Hand-quilting; I just can't stop

I first decided to hand quilt my latest quilt – “Afternoon Delight,” a 2020 Block of the Month project designed by the late Sue Garman for The Quilt Show. I finished the quilt top in February, more than a year after I started it. I was pretty iffy on my choice of hand quilting or machine quilting because I really love free-motion quilting on my domestic sewing machine. And, machine quilting is so much quicker. I realized I could have a finished quilt in a much shorter time if I do it by machine. I have never even considered sending a quilt out to be quilted by someone else even though the result of professional quilting is spectacular. So for me, the question was simply one way or the other.

As I’ve stated in a prior post Quilting challenges, my last hand-quilting endeavor was a bit of a disaster. While I loved hand-quilting in the past, a few years ago, I am older now. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be and I have tendonitis in my arms, some carpal tunnel in my hands, and I’ve never really found a way to be completely comfortable. I never learned how to quilt on a frame. I’ve only quilted on my lap with a hoop.

When I’ve hand-quilted in the past, I used a 16” round hoop once used by my husband’s grandmother. You might say I inherited it. Granny made lots of beautiful quilts, one of which I wrote about: Remembering Granny and her quilts

The last time I hand-quilted I tried using no hoop at all, which was definitely easier, but that method had other problems for me. I spray-basted the layers together and they easily shifted without the tension a hoop provides.

My brain went back and forth on my whether to hand quilt or machine quilt this lovely piece of work, one of the most complex quilts I’ve ever made. But, as so many quilters will attest, this quilt spoke to me. It wanted to be hand-quilted, largely because so much of it was done by hand. Once I made the decision, I reasoned that this was my best and really, only option.

I decided to try my hand, no pun intended, on a small quilt hoop on a stand. I had no idea if I would like this thing, but it did have many advantages, such as its complete customization. The quilt can be turned 360º and the frame can be moved from its upright position to a different height and rake to make using it more comfortable. The biggest advantage for me though, is that it would provide a place to keep my quilt while in progress. I could easily scoot the entire thing out of the way when I’m not using it, and scoot it back to my chair when I want to quilt.

I guess I’m happy with what I call ‘my baby quilt frame, because all I want to do now is quilt. Thankfully the weather has been cool and rainy, so quilting for hours at a time, while I listen to audio books is just about a perfect way to spend a few happy hours. I am using wool batting for the first time. Although I would never consider myself a great quilter, that is the beauty of this – I don’t have to be great to create something beautiful.

I am very pleased at the simple design I have come up with and how it looks on the finished blocks. I am about halfway done at this point. When I wake up, I just can’t wait to get a few things done around the house so I can sit back down and quilt. I quilt in front of the television; I quilt while I listen to the readings of my audible books. I quilt to music.

Could there any better therapy for the pandemic year from hell? I don’t think so.

Here is a sneak peek at how things are going. 

I guess Kasey thinks this one will be hers. I always have the greatest quilt critics, although they never seem to have found a quilt they didn’t like. This one will be no different.

It won't be long now

It is almost time. In fact I've heard that hummingbirds have returned to the area already, though I haven't seen them buzzing around our front porch quite yet. I filled the feeders and hung them in their usual place. Now I wait. 

This is always a happy time of year for me, when the hummingbirds return from their winter respite. Hah, some respite. These formidable little birds fly more than one-thousand miles in the spring and fall every year. Some travel more than 300 miles in a day. I figure, the least I can do is reward their long journey with a little sweet nectar upon their return. 

I've been feeding the hummers every year for the 16 years we've lived here. 

Interestingly, my first hummingbird encounter was "in the wild" when I lived in Illinois. I was photographing nature scenes for an assignment in Kankakee County many years ago. This particular area along the Kankakee River was a lovely prairie remnant with spectacular patches of cardinal flowers, asters, grasses and more. Hummingbirds were thick as they buzzed about, pausing to partake of every flower and then scurrying off to the next. I wish I could harness that kind of energy. 

I had never seen anything like it before. It was like stepping back in time to a pre-settlement era. The beauty and diversity of the prairie plants, some as tall as me, hosted a plethora little winged creatures. In addition to the hummingbirds, there were several varieties of butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, and bumblebees to name a few. 

