My Ring Pillow

I’m still working on the whole cloth African quilt, so I thought I’d show you the ring pillow I made in 1990 for my wedding.  I cross-stitched the design (don’t recall the source), then added some ribbons to tie the rings.

Here’s a closer view of the center.
Here’s the back edge with our initials and the year.
Here’s my nephew who was 3 yrs old then, now is a freshman in law school.  He loved the tux and did not want to return it. 

Old Cross Stitch Pieces and An Update

I’m still working on the Whole Cloth African quilt, so I ‘m just going to share a couple of old cross stitch pieces I did years ago.  The first one I did during medical school during my senior year pediatric rotation spent out-of-town shadowing a pediatrician in private practice.  It was good on many levels.  I loved watching him interact with his patients and their parents. 

This piece was framed at one time and hung on the walls of my apartments in Baton Rouge, Wheeling, Pittsburg, Boston, and even here in Little Rock.

This bookmark (one of the problems with e-books is these aren’t needed) I did in Boston during my plastic surgery residency.  I actually took a 6 week sailing class on the Charles River.  I haven’t done any sailing since moving back inland. 

Here’s a small segment of the Whole Cloth African quilt with the corresponding view from the back below.  The colors aren’t true in this first one.  The color is more green.
Here’s from the back.  Making progress, but at the point in the project where it’s seems to be slowed to a crawl.

Handmade Journal

I follow (loosely) the blog Sketchbook Challenge.  It is a great source of inspiration (and intimidation). Several months ago I noticed the instructions  (pdf file, link removed 3/2017) for creating a fabric journal from Sue Bleiweiss.  Here is my first attempt at creating a handmade fabric journal.  It’s purple, so of course I mailed it to @purplesque.

Here is the base of the journal with the fabric fused to the pelmet vilene, bound, and pressed.

Here it is folded, prior to adding the paper.
Paper added.

I wasn’t sure how to do the closure.  Will have to get more creative if I make another one.  I sent two options:  elastic gold ribbon

or tied with more purple ribbon.

1790 Eagle Quilt Finished!

Updated 3/2017-- all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

Last month I showed this quilt as a WIP (work in progress).  It is now finished after 3 weeks of hand quilting, every night for 2-3 hours.  I am pleased with how it turned out.  Forgive my photos as I am not great at taking photos of whole cloth quilts.  The quilt is white white not a cream white.

The quilt is 20 in square and hand quilted.  The front and back look like mirror images of each other.  Here is the front:

Here is the back:
Here is a photo of the eagle detail (from the back).
Here is a photo of one of the corners.

This quilt will be part of the Eagle Motif Wallhanging Decade by Decade Project and represents the decade 1790-1800.

Wash Cloth Potholder

A patient gave me the old potholder (pictured below with the replacement I recently made) years ago. I love it, but it has been used to the point of not being able to do its job of protecting my hand from hot pans any longer.

Updated 3/2017-- photos (except my own) and all links (except to my own posts) removed as many no longer active. and it was easier than checking each one.

I did a Google search and found the instructions for making more. (photo credit/ original from here). The original came from "The How To Book: Do it Yourself with Stevens Utica Sheets & Towels", by J.P. Stevens & Co, 1978.

My new wash cloth was not quite square, so I first squared it up.
Then I folded it as shown and then used my serger to sew the edges together.
I should have changed out my threads, but didn’t as it’s “only a potholder.”
I then crocheted the edges using a simple scalloped stitch which really makes it look so much better.

Here is a great source for crocheted edging.

Symmetry in Wool

I finished another shawl! The pattern is “symmetry in silk” from the Shawls and Scarves book. The yarn is Harmony 100% wool, color HC03. It was extra I had from the Estonian Garden Shawl I finished back in February. Sorry if the photos aren’t great, I have not yet learned the best way to take photos to show off lace knitting.

The shawl measures 15 in X 88 in. It is knitted on the bias.


I think I may keep this one for myself.

Gifts from Blog Friends

My blog friend, Dr Cris, sent me some hand-knitted gifts from Australia.  It was an exchange for the quilts I made for her children (Mr J and Ms Z).  Here is a picture of the hat and scarf that I will be wearing when it gets colder.
Here is a picture of the two bookmarks that I am already using.

