Scott he needed to write down all the outrageously funny stories he tells about customer service situations at his repair shop that he has owned for 26 years. His book was released this week.

It's a zany read, and sure to make you laugh out loud. It also has great advice from the other side of the service counter.

Check out "Hey Look! I Found the Loose Nut!"  at Amazon.com :

http://www.amazon.com/Hey-Look-Found-Loose-Nut/dp/0881444308 

 

Labor Day Weekend

All the kids and grandkids spent the weekend, enjoying BBQ, fishing, and our new ducklings. Here's some pictures of our gang having fun:

 

Knee Update:

I'm doing pretty well. Doc gave me a cortisone shot this week to help with some inflammation and pain problems, so knee is feeling much better today. Sure hope the shot lasts awhile. The Plug area is healing nicely, but the rest of the knee is trouble. After cleaning up the cartilage damage, there isn't much left to work with, so I'm feeling a lot of bone on bone pain.  Hanging in there.....

What's on the Frame?:

I'm back longarming again. Taking it slow and easy, but I've been able to get a few quilts done in the last couple of weeks.  Sure feels good to be back at it!  Here's some pictures of the fun I've had:

 

 

2010 Martingale Calendar

Loose Change News

 

The 2010 Martingale & Co (That Patchwork Place)

 

calendar is out now.

There are 12 quilts with patterns. Our Japanese

Yen quilt from Loose Change is the November quilt. 

 

 

 

Muskogee Area Quilter's Guild

Claudia and I presented a program and trunk show at the Muskogee Area Quilter's Guild. What a great bunch of quilters! We had a lot of fun, and enjoyed the warm welcome we received.  We also conducted a workshop on "Nickel Bricks".  Here's a picture of the gals in the workshop.

 

Knee Update

I am doing great!  2 1/2 weeks of Physical Therapy has worked wonders. I officially ditched the cane a couple days ago, except to use in the mornings when I first get out of bed.  I'm the tortoise, and not winning many races, but I'm getting there!  I am now concentrating on fixing my gait. I've been a Weebles Wobbles waddling along for too long.  I have some pain, but it's tolerable - unless I'm on my feet too long. Then it's elavate and ice pack time.  Sure am getting tired of the ice packs.....  I haven't tried climbing the stairs to my studio in several days. Can't completely put the cane away, since I have to be safe and careful on the steps and need it then.  I go back to the surgeon next week for follow-up, then many more weeks/months of PT.

Sarah's New York Beauty

 

Several weeks ago I posted pictures of some ribbon winning quilts I had quilted for my customer, Sarah. I did not have a picture of one of the quilts then, but here it is now. It's a Strips 'N Curves pattern she is calling her "New York Beauty", because it has a fabulous black and white NYC skyline border.  Congrats Sarah!

QUILTS OF VALOR

   I was not able to attend the QOV Sewing Day last week at SewFlakes, but the gals told me they got a lot accomplished. Lots of tops & backings sandwiched, block kits put together, and a few pieced.  If you're local, stop by and pick up a kit!  We are seriously low on backing fabrics, and our donations have been slim lately.  If you'd like to donate backings or monies to purchase backings, please drop them off at SewFlakes. (4 yards of fabric will provide a backing, and the left overs help with sashings or block kits).  Thank you!!! Don't forget... still at war... still quilting.

I am working on a new project for the Quilts of Valor Foundation that has me very excited.  Look for an announcement soon! 

HAND PIECING

Do you hand piece? Have you wanted to learn hand piecing? I have a new Web Poll on my website. Please take a moment and answer the poll question.  www.persimmonquilts.com    (poll is in upper left corner).   Thank you!

Hometown Heroes

A local search for a missing toddler had a very happy ending when father and son cowboys found the lost little girl. Although I do not personally know anyone involved, the campsite where the toddler went missing is about a mile and a half from our house.  The whole community is thankful for Chaz and Chub Brewer!

http://www.claremoreprogress.com/local/local_story_215141019.html

 

Knee Update

I started Physical Therapy this week. So far this it hasn't been too awful. After 3 visits I have sore muscles, but that is a good thing! My quads are starting to fire again, and I'm off the crutches, although I am using a cane. Just couldn't get the hang of one crutch (remember I'm the KLUTZ who stumbled and hurt herself in the first place!).  I have a lot of swelling, and downright pain when I walk, but I'm making progress. Last week I couldn't even make one revolution on the exercise bike, and now I'm up to 17 minutes at time!  With the help of the cane I was able to climb the steps to my studio yesterday and today. Sure felt good to sit at my sewing table and piece.