The only other time I'd seen a hummingbird, was simply a close encounter. If I had not been looking in the right direction at the right time, I would have missed it. A hummer was visiting my neighbor's butterfly bush. I'm sure it returned, but I had only seen it once. 

When my husband and I vacationed in Arkansas, I was amazed at the wildlife, colorful birds, and hummingbirds "in the wild." 

When we finally moved here, to our little house in the woods, one of the first things I did was buy a hummingbird feeder. I have several now, both in the front and on the deck. No matter how much sugar I have to buy or cleaning necessary, it is worth it. I love these little harbingers of springtime.

What a shot in the arm

Though I was expecting a physical reaction to getting my first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, I was a tad surprised at the emotional response it triggered.

My husband had already received his first and second shots. So when it came time for my appointment, I knew what to expect. 

John has always been a bit of a wimp when it comes to needles. 

I'll never forget the first time we took our babies for their first shots. He was a nervous wreck and almost passed out. 

Apparently times have changed. At the tender age of 72, he has been stuck so many times that he now takes it in stride. I think the needles might be smaller as well. I admit I was the one who was apprehensive about his reaction; except there was none! He was a trouper both times and claims he didn't even feel the shot. Even afterward, he felt no pain whatsoever.

When it finally came around to my turn to get the shot, I wondered if I would have the same reaction he did.

The shot itself was as they say, "just a pinch." 

Immediately afterward though, as I took my seat to wait out the obligatory 15 minutes before going home, I looked around to see the huge room at the fairgrounds comfortably filled with people, all wearing masks and sitting safely distanced from one another. Medical personnel seemed to be everywhere and available on a moment’s notice.

Instead of pain, I was feeling relief as well as a sense of pride to have taken this step, both for my own personal health and as my civic responsibility. After a moment or two, I pulled out my phone and posted something to that effect on Facebook.

As a home body by nature, I haven’t been as bothered by the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 as much as some. Yes, it is a pain to wear a mask, but it is so much better to know that we are all in this together. Wearing a mask is really not a big deal. And being told to stay home didn’t bother me either. In fact, being told to stay home is a running joke at our house. It ranks right up there with someone mandating that we take a nap in the middle of the day. My, how time changes how we look at things.

John and I are both retired. Some, well just about anyone who knows us, would call us reclusive. We led very busy lives once, but these days, like to keep to ourselves. Since John no longer drives, I do all the errands. I have not been in a grocery store since last March. We have groceries delivered or I use the pickup service at Walmart. I cannot say how grateful I am for these services, especially during this pandemic. This as well as other forms of online shopping have been a godsend.

When my wait was over and I got in my car to go home I thought about the last year and all the people that have been touched by this pandemic. I felt akin to people everywhere, people all across the globe that are experiencing the same thing I am. We are all getting our vaccines to the benefit of ourselves and everyone. Tears welled up in my eyes. So many people have died. So many families have had to say goodbye to loved ones and dear friends. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by the story of someone lost.

That was overwhelming enough, but then I thought about the last four years and how it seemed every day there was something a new crisis to worry about. I can’t help but wonder if we had a competent leader, how different things would have been.

Getting this shot seemed to bring all of the things I was feelings into focus. I felt relief. For the past year, it was impossible to know where the Corona Virus was lingering. Even people who were careful ended up in the hospital. I am elated to no longer have that worry though I recognize the emergency is not over.

Additionally, we now have competent government leadership that works for the American people rather than one that might get us all killed because of one man’s incompetency. If it wasn’t for President Joe Biden and the capable people he has put in place, I have no doubt I would not have gotten this lifesaving vaccine.

In more ways than one, this is “a shot in the arm,” that makes me feel lucky.  

That idiom, “a shot in the arm,” according to the Cambridge dictionary, is defined “as something that has a sudden and positive effect on something, providing encouragement and new activity.”

It is certainly time for that. And by the way, the day after, it only hurt a little. I hope everyone gets their "shot in the arm." We all need it.