tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82768297831145109352024-03-14T13:16:42.549-05:00Grandma Barbara's Quilts & MoreRamblings about quilts, cats, life . . .Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-6801196939366603662014-03-09T18:25:00.001-05:002014-03-09T18:34:40.525-05:00MY CAT KURT NEEDS CHEMO - I NEED FUNDING FOR IT<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey, y'all! I know it's been ages since I've posted, but things have been hectic around Grandma's house in the past months. And the past weeks have been even worse.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IM-hyfH-kpEkGsaLb01r1wUBW-Zi0tnXKCyoSJotUBokztlpP0No0CU3rqfi1ilMzPWGSw-d-s1mMmgOZ63mVAKOqGkPSnAvrO_UUIo9OEVRBrfbWK1cXIm18_Epr3h9dOQaGSXWjdI/s1600/Kurt+030114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IM-hyfH-kpEkGsaLb01r1wUBW-Zi0tnXKCyoSJotUBokztlpP0No0CU3rqfi1ilMzPWGSw-d-s1mMmgOZ63mVAKOqGkPSnAvrO_UUIo9OEVRBrfbWK1cXIm18_Epr3h9dOQaGSXWjdI/s1600/Kurt+030114.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recent picture of Kurt</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Three weeks ago today I noticed that my cat, Kurt, was having trouble breathing so I took him to the Emergency Vet Clinic. Thinking that he may have pneumonia, the vet there took an xray and gave him some meds. The next day I took him to my regular vet and he didn't see anything remarkable and said that if the breathing problem continued, Kurt needed to see a specialist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the end of the week, it was obvious that Kurt's breathing was getting worse. I was like he was having to really work to get a breath. Friday of that week we went to the Gulf Coast Vet Specialists to see Dr. Menino. They did a CT scan and discovered that Kurt had a diaphragmatic hernia - basically a hole in his diaphragm that allowed his liver and gall bladder to move up close to his heart. And with a hole in one's diaphragm, it's hard to breathe. So surgery was scheduled to get that fixed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIbDMnsmb69bTo6Gdfu3mfAbOHNXDPAS4l-oMdYGbmJdMCqCvi9L_89WoZvkV5Fhrij_KBzi6kuVjbxqnTWp9TKK9kdNjX3berFEVw040BoGcP0QcL6lFVYYZRker4WBzlg2MQQ4IwFc/s1600/Kurt+post+op+022414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIbDMnsmb69bTo6Gdfu3mfAbOHNXDPAS4l-oMdYGbmJdMCqCvi9L_89WoZvkV5Fhrij_KBzi6kuVjbxqnTWp9TKK9kdNjX3berFEVw040BoGcP0QcL6lFVYYZRker4WBzlg2MQQ4IwFc/s1600/Kurt+post+op+022414.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kurt showing off his incision after surgery</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the surgery, Kurt was breathing much better for a few days. Then he started regressing and struggling to breathe. So they did another xray from a different position and found that Kurt has a mass that is blocking 50% - 70% of his trachea. So a biopsy was done and Kurt was started on prednisone in an attempt to bring down any inflammation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The biopsy was not totally definintive, but points to lymphoma. After spending several hours over several days at the urgent care clinic at Gulf Coast, Kurt is scheduled to start his radiation therapy on Monday, March 10. He will also most likely undergo a round of chemotherapy, but the radiation will get a quicker result so it's starting first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because I've spent a fortune already on his surgery and scans, I'm trying to raise some money to pay for his chemo/radiation by starting a campaign on Indiegogo.com. You can find the campaign here <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-kurt-continue-breathing/x/6569290">http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-kurt-continue-breathing/x/6569290</a></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Chttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-kurt-continue-breathing/x/6569290"><http: a="" help-kurt-continue-breathing="" projects="" www.indiegogo.com="" x="">.</http:></a></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Donations can be made by credit card or PayPal. I've never been one to ask for help on anything, but, to help Kurt and to be able to keep feeding my other cats, I've had to do this. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8otLLPR-8Yu_JwwARSD_7O7rVYYEbnPTHwLFDpb2WvJTBNKfxtGZybRXEX7b1HJn3GG8EzD0XOD1jCo4xk-yVrnW9J6gQ1zgp_MgaqBX6nnWciovi-NsxbUoKe5hKpBfWHFlk5LzSoQ0/s1600/Kurt+040210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8otLLPR-8Yu_JwwARSD_7O7rVYYEbnPTHwLFDpb2WvJTBNKfxtGZybRXEX7b1HJn3GG8EzD0XOD1jCo4xk-yVrnW9J6gQ1zgp_MgaqBX6nnWciovi-NsxbUoKe5hKpBfWHFlk5LzSoQ0/s1600/Kurt+040210.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kurt in 2010</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kurt is just 8 years old and was part of a family rescued by my neighbor when Kurt was a kitten. I took them in, hoping to find Kurt, his brother, sister and mother a good home. Well, they ended up making there home with me. Kurt is a big boy, weighing about 23 pounds at his heaviest, though he weighs about 15 pounds now. If he can get this therapy, maybe we can give Kurt another good year or maybe more. If you can't or just don't care to donate, please pass this on to anyone you know who might be able to help us out. Thanks in advance for your kindness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-19054365473486225122013-08-05T20:27:00.001-05:002013-08-05T20:30:10.202-05:00MY JOURNEY WITH FELINE EPI, Chapter 2<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok, where were we? Oh, yes, talking about Mr. Twitty and treating his EPI.. Ideally the way to treat EPI is to mix a powdered pig pancreas product called Pancreazyme into the food at each feeding. Unless you are dealing with a cat, of course. It's not that Twitty didn't like the taste, but it was the texture. You are supposed to wait about 15 minutes or so after mixing to let the enzymes start digesting the food which makes it a tad on the slimy side. Later studies say you don't have to wait, but most of the time he still won't eat it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I searched and searched everything I could find online about Feline EPI. There isn't much. I finally found a couple of blogs that had suggestions from owners on how they got the Pancreazyme into their cats. One seems to be working for me. I take about a teaspoon of food and mix it with a generous 1/4 teaspoon of Pancreazyme and about a half teaspoon of water to make a gruel or slurry. I load that into a couple of 6 ml. syringes and let it set for 5 or 10 minutes. Then I put Twitty's food on a plate. Right now we are alternating between Natural Balance Duck and Green Pea and Fancy Feast Turkey and Giblets. After the first couple of bites I squirt one syringe of the slurry into his mouth so it will mix in with the food as he eats. About halfway thru the other syringe gets squirted in. It seems to be working fairly well as his stools have firmed up somewhat though not back to normal by any stretch of the imagination.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a month or so with this routine, Twitty started gaining weight. Several weeks ago he was .4 oz short of 7 lbs. And then he got a bladder infection. The medicine dulled his appetite and down went the scales. He did complete his round of antibiotics and is now eating pretty well for most meals. There's always one he gets picky on. Sometimes I sprinkle some FortiFlora on top. Sometimes I squirt the contents of a couple of Vitamin E caplets on top. I try not to do that too often as I want him to eat the food straight out of the can. The interesting thing is that lately I've been successful a couple of times mixing the Pancreazyme directly into his Fancy Feast and he's eating it. But not always.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also give Twitty 1/2 a famotidine tablet twice a day to keep the stomach acid from eating up the Pancreazyme before it can do it's job and it seems to be helping keep his stools firmer. You can get the generic version at any drug store at a very reasonable price. Of course check with your vet first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am becoming very much an advocate of getting medications from the online pet pharmacies like 1-800-PETS and Doctors Foster & Smith. I was paying nearly $50 each for about 2 oz. of Pancreazyme from my vet. I found a 12 oz. bottle at Doctors Foster & Smith for about $139. I also order the FortiFlora on Amazon at a much cheaper price than I get at the vet. For those who aren't familiar with FortiFlora, it's a probiotic powder developed specifically for pets. It's great for treating diarrhea and my IBD cat, Barney, benefits from it greatly. And it seems to have a great taste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dealing with Feline EPI requires creative solutions. You have to try everything and then go with what works for as long as it works and then try something new. And keep researching. It's so rare among cats that few vets have even treated it before. </span><br />
<br />Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-91691878958350052822013-07-14T10:55:00.000-05:002013-07-14T10:55:42.168-05:00MY CAT HAS WHAT? MY JOURNEY WITH FELINE EPII<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> guess it's best to start at the beginning. At least I think that's where it started. Last year around this time I took Twitty to the vet because he was losing weight while eating like a horse. He was down to about 7 pounds from something just over 8. After exams and blood work the diagnosis was hyperthyroidism. I was ok with that. I've dealt with it before. It's easily treated with medicine, Methimazole, or thyroid radiation. Since money was tight, I opted for the meds. We would do the radiation when I had saved up some money. (Famous last words!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About the same time, Twitty came down with an upper respiratory virus. He was also throwing up on a regular basis. I was tearing my hair out. We thought the vomiting was caused by the thyroid medicine so it was decided to try a compounded form of the medicine that gets rubbed on the ears twice a day. Sounded easy enough. It turns out that Twitty has sensitive ears and was just about tearing his ears up because they itched. So we found a hypoallergenic base for the compound and things settled down.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgQtH4W_7HBLwX38omb-VuQD6p1h0VptLNbkLgeVeWon29bAVPjZ24Y-Z5ZNFVMcZE23GyAjxvB57cILepEtn7o2GRWXAdtccj6r2gSYY0DoV6sufmzNXopeSLmjJZFF_lPRKBIDmUKQ/s1600/Junior+on+mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgQtH4W_7HBLwX38omb-VuQD6p1h0VptLNbkLgeVeWon29bAVPjZ24Y-Z5ZNFVMcZE23GyAjxvB57cILepEtn7o2GRWXAdtccj6r2gSYY0DoV6sufmzNXopeSLmjJZFF_lPRKBIDmUKQ/s320/Junior+on+mantle.