Saturday 24 September 2016

my secret garden, Maggie`s first dance, Blossom Heart BOM

At last I am back to write a blog,  I did not realise that it is almost 3 months!  My how time flies.

I have been absent from following blogs, doing my blog and stitching  for about 7 weeks but finally the mojo has awoken and I am making an effort both to  read blogs and to do this one, though I do not think I can read all the posts I have missed .

Life has been tough but now feeling better.

I  did have a lovely week with my sister and BIL who came from Australia but the time flew too quickly,   so good to see them . Alison had not been back since 1991 but I was out there for Christmas in 2001.  We met up in York with my 3 brothers    the first time we have all been together since 1984 when my Dad passed away.   The sad thing is we will probably never see Ali again as we are all getting rather old,   and the flight is very expensive and takes a long time.

My younger daughter Helen is very poorly at the moment due to a flare up of chrons,   she is on a liquid only diet for at least 6 weeks,  had a MRI scan yesterday and the Dr will decide when he gets the report whether she needs more surgery,  I pray she does not but he thinks it is unlikely she will get well without it.   Today I have spent 4.5 hours going to Waitrose and back for comsumme soup that they say she can have, apart from that she just has 8 bottles of a special liquid substitute  and 4 cups of decaffinated tea or coffee without milk and as much water as she can drink   unfortunately she does not like water!  Got enough soup for a week but will get 2 weeks supply next time if I can manage it.

Sal my grandaughter started uni this week,   we are all so proud of her   she is doing business studies with fashion a 4 year course and I hope to see more of her as she is coming to Leeds uni and sometimes will not travel home to Halifax but stay her for the night if he has a late lecture or a social night out,  she did not want to go into halls but wanted to stay at home,

I do not usually share personal things but I am asking for prayers for Helen from practising Christians etc  please.

Now for some stitching,  I have done some BOM blocks,  Blossom Hearts,  Maggies first dance.  and the Secret Garden,

these are from the Blossom Hearts         15 Windmill



                                                                      16  whirly gig



17  cross angle

                                                                       


                                                                        18 ribbon



                                                      seem to have lost the photo of all 18 blocks but will share it when I find it!  As you can see I am using scraps for these.   It is a lovely BOM   we get 2 a month and they are all using triangles,  using the 2,  4,  and 8 method of making them,  I only used the 4 at once method as it gives 2 bias edges but love doing 8 all together


These are the Maggies first dance BOM  Jacquelynne Steves is the designer,    Jacquelynne gives a choice of applique, embroidery or using a patterened fabric,   as I have still to learn applique I chose to do the embroidery.







                                                                  Blocks 1-4

                                     



and now for my secret garden   a BOM with Pat Sloan



blocks 1-9




















34 comments:

Boud said...

So glad to see you back and so sorry about Helen's continuing struggles. I will walk the labyrinth for her, and for you, since that is my spiritual practice.

Your work as always, is lovely. And how cool that you might see some of your granddaughter while she's at Uni!

Deepa said...

Prayers for Helen's health,Margaret.
Recently I happened to read this.."God only puts us through as much as we can handle...". So ask her to be strong and she'll be alright soon.
The embroidery is lovely ,love the secret garden too..
Take care.

Monica said...

Those Pat Sloan blocks are pretty gorgeous, aren't they? And your stitching is so pretty too. Best wishes to Helen and to you all. Let's have faith that whatever the doctors advise, it will give Helen the best result! Be well.

Stitching Lady said...

Margaret, I am really, really glad you are back to blogging. And wonderful that you are doing the Pat Sloan blocks. I am following what she offers but managed just one, only one! Helen will be in my thoughts - I wish so much for her to get over this very difficult time.

Jane said...

Sounds like you've gone through a tough time, I hope it won't be too long before Helen begins to pick up again. Lots of lovely blocks there, love the combination of embroidery and quilting

Nana said...

All is still so colourful, so life seems to have it´s sunshine.

Hope that your sister is soon much better.

Nana

Yorkshire Quilter said...

Great to see you blogging again Margaret, thanks for sharing the ups and downs regarding your family.
C
Would Waitress or Ocado deliver to save you lugging the cans of soup?
I love all your BOM, especially the splashes of red in the first dance ones, all those precise pointy points!
It was great to have a catch up with you at Harrogate too!

Maria said...

I was just thinking yesterday that I hadn't got a post of yours via email for a while, but didn't realise it was 3 months. Good to have you back! Love all your blocks; they look wonderful! It was good that you and your siblings were able to spend time together after all these years.i will certainly say prayers for Helen...what a trial it must be for her. 💕💕

SewLittleToSay said...

I was wondering how things were as you had been quiet for a while. Glad to see that you're back sewing and I love the Pat Sloan blocks. Is there a Marks and Spencer food hall near to you - they may have something similar to the Waitrose consomme.

The Inside Stori said...