I realized that I had not shared this gift of knitted socks that Dr Smak sent me several months ago.  My only excuse is that it was back in the summer and too warm to wear them.  I put them away.  It is almost cold enough for me to wear them.

Works in Progress

I am participating in Another Little Quilt Swap again. I have the little quilt I am making pieced. Here is a picture of it, as I get ready to baste it and then hand quilt it. The pattern is a flower basket that I found on Jinny Beyer's website. I have always been a fan of her work.

Here is a knitted shawl that I have been working on for several months now. It gets put aside whenever there is a quilt to work on, but I am slowly getting it finished. I am a self-taught knitter. I have only done a couple of simple sweaters (intimidated by the necks and sleeves) and was not really happy with how they turned out. I usually stick to hats and scarves. A love of lace work has drawn me into knitting shawls. The pattern is from All Tangled Up and is called Kiri Shawl (pdf of pattern). I am using Kid Merino yarn (color 4677).  I'll finish it eventually and will show you the finished shawl then.

Amish Bars Quilt

I finally finished hand quilting this quilt. The pattern is Amish Bars. My friend asked for brown and mustard yellow (picture doesn't show the colors well--sorry). The back is a lighter brown, as I wanted the quilting to show. The brown strips are quilted with brown thread, the yellow with a light brown. You can see the quilting patterns in my post on Marking. The quilt is 52 in X 72 in. The strips are 8 in, 3 in, 6 in, 3 in, 8 in, 3 in, 6 in, 3 in, and 8 in.

I tried to show some of the quilting detail. This is the center brown strip.
The back of the quilt, showing one of the "smaller" brown strips.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Updated 3/2017-- photos and all links removed as many are no longer active and it's easier than checking each one.

I know it's a few days early, but I wanted to share these three links with you. All have to do with "hearts".

The first one -- thanks to Street Anatomy for the heads up on this one! The cupcakes actually "bleed" jam. If you are inclined to make these are your Valentine, the recipe can be found at YumSugar.

The second one --don't forget to listen in to Dr. Anonymous's BlogTalkRadio Show on Valentine's Day night - Thursday, February 14th at 9pm eastern time. His guests will be medical bloggers Dr. Val, Jenni from Chronic Babe, Crzegrl, and EE. Join us for The Doctor Anonymous Show: Valentine's Day Estrofest. You won't want to miss it!

And third, but not least, is a link to Penny Sanford's blog where she shares her pattern for this "heart yo-yo".

Museum of Bags and Purses

This post is simply on something that fascinates me--bags and purse. There is now a museum in Amsterdam showcases the history of bags and purses. Tassem Museum has a very informative web site. It isn't in English, but you can still enjoy the photos. I have made a few, but they don't compare to these.

Knitting for Noggins--2

 Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

I managed to knit two caps each way when my husband and I drove from Little Rock to Nashville (well he did all the driving). It keeps me busy and I lose track of time/miles and don't ask "Are we there yet?" I like to see new places but don't always enjoy the travel. Wish those transporters from Star Trek really existed. Maybe someday.

Wanted to re-reference (Knitting for Noggins--post) the web site for knitting for noggins campaign. Babies (young children) can sure use the head cover as winter nears. There are patterns given or try some of these links.

Bulky Rib Beanies--pattern
Toboggan Hat-- pattern
Preemie Stocking Cap-- pattern

Knitting for Noggins

Updated 3/2017-- all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

This will be the second year that our local children's hospital will participate in the Knitting for Noggins campaign. During the winter, the hospital gives a hat to each patient leaving the hospital. [Trying to think of cooler times as the temp is expected to hit 105F today] Even though they will be holding a knit-a-thon on Oct 14 at the hospital, they are encouraging folks to begin holding their own with friends so there will be lots of hats. Last year they had more than 27,000! Here are two that I have done. I plan on doing a few more while traveling to Nashville (the AQS Expo). My quilt (Flowers in a Vase) will be in the quilt show. I will knit while my husband drives.