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Twitty in earlier days</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a few months, Twitty started having voluminous and very, very stinky stools. Can you say cow patty? And he wasn't gaining weight like he should with his thyroid under control. In fact, he was losing more weight and was beginning to look like a skeleton with fur. He was down to 6 pounds. The vet put him on an antibiotic powder that mixes with his food each day. No change. We gave him Forti-Flora, probiotic powder, in his food. He loved it, but no change. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then a recheck of his thyroid levels showed they were low! The vet said it could be caused by GI issues. I said he's having GI issues. We lowered the dosage of his thyroid medicine and then had a recheck in a few weeks. During that time I did my online research and found EPI - Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. It appears it's pretty rare in cats, but he hit every symptom on the nose! I voiced my suspicions to my vet and he was skeptical. Finally the blood tests were done and the diagnosis was - EPI! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems that while we were dealing with Twitty's hypothyroidism, he had an underlying pancreatitis and it damaged his pancreas. Now it wasn't producing the enzymes needed to digest his food so the nutrients could be absorbed. He was actually starving! Doesn't that make your blood run cold? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I was told, all we have to do is mix some Pancreazyme powder made from freeze-dried pork pancreas into his food every day and that will help him digest his food. Ah! Easier said than done I found out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my next entry I'll chronicle the ins and outs of treating feline EPI for our Twitty. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-91816032635568846982013-04-10T11:50:00.000-05:002013-04-10T11:50:53.150-05:00NEW VENTURE<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to announce that I'm trying a new product in my Etsy shop - fabric paper dolls. I remember fondly the many, many hours I spent as a child, playing with my paper dolls. The set I remember best were of The Lennon Sisters. And I always cut out the Betsy McCall dolls and clothes from my mom's McCall's magazines. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, recently I was browsing in Etsy and found someone who was offering these fabric paper dolls. They intrigued me so I did some research. I found that the fabric was designed by Sibling Arts Studio. The fabric line all started when the three sisters inherited a 1930's paper doll collection from their Great-Aunt Lindy. They are now used in a widely-known fabric collection offered by Windham, Blue Hill and Newcastle Fabrics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think the fabrics were originally intended to be used for quilts and wall hangings and such, but someone got the brilliant idea of cutting out the dolls and clothes, fusing them to Peltex and fusible fleece and selling the sets as a great "quiet" toy. I also found that this has been going on for several years, unbeknownst to me, but I'm jumping in now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I currently have listed a collection of dolls from around the world like Colleen, from Ireland, and Tamia, from Japan. Keep on the lookout for additional dolls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK7g_kzEfa3aCCIByka4XUS54jektwgYr1H0b4HilAH4sKkJXcHP7JYt58FuqogmOE_biojZC_oatj-_mJcCzIzzwEKRRhXnbkcJ3YHGiKD08-Mvv2VaOZDXDgKOeU-kHxRqGRiYbIuk/s1600/Colleen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK7g_kzEfa3aCCIByka4XUS54jektwgYr1H0b4HilAH4sKkJXcHP7JYt58FuqogmOE_biojZC_oatj-_mJcCzIzzwEKRRhXnbkcJ3YHGiKD08-Mvv2VaOZDXDgKOeU-kHxRqGRiYbIuk/s320/Colleen+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Colleen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMYB3pGj6RsauldfcDPGhXR0w-dUT48T-5-EOtmlNVtN5n2yfctYAqN6I0nsTUT1YRN68lwhyphenhyphenTb4TMRLbRi2MEaDnEVnXSHRlRghG83w88rWoRtrW4clpEGuSJqZAVXZ9_toOdJyQOew/s1600/Tamia+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMYB3pGj6RsauldfcDPGhXR0w-dUT48T-5-EOtmlNVtN5n2yfctYAqN6I0nsTUT1YRN68lwhyphenhyphenTb4TMRLbRi2MEaDnEVnXSHRlRghG83w88rWoRtrW4clpEGuSJqZAVXZ9_toOdJyQOew/s320/Tamia+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tamia</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I currently have 7 different dolls listed. Each comes with one or more native costumes plus dresses and accessories. The cost depends on the number of clothes. The dolls are fused to Peltex for stiffness and come with a stand. The clothes are fused to fleece and they cling very nicely to the doll.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To make it easy for a child to carry their paper dolls with them, I've designed a cute little messenger bag style tote with pockets on the outside flap as well as inside to keep everything safely stowed away. The bag has a velcro closure that's easy for little fingers to operate. The long strap is suitable for cross-body wear. I have one listed currently in sparkly pink with more on the way. I'll also be glad to work with customers on other colors.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4HDW9otqaKJSbSAo9xvOGyz0_E46HZaOPeJaqYWgj8nK-LSmCxGxHlp1EcAtVUTY4F4-1QmVj97Z5aOpngsywPEBNZ7pADQiqwgseSRUXdFaPGXohhARv_7_3MDs_zYVObC3R4zWzdY/s1600/doll+tote+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4HDW9otqaKJSbSAo9xvOGyz0_E46HZaOPeJaqYWgj8nK-LSmCxGxHlp1EcAtVUTY4F4-1QmVj97Z5aOpngsywPEBNZ7pADQiqwgseSRUXdFaPGXohhARv_7_3MDs_zYVObC3R4zWzdY/s320/doll+tote+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">tote - outside</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeXnruyQV3uabR7HUp-3caRHpZbFVUcUBba1MCGkhJ4_JfnkEfFIYxYkNCxYicYiRv7L4pfbIPsrhSlUydAUY8JTbhbvbTqYm7rbB1aiLBrrIQqWKOmXIJEdpuRTb9B72ebZ0LBpQjRw/s1600/doll+tote+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeXnruyQV3uabR7HUp-3caRHpZbFVUcUBba1MCGkhJ4_JfnkEfFIYxYkNCxYicYiRv7L4pfbIPsrhSlUydAUY8JTbhbvbTqYm7rbB1aiLBrrIQqWKOmXIJEdpuRTb9B72ebZ0LBpQjRw/s320/doll+tote+3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">tote - inside</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think these dolls are adorable and would make a great gift. They are perfect for when a quiet toy is needed like church, travel or waiting rooms. And everyone could benefit from a break from the world of cyber-electronic toys. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Any input or feedback on these dolls would be appreciated. </span>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-76209901782344254782013-02-17T10:37:00.001-06:002013-02-17T10:37:17.809-06:00TIME FLIES<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow! January is long gone and February is over half gone, too. Time does fly when you're busy, doesn't it? What have I been doing? A lot!!!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First I rescued some kittens from the backyard who had upper respiratory infections and have nursed them back to health. Shawn and Belle along with their big brother, Squeaker, all had varying degrees of the infection with Shawn being the worst off. Shawn's infection had gotten into his left eye and he had to go to the eye vet for some medicine. It seems that things are healing well and the eye vet is very happy with the progress. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zNK12APBu-2ME_RfaMgActhU1Vh8jW1xpWkrLaKO2zTUJ5v-ORs8BLJmeMqpiyjJM7Ab2HKcdiiEEyWKkPppMHv6g73DqYHbv-2uV0DEFDEqIif5sORcur3W1IfSfkxMoAq2owCkW5s/s1600/Squeaker+012613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zNK12APBu-2ME_RfaMgActhU1Vh8jW1xpWkrLaKO2zTUJ5v-ORs8BLJmeMqpiyjJM7Ab2HKcdiiEEyWKkPppMHv6g73DqYHbv-2uV0DEFDEqIif5sORcur3W1IfSfkxMoAq2owCkW5s/s320/Squeaker+012613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Squeaker</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Squeaker, about 6 months older than his sibs, has been like a second mother to the others and is very, very sweet. Our local Humane Society just had their annual "Fix Felix for Free" day this past Wednesday and I was able to get Squeaker in for a free neuter. The lines were long, but I think it was worth the waiting time to get him done for free with $5 for the rabies shot. And it seems it was done just in time as it appears that Belle has matured earlier and is now in heat! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd0-9BrOAxThojKFueuMUba0mM4plY4FxODqit8d0T0ZO4w_NU_cC5t31G0IAX_JORm693BHPjiw0CNxOF15lF4vSA9NyNGuumJqBzVOwUc5h8-SWMds9aU1M3OHB_OF2I3Uij1b0BQE/s1600/Shawn+012613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd0-9BrOAxThojKFueuMUba0mM4plY4FxODqit8d0T0ZO4w_NU_cC5t31G0IAX_JORm693BHPjiw0CNxOF15lF4vSA9NyNGuumJqBzVOwUc5h8-SWMds9aU1M3OHB_OF2I3Uij1b0BQE/s320/Shawn+012613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Shawn</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've always thought that Shawn was a boy until lately when I realized he wasn't "developing" the proper equipment. After close inspection, it seems that Shawn is a girl as well. I'll have that confirmed by the vet this week. Either way, Shawn is so sweet and affectionate it's hard to believe he came from a feral mom. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw3DQmazRUL1jg60I8f2aMPeZX8XvXFTW5m92LfEtd_CB-IA1T8saWcOcfNjObKRYWoZu0COVRSPHINmGV80JNbESZ2CF5ctRn0GtY_vGgFLTjpuB3ozdD1XzhjDgD_cO990Z91EBmik/s1600/Belle+012613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw3DQmazRUL1jg60I8f2aMPeZX8XvXFTW5m92LfEtd_CB-IA1T8saWcOcfNjObKRYWoZu0COVRSPHINmGV80JNbESZ2CF5ctRn0GtY_vGgFLTjpuB3ozdD1XzhjDgD_cO990Z91EBmik/s320/Belle+012613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Belle</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His mom is Callie, a cute little calico girl who I also was able to get spayed about a month ago. Her other daughter, Belle, is a calico, too with more white and it just as shy as her mom. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctc3ghtcovfJ170NaMGZz4-vrpfdmnKh-mYUG0KzxKBGUTds9B4vTP-CN8yQaqnwvyOoBKX8CBfyi8tdZKKV7CjwdDnYi_LwHCntcKTmh6r3UdpqYsHeQtd2ww93zZbYv0h59SY0BgS0/s1600/callie+pre-op+011213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctc3ghtcovfJ170NaMGZz4-vrpfdmnKh-mYUG0KzxKBGUTds9B4vTP-CN8yQaqnwvyOoBKX8CBfyi8tdZKKV7CjwdDnYi_LwHCntcKTmh6r3UdpqYsHeQtd2ww93zZbYv0h59SY0BgS0/s320/callie+pre-op+011213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Callie</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the sewing studio, I've been working on a new product - a wristlet. I wanted to make something that could be an accessory to the tote bags and finally settled on a pattern with some slight alterations and have listed a couple in my Etsy shop. There will be more with some tote/wristlet sets, too. I've also decided that in the future I'll make the wrist strap detachable for versatility.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgiW0KppaGV3kaAurXPTktC-JoEfn5VJ-N49U4CqC7b756xUOe5xz8cyRt6MxFKtNHzssShpWI9R3n5bXW27JxqWq-Xo2SH-wjSWlS2UfxAqv1QuUljw3-tPOGh6UJCjNMKs1WFiXPJo/s1600/cowpoke+wristlet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgiW0KppaGV3kaAurXPTktC-JoEfn5VJ-N49U4CqC7b756xUOe5xz8cyRt6MxFKtNHzssShpWI9R3n5bXW27JxqWq-Xo2SH-wjSWlS2UfxAqv1QuUljw3-tPOGh6UJCjNMKs1WFiXPJo/s320/cowpoke+wristlet+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>L'il Cowpoke wristlet</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've also been working on the old family tree and I'll recount the new stuff in a later post. It's getting interesting again!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, it looks like spring is on it's way, but I wouldn't count out more cold weather in the meantime. I mean it is Houston after all and the trail rides and bar-b-que cookoff is coming up and it is almost always cold and rainy for that. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope everyone is having a good late winter/early spring. </span></div>
Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-26491763681763721762013-01-01T09:25:00.000-06:002013-01-01T09:25:03.019-06:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow! I know I say it every year, but what happened to last year? It went by very fast. It's true that the older you get the faster time seems to go. I guess being busy with cats and sewing and just life in general makes the time go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This time last year I was running back and forth to the Emergency Vet Clinic to see Micha who was hospitalized after a severe crash due to kidney failure. We were able to keep Micha with us until he passed away May 22. We still miss they little guy a lot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a year of dealing with various feline medical issues, but those have tapered off as the year progressed. I'm seriously praying for no medical crises this year. Please. Twitty is doing well, finally, on his thyroid medicine that's applied to his ears. Buddy is maintaining on his glaucoma treatment, though his vision is waning. Max, my medical standout for 2011, is doing quite well on his rather large insulin dosage. Everyone else seems to be hanging in there with minor issues only.Me? I can't afford to get sick so I don't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Business in my Etsy shop was down a bit this year, but then everyone is trying to cut back, including me. I've had the chance to make some amazing baby clothes quilts and I'm so grateful for my loyal customers. I made a lot of tote bags this winter and will continue to include tote and diaper bags in my inventory. I learned to make some simple coasters and soon every one of my friends and family will have their very own set!! I love to make them and see what fabric combos I can come up with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm hoping to take a beginning quilting class this year. I took one in 1999 and the wall hanging I made then is among the few quilted items I have finished since. I'm also hoping to branch out into more traditional quilting style in some of my totes and things. I'm also looking into matching accessory sets to go with the totes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My big wish for this year is a new sewing machine. I have two Brother machines, the newer computerized one has stitch regulation problems and needs to go to the shop and the other older and simpler one probably needs a tune up. They have both been great machines even though I probably haven't taken the best care of them as far as maintenance is concerned. I guess I'll see how much it costs to get the newer one in running order and then decide what to do. I have so many other things I want to tackle and I need a good machine to take that next step.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My family is doing well. My son still likes his job which is a blessing in itself. So many people go to work each day just dreading it. That's no fun, I know from experience. The grandkids are doing well in school and granddaughter will graduate from high school this spring. Och! That make me feel old!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that 2012 was a learning year for me and I'm hoping I can carry over those lessons to make 2013 the best year ever. I wish that for everyone who reads my blog. I know that if we put our minds to it, we can make this world a better place this year. Are you with me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy New Year, y'all!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-86346540424696594232012-11-26T08:57:00.001-06:002012-11-26T08:59:57.754-06:00CHRISTMAS ITEMS IN MY SHOP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> It's that time of year again and holiday gift shopping is on everyone's mind. I just wanted to let you know about the Christmas/holiday items I have in my shop all ready for gift giving. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First is a vintage reindeer Christmas ornament from Avon. His name is Belvedeer and he's just the cutest thing every. He has a red nose, red antlers and a knit scarf in red and green stripes. At present I have 9 of them left and you get free shipping with an order of 3 or more.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedCMJ35246EyM9MWSfRVYcidkdTjvygxPWK-cCetilYoDXyPTToTVAOdLMUSF6nZqm1p3BoFcVEeaL3roXLZUFj34HCcQFQ5U5aT8_A9lZTJHggnqfTkPrr2b50sOzpMSzxvBlhOEWUs/s1600/Belvedeer+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedCMJ35246EyM9MWSfRVYcidkdTjvygxPWK-cCetilYoDXyPTToTVAOdLMUSF6nZqm1p3BoFcVEeaL3roXLZUFj34HCcQFQ5U5aT8_A9lZTJHggnqfTkPrr2b50sOzpMSzxvBlhOEWUs/s320/Belvedeer+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next up is a tote made from some of my favorite holiday print ever. It's called "Coyote Choir" and features a bunch of coyotes singing their joy of the season. They've even decorated the cactus with colorful lights. They are joined by other desert denizens. The tote is trimmed with recycled denim and lined with a deep red fabric.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk8Dv2Q2LYXGkTKxkWrp4csMlhI3xUSlX2v7HgxfqqxLMPsswbFYiA8m6J_FAPT8sNECGMTjtQXvVjvTxLh2xYbMZHUag9rajaxhCETiNgJFxbjW47FRQ_fQGMxlw6SCzjM0EbMGTMxg/s1600/coyote+tote+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk8Dv2Q2LYXGkTKxkWrp4csMlhI3xUSlX2v7HgxfqqxLMPsswbFYiA8m6J_FAPT8sNECGMTjtQXvVjvTxLh2xYbMZHUag9rajaxhCETiNgJFxbjW47FRQ_fQGMxlw6SCzjM0EbMGTMxg/s320/coyote+tote+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Maxine fan (and who isn't?) I have a super tote bag featuring Maxine in all her holiday glory giving her opinion of the season. The background is red with white snowflakes and the tote is lined with red fabric.Carry this tote and you can laugh all the way to the new year.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7OTasP34FEq-sLKNGmr4RLBxduqyRAePh0qK4DLEiCenqRSlf2SYbFET3LqbF9SQgtwvsTOhXs-LSIaCAUk5GVtrWG3w30x2RytB0B971pzzlbeZAdRWEWEwMoBb6zZsy95YWinLusw/s1600/Maxine+Xmas+tote+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7OTasP34FEq-sLKNGmr4RLBxduqyRAePh0qK4DLEiCenqRSlf2SYbFET3LqbF9SQgtwvsTOhXs-LSIaCAUk5GVtrWG3w30x2RytB0B971pzzlbeZAdRWEWEwMoBb6zZsy95YWinLusw/s320/Maxine+Xmas+tote+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the cat lover I have a wonderful tote is a prim print of Santa and some very lucky felines. The background is a pale gray with Santa in a prim red robe. The cats are all wearing colorful mufflers just waiting for Santa to break out the catnip. The lining is a pale gray solid. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUdAS-v57Hdgfm4EUQ5u7IjErPo-Zk1rBnYYu1VuTYCO-bW1yFDUnMsQacOgaycWkcW7sXFK9tbwo3REEFB0ZIl0sS9YcLf-FihvJiVWDtT1ai6EELKlnlEgxQknDzlxKc1ymmJblEkM/s1600/kitty+santa+tote+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUdAS-v57Hdgfm4EUQ5u7IjErPo-Zk1rBnYYu1VuTYCO-bW1yFDUnMsQacOgaycWkcW7sXFK9tbwo3REEFB0ZIl0sS9YcLf-FihvJiVWDtT1ai6EELKlnlEgxQknDzlxKc1ymmJblEkM/s320/kitty+santa+tote+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also have a lot of other items in the shop that would make ideal Christmas/holiday presents. I have aprons in fabrics that echo the prints of Provence. There's a lovely girly John Deere theme diaper bag and baby quilt combo. I have a cool teacher print tote for the fav teacher in your or your child's life. There are other tote bags in assorted themes that just might catch your eye and a couple of beautiful rag quilts. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you don't see something that meets your needs, please convo me thru Etsy and I'll be glad to work with you to create just what you have in mind. www.grandmabarbara.etsy.com is the place!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-18826019288200698312012-10-02T10:03:00.002-05:002012-10-02T10:14:34.164-05:00NEW TOTES IN MY SHOP<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In anticipation of the upcoming "gift giving" season, I'm going to be listing a number of tote bags in my shop. They will make great holiday gifts for friends and family or to keep for yourself!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first listing is a nifty patriotic tote in red, white and blue. The colors are more of the primitive, darker colors than the usual combo. The pattern is little squares with stars, stripes or USA. The inside is a dark blue with tiny stars and features two 9" x 9" pockets. There's also a handy little pocket on the outside that's been accented with a vintage white button.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNNlbHz57wtJcqENzgAXK0voj-9WzcOYFhPSImgoY5xMlQ57IQjf3-VberN2j-W9jRkuEfWgFp8HuCM1zyXs_45K4l3Vb5w0oXRgK8WnBvkTyDKoebOFfA5HY9eQtiEvPNPbq7m34x8g/s1600/rwb+tote+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="239" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNNlbHz57wtJcqENzgAXK0voj-9WzcOYFhPSImgoY5xMlQ57IQjf3-VberN2j-W9jRkuEfWgFp8HuCM1zyXs_45K4l3Vb5w0oXRgK8WnBvkTyDKoebOFfA5HY9eQtiEvPNPbq7m34x8g/s320/rwb+tote+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just in time for Halloween, I listed a beautiful orange tote with a spiderweb pattern that could carry you all the way thru the winter. Inside I went wholeheartedly Halloween with a cute print on black with bats, pumpkins and the like. The tote also has two inside pockets and one on the outside with an unusual metal button feature.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxL8d-WK8LvVhFg27EDjFIbdk6I4FyCR1g3_EAPmmNUQlOdpGbfGLHp1cSrTRTs8b2WWV56HEfLrzGisJ8iUHj8NadtpIrGU707VRSu219mTPtyUYU44MMxy_dbsaA1UpK0di7qhyphenhyphenTbA/s1600/orange+tote+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxL8d-WK8LvVhFg27EDjFIbdk6I4FyCR1g3_EAPmmNUQlOdpGbfGLHp1cSrTRTs8b2WWV56HEfLrzGisJ8iUHj8NadtpIrGU707VRSu219mTPtyUYU44MMxy_dbsaA1UpK0di7qhyphenhyphenTbA/s320/orange+tote+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I also listed a cute tote that would be the perfect teacher gift. The print is in bright primary colors of red, blue and yellow. If you look close you will see the schoool house, the school bus, the teacher's apple and many other school related items. The background is a denim blue and the lining a great bright red. Inside are four roomy 9" x 9" pockets to handle all of the "stuff" a teacher carries around. I also included the small outside pocket with a bright red button.