Warm thoughts coming your way!!

Judith said...

Good to see you back on your blog Margaret. So sorry to hear of your daughter's ill health. I do hope she improves soon. Beautiful blocks too!

Queeniepatch said...

You have such burden to carry but also bright moments, meeting with your siblings and having your granddaughter nearby. I am amazed that you have had time to stitch but know how important it is to keep stitching for stress relief. Don't worry about catching up on blogging - there should never be any pressure about reading, commenting on or writing blogs.
My prayers go to both Helen and you, dear Margaret.

Anita said...

I'm glad that you are back to blogging Margaret.The blocks are beautiful especially the embroidered ones.So sorry to hear about Helen's health,will keep her in my prayers,sending you lots of prayers and hugs.

PaulaB quilts said...

It's so great to see your blog again and your family news. I and my bible study folks will be praying for Helen every Tuesday, and know I pray for you daily. What a nice family reunion and having your granddaughter in Leeds univ. Your lovely blocks show your talent with color and the embroidery. Love the little bee! The Pat Sloan blocks are so colorful 😋. Keep on at your own pace and may God give you the strength you need each day.

Mary Ellen said...

I missed you. My old boss (when I was still working) has a daughter with the same ailment. My brother, too, had a close friend with the same disease. Both fought the surgery for years. When finally they were at the end of their rope,they each had the surgery and we're happy that they did. And sorry they had waited so long. Both pretty much regained their health. Something to consider. If there are support groups there with people who have had the surgery it could be beneficial for Helen to talk to them.

Your blocks are lovely. I especially am drawn to the ones with embroidery.

Gaia said...

I hope Helen will be better soon. I love the blocks that you have made.

Jillian said...

The nine blocks blend wonderfully and the embroidered set is great. You have done such inspired work - again. Thank you for sharing some of your family story. I hope the thoughts and prayers of your blogging community give you support and strength. Mine are with you.

liniecat said...

So sorry to hear that your daughter is so much more poorly, fingers crossed they will get her back into a more normal health pattern.
Its so worrying for you so do take care of yourself too!
Fabulous blocks and how delightful to have family across to share time with

Anonymous said...

Your blocks are amazing - each one of the BOMs has something different, and yet you did them all so well. I still have #18 to do on the HST project, and never got off the ground with Maggie, but your blocks are WONDERFUL!

I'm so sorry your daughter is having a tough time, and of course, prayers. While you are taking care of her needs, take care of yours, too. I'm glad you had the visit with your sister. It's hard to be an international family! I think I'd like to take a ship, not an airplane, on a long journey like that. =)

Sarah said...

Welcome back, you have been missed! You really have had a tough time and it must be a real worry. I hope Helen soon starts to recover. Your family get together sounded wonderful and having your granddaughter around too will be very special. Your blocks are gorgeous, I'm particularly loving the centre embroidery.

Radka said...

All my, you have been busy! :-) Lovely to be able to get together with your family.
Nice to see you back!
xx

Anita said...

I am happy that you are back in the blogging world, and that you have made so many nice blocks!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

You have been so busy. I'm working on my 4th block now for Maggie's Dance. Need to get in there and finish it. I'm so happy you are doing better Margaret. Prayer's for your daughter.

Kate said...

Beautiful blocks! You are going to have some gorgeous quilts when these all come together.

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Oh dear, sorry to hear about Helen. A worry for you. Sending positive vibes from NZ. Glad to hear you have had some quality family time and even squeezed in some stitching. hugs

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...
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Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...
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Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

Lovely to see you sewing and blogging again. Helen is on my prayer list. A friends daughter had a lot of luck with a six week very restricted diet. She blogged about it (maybe on Facebook) she's bryony Hopkins, I'll see if I can find the link

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

https://abellyfullof.wordpress.com. Go back to April for the start xxx

Annet said...

It so good to see you blogging again, I have missed your posts. I hope Helen is feeling better soon, take care!

Raewyn said...

Nice to see your post Margaret, gosh you have got a lot happening, I do hope that everything goes well for Helen. Your blocks are beautiful, you have done a lovely job sewing them :-)

KaHolly said...

Your blocks are all beautiful! Glad you've gotten your mojo back. My thoughts will be with Helen as she recovers from this episode. Stay sweet!

Pippas quilts said...

Morning Margaret We will not mention how long I have been away. Helen, bless her cannot imagine how painful it is. I know this sounds silly but it works for me. If I boil the water and let it cool then I can drink it. It takes that funny taste that tap water leaves in my mouth.
It must have beet lovely to have you all together for the day. My son came to me for 10 days from Australia.
You may not have been blogging but you have been busy they are great.
Thoughts and prays for you both. Pippa xx

Suztats said...

I'm sorry to read that Helen is not well, and send prayers that soon she'll be much better. I'm glad you had a lovely visit with family, all your siblings together. Beautiful blocks you've created, Margaret.