Topsy Turvy
I’m living in a topsy turvy world. It is difficult to get my bearings, relax and focus. Perhaps you are feeling like this, too. The only solution I have found is to determine what I can and cannot control, then focus on the former.
Sue
If you have followed my blog for a while or know me personally, you know that Sue was my college roommate. I asked Sue’s husband, Dana, and Sue for permission to interpret a photo that Dana had taken which I felt captured Sue’s essence. She is unflappable even in a topsy turvy world. The past few years and especially the past few months have been extremely difficult as her husband’s health declined. He died on February 1st. To say he will be greatly missed doesn’t express the grief SEDOSO (Senior Executive Director of Studio Operations) and I are feeling. Sue and her husband have been in our lives for over 50 years.
Project Quilting – Updated
I realized just how unsettling the tsunami of global events and personal events were on me as I struggled to complete a piece for Project Quilting 16.3. I had thought it would be the perfect project to right or at least calm my topsy turvy world. The challenge was to use three traditional blocks in a single quilt. Easy peasy right?
I turned to EQ 8. They have a library of blocks divided into categories, including such subcategories as classics, stars and 4 patches. Since I had been working with attic windows recently I decided to continue to do so. I was going to show case a different block in the “window” section of each of the quadrants. Then I thought why not turn it into a scene. So, I selected a basket block and an Ohio Star block. Mission accomplished.
Not my best work, but it will have to do. The Ohio Star and basket block both measure 2″ x 2″. Thank goodness for paper piecing! Since a piece must be designed, pieced, quilted and finished within 7 days I was forced to work at warp speed. OK, it felt like warp speed to me. I gave myself permission to play with the quilting.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
I did start making my blue blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I need 9 “solid” blue blocks. My quilt requires a set of dark blue blocks and a set of turquoise blocks. I opted to start with dark blue. I was shocked to discover, despite my bulging bag of blue scraps how few of those scraps were dark blue. Fortunately there was enough to build a 17.5″ square to cut into nine 5.5″ blocks. That is one way to right my world. Figure out faster ways to do something. In the past I would probably have pieced each 5.5″ block individually sweating out each fabric choice. Now I piece scraps into strips and units that I layout to piece into “franken” fabric.
How’s your week been going? Any great tips for how to right a topsy turvy world?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
Dear Gwyend,
I’m sorry to hear of the death of your long-time friend. Having walked that journey, I understand how tough things must be for Sue right now. She’s blessed to have you and your hubby as friends and supporters. P.S. I am in awe of your 2″ flower basket and star!!
Thank you, Margaret. Sue is fortunate to have come from a large family (six children) and she has four children, two of whom live nearby with grandchildren she sees and cares for. Therefore, although she will greatly miss her husband, she will be surrounded by activity and engagement in way that many widows aren’t. My husband, takes care of our granddaughters after school each Tuesday. This year he added visiting Sue and her husband before he met our grandchildren. He will continue to do so for Sue to help with those things where she can use a hand.
I had planned on making the quilt smaller – 8″ x 8″ and then 12″ by 12″ until I realized how teeny tiny the star and basket would have to be. As it was, I think the basket had 13 pieces and star has 16. Yikes! What was I thinking?
It is hard when you lose a dear friend. My heart goes out to Sue. My her heart be filled with warm memories to help her through her grief.
It sure is, Terry. Thank you. It feels as though the world should stop, but of course it continue.
topsy turvy sounds like a picnic compared to the terror I feel daily now.
always enjoy your artistic take on things tho and your PQ is very artsy
finishing mine today I hope.
LeeAnna
Thank goodness for the courts. Yes, topsy turvy is an understatement. Looking forward to seeing your PQ 16.3. Perhaps I will revisit this prompt – but without the time crunch. I could have done so much more if I had 3 months. 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about your friend, Dana’s passing. My sympathy to you and Sue.
I like your franken-fabric. I like that word for it, too!
I wish I had coined franken fabric, but I read it on someone else’s post and loved it. Intuitive piecing doesn’t feel quite right, because that implies more care in selecting the fabric to be pieced together. Franken fabric is truly made up of odd shapes, geometric shapes, random lengths of strips of various widths… The only decision making I purposely undertake is how I can I put together this hodge podge of scraps with the least waste and avoid having the same fabric seamed to itself.
Thank you for your condolences, Nancy. Dana is deeply missed by Sue, his large family and friends.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that 50 years of memories can help your sorrow. I’m glad Sue has family and you close by.
Thank you, Judy. This weekend was the wake and funeral mass. Many fond memories were shared and no doubt will continue to be shared in the days to come.
So sorry for your loss. I was at a friend’s funeral today & it was sad & unexpected, but sweet to remember her & all her goodness. Creating is a great way to bring peace to our personal worlds. Keep going!
One of the difficulties of aging is outliving special friends. Fortunately we have their memories and what they taught us. My condolences on your loss.
Yes, getting lost in the studio and the memories does help.
How sad for you, Sue, and Dana’s entire family. Glad you have each other to hold on to. When I feel like I need some peace and stability, I opt for quilting or counted cross-stitch. It’s so easy to lose myself in either of these activities and my mind is focused on beauty. Peace to you & Sue.
Others don’t know what they are missing. So often you hear “I don’t have the patience to make a quilt.” But oh, the Zen of it. Thank you, for your your thoughtful words.
So sorry for your loss. I relate to things feeling topsy-turvy right now. I’m glad you’re finding some solace in your studio.
Thank you, Anne-Marie. I feel so grateful to have safe space to regain my footing.
Oh Gwyned, I’m so sorry for Sue, it’s nice to have family and friends close by. Your projects are lovely and are a great occasion to keep your mind busy. Love the tiny star and basket! Thank you for sharing this cute mini quilt.
You are kind, Frédérique. Yes, we feel fortunate to live if not close by, at least close enough to get to easily. Sue lives about an hour away from us.
I’m glad you liked the mini quilt. I was so excited to find that basket weave in my stash. Perfect.
Hugs to Sue. I am sorry for both of you.
I do like your purple project tho – I like the surprise in the blocks
And blue— Looking good!
When my son was 4 (he is 41 now) I took a “how to mark an art quilt class” with Sandra Donabed Townsend. Each of the students had been working on their quilts for around 6 weeks. We were nearly done and Sandy said, “now to do something radically different to change the quilt. Best advice I have ever been given. That’s what taught me to add surprises like the basket with flowers in an attic window.
Thank you for your support.