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLR4-oYKI-EA5dFmqcA-fTWBV18tPO02eCGhSzvZw3xk0z-UsepaZPJEZ6h8ANkJlRnqSGR5evJJQRlZq-uVv5cMqu2RgvAAkjPq6M_CRp2KFumrgWpTHV72G8wJ7lmH0noeJYi2xp6g/s1600/teacher+tote+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLR4-oYKI-EA5dFmqcA-fTWBV18tPO02eCGhSzvZw3xk0z-UsepaZPJEZ6h8ANkJlRnqSGR5evJJQRlZq-uVv5cMqu2RgvAAkjPq6M_CRp2KFumrgWpTHV72G8wJ7lmH0noeJYi2xp6g/s320/teacher+tote+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The last tote I'm featuring today is perfect for the piggy collector. The print, in browns and pinks, is all pigs. The tote lining is a pale pink. Inside I placed two 9" x 9" pockets with a small pocket on the outside that has a pretty pearly accent button. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbFPNagf7Z6FZ_Y1tDkO4qZUmQ8uEiewg0jHICOWLz9GXinQB6qtnJ1aXe8S6TwvATkQKt0c2waS23e1XCOXg-oGUI9LW7wol_yB9Arp6Iuyv82HofraXA64BHIlrzhOS9qhY-mI2DAY/s1600/piggy+tote+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="237" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbFPNagf7Z6FZ_Y1tDkO4qZUmQ8uEiewg0jHICOWLz9GXinQB6qtnJ1aXe8S6TwvATkQKt0c2waS23e1XCOXg-oGUI9LW7wol_yB9Arp6Iuyv82HofraXA64BHIlrzhOS9qhY-mI2DAY/s320/piggy+tote+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All of the totes have a fusible fleece between the fabric layers and a fabric covered matte board stabilizer in the bottom. The 10" drop in the double top-stitched straps make them great for carrying on the shoulder or in the hand. Although the totes are washable except for the stabilizer, most problems can be taken care of thru spot cleaning. And any of these would make a great diaper bag, too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm also open to requests for custom made totes. Just email or convo me on Etsy with your requests or ideas. And be on the lookout for more - especially those with a Christmas/holiday theme. </span>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-15484076961236047752012-09-14T09:37:00.002-05:002012-09-14T09:37:58.331-05:00TWITTY IS HYPERTHYROID!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I intimated in my last post that things had been crazy around here and it's true. A couple of months ago I found out that one of my black and white kitties, Twitty, had hyperthyroidism! He has always been a bit hyper and skinny, but I never noticed a big change. When he had some "digestive" issues I took him to the vet and the blood work they ran showed his T4 was waaaaayyyy above normal. I mean waaaayyy above!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So we started him on thyroid medicine, methimazole. The medicine has some side effects, but Twitty was also suffering from an upper respiratory infection at the same time. So the combo led to anorexia and eventually nausea and vomiting. I was trying to tempt him with all sorts of foods and poking stuff down him, trying to keep him from just wasting away. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKn1ZgoGzo9d2-y85bRQx_11Pseku1zVJ8ND7UfyFISj9wDkADIT_1WEB_HpBew7FUKxNP3Ked-bY8GoALdWP-kt4kzRlPePzIg_tvfuKsk7Gew-OMYh1HlVLNslqewUIZYI4NDskIXA/s1600/junior0407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKn1ZgoGzo9d2-y85bRQx_11Pseku1zVJ8ND7UfyFISj9wDkADIT_1WEB_HpBew7FUKxNP3Ked-bY8GoALdWP-kt4kzRlPePzIg_tvfuKsk7Gew-OMYh1HlVLNslqewUIZYI4NDskIXA/s320/junior0407.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Twitty on his favorite perch</em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After a couple of different antibiotics and a visit to the emergency clinic for a high fever, the URI finally went away. And, since the pills were making him throw up, we switched to a "transdermal" method of administering the medicine. This is a gel that is applied to the inside of the ear and absorbed into his system that way. This bypasses the stomach and has much less of a gastric side effect. He's been eating like a horse ever since.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, no one told me that you need to wipe the gel off of the ear after a few hours. I thought it would just be absorbed like body lotion. His ears got all yucky and we had to put drops in for 10 days. That was fun. But now everything has cleared up and his ears are pink and healthy. In the mean time, I discovered a great wipe to take the gel remainder off - they are called "Boogie Wipes", a saline wipe made to clean "boogies" from little noses. Twitty doesn't particularly like the scent, but they work so very well. (Hint to Boogie Wipes maker - make an unscented version!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Eventually we will be getting Twitty's thyroid irradiated for a permanent cure, but we must save up the money for it as it's a tad expensive. To that end I've listed several new creations - a couple of quilts and a tote - and will have more shortly. I've also listed several vintage items from my pottery and china collection. So keep checking my Etsy store to see what's new.</span>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-42161351360135112202012-08-28T09:23:00.000-05:002012-08-28T09:23:40.373-05:00NEW QUILT: CRABS AND BEARS AND DUCKS, OH MY!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know, I know!! I've neglected my blog severely! I do have a good excuse, but in this post I want to show off my latest baby clothes quilt. The clothes my client supplied were just so cute with all sorts of adorable animals including a number of surprisingly sweet crabs.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6yH-FEqttjf1YYPeAbRBiTeCri4hWU-KngDUm7eqQYFCb3U-4vENRKeRtsvcL_cKkg1uDqxVOOkRiI4kdTAEJHkyP2OiTGiziTv9NvKqiWG8_X2Stft0f-saVu8mAHMtk3DSVd0QbMQ/s1600/Jayme%2527s+quilt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6yH-FEqttjf1YYPeAbRBiTeCri4hWU-KngDUm7eqQYFCb3U-4vENRKeRtsvcL_cKkg1uDqxVOOkRiI4kdTAEJHkyP2OiTGiziTv9NvKqiWG8_X2Stft0f-saVu8mAHMtk3DSVd0QbMQ/s320/Jayme%2527s+quilt+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There were also a number of bears and ducks and even a monkey or two plus some superhero vibe with Batman and Superman. The clothes were definitely representative of a typical boy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc54AM5TnDyonzDigaE9FGYgUOZfMlDHo2fd70uL-SdLS0jEOzdaZQJEccHmitM8W5pJVn5I0hJsY71jrWjAIASVq7Emyst3kCTIRvn-GPk4BQ83-zJYwf0YWgYbbJj04nTjY01zdaUG0/s1600/Jayme%2527s+quilt+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc54AM5TnDyonzDigaE9FGYgUOZfMlDHo2fd70uL-SdLS0jEOzdaZQJEccHmitM8W5pJVn5I0hJsY71jrWjAIASVq7Emyst3kCTIRvn-GPk4BQ83-zJYwf0YWgYbbJj04nTjY01zdaUG0/s320/Jayme%2527s+quilt+4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For this quilt the client wanted to select her own fabric for the back and the block framing and she did a really good job. For the back we used a white on brown polka dot. The blocks were framed with a coordinating brown on white polka dot. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJF0h6f3OHSZPJ6OMXekZcRAibqUE8AL3ZDMfDE7e9b57hNRyZituKdUdHd1NyJ3Af_28mnUrLvkRyMZENs2TQpC5l05ttqVS_4FX8QOgW_HSITNnALe8uTJyagNpnN7FiQcuthAsB7s/s1600/Jayme%2527s+quilt+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJF0h6f3OHSZPJ6OMXekZcRAibqUE8AL3ZDMfDE7e9b57hNRyZituKdUdHd1NyJ3Af_28mnUrLvkRyMZENs2TQpC5l05ttqVS_4FX8QOgW_HSITNnALe8uTJyagNpnN7FiQcuthAsB7s/s320/Jayme%2527s+quilt+6.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I do love polka dots; I think they are fun and sweet and young without being childish. Don't you think the polka dots are perfect for this quilt? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know this quilt will be treasured for many years to come and I'm so proud to have had the chance to work on it.</span>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-64414403210949041392012-07-13T11:05:00.003-05:002012-07-13T11:08:44.576-05:00THE MAKING OF A BABY CLOTHES QUILT - The Finale<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today is the final entry in "The Making of a Baby Clothes Quilt" series on my blog. I'll tell you about assembling the quilt and show you the finished product.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After all the blocks are "sandwiched" and stitched, I lay them out on my cutting table in a random pattern and then make adjustments in placement until it has a look that pleases me. I love that moment when I can say to myself, "Yes, that's it!" And that's a remarkable moment for a perfectionist!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After the layout is finalized I pin the blocks in each row together to make sure that they stay in the proper order. Then I sew them together with a double seam to make sure the quilt is sturdy and will last thru lots of use. This shows one of the strips with the blocks pinned.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdp3V5vQjoy754I96D68Zs6-CadRCxcXOj-tzbm9IbzshcwpPg9oh_hXD6UcNBiMlPCU4io463EuzeAFoEVKZdxgDSBhOhSS66Avt4H1cRbA3LUXSlb9YXIKZoqvfCoc414mmUA5K4pU/s1600/quilt+blog+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdp3V5vQjoy754I96D68Zs6-CadRCxcXOj-tzbm9IbzshcwpPg9oh_hXD6UcNBiMlPCU4io463EuzeAFoEVKZdxgDSBhOhSS66Avt4H1cRbA3LUXSlb9YXIKZoqvfCoc414mmUA5K4pU/s320/quilt+blog+34.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Next I pin and sew together the strips in sets of two. You will find that this makes assembly much easier, especially when you have limited space like I do. I use about a 3/4" seam for a nice bloom or fringe. Here are two of the strips after being sewn together. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1WBwtwyxTx90f2XlXupcqGXr5hUF8TW1A8KdUZETIkFfMCOsJUwpJqCGKQT1_Db0LRjtEVjCt67m0VmTttgeQXAUtMgGWpab8TkaAzjMhrJeJsIiBX26TBBZRBj44RURd7rE1TZbIOM/s1600/quilt+blog+35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1WBwtwyxTx90f2XlXupcqGXr5hUF8TW1A8KdUZETIkFfMCOsJUwpJqCGKQT1_Db0LRjtEVjCt67m0VmTttgeQXAUtMgGWpab8TkaAzjMhrJeJsIiBX26TBBZRBj44RURd7rE1TZbIOM/s320/quilt+blog+35.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since this quilt had eight rows, had four sets of two strips at this point. Then I sewed two sets of two strips together for two sets of four. Then one final seam to complete the assembly. After the quilt is all sewn together, I sew around the edge twice to make the space for fringing the edge.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This shows the completed quilt before clipping.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmldvwVINGagDwD-8jdqzlB2SQJ3CtR8xjydJs6ek48hCA5K75iTC1cWOp3UgGdNKFwCQwuDESJCys4ofz_5hIRbfTUWPEqpVEiTfgzghkyPeJnWRXll6UqX6lReKeTw4sNFn0Ew3NQ04/s1600/quilt+blog+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmldvwVINGagDwD-8jdqzlB2SQJ3CtR8xjydJs6ek48hCA5K75iTC1cWOp3UgGdNKFwCQwuDESJCys4ofz_5hIRbfTUWPEqpVEiTfgzghkyPeJnWRXll6UqX6lReKeTw4sNFn0Ew3NQ04/s320/quilt+blog+27.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, ta-da, here is the finished quilt. It measures about 55" x 62".