Not because I wanted to, but because leg cramps woke me up a few times during the night. MADDENING! I haven’t had bananas for a few days. Could that be the culprit? Potassium?
Could be it calcium?
Someone said if I drink tonic water, that the quinine in it would help with cramps at night.
I’m shooting for all of the above. I think it was because I spent so many hours sitting and driving in the car yesterday -----but it’s SO annoying to be so tired and sleeping so soundly to be woken up by shin muscles contracting and arch of the foot muscles cramping in rebellion. The only thing that helps is to get up out of bed and walk around and walk around and stretch and massage ----So it was after 8am when I finally got out of bed to go take a hot shower and get this day going.
Last evening I posted a photo on facebook of how I was in the recliner with my feet up and working on attaching that last hexie corner.
I DID IT! It is COMPLETE!
Pardon the pillows on the floor--- I hadn’t made the bed yet, but waited until there was light from the window this morning to take this photo. I still can’t believe it’s done.
Are you ready for this? Total hexie count? 4,901!! YEAH!
Today is a lazy day. I’m so glad. I’ll be meeting up with the Undercover Quilters of Brookhaven, PA! We are meeting up for dinner at 5pm – but until then, the day is free for me to play.
I understand there is a trip to Wegman’s grocery store on the to-do list. I love that place!
Have a great Monday, everyone!
Congratulations on a fabulous finish! It has been fun watching this quilt top progress.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful...hope that you enjoy your free day and the leg cramps stay away.
ReplyDeleteA-Maz-Ing! So happy for you with this accomplishment!
ReplyDeletegorgeous, how do you plan to quilt it?
ReplyDeleteIt looks incredible! What an accomplishment!What a great feeling it must be to complete something like this. Here is an odd note-I have seen this quilt in process on your blog several times; and this is the first time I picked up on it being greens and reds. I have been thinking it was charcoal and red. Must have had my monitor at the wrong angle! I like the green better!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a beautiful finish to your quilt! It's truely stunning. I get leg cramps all the time at night but I don't spend much time sitting or driving. Mine happen when I've spent too much time on my feet. I sure would like to know what to do to stop them. Have a fun and safe trip, looking forward to your next quiltcam.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem. The only thing that works for me is a daily potassium tablet & a magnesium tablet on alternate days (otherwise you get bathroom issues :) )
DeleteGood luck with them.
Lush
London, UK
Wow Bonnie! What an accomplishment. Handsewing almost 5,000 hexies?
ReplyDeleteIt turned out just amazing. As usual you have blown me away! In a good way of course.
Tonya
Bonnie, your completed hexy project is marvelous!! I can't wait to start another one myself...and I'm thinking MORE INSANE...as in smaller hexies!
ReplyDeleteLeg cramps can be assisted by lots of stretches during the day, to build up the calf muscles. Perhaps it's the way you're sleeping? If I sleep on my stomach, I unvariably end up with cramps, because I've been extending the muscle for too long.
WooHoo! Doing the Snoopy Dance for you and hoping those pesky leg cramps stay away. Honestly, this quilt is just over the top stunning!
ReplyDeleteWow, Bonnie, that is beautiful! Hope you enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty!! I've been following you progress and started sewing hexies. to date I have 600 with no definte plans. Great, fabulous quilt. What size is it? Sonia
ReplyDeleteWhen did you start this quilt top? I'm wondering how long it took you to make it. I have followed you for awhile seeing your photos of making it in airports, on airplanes, from place to place - a lot of memories for you in this quilt top I bet. Maybe one day I will start on one - guess I better come up with a design first :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing accomplishment!!! That is absolutely beautiful - Enjoy PA - hope you have a bright sunny day!
ReplyDeleteYou should have kept a list of all the places you worked on that one. That would have been neat to put on the label!! It is well travelled. Sue K
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the quilt. I also wanted to share a possible leg cramp remedy. I use it for my restless legs. I am never without a bar of ivory or dove soap. I put it under the fitted sheet on my bed and I swear since I started doing that my leg cramps/restless legs have ceased. I even take with me when I travel. When it stops working I know it is time to get a new bar of soap. Give it a try...you will be surprised.
ReplyDeleteHave been hearing this remedy a lot lately. It must work
DeleteI used to have leg cramps all the time. My doctor told me to start taking Magnesium daily. I have not had leg cramps since I started. Not that I am giving medical advice, just telling you what worked for me.
