Wednesday 11 August 2010

Life

I have been a bit conspicuous by my absence over the last couple of weeks for which I apologise.  It's partly lethargy and not having a lot to show and partly being busy with a sick friend in hospital again.  Our very dear friend G had a fall at home 2 and a half weeks ago and was taken to hospital and has been there ever since.  At first she was making progress and we expected her home this week but over the last few days she has deteriorated and after a further x-ray today they now tell us her leg is broken at the top.  Not good when you are 99 years old.  We don't know what will come next but she is in desperate pain today.  She is strong and will fight but her age and health are against her.



In between hospital visits, washing and rearranging G's home to suit her declining mobility I have done bits and pieces.  I have managed to work on my Journal for Carole Brungar's class a bit more and the photo above is of the inside front cover.  


I am basing the journal on memories, mostly of family and this page above is made on a card that I received from a blogging friend onto which I have stitched a digital image of my grandmother and her family that I had previously put into a small art quilt but which I have now cut up to use in the journal.  The edge on the next page is an offcut from a journal quilt I made last year for Little Gems.

I still have lots more to include in the journal and I don't want to stitch the signatures (groups of pages) in until I have finished machine stitching things in.


This beautiful pin cushion was my prize in a giveaway from Pam who blogs as Calamity Jane.  As you can see it is considerably bigger than the bottle top pincushion I carry around with me.  It will be a lovely and useful addition to my sewing room.  Thank you Pam :)


I'm jumping about a bit here but my brain's a bit like that at the moment so I apologise if you're having trouble following me.  This photo above was taken in Liverpool a few weeks ago on a day out that I didn't get round to blogging about.  I would have loved to have asked the girl about her gorgeous scrappy bag but she was deep in conversation and I was legging it to the coach that was waiting to take us home after a trip on the Manchester Ship Canal so I had to content myself with a quick snap.  (Annabel, I have a photo of the couple if you wanted to see it for your portrait series). 

I had sort of decided to have a bit of a blogging break this month as I have to get 2 journal quilts made by the end of the month and I am spending way too long on the computer so I may be missing again, especially with the uncertainty over our friend.  I have everything crossed that I will get to the Festival of Quilts next week as I really want to see my quilt on the wall and I have classes booked.  Enjoy the Festival if you are going and enjoy the rest of the summer iit's out there somewhere!) if you're not.  See you soon!

14 comments:

Jan said...

I will keep your dear friend in my prayers Julie ,I think someone did a tutorial on that bag sometime ago ,meanwhile I love the work you are currently doing ,...love Jan xx

Sharne Gregory said...

How orrying that it has taken so long to find out that her leg is broken. Not good for someone of that age.
I shall look out for your quilt at FOQ, what catergory is it in?

Cameron said...

Julie, I will keep your friend in my prayers, and I will also put your name in my drawing for one of the lace dresses. Hugs...

Wildflowerhouse said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend and will keep her in my prayers.
I love your book you are making, especially the first photo.
The bag that girl had was fantastic. Looking at a close up it looks like fabric pcs pushed through a crocheted bag. I shall have to try this....

ju-north said...

Sorry about your friend Julie. It often takes them longer to recover at that great age. I'll be praying for her and you. Love the work you have done with those pages!

Gina said...

Thinking of your friend Julie. Take time to look after yourself too. I'm at the quilt show on Thursday. Not sure if you'll be there then but send me a message if you fancy a cuppa.

Sandra Wyman said...

Definitely thinking of you and your friend, Julie and hoping all goes well and that you get to FOQ next week...Love the journal pages!

pam said...

Oh bless you - look after yourself too! I hope your friend is starting to be on the mend now. Your journal looks lovely - a super way to remember your past relatives. Enjoy the festival of quilts and take care.

Angela said...

The pages in your journal look great.
I hope your friend gets well soon.

Anonymous said...

I do hope your friend recovers well.

This year will be the first one I've not made it to the FOQ - a bit far to go perhaps!

Have a lovely time and I love your journal, btw. Lovely soft colours.

Heather said...

Poor G - I do hope she will soon be more comfortable. 99 is not a good age for a fall like that.
I love your journal pages Julie - they are beautiful and the pin cushion is stunning. The scrappy bag may have been made by stitching circles of fabric to a background - just the centre of each circle is stitched down and they are placed close together.
Good luck with your journal quilts and I hope you make it to the Festival.

Emma said...

Don't completely dissapear, allow yourself the odd read ;)

Your page is lovely & good luck with your friend.

Linda Vincent said...

I feel so sorry for your friend...I hope she's being looked after properly; she sounds like a lovely lady.
Your journal looks great; I like the idea of 'memories' as a theme. The flower and lace page is delightful.
X

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

I do hope your dear friend is feeling better each day (will email). I'm feeling just the same about blogging at the moment. I'm so busy with loads of stuff, none of which I can really show on the blog. I'm plodding through it but haven't really had a summer yet! My sister is coming on Sunday for a week so hoping to actually SEE St. Ives!!

Keep in touch dear blog buddy xoxoxo