</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zOT2oUKAa56Tt3AVvvp_q1XHIpaAmexGQEA3oR2F4x5kbqcjP5ngd8Fg6hG1muV32zT0tQvgZaEWXVyPnJ2HVuWidpmRAh9P2wm1rAfTJDVNqgv00Wan7eVXsdRxBQhtL5zGXst_L0k/s1600/christmas+quilt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zOT2oUKAa56Tt3AVvvp_q1XHIpaAmexGQEA3oR2F4x5kbqcjP5ngd8Fg6hG1muV32zT0tQvgZaEWXVyPnJ2HVuWidpmRAh9P2wm1rAfTJDVNqgv00Wan7eVXsdRxBQhtL5zGXst_L0k/s320/christmas+quilt+1.jpg" width="313" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I just love all the red in this quilt. I can see it on a winter day, adorning a sofa or keeping someone warm while watching a movie or reading a book. I love this quilt and my customer told me she loves it, too. I love a success!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-23794515362659231132012-07-11T12:27:00.001-05:002012-07-12T11:10:18.818-05:00THE MAKING OF A BABY CLOTHES QUILT - part 5<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today I'll show you how I trim the framed blocks and assemble the "sandwiches". It's all sewing from here on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The finished blocks need to be 9.5" square so I use my handy-dandy 9.5" square ruler to trim all the blocks. This ensures that all the blocks are the same size and have a straight edge all the way around. It's pretty easy if you find the center of each side and align the 4.75" mark with them. I center everything on the clothing square.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HxP8AyswbIGBj2gph4JjSUPPy4MUShc-42j8VhXA2AvsKEAIB4pQx0-aEbmzYl-mwA9er005oRT2yZXeO32vlEsA9OETvbuu-VS_dwIMZywn4-i1GsFrTLdS8ECXz_Zn4KwQEeSNczQ/s1600/quilt+blog+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HxP8AyswbIGBj2gph4JjSUPPy4MUShc-42j8VhXA2AvsKEAIB4pQx0-aEbmzYl-mwA9er005oRT2yZXeO32vlEsA9OETvbuu-VS_dwIMZywn4-i1GsFrTLdS8ECXz_Zn4KwQEeSNczQ/s320/quilt+blog+31.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuSuak4X0mijSKto9gE9eurxGaZAQm9L5S-SfD06EzT6Q2VGGJtUaqyKD8N3ykAGW0spph63-CYhQS83H9CnVq-bvEtERHnZfo9chC8RHe6QKOx9ZlvL-JR_EFhZ4IYeV6pg7QcJcsbA/s1600/quilt+blog+30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuSuak4X0mijSKto9gE9eurxGaZAQm9L5S-SfD06EzT6Q2VGGJtUaqyKD8N3ykAGW0spph63-CYhQS83H9CnVq-bvEtERHnZfo9chC8RHe6QKOx9ZlvL-JR_EFhZ4IYeV6pg7QcJcsbA/s320/quilt+blog+30.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On this quilt I used two layers of flannel on the back. I always use one layer for the middle, but this customer wanted an especially cuddly quilt so we went with flannel for the back layer, too. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After assembling the "sammies" I put a couple of pins in to keep everything in line until they can be sewn together.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SX4HZxquemobH72l7KVaNXxeOnI-9bvO5gM359qWBKvFn8tmMsR1tTJToXB_dmj2Ro9pblZGYtiAEJus7vnvIxvAaoqFreZDgfM7NgFks8vWgVA2j4RXCS_ZMt2_xDdSQ6OqwvUuhos/s1600/quilt+blog+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SX4HZxquemobH72l7KVaNXxeOnI-9bvO5gM359qWBKvFn8tmMsR1tTJToXB_dmj2Ro9pblZGYtiAEJus7vnvIxvAaoqFreZDgfM7NgFks8vWgVA2j4RXCS_ZMt2_xDdSQ6OqwvUuhos/s320/quilt+blog+26.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then I stitch around the "ditch" where the frame is sewn to the square. This makes the stitching about invisible on the front. And it makes a nice square pattern on the back. Usually a rag quilt is sewn with an X, but that won't work with this type of quilt.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K_cn5v26AXErBVlEfj2-XosYHcuNS8Hgp8RtsVq9Ll3JXvqd8wvivKn6ZjR7p64HaHVmS0yo1zGlrW1TWc5FELcZ4i3ejBCMrOvHkYB17xoWLvgX4B7wE0X-iyLoEkOCZqg4tmVgjrE/s1600/quilt+blog+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K_cn5v26AXErBVlEfj2-XosYHcuNS8Hgp8RtsVq9Ll3JXvqd8wvivKn6ZjR7p64HaHVmS0yo1zGlrW1TWc5FELcZ4i3ejBCMrOvHkYB17xoWLvgX4B7wE0X-iyLoEkOCZqg4tmVgjrE/s320/quilt+blog+33.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEp5NsJO2h0q4HmUrN9uUDFlV8h6C6i8_9nAhyfhbl3IGFXRBmewCIaEmXNzIM0j7jiH4yCh7hqp0hbQPU72fsaT-V-Y4QnjChJC9QweI4tBQqgcL1w49rOTPYLtSN7HsbDugoNVk1IA/s1600/quilt+blog+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEp5NsJO2h0q4HmUrN9uUDFlV8h6C6i8_9nAhyfhbl3IGFXRBmewCIaEmXNzIM0j7jiH4yCh7hqp0hbQPU72fsaT-V-Y4QnjChJC9QweI4tBQqgcL1w49rOTPYLtSN7HsbDugoNVk1IA/s320/quilt+blog+32.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the final installment, I'll show how I sew the blocks together and you can see the completed quilt. Thanks for your interest in this process and my quilts.</span>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-44459752203582880762012-07-06T11:46:00.000-05:002012-07-11T12:30:45.256-05:00THE MAKING OF A BABY CLOTHES QUILT - part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now we get to the framing of the blocks. This gives us a cotton edge that fringes much better than the stabilized knits. The framing strips are 2.5" wide and 6.5" and 10" long. Of course I cut twice the number of blocks for each length. Below are the strips cut for this quilt.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h81Sx8IrV1u_0PvUSShzsc9wb2vbP2eTBbhQQXUD-gK6b_EtoyX2mAveztfZmm6CwSiK-H_geN7d04TxBDnGIgSOvadD7XTQ6qMLKwxsdc6bCmItqIfWziuUMP3R4_kF5PukL7gYtzI/s1600/quilt+blog+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h81Sx8IrV1u_0PvUSShzsc9wb2vbP2eTBbhQQXUD-gK6b_EtoyX2mAveztfZmm6CwSiK-H_geN7d04TxBDnGIgSOvadD7XTQ6qMLKwxsdc6bCmItqIfWziuUMP3R4_kF5PukL7gYtzI/s320/quilt+blog+17.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I start by sewing the 6.5" strips down each side. (I like the way it looks with the longer strips across the top and bottom, but you could do it whichever way looks good to you.) I use chain stitching to save on thread.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4zR65bK2hviFegv2k5vZooCE_vC-2d__c3furMCtmQpOfIk8qRjrj6go4cUAGsKIIfohnTwk9ds5Z6MAMo6ZMWE5wtkulFRdPVrkJbsvJ18Nyyy9Mhfly1WTM5k9Y4D6qTyZ4PjCJxU/s1600/quilt+blog+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4zR65bK2hviFegv2k5vZooCE_vC-2d__c3furMCtmQpOfIk8qRjrj6go4cUAGsKIIfohnTwk9ds5Z6MAMo6ZMWE5wtkulFRdPVrkJbsvJ18Nyyy9Mhfly1WTM5k9Y4D6qTyZ4PjCJxU/s320/quilt+blog+15.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After the side strips are sewn I press them with the steam iron to make a nice, neat seam. Then the blocks are ready for the top and bottom strips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy-URtI_VwPT2wV9borGq7buTG9oi3PFNdRdZ1_KlqvrTfOYrsZ7ofSlotKptTZXWjVLNQGeoJU_wj2xFMas_VY06Ru_BovpyWithXzqlLL5p9B3R7Xj8ufMHEzxMiOVVQM5Mzn8_B-4/s1600/quilt+blog+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy-URtI_VwPT2wV9borGq7buTG9oi3PFNdRdZ1_KlqvrTfOYrsZ7ofSlotKptTZXWjVLNQGeoJU_wj2xFMas_VY06Ru_BovpyWithXzqlLL5p9B3R7Xj8ufMHEzxMiOVVQM5Mzn8_B-4/s320/quilt+blog+19.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These are sewn just like the side strips; chain sewning again saves on thread.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB7PxMNlYac37tTSTohTwDMVIYta7ISks1YTHtOn72IK_fwHYtmDan6-YjdDy8_umcYVR9mqvqFCmE3jb-m9JYtreH9dUrl_pJ36HFnbzOTGCMiN3j1r-W66VDc_XE1d7l44nDiHnpUg/s1600/quilt+blog+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB7PxMNlYac37tTSTohTwDMVIYta7ISks1YTHtOn72IK_fwHYtmDan6-YjdDy8_umcYVR9mqvqFCmE3jb-m9JYtreH9dUrl_pJ36HFnbzOTGCMiN3j1r-W66VDc_XE1d7l44nDiHnpUg/s320/quilt+blog+28.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And here's the finished framed block, ready for trimming. I'll show that and the "sandwiching" in the next blog post.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP_2_zho7sP1CxZAxnOziM_Ru7bmx4Qq6IDXdI8t_7z-aEich74UNcDAIlYMqkWPgtUUw5gSOP7fIZj2h2FpFoeIGZvx3m2vfZzAoOM1qeSEDTfL5c7KkG8mmxvCm0jifOs47I6EYIoU/s1600/quilt+blog+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP_2_zho7sP1CxZAxnOziM_Ru7bmx4Qq6IDXdI8t_7z-aEich74UNcDAIlYMqkWPgtUUw5gSOP7fIZj2h2FpFoeIGZvx3m2vfZzAoOM1qeSEDTfL5c7KkG8mmxvCm0jifOs47I6EYIoU/s320/quilt+blog+29.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-49038702832371087202012-06-23T14:50:00.002-05:002012-06-23T14:52:11.146-05:00THE MAKING OF A BABY CLOTHES QUILT - part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today I'm going to show you how I fuse the stabilizer to the blocks and also affix the appliques. Because the fabrics I use from the baby clothes vary in weight from thin tshirts to knitted sweaters, I like to use a lightweight fusible interfacing. I found the the Pellon 911FF - fusible featherweight - serves my purpose very well. All I need is something that will keep the knits from stretching out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHltUcfPZt8djrr4hVoxvqVEuc6YTlbxQkNe1lXBbHk0qV_Ch7iCXq-WBYim58EQh98K8tzEbZnQw-Q2_re5OgOCp38X5pRHZL7dS-xSCv9jn9xxUR1k2ZjtGgJaAzCz_fdb3bZB-kVU/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHltUcfPZt8djrr4hVoxvqVEuc6YTlbxQkNe1lXBbHk0qV_Ch7iCXq-WBYim58EQh98K8tzEbZnQw-Q2_re5OgOCp38X5pRHZL7dS-xSCv9jn9xxUR1k2ZjtGgJaAzCz_fdb3bZB-kVU/s320/quilt+blog+pic+10.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I cut the interfacing in 6.5" squares, just like the clothing blocks using my ruler and rotary cutter. All it takes to fuse the interfacing is a steam iron set on cotton for about 10 seconds. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bvdvqpOk6Hkz1VkJTZkC2P8ysSh9gOeWdZt-T7GrcnM5m_cF8vjv4EajYdx_aeoiIYzKV6XVq1xpjVJRc59mM50Dxht_NWynmRFDC4qAxDbnCXTVe5hwko0K7JR1zwUzNy7Q76hXCUg/s1600/quilt+blog+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bvdvqpOk6Hkz1VkJTZkC2P8ysSh9gOeWdZt-T7GrcnM5m_cF8vjv4EajYdx_aeoiIYzKV6XVq1xpjVJRc59mM50Dxht_NWynmRFDC4qAxDbnCXTVe5hwko0K7JR1zwUzNy7Q76hXCUg/s320/quilt+blog+23.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now the blocks are stabilized for the next steps that involve sewing. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0fH0SVpMjwldNz8wdvOsOJNzQu-XXZ7tlwwN7VyAigBBm1C6klcZopCbV4W2HjQyWr5vvR1a4f9pHN2uBpudGpGoWVKXHMhoXRCkcC3mKFI7QpFBlvoRzdXtES8uD51Eho6i9bNNu28/s1600/quilt+blog+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0fH0SVpMjwldNz8wdvOsOJNzQu-XXZ7tlwwN7VyAigBBm1C6klcZopCbV4W2HjQyWr5vvR1a4f9pHN2uBpudGpGoWVKXHMhoXRCkcC3mKFI7QpFBlvoRzdXtES8uD51Eho6i9bNNu28/s320/quilt+blog+22.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After the stabilizer is applied, I trim any part of the squares that extend beyond the interfacing. Then it's on to the appliques.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzbXKCQHjhkHZkVvLV5_5eHlJgpWWRjZNbXrIPFeAfzZ9ZSHb9j3rDrt2lHjAX-Zr2_9brQa4Pv2__D_7JHfRi6b-hRWcRB8KiiUxGE55Ry3ECFFcjWHN6EJJEK7-NpJkI_xYkXuY1Hs/s1600/quilt+blog+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzbXKCQHjhkHZkVvLV5_5eHlJgpWWRjZNbXrIPFeAfzZ9ZSHb9j3rDrt2lHjAX-Zr2_9brQa4Pv2__D_7JHfRi6b-hRWcRB8KiiUxGE55Ry3ECFFcjWHN6EJJEK7-NpJkI_xYkXuY1Hs/s320/quilt+blog+20.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For my appliques I use Pellon Wonder Under Regular weight. This helps hold the piece in place until I can sew it. It's very easy to use. Larger pieces like the one above are sewn using a fairly tight zig zag stitch. For small ones I just use a straight stitch around the perimiter.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_IzLEe_bCN9l8jrKULLr70NZMbg1lvjAb_i08SHgqN1aEernWw_a6LKD_0TYnqg0XcGVwaGTgAPTYLJgIZFc1mqzEainTtwgzyYmoBia1u51Id5lNYxEBtK2sJV86VuOufunMSI1Bbw/s1600/quilt+blog+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_IzLEe_bCN9l8jrKULLr70NZMbg1lvjAb_i08SHgqN1aEernWw_a6LKD_0TYnqg0XcGVwaGTgAPTYLJgIZFc1mqzEainTtwgzyYmoBia1u51Id5lNYxEBtK2sJV86VuOufunMSI1Bbw/s320/quilt+blog+25.