ReplyDeleteLove the hexie quilt! What an accomplishment!
it is totally gorgeous, Bonnie!!! You are my "hexy queen"!! Enjoy your day with Dixie!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! I some how feel that I would have stopped at a lap top size and called it done. Good for you what an accomplishment!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Bonnie ! It is so marvelous !
ReplyDeleteYour leg cramps are most likely connected to your lower back problems and yes all the sitting when your driving is what brought it on I went to Texas and had my problem like this fixed the Dr told drive 2hrs at a time and get out and move around for 20 minutes of course it takes you longer to get places but it really seems to make a difference. your hexie quilt is amazin just amazon!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI second this one. We also tell patients never to sit more than two hours in a car, often recommend that they try to stretch every hour but that is pretty hard to do.
DeleteThe tonic water may help if the cause is chemical, but because this was following a long drive, I suspect it is as a result of spinal irritation.
BTW, try V8 juice for potassium.
Your leg cramps are most likely connected to your lower back problems and yes all the sitting when your driving is what brought it on I went to Texas and had my problem like this fixed the Dr told drive 2hrs at a time and get out and move around for 20 minutes of course it takes you longer to get places but it really seems to make a difference. your hexie quilt is amazin just amazon!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOH MY WORD! First off, it's truly a beautiful quilt top. And ... I have to congratulate your stick-to-it-ive-ness is getting all 4000+ hexies done and arranged in the top! Mouth open, gapping in awe .. WOW!
ReplyDeleteThose nasty cramps!!! John gets them also. And bless him, he hates bananas. How anyone can hate bananas is beyond me. Hope you find the magic bullet that works for you Bonnie.
HUGS, open mouthed and all lol
JulieinTN
I occasionally get the leg cramps and have found that drinking tonic water helps ... it really does. I also have taken an Advil at night before going to sleep ONLY when I feel my legs being jumpy from too much standing or NOT standing/walking enough during the day. It seems to counteract the cramping attacks. I don't espouse taking medications (OTC or otherwise) but this works for me. Hope you are relieved of that problem soon. The hexie quilt is beyond words ... simply amazing. Absolutely AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteFantastic!! How lovely is the thought that you have hand sewn all those hexies and in so many places. If only they could talk, the stories they would tell!! I am feeling the need to get back to mine. It will be a smaller version.
ReplyDeleteStunning! I'm an EPP person, but I don't think I'd ever finish a quilt like this. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful - and most impressive!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a quilt well done. :D I love it, but who wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteI did a lap size hexi quilt in the grandmother's flower garden design, it took me almost a year to do. Gave it to my then 9 yr old niece. She still uses it to this day.
The FDA now forbids the prescription of quinine for leg cramps, and modern tonic contains very little of it. In addition, regular tonic is very high in sugar -- as high as any other soft drink.
ReplyDeleteYes, potassium and magnesium can help. But if you're at the point where your potassium is low enough that you need a supplement to prevent leg cramps, a visit to your doctor is indicated. A quick blood test can tell what your potassium level is. Potassium is necessary to regulate your heart, and you shouldn't monkey with it on your own. Please see a doctor.
Gorgeous & congratulations on this accomplishment! Now comes the 2nd half of the project--how to quilt it most effectively. Are you quilting it yourself or sending it off? I'm sure either way it'll be stunning when it's "put to bed". On another note, I just found out I'll be attending your Cathedral Stars workshop up in Tallahassee on Nov. 10th. Can't wait to meet you, spend some time sewing in person with you, and seeing your beautiful quilts up close.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!!! Inspiration to keep working on my GFG, which is in the beginning stages!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your leg pain. I live with chronic leg/hip pain so I can relate somewhat. Thankful you have today to recover. Loss sleep is not fun, but you will make it, I know you will! :)
I love your hexie quilt. I told myself I would NEVER do one but guess what? I have seen so many beautiful hexie projects lately that I just can't help it. I have started my one Grandmothers Flower garden. Ido have a question for u. How does one quilt the tops once they are put together?
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful! I love Wegman's too! Enjoy your trip to PA. And take a nap today!
ReplyDeleteit is BEAUTIFUL!!!
ReplyDeletewhat an accomplishment...can you imagine the comments 100 years from now?
ReplyDeleteYour hexie quilt is absolutely stunning! It gives me hope that my very humble hexie project will be completed one day. Thanks for being a source of inspiration for so many of us!
ReplyDeleteStunning! You're an inspiration,Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteThere should be a button that says 'WAY COOL' to check...