QUILTS OF VALOR

This Saturday is the monthly QOV sewing day at SewFlakes 10am-4pm. Stop by and join us!    I have added more QOV blocks on my website. Mystery #8 just finished, and a new one will begin Mid-September.

www.persimmonquilts.com

 

Today was my 5 week check up with the knee surgeon. Still on crutches, but slowly taking a few steps with one.  I have the go ahead to try climbing the stairs to my studio - while using crutches or a cane. Won't be running up and down them anytime soon, but a least I can attempt them. Tomorrow will be my first attempt!  Scott has already moved my Janome back upstairs. Do you think he was tired of my machine on the dining room table, my cutting mat on the kitchen buffet, ironing board and iron in the kitchen, and fabric "piles" on the table?  I think the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back is using his pool table as my design wall.  LOL!  (Don't tell him, but I was tired of it too). 

I start Physical Therapy Friday. Scheduled for 3 x week for 4 weeks. Looking forward to getting some help with this very stiff and sore knee.

Have you ever had one of those days when you just shouldn't have attempted to work on a quilt project? A day when everything that can go wrong will go wrong, and you should have just left the rotary cutter and sewing machine alone?  I had one of those days when I first started sewing after my surgery. Unfortunately I didn't realize it was one of THOSE days... until I tried assembling my blocks a few days later.  I usually ALWAYS do a test block to double check my pattern.  I did test units, to check the outside unit dimensions. Perfect, came out to 5" unfinished exactly.No need to sew the test units together in the block. (YEAH RIGHT, I'm saying NOW).  Good to go.... rev up that rotary cutter and cut pieces for 144 units. Then sew 4 quick corners on each.  So far, so good.  It took me several days to cut out all the pieces, and make my square in a square units.  But..... when I went to sew them to the next unit, matching diagonal seams - something wasn't quite right.....  My quick corner measurement was off! OH NO!  Since I had already cut off the excess I couldn't use them again. So.....  back to the drawing board, the cutting board, and the sewing machine. I had been collecting just the 'perfect' fabrics for this project for over 6 months.  Now I'm back to hunting down some more fabrics, and starting all over......    Moral to the story: Don't start a project while on pain meds. Put the rotary cutter down, and go back to bed.

 

I'm still on 2 crutches, but am making progress towards being able to go with one. Knee is VERY tender when I put weight on it, or try to straighten it completely.  Still swelling a lot, especially if I'm standing, so ice packs are never far away.

I was able to get out of the house this last week. Driving is a lot easier for me now, as I can get in and out of the car without too much trouble. I drove Mitch to and from chess camp all week, 30 miles each way. On Wednesday I decided to drive to Tulsa after dropping him off. I spent some time at SewFlakes and Quilt Sampler. Was so good to be around quilters and fabric again! 

I am making good progress on the quilt top I'm piecing. I have most of the block units made, and will hopefully get the blocks together this week. After this one is done I only have 3 more projects for the new book left. YAY!  Claudia is stitching right along, and has most of her projects started or completed.  We have the rest of '09 to put the finishing touches on the book. It will be released Oct 2010.

This evening I drove my ATV down to my big flowerbed near the pond. I drove along close to the rock wall, and was able to do a little weeding along the front of the bed - while still sitting on the ATV.  One of these days I'm going to be able to climb the rock steps and get in that bed and really get after those weeds and so some deadheading! 

I want to thank all my friends (those nearby and my internet pals), who have helped keep me connected to this wonderful quilting community while I've been laid up with my knee surgery. Your visits, phone calls, cards, and emails have been so appreciated!

I SEWED!

It felt so good to sew again. I have been working on a project for the new book for what seems like months. I had the blocks in rows, so all I needed to do was put the rows together. The border will have applique, and those fabrics are up in my studio - out of my reach right now. So.. I set the project aside once again, and am working on the next one.

Mitchell helped me lower the ironing board, so I could sit and iron the fabrics for the next project. I tried sitting on a tall stool to cut dimes from the fabrics, but after a short while my knee was giving me fits, so I had to stop for the day. But.. I feel like I made great progress! 

I updated my website last night. It needed freshening up for a long time. Check it out: www.persimmonquilts.com

Scott is still a little stiff and sore from his motorcycle spill, but he's getting around fine. He has a lovely HUGE bruise.

It has been 100+ degrees for the last few days, and this weekend is expected to be even hotter. Good time to stay inside and sew a little!

 

Knee Update

Day 13..  Today was my post op visit. What a day it turned out to be.  I have to throw in some things non-knee related to this post, as it tells the whole story of how my (& my family's) day went.  