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is a sample of the different appliques I used in this particular quilt. Some are very tiny and some cover just about the entire block.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Next time I'll show you how I frame the blocks so that the seams can be ragged.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-88179534813259690372012-06-11T11:07:00.000-05:002012-06-11T11:15:47.937-05:00THE MAKING OF A BABY CLOTHES QUILT part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Back for part 2 of the holiday baby clothes quilt show. I apologize for the delay, but I'll explain that in another blog. You'll understand. Ok, back to the quilt. This picture shows the opened garment with my 6.5" ruler, getting ready to cut a block. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHKdeiMNPQBMDG4GWpyZyJNHX6kp5PqXngvFqaFZ9Rs-LFgpdujAKv6AdENXyXSO24gfRBfqJMxTdwBqH3xiyOvgxnMR-WjFvDT8RWPsJEvrtDnBTOpiDsUbo2S-o7b7RuJFa7BFkXwI/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHKdeiMNPQBMDG4GWpyZyJNHX6kp5PqXngvFqaFZ9Rs-LFgpdujAKv6AdENXyXSO24gfRBfqJMxTdwBqH3xiyOvgxnMR-WjFvDT8RWPsJEvrtDnBTOpiDsUbo2S-o7b7RuJFa7BFkXwI/s320/quilt+blog+pic+4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's the cut block. It's really quite easy on the solid pieces. The blocks don't always come out exactly perfect, but that's ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0bO-tXpVat_UtUNsYmLY5UzaUi5r0nQXP2Z1C2kRO_p6MfjjhEeUfu4uNqX-Sf2T1BPhGMXrJlXGk22vg7ZRjiCd1z-l7E1V69N5_14NlWKowgP3tuOr6piXtEC6r5o2IPiGs1JU4tw/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0bO-tXpVat_UtUNsYmLY5UzaUi5r0nQXP2Z1C2kRO_p6MfjjhEeUfu4uNqX-Sf2T1BPhGMXrJlXGk22vg7ZRjiCd1z-l7E1V69N5_14NlWKowgP3tuOr6piXtEC6r5o2IPiGs1JU4tw/s320/quilt+blog+pic+8.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When cutting out the blocks with a print or embroidery,I like to have the embellishment centered, but that isn't always possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nsAH4w3cdmdWB5vffb7xV7NbY3CWKTC9m2IUh5scDpwfozR_DRR05r-DT1cWd3ZLHJH7mqYCAka62NFNkK6peRKj-bMotPHn6qW_OAULzDLTlFbP09z7BijJteuw7f_7Co-1NffzUas/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nsAH4w3cdmdWB5vffb7xV7NbY3CWKTC9m2IUh5scDpwfozR_DRR05r-DT1cWd3ZLHJH7mqYCAka62NFNkK6peRKj-bMotPHn6qW_OAULzDLTlFbP09z7BijJteuw7f_7Co-1NffzUas/s320/quilt+blog+pic+7.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Most tshirts have the picture or whatever, closer to the neck so the picture ends up on the upper portion of the block like this one. I just try to crowd the ruler as close to the ribbing on the neck as possible. Even if you get a part of the ribbing, you can later remove it and that portion will end up in the seam allowance of the framing. More about that later. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYjq6t3hIDwgX7tuATJy2-p3rPAhBc9vSQJb4HZEFQw2o0Rs7RM6EaIXCPekNBjLSMGvz6nhOa721xv1naUpDMR5HZrCX8HFEZww4DjSXMdga3wa30u5gWsfD-uVUXC4iUqrPGIabXXE/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYjq6t3hIDwgX7tuATJy2-p3rPAhBc9vSQJb4HZEFQw2o0Rs7RM6EaIXCPekNBjLSMGvz6nhOa721xv1naUpDMR5HZrCX8HFEZww4DjSXMdga3wa30u5gWsfD-uVUXC4iUqrPGIabXXE/s320/quilt+blog+pic+5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When the embellishment is on a part of the garment that can't be cut into a 6.5" block, I cut a block from another part of the garment and then cut around the embellishment. This will be part will be trimmed down and appliqued to the block at a later time. Sometimes I even have to use another garment for the background block like when I'm using the embellishment from a bib that doesn't have anything big enough for a block. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_KtR85t8yqmHQPwAn_wt_CKwnEAXaeXx8exp4EY9n7Z0VR_-6wsMAFq6TxwAPHRFbYE3jWEei3vsWErMHNuSDaUKjctmzIbbjZN-U9r0IwM_xSHZt-mTkmbSPyUHfCn18dK8EMlHglE/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_KtR85t8yqmHQPwAn_wt_CKwnEAXaeXx8exp4EY9n7Z0VR_-6wsMAFq6TxwAPHRFbYE3jWEei3vsWErMHNuSDaUKjctmzIbbjZN-U9r0IwM_xSHZt-mTkmbSPyUHfCn18dK8EMlHglE/s320/quilt+blog+pic+6.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are a couple more examples. I try to cut the applique as big as I can. If I can cut a piece that's the same width as the block, it makes things a lot easier and looks better with less stitching involved. But sometimes you just have to go small. It all depends on the applique, its size and how it's located on the garment. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTn4mgk-xolmsyXjY6EWykhSU_fl9XhlGqrwc9ADXO-9cEqakvRxZ7-aG0jT3tRqUJxlln0qsmbiTIJki-dnAJcN8dUSivu0fpC9jHUn5lZn_uKpH7JqpXW7n0_i4s7PF-LaYGP8AYJw/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTn4mgk-xolmsyXjY6EWykhSU_fl9XhlGqrwc9ADXO-9cEqakvRxZ7-aG0jT3tRqUJxlln0qsmbiTIJki-dnAJcN8dUSivu0fpC9jHUn5lZn_uKpH7JqpXW7n0_i4s7PF-LaYGP8AYJw/s320/quilt+blog+pic+9.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Each of these quilts offers it's own challenges and opportunities to learn something new. I guess that's why I like making them. They are each truely one of a kind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the next installment I'll talk about fusing stabilizer to the blocks and preparing the appliques. </span></div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-68395315414394845562012-06-05T10:47:00.001-05:002012-06-05T14:20:54.733-05:00THE MAKING OF A BABY CLOTHES QUILT part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For a long time now, people have been asking me to do a tutorial on making a baby clothes quilt. Well, I'm not very good at tutorials, so what I'm going to do is tell the story of one baby clothes quilt from beginning to end. With pictures, of course.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It all starts when the box of baby clothes appears at my doorstep, courtesy of the USPS, FedEx or UPS. I love the feeling of anticipation when that box arrives and I can't wait to open it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLXW6zARt5nJyq4__XVHu5C1yoIsLkG31v4q86f7IPAIeffD_b1RchyTyfCPQIoVFKRWUmrhNY6AtafPo_3OaFiLRhYuIx-PJK9IWx9Fj123OCxchDrbdG9xq3sNH5R5CD_s6T3HF2-E/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLXW6zARt5nJyq4__XVHu5C1yoIsLkG31v4q86f7IPAIeffD_b1RchyTyfCPQIoVFKRWUmrhNY6AtafPo_3OaFiLRhYuIx-PJK9IWx9Fj123OCxchDrbdG9xq3sNH5R5CD_s6T3HF2-E/s320/quilt+blog+pic+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This particular box that arrived yesterday contains all holiday themed baby items and looks very festive right from the beginning. Look at that cute little reindeer.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP32t5qC9TL9_omHHJcNcJ0dpVC4ugR7wkSiuIGqrVAXZUqY3UZLXEmGe72l3mBe8AWw5Wj94hqrAe7QpCiK7cdY20qK71hWF8rOmw8lW4QZTWUNKkF3V-HuZwe8XBorTKSDWVSxSQ2w/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP32t5qC9TL9_omHHJcNcJ0dpVC4ugR7wkSiuIGqrVAXZUqY3UZLXEmGe72l3mBe8AWw5Wj94hqrAe7QpCiK7cdY20qK71hWF8rOmw8lW4QZTWUNKkF3V-HuZwe8XBorTKSDWVSxSQ2w/s320/quilt+blog+pic+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course I have to take out all the clothing items so I can ooh and aah over them. This batch has a bunch of onsies and footed pj's that will yield lots of colorful blocks. There are also lots of cute tshirts, sweaters and bibs that will contribute to a truely one of a kind quilt. The main colors, of course, will be red, green and white with some blue thrown in for contrast. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QxvYLeWQ7xrWpjvgiFQm-mtwRlerndN_CCroJKLDFD6RhBbr7yXYba0BLVMXnpfKkEJkjR79qFwnwh5GufuPncxJYct2UTF4HB9WAYqtg9l2t4o2O8OdlT7dnZw8P8wCbo60z-GJ4wo/s1600/quilt+blog+pic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QxvYLeWQ7xrWpjvgiFQm-mtwRlerndN_CCroJKLDFD6RhBbr7yXYba0BLVMXnpfKkEJkjR79qFwnwh5GufuPncxJYct2UTF4HB9WAYqtg9l2t4o2O8OdlT7dnZw8P8wCbo60z-GJ4wo/s320/quilt+blog+pic+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The next step will be to cut apart the items just enough for them to lay flat for cutting blocks. I'll show that in the next blog. Stay tuned to see how this quilt turns out.</span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-32431191875630201712012-06-03T10:28:00.001-05:002012-06-03T10:28:35.011-05:00PRETTY PINK BABY CLOTHES QUILT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This pretty quilt was a real pleasure to work on. The baby clothes from two little girls were just so cute and girly. Almost everything was in some shade of pink or had pink in the print. There were sparkly things and saucy things and sweet things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeFyTKmQ3EmVIOp7A3ZCU5RxUDSpmw85mdyOQZ2n0pKCvneW0IQqXkv_Fut0Q5kqaVDFg1U4f7S02J1LBz38i1hVRMf0UVadWch1auC9MQG2E1HRfKtDPBHPBgNfIZcizIU7jLt3EeaE/s1600/Meghan's+qullt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeFyTKmQ3EmVIOp7A3ZCU5RxUDSpmw85mdyOQZ2n0pKCvneW0IQqXkv_Fut0Q5kqaVDFg1U4f7S02J1LBz38i1hVRMf0UVadWch1auC9MQG2E1HRfKtDPBHPBgNfIZcizIU7jLt3EeaE/s320/Meghan's+qullt+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What was really neat was that the customer had an item from each girl with her name on it plus tshirts that said "Big Sister" and "Little Sister". Those blocks made the quilt really personal so I put them right in the middle. The quilt was framed and backed with a pretty soft pink cotton and had white flannel in the middle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINIWWgWflW9OYADMYoevi3ca1DiPlJ_zw3ycZxEd6RlQ5hYr5UykFmiz45JWzp5fkt3eclJGWspc1uWNB5R7aHnrJ2FehT23EAqPYzXk406VS9P5yb-IruYlDTE6F9sMEpA4PxbAyGJM/s1600/Meghan%2527s+qullt+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINIWWgWflW9OYADMYoevi3ca1DiPlJ_zw3ycZxEd6RlQ5hYr5UykFmiz45JWzp5fkt3eclJGWspc1uWNB5R7aHnrJ2FehT23EAqPYzXk406VS9P5yb-IruYlDTE6F9sMEpA4PxbAyGJM/s320/Meghan%2527s+qullt+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The really sweetest thing about this quilt is that it was to be a Mother's Day gift for the customer. She put together all the clothing and made the color choice, but when I sent it back, she was not to open the box. Her husband would open it, look at the quilt and share it with the girls. Then it would be wrapped up and presented to my customer on Mother's Day. Of course she loved the quilt and I'm so happy I could help make this a very special day for the family. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-10353638615921653172012-05-27T09:46:00.000-05:002012-05-27T09:46:06.181-05:00RIP MICHA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On Tuesday, May 22 at 8:00 am, my dear boy Micha passed away after a courageous and vigorous battle with Chronic Renal Failure. He seemed to be doing well up to that morning. After trying to "capture" him for a feeding, he struggled to get away and was panting. Unusual for him. I decided that we needed to get to the vet so I went to wash my face and dress. I was about half dressed when I decided to check on him. When I went into his room I found him curled up in the little house at the base of the cat tree. He was already gone. I am comforted to know that he didn't suffer much, if at all, and went very quickly.