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful Bonnie, just beautiful.
A "way cool" button--I love it"!!
DeleteHow beautiful! How did it feel to put the last section on?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Bonnie! It really is amazing. Are you going to hand quilt it?
Happy Sewing
Oh my gosh Bonnie! Congratulations on a quilt finish of Olympic proportions! Gold Medal and Podium bow for you!! I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious, glorious quilt! Congratulations on finishing the top!
ReplyDeleteWill add my 2 cents worth on the leg cramps LOL. Dehydration can cause these, too. Drink plenty of WATER (even diet sodas, tea, etc. are diuretics). Read online one of the clinics says drink pickle juice (gee, you'd have to be desperate) but there's something in it that will help (and of course I forgot what).
I agree with Lavinia--dehydration is probably the main culprit that caused the leg cramps. make it a habit to take a bottle of water with you when you travel, and make a game out of drinking it, you'l probably see the cramps diminish.
DeleteLove the quilt! What a mega accomplishment that is. hearty congrats and a well-deserved pat on the back to you!
Bonnie, that really is a beautiful quilt. I can only imagine how satisfied and triumphant you must feeling having all the pieces together. I know you will smile every time you see it. I hope it can be displayed on a bed lots. Have fun in PA.
ReplyDeleteI was desperate enough that I bought some Dr. Braggs vinegar and have drunk it in water. Believe it or not, if you put enough water in it, it isn't too bad. There more potassium in the vinegar than the banana! Can you believe that!?!
ReplyDeleteWow!!! It is gorgeous. It must feel incredible to be finished with such a challenge. I would have to give it a little stroke everytime I walked by. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteway to go ~ it's absolutely gorgeous! what a sense of accomplishment you must feel! bonnie, you are a true inspiration to us all! ♥
ReplyDelete¡that is a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteDehydrated...?? Did you restrict your fluids while you traveled to avoid pit stops.?? I am so guilty of that and I experience leg and foot cramps as a result. Too much caffeine..?? On a happier topic..... that hexie quilt is scrumptious...!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is a work of art. I,too, wonder how you'll quilt it.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I would get horrible cramps in my legs at night. My doctor said to take calcium, potassium, and magnesium. The only time the cramps came back is when I stopped the potassium and magnesium to see if I needed to still take them. Yes, I do.
Beautiful quilt!!!! Those nasty leg cramps get me too - and I eat one banana every day - BUT yes...Tonic Water...I drink a glass every night (don't drink regular soda myself...so use diet and a few squirts of lemon juice...plenty of ice)...and when I don't drink it - I KNOW - it has really helped!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt! What an accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteThere is a doctor in the paper who says that you should put an unwrapped bar of soap (any kind) under the bottom sheet at the bottom of the bed to prevent leg cramps. I am not sure I believe it really works, but many people write him to say it works. Might be worth a try.
All I can say is WOW!!!! It's come a long way since last year during the cruise. Now to get it quilted.
ReplyDeleteYay o Yay!! Your quilt is simply stunning!!! I want one.
ReplyDeleteTonic water helps with the leg cramps, I need some too. I see several ladies have also agreed with me. Enjoy your free day.
Absolutely stunning! I am also very curious how you are going to quilt this beauty!
ReplyDeleteSUPER CONGRATULATIONS!!! So proud for you to complete your hexie-beauty!
ReplyDeleteWay beyond beautiful! You are definitely an inspiration to me! I was able to obtain a hexagon punch and have been saving all cards out of the magazines. One day soon I plan are starting on hexies myself. As far as leg cramps go, I finally went to the doctor about mine and he did blood work. Called my house on a Sunday and told me to eat a Bunch of bananas & to come back to see him again on Monday. I got put on potassium for a while, but I'm just eating a daily banana now. Good thing I love bananas!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!!!
Fabulous! My next question is what size the hexies are?
ReplyDeleteLeg cramps and back pain are usually connected. Leg lifts and stretching helps. Eat those bananas and take that magnesium.
THAT is SUCH an accomplishment!!! Congrats, Bonnie!!
ReplyDeleteYour hexie quilt is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI missed your morning post, and just sat down at the computer now. Sorry to hear about your leg problems. You know all the tricks, so I hope you are able to find something that will give you some relief.
ReplyDeleteOh Bonnie, I knew you would finish your hexie quilt, and all I say is that it is AMAZING!! I can't believe that it took that many hexies to make the quilt.
Hope you are feeling better by now,and enjoying the rest of your free day. Grace from L.I.