I had an 8am appt with the surgeon in Tulsa. I was listening to the radio in the car. The DJ gave the Tulsa traffic update, and said only one slowdown near 51st & Hwy169 exit due to a motorcycle accident with EMSA on the scene.  Just then my phone rang.......

Yep, you guessed it. Scott decided to take his motorcycle to work.

When I answered my cell phone I didn't understand most of what was being yelled at me on the phone, except that "Some dumb $!&$^+ just cut me off and ran over me on the bike, I gotta hang up".     OK... I'm travelling 75mph on the turnpike, mind racing, heart thumping, and trying to figure out how to get off the turnpike and find him.    I took a chance and called his cell phone. He answered, and was 'somewhat' calmer.  First thing..... "Are you OK?".  He said he was just checked over by EMSA, and he's OK, but his bike wasn't.  (At this point who cares about the bike!!!!!.... ok maybe he does).  He tells me to go on to my appt. He was having his bike hauled back to his shop.

Surgeon's Office:   By the time I got to the surgeon's office I was a wreck! I decided to drive myself, and had taken a little test jaunt last night to make sure I could get in and out of the car ok, and manage to drive. Thank goodness for cruise control...enough said!   I didn't have a handicap permit, so I parked in general parking and hopped on crutches across the parking lot, up a steep incline ramp, and down a long hallway. Huffing and puffing the whole way, too, lol! Still panicky from Scott's call.

Had my pretty blue stitches pulled out, then waited for the doc.  He was pleased with my knee, and told me I could begin to put a little light weight on my leg, while using the crutches. After a week or so I could try using just one crutch, and by 3 weeks I might be walking without crutches. That's when I go back to see him. He didn't want to start physical therapy just yet, but told me to keep doing my gentle exercises. He said I'd start therapy after my next visit, and would start out slowly and work to a pretty strong protocol. He told me no stairs. Unfortunately my studio is upstairs, so this was terrible news.

I got up off the exam table, put my foot on the floor and tried to take a step. Did you hear the scream? OMGosh... I saw stars. He thought maybe it might be awhile before I tried that again, and to "take it easy and slow". How much easier and slow does it get??? It was one measely step!  Sigh.....  

Flash forward to Scott's shop... I called our daughter, Mandy and asked what the "real" scoop was on Scott, and if he was hurt or not. She said he had abrasions on his elbow, and his hip was hurting. Oh boy...  On my way to Scott's shop I called my regular Ortho doctor in Claremore, and asked if they had an opening to see him today.  They did.

When I got to the shop Scott was limping around, still pumped with adrenaline and raving about his poor bike. It wasn't mangled, but it wasn't a pretty sight either. He related the story of the accident. He was was cut off by a van as he was making a left turn in a 2 lane turn. Just as the van was about to run over him, he bailed off the bike. The van ran over the bike, sending it end over end. Scott ended up in the median. Fortunately they had just been given a green light, so they were not traveling more than about 10mph.  

We went to lunch, both of us gimping along.  A friend loaned him a cane, and I had my crutches. After lunch we went to his Ortho appt.  Good news! X-rays ok. Looks like he bruised a hip bursa, but will be ok with time. 

I am writing this as I'm sitting with my knee propped up high, with ice packs. My dear hubby is laying on the couch with ice packs on his hip. Poor Mitchell is bringing us Tylenol(Scott), something a little stronger for me, water bottles, dinner, and fresh ice packs. Another exciting day in the Weaver household. 

Looks like we won't be dancing in the street anytime soon.......  I was going to ask him to carry down my heavy sewing machine, but I think I'd better xnay on that for a day or two.  

 

Knee Surgery Update

Day #8..  Still progressing, and knee feels better. Swelling down, and not so stiff.  Am having a little trouble with exhaustion still, but I think it's because I'm inactive. I really hate being stuck in my recliner all the time. I try to take short "strolls" on my crutches, as often as my strength allows. I spent a couple hours on the patio last evening, while Scott grilled burgers and I read several days' newspapers. 

Tonight we went out for dinner and a trip to Lowe's. I had such cabin fever!  Dinner at Peppers was a real treat. I tried not to mow too many people over at Lowe's. Those motorized shopping carts are tricky. LOL!   Picked up a shower chair and hand rail, then stopped at a fireworks stand so Mitch could get some fireworks. I stayed in the car in the A/C and rested. By the time we got home I was so exhausted. My big night out on the town lasted about 1 1/2 hoursl 

All the kids and grandgirls are coming this weekend. I plan to enjoy my forced relaxation time in my recliner and enjoy the family.

Next week..... Look out.... thread and fabric are going to fly! I'm going to try to do some piecing. I am having awful withdrawls from my sewing machine.