Surviving Spring

How was your winter this year?  Winter in our part of the world, namely South Jersey, was quite snowy and cold.  Our daughter had six snow days!  Of course, this was the year the school decided not to include any snow days in the calendar, so she will be graduating 8th grade at the end of June.

I love snow days!  Over the years, I have realized that one should never discuss religion, politics or love of snow in public settings--people have very, very, very strong opinions on those topics!  I have had my share of death threats when I wore an "I Love Snow" button to work.  One woman told me to take off the button in her not-so-nice voice.

Snow days are special to me because they are the closest thing I get to stopping my world for a day.  The whole family is together and all the activities cease for just a little while.  There is time for me to catch my breath. I could use a snow day this month.....

The mini mountain of trimmed triangles from nearly 100 square-in-a-square blocks.

Our younger daughter came home from school with a special project--she was going to make a quilt to honor the veterans that served from Burlington County, NJ.  If you are unfamiliar with NJ geography, Burlington County is the largest county in NJ by quite a bit.  The first plan was to include all 42,000 names of veterans who served in all the wars in US history.  Uhmmm, not really possible on such a short timeline.  I do admire Sarah's enthusiasm for the project, but I had to make it a bit more manageable for a group of 8th graders....or for a woman who will work on it while her daughter is at school....

Sarah took her sewing machine to school every day for two weeks.  You should have seen her navigating her sewing machine and cello on Fridays....in the rain.....but she soldiered on!

So, to acknowledge those who served without leaving anyone out, we are going to write the names of veterans' organizations on the blocks instead of individual names.

The idea is for the quilt to look like camouflage with the flag fabric as a backing.  Just in case someone who is viewing the quilt has a loved-one they would like to include, I am making a cover for a small notebook to be placed in a sleeve on the back.  Think I may have come up with a quick and easy way to make a cover since time is so short.  Will post that when I finish it.

P.S. I haven't forgotten about a give-away--am sort of swamped with recitals, graduation and birthday/holiday preparations/celebrations at the moment.  Besides, I am still looking for something cool to give away.  My new plan it to post to my blog every week, regardless of what I am working on.  Have a few ideas for patterns that I'd like to share with you, too.  Am hoping to recharge my battery and have a new BOM for January.  We have done pieced block and applique blocks--which do you prefer?

Big quilty hugs!!

Curly Top Finishing Instructions Are Up

My web master, also known as my darling husband, has put the last installment of Curly Top up--the finishing instructions!  You can get them at Ewes Quilting.

I think it would be fun to have some sort of give-away to celebrate the completion of Curly Top and the  slow return to my life--would anyone be interested?  Still mulling the details over in my mind and will let you know the beginning of May.

Curly Top finished--would love to see your version!

Have a wonderful day!!

Curly Top BOM for November and December--Late Again, the Story of My Life

As you might imagine from my lack of postings, recovery is a bit slower than I thought it would be, but baby steps are still progress!  

You can find the applique pattern for November and December at Ewes Quilting. 

November:  Curly Top Counts Her Blessings

December:  Curly Top Trimming the Tree

***If you sent me a picture of a block you created and it didn't get posted, I apologize.  I tried to post the ones that were sent to me, but they wouldn't stick--my blog server was having issues.  When I went back to try again, the pictures disappeared.  I would love to post pictures of all the Curly Top blocks you made.  Would anyone be willing to send them again?  Pretty please?***

For those of you who are reading my blog for the first time, Curly Top came to be because I diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer and was going to lose all my hair during chemotherapy...and I did! At first, chemotherapy was my only treatment plan.  As I continued treatments, it became clear that the cancer was far more advanced than they originally thought, so I had a double mastectomy and radiation.  After that, there were more complications than even the doctors anticipated, but it could have been so much worse!  In August, my dad passed away suddenly--if you remember, I had dedicated Curly Top's August block to him. For all that happened in 2013, I know that God held me close to Himself and protected me--it really could have been so much worse!

Well, my hair grew back, with a vengeance and hundreds of curls, just like it was when I was little.  I now look just like Curly Top!!  (If I am feeling brave one day, I will post a picture of my new long locks--I look like a redheaded Rapunzel!!)

I would like to give my sincerest appreciation for those of you who have been so patient with me, especially for my tardiness in posting the last few blocks.  My email was filled with warm wishes and words of encouragement--each one warmed my heart! 

Big quilty hugs!!

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!!