Love your Hexie quilt. Wish mine was that far along. Started working on it when we lived overseas-around 20 nyears ago! Hope you are enjoying my home-born and raised in West Chester, high school outside of Malvern. A lot has changed since way back when. Will be in PA next week!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a LOT of hexies. What on earth will your next travel project be....and how could it possibly top this one??
ReplyDeleteWOW, breathtaking, amazing, so so much work in your hexie quilt...wow...cant describe...love it ....
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law swears by a bag of corks in her bed to stop cramps - no idea why it works, but it seems to
ReplyDeleteAnd that is an amazing quilt - love it!
This quilt is beautiful! Will the pattern be in an upcoming book? Great job on your part to persevere and get it done! You seem to have that ability...and I don't and I know it is probably why I don't start a Dear Jane or a hexie.
ReplyDeletelove it that you've made a hexie count! you must have been thinking ... how do i love thee, let me count the ways, for it looks to be a labor of love. it's gorgeous! leg cramps! i stand, rub aspercream on them, walk around the room and go back to bed and sleep.
ReplyDeleteYour hexi quilt is beautiful!!! I've been hand quilting my first hexi quilt this weekend, but it's nothing in comparison to your show stopper!!! : ) I suffer from leg cramps in the night, too. The only thing that stops them is milk. I don't know how it works, but it does!!! Drink a small glass of milk when you get cramps and I swear you'll immediately feel those muscles loosen up and the cramps will disappear within a few seconds.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Beautiful. Drink water and eat good chocolate
ReplyDeleteBonnie, can i have your address and i will send you excellent chocolate from France or switzeland or belgium!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve it for all the nice posts in your blog. sophie from France
Wow Bonnie hexie heaven. It is amazing. Does it feel strange that it is finished though? Hope your cramps have settled.
ReplyDeleteYour hexie quilt is wonderful! Congratulations. I have cramps in my arches when I sleep too. I have tried all you have and had no success. The only thing that really helped was taking quinine tablets but then the insurance company said that wasn't designed for that affliction and wouldn't cover it anymore. Of course, you can get a much more expensive tablet with side effects if you want :o( I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteI have just one thing to say: Wowwwwww!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have more, of course:beautiful, amazing, astonishing!!! But I rally don't understand how you can find out how many hexies you sew... After 10, I forget.
But congratulations and many, many hugs!
Carla Fraga
wow, that is one gorgeous quilt, not sure I could make that many hexies!
ReplyDeleteOh so many comments on the Leg & foot cramps, I get them too. they are related for me to the back problems I have. Also sitting causes more problems. But what causes them to be worse for me is my Asthma meds... so do I breathe and deal w the cramps? Yes! LOL of course I do. Increasing my magnesium helped, as did a yoga strap/belt and leg stretches before bed. I don't eat banannas, and I do take Calcium, Potsium & Magnesium.
ReplyDeleteEvery bodies issues maybe different.But I read all of the posts hoping that I would be given a remedy I hadn't heard of before.
I've also heard of drinking Pickle juice. (YUCK) it's proabably related to the electrolytes (minerals like potasium and Sodium). I've not tried it myself.
Wow, it looks even bigger on the bed than in the car showroom. Congrats on the finish! Lois
ReplyDeleteI usually get cramps in bed after too much exercise. All the advice given so far is probably valid. Just be thankful, as I am that the cramps don't strike while driving the car...I hate to think!
ReplyDeleteI don't always like hexagon quilts but yours is just delightful. Congratulations it was a big job well done.
Bonnie, Your hexie quilt is gorgeous!!!! As for the leg cramps, eat bananas. I eat one every day and hardly ever get a charlie horse in my leg.
ReplyDeleteIt is a masterpiece! One hexie at a time, and here you are :-)
ReplyDeleteNow you should make a plaque for your hostess' wall:
ReplyDeleteBonnie Hunter finished her Hexi quilt here...Oct 7, 2012 (4901 Hexies)
She could hang it on the wall with pride.
My daughter wants to know how long it took you to make the quilt top?
ReplyDeleteLol, she's ten!
Bonnie, I have similar issues with my back, and get frequent leg cramps - almost always after too much exersize. A dozen answers to your leg cramp problems, and I have tried most of them except the vinegar, without much luck. The only thing that seems to work is to get out of bed and walk it off. I have found that a hot water bottle is very helpful, as often, my legs are marginally cool when they cramp, so the heat solves that problem. Hard to do that in summer though when its 30C at night! If you find a solution that works for you, please post it on your blog as I will be really interested to read it.
