Unexpected Health issue, caught offguard!

Hello all my dear blog readers!

This post should have been about something I've been making, 

but instead it took a twist.

I went to the doctor complaining of shortness of breath, 

although I knew I didn't have the virus!

Turns out my left lung was completely full of fluid, 

they didn't know how I could breathe.

They sent me straight the the ER with CT scan results in hand, 

this was last Monday.

Tuesday morning, I had the fluid removed from my lung 

(over 2 l/2 liters!) and some biopsies taken.

All this without my husband or anyone else besides the health care professionals because of the Covid virus.

Later in the day I got the news...my breast cancer which I reovered from 17 years ago returned.

It's Stage 4 breast cancer in the chest wall.

Whenever there's cancer in the chest wall, it's immediately Stage 4.

Here's a cute photo of me, lol, going for a walk.

I've had so many kind acts since then...

flowers, notes in the mail, emails, facebook messenger messages, Instagram messges, chocolate, and many acts of kindness.

One of two facemasks that were made for me :)

A beautiful mug rug embroidered on a fellow quilter/friend's machine.  Judy said they are Gladiola Tulips and they are known as the flower of strength :)

 I was heart attacked, don't think you're ever too old for that :)

Chocolate and flowers and notes.

 This is my grand daughter Kennedy, she's 12.

Those who follow my blog know her :)

Kennedy's been wearing this necklace I gave her every day since she found out I have cancer, in solidarity!

It has a little quote on it, something about the love between a 

grandmother and her grand daughter :)

As you can see, I'm very blessed with family and friends.

I know that God lives and that he loves me and knows me by name.

I know I can beat this.

It won't be fun, but I have the strength and determination to do it.

I can't let my family and friends down.

I'll try and do some sewing, but still have some things to show you.

I don't mind if you share this, if it can bring hope to someone.

Fabric baskets for any occasion

We broke protocol at our Farm Girl Chick's quilt meeting a while back and made something that wasn't Lori Holt!

These cute little baskets are made from two 10" squares of fabric,

and a layer of quilt batting.

I made 3 for Valentine's Day and 14 of them for Easter, 

one for each of my grandchildren.

They are pretty quick to whip up.

Here's the link to the tutorial.

Here's me with my friend Nedra, at Farm Girl Chick's,

making the baskets.

Here are two families of my sweet grandchildren,

not including the photo bomber!!!

(That's my son Addison who has been photo bombing for years!)

 Three more cute little grandchildren.

Four more cuties, but I forgot to get a photo of them 

holding their baskets.

Isn't living this part of our world's history,

aka the Covid - 19 pandemic crazy?

Hope you're all keeping safe and sewing through your stash :)

Adorable missionary pouches

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl blog, 

has this adorable tutorial on her blog.

from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

The fabric is "Called to Serve" by Deena Rutter of

Riley Blake.

I put Salt Lake temple charms on two of the pouches 

and "Peace in Christ" on the other two.

I have four sister missionaries I'm giving these to.

Two are serving on temple square in Salt Lake City, one is serving in Oregon and the other will be going to Paraguay.

It makes my heart happy to share my talents with these sweet young women who are giving up 18 months of their lives 

to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I'll save the Elder fabric for my grandson Bridger,

when he leaves fro his mission in a little over three years!

Quilt Labels

Lori Holt is my hero!!!

She recently designed the most beautiful fabric.

The line is called "My Happy Place" and has this incredible panel full of quilt labels included in the line.

I cut all the labels out and chose two to put on my recently completed quilts.

Yes, I hand embroidered each of the labels.

I haven't been that great at always putting labels on my quilts, having these cute ones from Lori will hopefully change that!

I sew Lori's interfacing all around the label, cut a slash in the back of the interfacing, and handsew the label in the bottom right corner.

I hope that I've motivated you to put labels on your quilts 

if you haven't already!

I hope you're all keeping safe during the 

Covid 19 virus quarantines.

I thought this "Keep Calm" quote was perfect for my quilty friends!

Teaching the Baby Pinwheel quilt

I'm teaching some ladies from church, a basic quilting class.

I offered them a choice of charm packs, 

and they provided their own background fabric.

We met and I showed them how to make the pinwheel block, 

although they didn't need much help.

In two weeks we met again,

and they all had their quilt tops completed!

This is Stephanie, she's a beginner to intermediate quilter.

I say that, because she's making a Sue Bonnet Sue quilt!

Stephanie chose an older line I had by Chez Moi by Moda.

This is Nancy, she's a hoot!!!

She chose Mary Engelbreit, her top is so cute!

This is Debby, she chose an older Valentine print by Sandy Gervais.

Debby might be a beginner quilter, 

but she's an experienced seamstress.

All of these ladies are so sweet and have hearts of gold.

I've really enjoyed getting to know them.

This quilt pattern is very easy, super cute and extremely popular!

This is where you can get the free pattern.

Tell Me a Story Quilt finished!

I added a border to my Tell Me a Story quilt

and machine quilted it by stitching in the ditch, 

around the border prints of each fussy cut square 

and then continuing the design around the border.

 The quilt turned out just as I imagined it would :)

 What a great feeling to finish a quilt whose blocks have been completed for two or more years!

I'll pull this quilt out the next time my grandchildren visit

and we can spend hours making up stories :)

The backing fabric is Meadowsweet by Sandi Henderson,

I've been hoarding it for a few years,

and found the perfect home for it.

Thanks for following along!

Tell Me a Story quilt

A few years ago, I joined the "Tell Me a Story" quilt's online swap.

I actually joined it twice, to get a variety of different blocks.

The paper piecing pattern is found in 

"Intentional Piecing" by Amy Friend.

You can hashtag it on Instagram and find loads of pictures!

I sorted my blocks into color sections.

I've had my blocks finished for over 2 years.

My grandchildren loved choosing a block before bed

 and telling a story about it.

For instance, see the block with the cat 

and the cable sweater border?

Once upon a time, there was a little kitten named Tabby.  

Tabby was very curious and loved the feel and texture of yarn.

When her owner knit scarves in the evening,

Tabby watched very carefully....

Eventually Tabby was able to knit a scarf for herself,

using her very own paws and intellect.

Tabby was a very unique kitten who was never cold a day in her life, as she had knit more scarves for herself than anyone could keep track of!

Tabby lived happily ever after...

There are endless stories that you could make up for each block,

provided you have an imagination, lol!

I like the look of the quilt without a border,

but it's too little without one.

I was wondering which grandchild I could gift this to,

but maybe I'll keep it and it can be our 

"Tell Me a Story" quilt when they visit or spend the night.

You can see a sampling of my story blocks here.