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aNkLcLEV6Hf7l_YuL6eEEEGIrevOEy5__Pkmp656YaCh89Hkt-y8yusJUy-n5Pfx3pJ0yLqkA7_uw9atsMl9nEQvTQ2VRW45xr2B52K3G48IBV8rnn1-ni0OwCJ76ysEEKo4PP2rZUA/s1600/Micha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aNkLcLEV6Hf7l_YuL6eEEEGIrevOEy5__Pkmp656YaCh89Hkt-y8yusJUy-n5Pfx3pJ0yLqkA7_uw9atsMl9nEQvTQ2VRW45xr2B52K3G48IBV8rnn1-ni0OwCJ76ysEEKo4PP2rZUA/s1600/Micha.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Micha was one of my early rescues along with his two sisters. He would have been 12 years old in August. I guess he never got adopted because he was very shy. I'm glad he got to stay with us. He was a very sweet, if willful, boy and he will be greatly missed. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-17544290999253343682012-05-13T10:59:00.000-05:002012-05-13T11:01:20.576-05:00MY MOM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since it's Mother's Day today, I thought I'd post a bit about my mother, Nellie Lois Mobley Galentin. She passed way 28 years ago this month and I still miss her every day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My folks had been married about 19 years when I showed up - the first, last and only child. My mom was 39 when I was born and I think she was surprised, to say the least. Nevertheless, she was a great mom. This picture is, of course, my mom and me when I was a baby. This pretty well represents our relationship for the rest of her life. That unconditional love got me thru a lot of scary situations over the years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQnRjOyhML3Ls95bAMnNvGv5uQxri1ZEJLx9ygVLO_Y_bkyR2H_hT1hkK_VMKWKd3zXLIowZNHbCrlAnaStKLDjxZ6OYo32V8le7W1nyFtxvhubB9ROGfpMGAlLGFAzH6DSjxrYxK1YM/s1600/Nellie+Mobley+Galentin,+Barbara+Marie+Galentin+@+app+3+mo+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQnRjOyhML3Ls95bAMnNvGv5uQxri1ZEJLx9ygVLO_Y_bkyR2H_hT1hkK_VMKWKd3zXLIowZNHbCrlAnaStKLDjxZ6OYo32V8le7W1nyFtxvhubB9ROGfpMGAlLGFAzH6DSjxrYxK1YM/s320/Nellie+Mobley+Galentin,+Barbara+Marie+Galentin+@+app+3+mo+old.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My mom was born the 9th of 9 children in 1908. By the time she came along, the novelty of children had probably worn off. At the height of the influenza epidemic, her mom spent a lot of time away, nursing those afflicted. That left her home with her dad, who did his best, I'm sure. I think our close relationship stemmed from that sense of estrangement from her mother as a child. I'm not badmouthing my grandmother - she and my mom had a close relationship when my mom was an adult and I believe she was a good, loving mother. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can see my mom in this picture with her dog, Spot. My goodness, she loved that dog. She even called herself "Mrs. Spot"! I guess that's one place I got my love of animals.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAc2JHC0cZQp0nx6qWZdJmJK-aJwmv4OPyavMY94keDgqz3CJw10MThGZw_Ggfwfjc5Ll6tVouaYh1bfABg5VGdpAQnKTmW1h68mgaSNVg7_lsQATZXtOdR_tWY-d8ck9tS2IwxBCZd4/s1600/Nellie+Mobley+and+Spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAc2JHC0cZQp0nx6qWZdJmJK-aJwmv4OPyavMY94keDgqz3CJw10MThGZw_Ggfwfjc5Ll6tVouaYh1bfABg5VGdpAQnKTmW1h68mgaSNVg7_lsQATZXtOdR_tWY-d8ck9tS2IwxBCZd4/s320/Nellie+Mobley+and+Spot.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mom had a certain sense of style as you can see from this picture of her as a young woman. Don'tcha' just love the overalls? And the bobbed hair? She would look right at home today, I think. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv7KpUv4qJKMkhXnVc0Tc6-j2-bMbgQHpqAShsR8ufVEm2onrMUsmcdwaNAVfdwUEnJq2dKqrs4pf0-g409HkQ1cm5Hfflm4HRo2Naaa6gGQ3kcnkOnZ0l-TinV1vs9eU8tPFKv-MNOQ/s1600/Nellie+Mobley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv7KpUv4qJKMkhXnVc0Tc6-j2-bMbgQHpqAShsR8ufVEm2onrMUsmcdwaNAVfdwUEnJq2dKqrs4pf0-g409HkQ1cm5Hfflm4HRo2Naaa6gGQ3kcnkOnZ0l-TinV1vs9eU8tPFKv-MNOQ/s320/Nellie+Mobley.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And she passed that sense along to me as you can see from this picture take on a visit to Hot Springs, AR, when I was a child. We are decked out in fashionable hats and dresses, though I'm not sure I appreciated the hat at the time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SBDbq19DpsSs6EYrEIsqd2sWHwBaKFGMq4M2sjW6NV2KmoDvYgbbmib-Rl0N_Uh7YrnAF88Kfc2Pk8iz1nr3HfdnaSc0CYCd2h4dcExBJNUOLxMf77dV7MSRpvW20pshe5spgIOCn1s/s1600/Barbara+Galentin%252C+Nellie+Mobley+Galentin+1953+Hot+Springs%252C+AR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SBDbq19DpsSs6EYrEIsqd2sWHwBaKFGMq4M2sjW6NV2KmoDvYgbbmib-Rl0N_Uh7YrnAF88Kfc2Pk8iz1nr3HfdnaSc0CYCd2h4dcExBJNUOLxMf77dV7MSRpvW20pshe5spgIOCn1s/s320/Barbara+Galentin%252C+Nellie+Mobley+Galentin+1953+Hot+Springs%252C+AR.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my mom with her mom, Georgianna Miller Mobley. Dressed to the nines again!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf_gRd3hV453GEDkRvmIWXlI-cCzsjLWTdXND5H1Y-cjO2X_g9TfERmC_zj95iDD9DCKVO3GZR-PBlMZM3ZkT59kppc278ADA4MGCenlrTkDGXnodtqdel0vI7M7-M0-zEfsYEAiYKaU/s1600/Nellie+Mobley+Galentin%252C+Georgianna+Miller+Mobley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf_gRd3hV453GEDkRvmIWXlI-cCzsjLWTdXND5H1Y-cjO2X_g9TfERmC_zj95iDD9DCKVO3GZR-PBlMZM3ZkT59kppc278ADA4MGCenlrTkDGXnodtqdel0vI7M7-M0-zEfsYEAiYKaU/s320/Nellie+Mobley+Galentin%252C+Georgianna+Miller+Mobley.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mom is also my hero! She only finished the 9th grade, but she was so smart. She loved to learn new things. She would read historical fiction and then go to the encyclopedia to learn the facts. She helped my dad run his liquor store before I was born. He probably would have gone bankrupt without my mom's superior business sense. She grew up in an tiny little rural town in Nebraska, but she was so sophisticated in the ways that count. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mom loved to travel and was the impetus for my parents' move from Nebraska to Texas not long after they married. After my dad died, mom and I traveled a lot. She was a great travelling companion. She even went with me when I moved to South Carolina. She just soaked up the history of the area. We traveled to Charleston, Savannah, Asheville and Orlando in addition to our summer vacations at Hilton Head and Pawley's Island. She just loved Charleston. And when we moved back to Dallas, she felt like she was home. I guess she was a city girl at heart. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So my mom has always been a big presence in my life and I thank her for all the lessons she taught me. I miss you, mom, but I know you're always here with me. </div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-88750024508224855752012-05-04T10:53:00.000-05:002012-05-04T10:55:51.490-05:00LEFTOVERS QUILT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The lady for whom I made the previous three quilts asked me to make a fourth since there were enough leftovers. I did the same four-patch treatment as the other quilts. She asked me to put the bird appliques from the girl's bedding as feature blocks and so I used two blocks from the boy's flannel blanket to balance the birds. I couldn't find any more of the yellow fabric I used on the previous three quilts so I used fabric that was just a bit lighter. I think it looks great!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGBscUFuWZi3chvPVl0OmmdlueVyKcycRoMP7hZeylfQ4LVEs3-linYVEQKtxcQuZAPjDHi2YxCWYjSXu0AypGneoLa4bPMVcqMLab4JkjJvvY1s0K8wa9gBKGTb9mtuns3GQdY2A4cw/s1600/Payne+4th+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGBscUFuWZi3chvPVl0OmmdlueVyKcycRoMP7hZeylfQ4LVEs3-linYVEQKtxcQuZAPjDHi2YxCWYjSXu0AypGneoLa4bPMVcqMLab4JkjJvvY1s0K8wa9gBKGTb9mtuns3GQdY2A4cw/s320/Payne+4th+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's a close up of the center of the quilt with the feature blocks. The birds add a really whimsical touch to the quilt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd0qzHS7KTIZhdJWlRahCmW93nSOSCQ8HkE-SNR8s304eZpztjGzP_xy2yqNvZd-1i0LRmdduv3KXc2TeNc-edz_5Vt_84uRh3Sb72ECvS3deJ6QTVONf-AFcXUHn14KeUdtzyJGSXtQ/s1600/Payne+4th+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd0qzHS7KTIZhdJWlRahCmW93nSOSCQ8HkE-SNR8s304eZpztjGzP_xy2yqNvZd-1i0LRmdduv3KXc2TeNc-edz_5Vt_84uRh3Sb72ECvS3deJ6QTVONf-AFcXUHn14KeUdtzyJGSXtQ/s320/Payne+4th+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Again, I alternated the girl and boy blocks in the entire quilt. Another fun project finished and in the mail.</div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-62268481431609955572012-03-31T09:05:00.000-05:002012-03-31T09:05:21.180-05:00NEW FOUR-PATCH BABY CLOTHES QUILTS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>When I first started making the baby clothes quilts, I did 9-patch and then four-patch blocks. Gradually the quilts evolved into only solid blocks as I think they are prettier and they are easier for me to make. I recently had a customer who wanted three quilts - one regular and two smaller- and she wanted mostly four-patch blocks. She had clothes from a boy and a girl and wanted the large quilt to have the solid feature blocks and then four-patch blocks from each child. She also wanted a smaller quilt with clothing from just one for each. They were more work, but they turned out to be just charming.<br />
<br />
This is the bigger quilt. I put the feature blocks in the middle and surrounded them with the four-patch blocks. I alternated the boy and girl blocks throughout the quilt. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbObYBeNSM645YRDB59qZA3qjl2DENWWIHT0nedcIvhPNzNuKnzaWdp7zZicK3FPQR3g-8aSClQ1pn-gbQA7zL1jOJCj9ZkNOw8JWlWiF3MqB7h53Z0Cj7oLT9EFl2YeiVNTg6XL1UyI/s1600/Payne+quilt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbObYBeNSM645YRDB59qZA3qjl2DENWWIHT0nedcIvhPNzNuKnzaWdp7zZicK3FPQR3g-8aSClQ1pn-gbQA7zL1jOJCj9ZkNOw8JWlWiF3MqB7h53Z0Cj7oLT9EFl2YeiVNTg6XL1UyI/s320/Payne+quilt+1.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The smaller quilts were made totally from four-patch blocks and are really cute. This is the girl quilt. It's mostly pastels and cute prints. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCe1vMPWobeNlO6JH_UBOXZ-0fAZHZsIxD0AHDQsjIutka7C0OzURRQoOTP0tvu0hVI_fNtuXewfhVnZeVba7kEbGd_B01kns5LhSfDBjbL2Mz9gkfAh2Y-bEX2gCv50p_NrWePm_MxM/s1600/Payne+girl+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCe1vMPWobeNlO6JH_UBOXZ-0fAZHZsIxD0AHDQsjIutka7C0OzURRQoOTP0tvu0hVI_fNtuXewfhVnZeVba7kEbGd_B01kns5LhSfDBjbL2Mz9gkfAh2Y-bEX2gCv50p_NrWePm_MxM/s320/Payne+girl+quilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the boy quilt. It's in darker colors with lots of stripes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGYk8dpQ088NBvzXAmB6VNJL9cvkL57rJHIpTYdxrZAce0si27msAJ68_xsgbWXF2iRPNoTl2WfQChBNlAmnZFOWFZrKWrnDD_1P-8pw5E8X_nkQ5lk7R27yTS-zzhaualF-A2fP44xs/s1600/Payne+boy+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGYk8dpQ088NBvzXAmB6VNJL9cvkL57rJHIpTYdxrZAce0si27msAJ68_xsgbWXF2iRPNoTl2WfQChBNlAmnZFOWFZrKWrnDD_1P-8pw5E8X_nkQ5lk7R27yTS-zzhaualF-A2fP44xs/s320/Payne+boy+quilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Each of the smaller quilts has a solid, white block for eventual monogramming. Neat, huh? Again, it was the customer's idea. The customer also chose the solid yellow for the backing and framing and it was the perfect choice, dontcha' think? <br />
