Sunday 9 January 2011

Stay Home Round Robin 7

Despite being a bit quiet over the last week I have been managing to work on a couple of projects.  One I cannot show you as it is for Kate North's 'Another Little Quilt Swap' which you can link to from the button in my side bar.  The other piece I have been working on today is also fro Kate and is for her Stay Home Round Robin.


I have added the bottom strip of 3 rectangles, one measuring 6"x5" and two measuring 5"x5" (excuse the slightly wonky photograph).  This strip now completes the basic quilt top but Kate has 5 more stages for us to go through before the quilt is complete.  When I started this piece I didn't have any plan at all, I just followed Kate's instructions for the block sizes but slowly the colours and patterns evolved.  I have so enjoyed this project thus far and I can't wait for the chance to add stitching and embellishments to the surface.  I will, of course, have to wait for Kate to tell us where and when to embellish and stitch.  Can't wait!  Watch this space!

Very many thanks to everyone who has sent me good wishes for my Mum's returning health after her stroke.  She has made some good progress in some areas, her right arm is stronger than it was but she still has little sensation in it and this is causing some problems.  We've managed to get rid of the walking frame and come down to a stick and occasionally Mum forgets the stick indoors and manages without so that is progress.  She is still sleeping a lot but not as much as immediately after the stroke but her short term memory does seem to have been affected and is causing her some confusion.  The next step is to try and get her back to her own home with the support of social workers so I will be going with her for a hopefully short while until  a care package is set up.  I am already exhausted with caring for Mum so far (as I have my own health problems unfortunately) so, as much as I want to carry on looking after Mum, I know I have to hand her over to others to decide on the range of support she needs.  I have the feeling that while she stays with us Mum will feel like a guest and not make the effort she needs to make to take over more of her own care.  Fingers crossed she will get her wish to stay in her own home and we can support with more frequent visits.   

While we're on the subject of poorly people (sorry for the 'p' word Laura!) our dear friend Grace is still having a bumpy ride and has spent time at home and time in care.  Hard to believe she is now in the 100th anniversary year of her birth!  Life is not really being kind to her as she has had one problem after another to cope with, none of them serious in themselves but all combining to weaken her.  She can still crack a smile though.


At the risk of becoming tedious, here's another pic of our gorgeous great-nephew enjoying his Christmas dinner,


If all goes well I may be getting a cuddle at the weekend (as long as social services don't need us in Essex before then!).

Ooh yes, I nearly forgot, my Sketchbook Project has left for America!  Can't wait for the first email that tells me someone has borrowed it.  I left some half completed pages so I would love it if someone couldn't resist adding their own marks here and there.

16 comments:

Gina said...

Hope all goes well with your mum Julie. Lovely to see a photo of Grace and know that some of her lace has been part of my latest project

Heather said...

All good wishes for your Mum's new care regime. Grace looks cheerful inspite of her problems - she's an example to us all. Your nephew has the most gorgeous eyes - hope you get your cuddle. Love the quilt. Take care of yourself Julie.

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

You have shared two beautiful angels in this post. The small quilt is simply lovely. Remember to listen...for the Whispers and Echoes from our women who are guiding our life. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Ro Bruhn said...

This really is a hard time for your with your mum, we went through that last year with my mum, unfortunately mine didn't recover. Sometimes you feel so helpless and it really does take it's toll on you. You can only do so much, you have to look after your own health too. I hope everything
goes well for you.

Julie said...

Thank you Heather and Ro. I am sorry for both your losses and hope you are both being kind to yourselves too. Every day has its highs and lows and we seem to get knocked back just when we think things are picking up.

ju-north said...

Hope you get all sorted out for your mum. I must attempt a quilt sometime - I looked at your instructions for the mile-a -minute technique but couldn't get my head around it!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

I love the vibrant colours in your latest quilt piece. I would also like to add my best wishes to the heap for both Mumm and Grace too, Julie. I'm sorry I owe you emails etc. I'm busting a wotsit to get the Brooklyn sketchbook finished and in the post this coming week and will write more soon. Have a good week x

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

ps. thanks for feedback re. music and how longs things take to load on my blog. I have removed the music, the falling snow and have now got less on the page. I would be interested to hear if it loads any quicker now Julie x

Anonymous said...

I think you're very sensible about helping your mum and I can empathize with the need to get her back home and taking responsiblity for herself rather than being a "guest" with you. I'm sure social services will be able to sort her out and she will be supported at home as she wishes. Your friend Grace is remarkable for her age; in the photo she looks much younger!
The quilt is looking good...I love the colours. Oh, and well done for finishing your sketchbook.

Sandra Wyman said...

You are amazing Julie - despite youyr health problems you manage to do so much, and you deserve your cuddle. I'm sure you're right about your Mum needing to be in her own home and keeping some independence, so long as she has the support she needs to improve - and yes you do behave differently when you're a guest. Good to see the photo of Grace and your delightlful nephew (looks like he's really enjoying his Christmas dinner). And the quilt looks wonderful (I think I might have guessed it was yours even if no-one had told me (could that be something to do with the colour-scheme?)

Anonymous said...

Good to know Mum is continuing to improve and Grace, what a wonder to be 100 and still smiling away. Take good care of you as you take care of everyone else. xox Corrine

Cameron said...

Julie, It sounds like you could use a lot of cuddles yourself. I'll keep you, your Mum and Grace in my prayers. Please take care of your health. Hugs

pam said...

Love the little quilt colours are great. Glad to see Grace looking so happy - and I hope you can get Mum settled and able to look after herself - it will make her feel so much better and less tiring for you.

Maggi said...

Lovely colours in the piece Julie. I do hope that your mum continues to make progress. Sorry to her that Grace is still having problems.

Clare Wassermann said...

I think we are quite like minded and I'm enjoying your blog - you are going on my blogroll!

gunnelsvensson said...

Beautiful quilt in so vibrant colours!!!
Sorry to hear about your mum, all best wishes, and to you! It´s hard when our parents get older.
so sweet the lady is, hard to belive she is 100 :-)