Miss Riley Begins Her Journey

 

Riley Girl:Will She Be a Therapy Dog?

Although it might not seem related, I decided that I wanted to post this…it is a big deal to me and I am praying about it as we begin this journey.

In my earlier posts, I have discussed Quilts of Valor, an organization which gives quilts to returning military…I do longarm quilting for someone in the TX area who has pieced a quilt. With my association with this group, I began to realize that I would like to do more. SOOOOO….

My precious girl labradoodle, Riley, began a journey with me on Sunday…she and I took our first class toward trying to become a certifed therapy dog team. I don’t know where this journey will take us or if this is a journey that God wants us to take…I only know that we have to try:) Please keep us in your prayers over the next several weeks…we will be taking two tests and we must pass both successfully to become part of the organization. Training is first and I am hoping that all will go well…I think my Riley is awesome but she may not be a therapy dog so that will have to be determined.

Quilting Weather!

After 59 straight days of 100+ degree weather, fall has finally come to San Antonio, Texas! We are having rain, which is liquid gold for us and the day’s high is to be 69 degrees. This virtually unheard of in September; are we in for a frigid winter in south Texas?

The great thing about cooler weather, for me at least, is that it is so much fun to be up in my studio quilting.  I have huge windows in my loft and it is “snuggly” to see the rain and the hear the hum of my machine as I move along the frame.  Don’t get me wrong…too much rain is not good for us south Texas residents as our soil doesn’t hold on to too much and then we have flooding BUT some rain is WONDERFUL and gives me a great excuse not to do any yard work!

I am still finding homes in my studio for my purchases at Innovations. I bought more Bottom Line BOBS, which I love as well as some Lava, both by Superior. I have used alot of King Tut but this will be my first experience with Lava; I think it will be lovely on a quilt that I am going to do for a customer that will be edge to edge (I have a king size quilt that I am still working on right now…I am almost ready to turn the quilt and do the last borders, so I am excited!)

I still work part time as a school librarian and our school is feeling the influx of the swine flu. I had a parent tell me this week that both of her children have had the flu, they were swobbed and the test was positive for H1N1, but the doctor did not send the samples on to the CDC…he believes any flu that is seen right now is the H1N1…interesting commentary. I hope all the kiddoes do okay and are well soon!

Quilts of Valor

My local guild has been making quilts for wounded military personnel at BAMC (Brooke Army Medical Center) but this quilt is my first Quilt of Valor. I have to say that I was filled with trepidation; I have done many customer quilts and I take my craft very seriously…I want every customer to be happy with the quilts that I complete for them but this is different. I want it to be special because of the special sacrifice that the person made who will receive it.

The lady who pieced this quilt, Andy of  TX, did a fabulous job; the batiks that she used in the flying geese were lovely and the piecing was perfection. What a treat to get to quilt this quilt!

I am posting pictures today. I hope that you will consider becoming a part of this project. There is a huge need for quilters and piecers as there is a new project to produce quilts for a group of Marines returning to the U.S.  I know you will find it very rewarding.

The Wednesday Afternoon Quilt Club

Last Wednesday, Feb. 25, was the first official meeting of the Wednesday Afternoon Quilt Club. The establishment of this club was to reach a very specific goal. You see, our dear friend, Karen has been diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. After 8 months of trying to find the reason for pain in her back, she reached a point where she was hospitalized and the reason was finally ascertained. Karen was in the hospital for a month; she began her chemo and is on 3 weeks and off 1. I explain this because when I asked Karen if there was something that she would like for me to do, she expressed wanting help to create a baby quilt for the grandbaby that is due in June.  She had bought the fabric in December; a baby shower is in April so our mission is to get it pieced and quilted before that time.

My friend, Ricki (who is an ovarian cancer survivor) and I made our way to Karen’s house. I brought newly baked cinnamon bread. Karen greeted us with a smile and a pretty turban. Our first order of business: In south Tx it gets warm so if you don’t want to wear a turban, you don’t have to…bald is, indeed, beautiful. That being done we moved on to adding an additional fat quarter from Karen’s stash and the cutting began. We could only stay an hour…Karen is still pretty weak from her hospital stay, but we laughed and touched the fabric, and generally had a fabulous time. Before we left, we made sure that Karen had some of the bread along with her meds and prayed together. What a beautiful time among friends!

I will be sharing the notes from the Wed. Afternoon Quilt Club for a couple of reasons. First, truly, women ministering to other women is a powerful thing…I want to be sure that you don’t miss out on that opportunity if it arises for you. Secondly, quilting is great therapy…we know that but I don’t know if anyone who is not a quilter, knitter, crocheter, or weaver or fabric artist would know the feeling. There is something about touching the fabric (or thread or yarn) and seeing the colors that is soothing and enriching to the creative spirit and balm to those who want a break from the usual “stuff” that makes up life.

If you are a spiritual person, please remember Karen in your prayers; she wants to be in good shape for the new grandbaby and we have to finish that quilt!