<br />
I had enough leftovers from the clothes that I'm making a fourth regular size quilt for my customer. It will be four-patch blocks with two solid blocks for the boy and two for the girl. Just love working with all these cute little garments. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-92215519078783461682012-02-02T11:17:00.000-06:002012-02-02T11:17:34.333-06:00NEW ADDITIONS TO THE FAMILY TREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This has been an amazing couple of weeks, genealogically speaking. Not only have I found more ancestors, I found a new cousin!! Unbeknownst to be, Ancestry had just added information from local Pennsylvania churches to their database. At the same time a lady named Linda contacted me thru Ancestry telling me that one of my maternal aunts was her grandmother. We immediately started exchanging info and she was the one who told me that there was info on my great grandfather, Reuben Lake Miller's, parents. I was sooo excited because that's been the last brick wall for that generation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjymqTbfP2s5lt7I0XnZFBDw1VPANi2lJiSvn8AbLmAVtvhD3BER8BY9Q_H6s4OiKwD9d0ZzmRiDVs9OTMEH5fFfP9znG0e5HT3tol3gAygvNGPO0XTkNBgTgYHURNAnxBDeLGFoGgmw/s1600/Reuben+Lake+Miller+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjymqTbfP2s5lt7I0XnZFBDw1VPANi2lJiSvn8AbLmAVtvhD3BER8BY9Q_H6s4OiKwD9d0ZzmRiDVs9OTMEH5fFfP9znG0e5HT3tol3gAygvNGPO0XTkNBgTgYHURNAnxBDeLGFoGgmw/s320/Reuben+Lake+Miller+(2).jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>REUBEN LAKE MILLER</em></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Based on church information, we discovered that Reuben's parents were William and Kezia Lattig Miller. The funny part is how many different ways Kezia's name is spelled on different documents. One census even spelled it "Theresia". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It appears that the Millers are Irish and the Lattigs are Dutch. Both families have been in America since before the Revolution, mostly in Williams Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, which is near Easton. Of course more research and confirmation will need to be done, but it's so nice to have that brick wall broken down at last. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And the best part is that I have a new cousin who is just as interested in researching the family tree as I am. </div>Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-49401725766017559682012-01-14T11:28:00.001-06:002012-01-14T11:32:44.722-06:00VETERINARY UPDATESWell, this has been a busy week, vet-wise. We had three vet visits this week for three different cats. On Wednesday Buddy had his regular eye check-up with Dr. Hermann. The pressure in his eyes is pretty stable, though higher than normal in the left one still. Buddy is so good during the exam and Dr. Hermann is just the best! He answers all my questions like I have a few brain cells and explains things well. We go back in four months.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7vb0ZjtOpPEY3UNhWOB9cfVmc4cwfnEXdzLwdma589ID-d6dzmLegUyGpbZ1aF4XxwCAVpYqIDHo92U1jqZXD9PUY5jkuhJcZzSlEVTJjH51RcmZD0KpvnUAoS6VNRrKVY5HM19LqvA/s1600/buddy+102709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7vb0ZjtOpPEY3UNhWOB9cfVmc4cwfnEXdzLwdma589ID-d6dzmLegUyGpbZ1aF4XxwCAVpYqIDHo92U1jqZXD9PUY5jkuhJcZzSlEVTJjH51RcmZD0KpvnUAoS6VNRrKVY5HM19LqvA/s320/buddy+102709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Wednesday afternoon I finally got Max in for his checkup and fructosamine with Dr. Hseih. Was she surprised when Max showed up at 15 lbs! His exam went well and his fructosamine showed his glucose was being maintained well. He's down to 5 units of insulin twice a day. I was so amazed that I was able to catch him Wednesday morning. I didn't even call for an appointment until I had him secured in the bathroom. For a big guy he can sure move fast! Since he's doing so well he doesn't have to go back for 6 months!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_qa2kO8r5fDznxrfOEOW4_7N8dAMb-6EC55Ykbm-CR_gXMVAM7OX5PDl_z4TTPHB9onpFHQ6GxB7JmmxvgxBC6TanCw-wF4O63MvxEt3E_ZaJXusukWw1EXyUU78g13JeGp2CPCxJ_4/s1600/Max+Mar11+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_qa2kO8r5fDznxrfOEOW4_7N8dAMb-6EC55Ykbm-CR_gXMVAM7OX5PDl_z4TTPHB9onpFHQ6GxB7JmmxvgxBC6TanCw-wF4O63MvxEt3E_ZaJXusukWw1EXyUU78g13JeGp2CPCxJ_4/s320/Max+Mar11+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Thursday Micha had his recheck. They did bloodwork and an exam. I really like Dr. Werner - she handles Micha well and doesn't take any of his guff personally. His kidney values were actually down a bit more, which is good. However, he is now experiencing some anemia - a result of the decrease in kidney function. If it continues to increase, he may need some bone marrow injections. He goes back next week. Micha does look much better and his appetite appears a bit better. He has gained 3 ounces since last week. He's tolerating his fluids well and I've caught him nibbling at the dry food. As long as I can get at least 1200 cc's of the special canned food in him each day, I don't really care if he eats the dry, too. He's staying hydrated and that's important. I know his days are numbered, so I want to make him as comfortable as possible. He still has lots of strength and his usual vim and vinegar. When that changes I'll know it's time to let him go. In the mean time we will both enjoy our time together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQawNZSp8q95sP2zATdZZI6ZpJoOIA54VgKsU7zzy0OZZh0AA0LNJLQuoTNDF2Rpa9MFTsypYLbIeH9zceQI-weej0Z8lrlxAUUypU6g0gExSe8sQ-3lYuHMa9O1h_rbAGQS0Y7NGLQaY/s1600/micha+011509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQawNZSp8q95sP2zATdZZI6ZpJoOIA54VgKsU7zzy0OZZh0AA0LNJLQuoTNDF2Rpa9MFTsypYLbIeH9zceQI-weej0Z8lrlxAUUypU6g0gExSe8sQ-3lYuHMa9O1h_rbAGQS0Y7NGLQaY/s320/micha+011509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So it goes. These guys and their housemates do take a lot of my time, but I don't know what I'd do without them.Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-71095787136744457972012-01-08T11:45:00.000-06:002012-01-08T11:45:55.705-06:00FURTHER MICHA UPDATEIt's been a busy, busy week and I apologize for taking so long to update Micha's condition. He spent the New Year's weekend at the emergency clinic for continued IV fluids. Since they were open Monday, he stayed there rather than going to the vet and then back to the clinic. Tuesday morning I moved him back to the vet. His numbers were down, but continued above normal. <br />
<br />
The best news was that Tuesday evening he got to come home instead of going to the Emergency Clinic again. He was so happy to be home and I was happy to have him here. He knew he was home as soon as we drove into the garage. I set up a cage in his room as I didn't want him wandering about with his IV catherter still in. He wasn't happy about the cage, but settled in. <br />
<br />
Wednesday morning we went back to the vet for more IV fluids and more bloodwork. The vet was disappointed that his numbers didn't stay, but went up just a tad. However, the best news of the week was then Wednesday night he came home for good, hopefully. They felt that this was as low as his numbers were going to go and it didn't make sense to keep him in the hospital for more fluids. <br />
<br />
I can tell he feels better as he's not cranky and even talks to me a bit. I move him in and out of the cage depending on the time of day. He's supposed to be only eating some canned food especially for kidney failure patients and he gets a supplement twice a day and, supposedly, an appetite enhancer once a day. We are also doing subcutaneous fluids - 150 ml daily. He's not too keen on the canned food yet and I've caught him nibbling at the dry food. I'm not going to be too awfully strict as he does need to eat, though the dry food isn't the best for him. He's been a doll in taking his subQ fluids. He does not like the syringe feeding. He does nibble a bit at the canned food, too.<br />
<br />
Another bit of good news is that he doesn't have to go back for a check until the 11th or 12th! <br />
<br />
We are working out a schedule and it's almost time for his fluids so I will sign off for now. Thanks to everyone for their prayers and good wishes for Micha's recovery. As the vet said, there is no "cure" for kidney failure, but we can work on maintaining a good level of living while we can.Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8276829783114510935.post-46244009621849466272011-12-31T09:45:00.000-06:002011-12-31T09:45:23.903-06:00MICHA UPDATEMicha is back at the Emergency Clinic, probably for the weekend. He had a good day at the vet and they were able to get urine for urinalysis and culture to see if anything was going on there. He still hadn't eaten any food. Since the vet would be closed for the entire weekend, he had to go back to the Emergency Clinic. <br />
<br />
When I picked him up at the vet, he seemed much more alert though still cranky. I remembered that most of the other indoor cats loved the Purina Cat Chow that I feed the outside cats - they think it's candy! So I put some in a baggie to see if Micha would eat it. Dr. Inman mentioned a possible medication that requires being taken with food. <br />
<br />
While we waited at the Emergency Clinic for him to be admitted, I dropped some of the Cat Chow in his carrier and - surprise, surprise - he ate it!! It's not the best thing for a diabetic cat to be eating, even if he is in remission right now. But he needs to eat so . . .<br />
<br />
The Emergency Clinic is an interesting place. When we walked in, there was no one else there. The minute we got seated there were three dog brought in, two of which needed immediate attention. So we waited about an hour for admission. But we had people to talk to and I was interacting with Micha. There were two dogs who lived together and were devoted to each other that got in a fight over a knuckle bone. One just had some damage to the face and ears, but the other was in worse shape. I don't know how that worked out. The lady who brought them in was so distraught so we talked about dogs and cats and I hope she felt a bit better when I left. <br />
<br />
I will go visit Micha later today with the hope that his bloodwork shows drastic improvement. I also appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts that folks are sending our way. It really helps both of us. I'll post an update later on today when we have the lab results.Grandma Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11694128166546991304noreply@blogger.com0