A Week of Mixed Feelings

Last Saturday, a week ago as I write this, we had a fun Girls Day Out for my granddaughter London, who turned 13. A teenager!! There were four of us - London, my daughter-in-law Kim (London’s Aunt Kim), Cally, her grandma who is married to my ex-husband, and me.  Our first stop was the Blick art store in Salt Lake City, where London got to pick out her own art supplies as my gift to her. She is as talented an artist (particularly sketching and painting) as her dad Shane, my middle son. After that we went to TCBY  for frozen yogurt, as it brought back many happy memories for all of us from when London was a pre-schooler. Then it was on to a nail salon where we all had pedicures, manicures and massages. London was in seventh heaven!

Our final stop was at Wheeler Farm, where Cally gave her a heart necklace. Cally held it and blessed the necklace with the strength and solidarity of all the women in London’s life, letting her know we would always be there for her. Then I took the necklace and blessed it so that London would look forward to a bright future while keeping in mind that her family and ancestors were not only a part of who she was, but whether alive or passed, loved her and were cheering her on. Finally, Kim took the necklace and blessed it with wishes for London to be happy, practice kindness and make good choices in her life. She then put the necklace on London. Now London can touch the necklace and remember our words and love for her. Then we took a selfie!

L-R: Aunt Kim, London, Grandma Cathy, Grandma Cally

The next day, Sunday, we had a whole family barbecue at Ryan and Kim’s house. London had requested a watermelon “cake”, which is really just a watermelon cut into layers and decorated with lots of cascading fruit. I was nervous to make it, but with the help of bamboo skewers sticks and toothpicks, it turned out fine. Here is London with her friends K and S.

London is wearing her heart necklace and says she’s never going to take it off! Even the slicked strawberries look like hearts!

On Wednesday, I started having hip pain on my right side. By Friday, it was interfering with my ability to move and be comfortable, so I guess a visit to the doctor will be on the schedule. I expect it’s bursitis and can be treated with cortisone shots. But we’ll see…

So, I didn’t get as much done this past week as I’d hoped. But the bright spot during the week was a box of lovely gifted fabrics and even a partially-finished quilt (with accompanying Eleanor Burns book) from Wanda at Exuberant Color. Wanda makes regular charitable donations, and I guess I (or more accurately Quilts for Kids) was the lucky recipient this time. Thank you so much for your generosity, Wanda! It is truly appreciated! 

I did get a bit of sewing done. I forgot to show this top last week. It is now basted and next up for quilting. You may recognize the Bullseye courthouse Steps blocks I’ve been making for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year. This is quilt top #2 from those blocks.

For my Rainbow Scrap sewing (linking to Scrappy Saturday),  I  sewed 12 framed four-patches,

Twelve Little Bricks blocks ,

And these light blue checkerboard blocks (will be 8” each when sewn together). My plan was to use up the last of the light blue denim-look chambray to make a boy quilt. So I combined it with scraps and lone strips of unloved colors in my scrap stash - maroon and dark blue. It will end up somewhere in the neighborhood of 48x56”. 

That’s it for this week from the studio. I had hoped to baste some donated quilt tops, but I couldn’t manage by myself. In fact, I couldn’t negotiate the stairs down to the basement studio this morning, so I guess I’ll be getting this hip taken care of sooner rather than later.

Queen Elizabeth II

1926 - 2022