Messanger Bag Purse

I finished the messenger bag, 11" by 12''. There are two zippered compartments and another with a magnetic closure. The strap is a heavy nylon. There is a Swivel Snap Hook for keys. I did the quilting with gold metallic thread.

I enjoyed making this bag and can see making several of these for my nieces for Christmas. I know at least a couple of them would really like the bag. One niece (a nurses aide--trying to get her to go to nursing school) is really into purses of all kinds, probably more than shoes.

A Bear Hug

Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed as many no longer active.

I named this quilt "A Bear Hug" because of the fabric and the sentiment. It is being given to a young man who has bone cancer, osteosarcoma. He has gone through most of his treatments for the cancer (surgery, chemotherapy, etc) and recently has been dealing with the after effects (an infection in his new knee joint, scar tissue in the joint, etc). He is not one of my patients, nor do I know him personally. I know of him. Still I hope this quilt (54" X 72") helps "warm" him and in some small measure helps him get through it all.

For more information on osteosarcoma see:

E-Medicine Article on osteosarcoma

Good posture for Sewing (or Blogging)

Updated 3/2017-- photos and all links (except to my own posts) removed as many no longer active.

For comfort and to decrease the risk of strain injury, it is important to pick a good chair and to set the sewing machine at a good height for your own body. Susan Delaney Mech, M.D answered this question as follows:

1. The first step is to set the height of your sewing chair. The seat should be at a height that allows your feet to rest flat on the floor and your knees to make a perfect 90-degree angle. A secretarial chair makes a good, adjustable sewing chair.


2. The next step is to lower your sewing machine table until, with your elbows bent at a perfect 90-degree angle, your fingertips can rest on the feed dog of your machine. I am 5 feet 6 inches tall, and my sewing machine table is 22 inches off of the floor.


3. Proper chair and sewing machine height, combined with good posture of your back and neck, and hourly breaks, will go a long way toward preventing (or healing from) Repetitive Strain Injury.

Avoid slouching. Keep your neck and shoulders relaxed. Try to keep your elbow, hips, and knees at right angles (ninety degrees). Avoid pressure to the back of the knees. If your feet can't comfortably be flat on the floor, then consider a foot rest. You should also consider taking breaks every 30-60 minutes and do some stretching exercises for your wrists and hands and body. Sometimes, as in the OR, breaks can't be taken that often. Do the best you can with table/chair (computer moniter/OR table/etc) height and stretch when you are able. It will help keep the aches at bay and the joints a little more supple. That will allow you to enjoy your hobby (sewing, knitting, bloggin) and maybe your work for many more years.

You may want to check out this OSHA sewing station design page. Another interesting source for prevention of injury while sewing/quilting is a powerpoint presentation at Sport & Spine Physical Therapy website is "How to Quilt Forever"

Hair of the Dog

Updated 3/2017-- all links (except to my own posts) removed as many no longer active.

It will have been 4 years on May 30th since LadyBug was euthanized. She had osteosarcoma of the left maxilla. And no that isn't a cigar in her mouth. It's a rolled up rawhide treat. LadyBug was half-Rottweiler and half-Pyrenees. She was nearly 8 years old when she died. She was a charmer! She would sit with her hunches on the sofa and her front legs on the floor. She is missed.

The origins of the phrase "hair of the dog" seem to go back to "the Romans and many ancient peoples before them believed that like cures like. They would bind the hairs of a dog that had bitten someone to that very person's wound to make it heal better EVEN of the dog was rabid." It then morphed into referring to handover cures (no "hair" included in these).

Another use for the hair of your dog is to make something from it. Depending on your own dogs breed (and the Pyrenees is perfect), your dog may have wonderfully full, soft hair. Years ago while walking through 'Books-a-Million', a book caught my eye. The book was "Knitting with Dog Hair" by Kendall Crolius. It described the steps needed (comb and keep the hair in a dry paper bag until you have enough, spin into yard, and then knit). VIP Fibers provides the service of preparing the hair after you collect it. I saved the hair from LadyBug and my two labradors, GirlFriend and Columbo (who died in November 2003 from an abdominal cancer at age 11). I have a lace shawl from their hair. It feels like mohair.