ReplyDeleteYour hexies are truly awesome! You need a medal for perseverance!
Totally in awe,
Dasha
Oh Bonnie, its beautiful! So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are dehydrated. Yes, tonic water does help, but tastes not so good...
Im in Franklin, nc. See your apples on next post. I need to stop and get some before going home.
Any suggestions on where i should go from here? Thought of riding to see more leaves. Its in 50s here so nice. Would not go home for another week id hubby and pups were with me.
Hi Bonnie! Oh man! The hexie quilt is AMAZING! Even my 8 y/o DD was impressed. :D Thanks so much for sharing and congratulations on the great finish!!!!!!!!!!! Have a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteMelissa in Georgia
Very impressive! I find that when I'm really working hard or when we go dancing I have to drink a Gatorade or I get leg cramps during the night. It's the only solution that's worked for me so far.
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful! And I used to live in Brookhaven, PA from age 3-11! I went to Thomas Colburn ES where I remember in the first grade we made a quilt! There were two first grade classes and everyone's mom sent in large triangles of fabric and helped to sew them together. It was raffled off at the May Day fair! I always wanted to help make another quilt because I thought it was so cool! It took another 15 years before I sewed one myself!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Bonnie! The Mothership has landed. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful Bonnie. It looks like jewelry!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is quite an achievement! And well worth it, what a beautiful quilt it became! Good luck on the quilting...
ReplyDeleteI love you, Bonnie, but sometimes I don't want to be you. ...Just sometimes. LOL
ReplyDelete/congratulations, Bonnie!! What perseverance, dedication, and journey, the stories your quilt could tell, with all the places
ReplyDeleteit and you have been to and through, what a journey. I am so happy
for you, the sight of it being complete must make you giddy, and
the age old question, what is the next journey going to take you
down what quilting road? I can hardly wait to see what kind of
awesome, will be around the next corner. I could never in my wildest dreams even come close to your accomplishment, but I love
to enjoy seeing all that you are completing, thanks so much for all
the time that you share with us. You are so much appreciated.
In complete awe of your beautiful hexie quilt Bonnie. I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering from cramps that wake you up; how rude of them to not know you need your restorative sleep. If I'm good about having a half a bananna in my morning smoothie I'm okay. However, if I stood the majority of the day longarming and I sit down to dinner . . . here come those toe curling, painful cramps. I jump up
ReplyDeletewalk around, stretch, and then march to the fridge with a large spoon and fill it up with French's yellow mustard and gulp it down. Silly, I know, but it works. You can go to www.thepeoplespharmacy.com and read up on it. Also, my purple Gypsy Sit Upon goes into the driver's seat if I'm driving two hours or longer. What a difference. Perhaps these two things might help you? I hope so. Thank you again for all that you do, show, teach and share. We are blessed to have you. Allison in North Texas
Oh, so beautiful! Thank you for keeping us updated on how it was coming along. You should be extremely proud of yourself. That was so much work but what a showpiece you have! Can't wait to see what your next project will be.
ReplyDeleteOOhh my goodness my dear! This is a great Job and so good to know that a part of it travelled to my house :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late catching this post, but just had to send my congrats on finishing the hexie top! It's stunning, and a true work of art. I've so enjoyed seeing your progress updates as it has grown. Yay for you!
ReplyDeleteBonnie congratulations, its just marvellous
ReplyDeleteBonnie, thanks for sharing-it is beyond beautiful! You can be SO proud of yourself. I love it! Hope your l. Cramps improve. Micki
ReplyDeleteThis is magnificent! Thanks for sharing the journey of this. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt's spectacular! I've been having leg cramps and have been taking a potassium supplement, which has helped, but the funny thing is that in the last couple of weeks my husband has had them also. One night he woke up with them and the next night, I did. I would gladly skip my turn when it comes around again.
ReplyDeleteLove your hex quilt! BTW, are you sure you're not getting at all dehydrated? That could cause problems with the leg cramps. Also: When my mother suffered from monstrous leg cramps at night, the doctor had her take an l-tryptophan supplement with a full glass of water before bed. This and bananas helped a lot.
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE your hexi quilt. I am so wanting to do one. I am just catching up with you again after a knee replacement so I wonder if you had a pattern or made this up yourself. I'm going back to read your posts so maybe I can find it. Terrific quilt
ReplyDelete