Curly Top In Autumn

Seems I make many apologies for being late in posting the blocks each month, but sometimes life has different plans for you.  As you know, I made Curly Top because I lost all my hair during chemotherapy.  Then, I had surgery and radiation, which wiped me out.  And then the emergency surgery, but that's a story for another time......

At the end of August, my dad passed away suddenly.  We have great comfort knowing that he is in heaven with his Savior, but we miss him terribly.  Turned out my cancer gave me extra time with him, since he took me to so many of my treatments.  In fact, our last conversation was sitting at my kitchen table, showing him the August block, "To My Dad, Love Curly Top."  He looked at me, smiled and told me how he was proud of me.  Even as an adult, making my parents proud of me is important.

So, here's the block for September, The Apple of Curly Top's Eye found on Ewes Quilting.

Did you ever take an apple to the teacher?  As a teacher, I received plenty of lovely apples!!

And October, Curly Top's Tricks and Treats....

The jack o'lantern is carved and ready for Halloween!

On a more positive note, my hair has come back and it is very, very curly like it was when I was little.  In fact, I almost have the same hairdo as Curly Top!!  Apparently, growing hair is my super power as I had more than the ladies in radiation (and they teased me about it every day for six weeks!!)!  I am thankful my dad could see me regain what I lost with the cancer.

Thank you for following along with Curly Top in spite of all the interruptions.  I always welcome your comments and pictures of your blocks!!

Curly Top May, June, July and August Posted

 

 I had planned on posting a block every week in August until we were all caught up, but the overwhelming number of e-mails caused me to change my mind!!  So, you will find the instructions for the May block here.  Curly Top has a lovely bunch of flowers to celebrate spring.

The block for June is a happy memory of mine while working maintenance for my dad's company.  I learned how to drive a tractor and was surrounded by swallows while I cut the grass.  You can find the instructions for this block here. 

July's block looks like this.....

Here in the United States we celebrate Independence Day with lots of flag waving, but feel free to personalize the block and make it your own!  The instructions for this block and all the other Curly Top blocks can be found at Ewes Quilting.

And finally......

Wow!!  Curly Top should have reapplied sunblock during her surfing lessons!!  Been there myself, which explains all my freckles!!  You will find the instructions for August's block here.

Thank you for your e-mails and your continued interest in Curly Top!

April BOM is UP--Let the Catch-Up Begin!!

Thank you so much for your patience with me while I was getting through all my treatments!!  Your e-mails filled with kind words warmed my heart!!  I missed chatting with you!!

If you are following Curly Top, you can find the instructions for April's block here.  If all goes according to plan, a new block will be posted every week through August and we'll be all caught up.

When I was a little girl, my hair was copper-penny red with tight curls all over my head.  As I grew older and had children, it became less curly and more wavy.  Well, chemo did its worst and I lost all my hair, but now it is growing back with a vengeance and curly all over again!  The Lord certainly knows how to bless us!!

Chat with you soon!!

Playing Catch Up--February's BOM!!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Curly Top is ready to give all her loved ones a big heart to show how much she loves them!!  The block is 12 inches by 12 inches finished and has lots of opportunities for your special embellishments. 

The instructions can be found at Ewes Quilting and will be free forever!!

Thank you for being patient with me while I got back on track.  (Weekly chemo is getting in the way of what I like to do best!!)  Each block should be posted towards the beginning of the month, so check back to see what adventure Curly Top is engaging in next!  Feel free to send pictures to Carole@EwesQuilting.com so I can post your handiwork!

Curly Top!

For 2013, I'm dedicating my free Block of the Month to curly little red-haired girls doing what they do best!!  Celebrate each month with Curly Top in a different adventure.

Sorry to be a bit behind, but life has gotten in the way of my quilting.  Fabric requirements and January's block is posted on Ewes Quilting.  February's block will be up soon so we don't get too far behind.

Feel free to use your favorite form of applique or fusible to create each block.  Add your own embellishments to give it your own special flair!  Be sure to send pictures of your finished blocks to Carole@EwesQuilting.com so I can post them.

Check back soon for February's block!!

Happy New Year!!

Wow, 2013 is certainly flying by!!  So sorry to wish all of you well in the coming year so late in the month, but I hope all of you enjoy good health and happiness!!

I've been very busy with my chemo, going once a week until the end of March.  To keep myself occupied during my sessions, I've been trying my hand at a few new things.....

First of all, I tried my hand at knitting.  Never really been very good at knitting, much better at crochet (since I was four years old), so thought I would try a fancy scarf.

Of course, I had to rip it out at least six times, but I finished it!!  It looks wonderful with my coat and is light and lacy.  The yarn does all the work and the knitting was minimal, which is a perfect combination for my skill level.

Then, I tried my hand a knitting with regular yarn....

It's a bit curly, which makes it looks much skinnier than it really is.

Again, after many rip outs, I managed to make a long skinny scarf with the help of a good friend teaching me a new technique.  My brain appreciated this different way of knitting, called German or Swedish knitting, and I was able to feel confident in my new found ability.  I can now look at knitting patterns with greater appreciation and hopes of finishing.

While we were on our trip to the United Kingdom, I picked up a package of wool charms that came with a pattern from Magees to make this handbag.  

Pretty wild color combinations for wool--I just love it!!

Thought the sheep lining was a nice touch!

Making this bag was exciting--there was a substantial part of directions missing and I figured it out anyway (yippee!!),  learned how to attach (and find on the internet--not as easy as it sounds!!) leather handles and install magnetic closures. 

So, you can see how I've spent my month so far!  What have you been doing??  Would love to see a post from you letting me know what you're working on. 

There will be another posting in January for my BOM "Curly Top" coming soon--hope you'll be able to participate!!