Busy creating!

The last three weeks, I've been taking a beginning quilting class. There has been ALOT of homework as far as cutting, ironing,  and sewing at home.  Tonight is our last class and we are going to learn how to put the binding on and hopefully be done.  This past week, I've had to quilt the top.  NOT my favorite part of making this quilt and now I know why people *pay* to have this done.

I loved the construction of this quilt but for me, the actual quilting part was tedious and boring.  The whole "stitch in the ditch" thing had me wanting to throw the whole thing in the ditch a couple of times.  It was difficult for me trying to maneuver the quilt top while trying to stitch straight lines in the seams.  There are parts where my material wanted to bunch up, but whatever - just don't look too close  ~  this is obviously my first quilt with lots of little "hiccups".  That's okay with me - I love it anyway.
Nestle likes it!

My friend Lori came over on Sunday night and we took a bunch of her Harley T-shirts and made halter tops out of them.  I was so tired that I forgot to take a picture but she promised to send me a picture of her wearing them.  We basically cut off the sleeves and the neck, then made a little hem at the top where we cut the neckline off.  Then we threaded grosgrain ribbon through the little hem.  The ribbon is tied on each side and it makes the cutest halter top!

I've signed up for a bunch of swaps and figured I better get moving on some of them.  The first one that is due is a Vintage Back To School Journal Page Swap hosted by Michelle Geller of Hold Dear.   I'm not quite finished with these but wanted to give you a sneak peek.  There are several pockets with pull out journal cards, along with some other vintage elements.  14 of us have signed up for this swap so Michelle will collect all the pages, assemble them and send us each a cute Vintage Back To School Journal.

Next up is Laurie's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" cloth journal swap, then Karla's "Fairy Journal" page swap, then Viv's Halloween Witch Hat Swap, and finally, Jeanelle's Embroidery Swap.  

I'm going to be very busy!

Ann-Denise's Dress Form Class at Paper Crown

 Ann-Denise made the trip up from Texas today to teach a class on how to make  and embellish a dress form.  She always does things over the top and makes attending her classes or her events so much fun!

 Look at these beautiful flowers she brought just for me!  These are my birthday flowers in all the colors that I just love.  I'm telling you - I'm so lucky to have such sweet and thoughtful friends!

Here we are all posing with our finished dress forms.  I love how each one is so different.

This is my dress form.  I'm probably not 100% finished and am going to add some "bling" but this is as far as I got in the time allowed for class.  I'm kind of slow at finishing my projects but I just enjoy the process so much, I see no need to rush things.

In case you are interested, Ann-Denise is hosting a Halloween Event called 31 Wishes.  It will be held in the Ft. Worth area on October 20th, 2012.  I have been to several of Ann-Denise's events and I'm telling you - you don't want to miss it.  The project for the event is a surprise but no matter - it will be fantastic whatever it is .  We were talking today about some of the swaps and perhaps a competition... Can't wait!  Space is limited so if you are interested, I'd sign up *now*!

Sweet Friends...

Wow, I didn't mean to be gone so long from blogging!  I've missed it but I've been so busy working 12 hour days for Hospice, which I love doing, but leaves me completely exhausted.  I've also been taking a beginner quilting class on Tuesday nights *and* I've been doing some real estate stuff too. So - that hasn't really left me any free time AT ALL!

One night this past week I got home to a package in the mail from my sweet friend Laurie.  It's always nice to get snail mail and especially when it is totally unexpected.  Look what she made especially for me!

Isn't it beautiful?  I love everything about it, the colors, the collage, the birds... but I love it the most because she made it for me.
The week following the 4th of July, Laurie had invited me to join her and a few girls for a week of crafting, junking and hanging out at her house.  Because of work commitments, there was just no way I could go. I was sad and disappointed (because I hate to miss out on crafting with friends!) but I knew I could live vicariously through them by reading about it on their blogs.
One of the projects they worked on were these collages and Laurie made the one above just for me.  So, Thank you! Laurie - I hope you know you put a smile on my face and in my heart.  Every time I look at my piece of art I am reminded just how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends.

A day in the life of a Hospice Nurse...

I'm going to tell you a little story about what happened today.
I've been very busy lately helping out by doing nursing visits for Hospice.  Most of the time, I really enjoy visiting my patients, comforting their families and it really makes me feel like I'm making a difference in someone's life.  Believe it or not, there are lots of moments that actually make me laugh, some that make me cry, and some that leave me shaking my head. Today was one of those moments that at first, I had to shake my head but then the situation struck me as funny because I can't believe the way it happened. 
Today, I go to see one of my patients who is very close to dying.  Her daughter comes home from work and asks me if I think she should call her daughters and I tell her that yes, we are getting close, and she probably should call them.  Also in the home is a man, some family member - but I'm not sure really who he is.  I assume he works from home because he has been there the last few times I've visited, but I do not ask because how exactly do I say "Who are you and what are you doing here during the day?"
A little time goes by, the granddaughters arrive to say their goodbyes, and very shortly thereafter, my patient passes.
I start attending to all the little details that are involved after a person dies at home on Hospice.  I'm in the kitchen writing my note when the man comes up to me and asks me, "How's she doing?"
What?  I look at him like, What?  And he asks me again,  "How's she doing?"  In that awkward moment I realize NOBODY TOLD HIM that the lady has died!
So, I let him know that she is gone and he wants to know when. I have to tell him, oh, about a half an hour ago.
Yeah.
So, the day kind of went downhill after that....

What have I been up to?

I'm not sure...A whole lot of nothin? 

Well, let's see.  I had a birthday.  Here I am with Phoebe taking my birthday picture. I posed with each one of the dogs but I'll spare you all the pictures.  Doug took me out to dinner, we went to OKC shopping and for Pizza at the Wedge and he gave me junkin bucks.  :)

 I've been trying to avoid going out since we've had these temperatures:

 I don't mind it up to about 100 degrees but Whew!  106 is a little much.
I've been doing some Hospice Nursing visits so it's in and out of the car all day long which is exhausting.  When I get home at night, I'm just beat...
Phoebe has the right idea - a nice afternoon rest.  Some people have a couch, we have an extra large dog bed.  A huge sectional with no room for people to sit.  Actually Doug gets one tiny little corner and the dogs get the rest.  Hmmmmm......

 I did go to the library one hot afternoon and found this cute little book.  It was a quick and fun read and got me thinking of a bunch of projects I want to do this year.

 Oh, and I've done some junkin.  I bought a similar cabinet that I was in the process of painting when Doug decided he wanted one too for his cycling collectibles.  While shopping at Animal Aid I came across this one for him.  The top colonial looking thing will be taken off and the cabinet will be painted - perfect!

I also went to an Estate Sale and found a bunch of cute vintage children's books that I'm going to use for a Vintage Back to School Journal Swap that I'm participating in.
Tomorrow is the 4th of July (already!?!) and I hope to get a few things done around the house while Doug gets in a game of golf.  I'm ready for a little R&R.