Evening Quilting–Signature String Star!

 
I quilted up the Signature String Star quilt last night.

It took less time than it could have – but more than it should have.

I don’t know where my brain is these days – (Well yes I do.) but I set the length and width of the quilt mistakenly 20.5’’ square instead of 30.5’’ square.

And that is a problem when digitally scaling a quilting pattern.  The machine goes into “end of row” editing, thinking it has reached the end of the top, when it hasn’t.

And I didn't want to pick out the whole top row and start over.

I figured it out – I would watch until repeat number 5, a bit more than half-way across the quilt.  Mark that ending as my new starting, and then run the pattern as if it was starting from the beginning again.

It might not be the easy way to do it, but if I changed the length, the scale size would also be changed slightly and I’d be running over previous rows of stitching, or not get a pattern that nested like it should.

 

Loaded, and running, working out the issue one row at a time.

I really like this design.

I didn’t want something that took too much away from the lovely signatures. It's called Woven Wind by Apricot Moon designs.

I’m happy with it!

Next up – binding, label and hanging sleeve!

I don’t think I’ll be able to get it done this morning.  Our airport run is in just over an hour from the time this post uploads.

And I’ve got a back issue I’m dealing with.

I know that stress and grief and manifest themselves physically as well as emotionally, but I also think that my own stupidity plays into the equation.

Stupid Stooping!

I really did always want one of these sinks, they look great in an old farmhouse kitchen. I never considered the fact that I would be stooping over one - washing dishes and removing stickers before drying and putting away. 

My counter height is normal – but these sinks are REAL:LY deep,

Yes there is a dishwasher, but the dishwasher cannot do sticker removal!

24 each - dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and coffee cups. That's 96 stickers (that had to be soaked and scrubbed off) and a whole lotta stooping over a sink that is too low.

My back has rebelled in every way possible. Which proves my theory -

Washing copious amounts of dishes is hazardous to my health!

Things are starting to look fabulous – and there is so much space!

I can’t wait to see these bowls in use!

And this is the whole reason why a blog didn’t happen yesterday.

By the time I was done at the retreat house, I could barely walk.  I couldn’t stand up straight.  I was afraid if I laid down on the floor I wouldn’t be able to get up.  Muscle spasms in the right side of my back.  Oh, no!

If anyone has ever had those – then you know how bad they are.  They knock the wind out of you.  So much pain.

I soaked in the hot tub at the cabin for a long time trying to get things to loosen up.  I took some Aleve.  I spent a long time with the Hubster’s tens unit attached to my back, just trying to get those muscles to let loose.

I was feeling pretty much okay in the morning when stepping out of the shower brought it back full force.

I called for a massage appointment.  They had an 11am available.  Which meant, being nearly 100 miles away – I needed to leave the cabin immediately to make it in time.

While on my journey I called the chiropractor, told them what was going on and they said to come right over after the massage.  ONE of the problems addressed yesterday during this appointment was that I had a rib slightly out of alignment.  This had a lot to do with the muscle issue – but the question remains:

Did the tight muscles pull that rib out out of stress?  Or were the muscles reacting to the rib being out?

Stress, grief, and stupidity.  It all equals this mess I’m in.

I’ve got prescription for muscle spasm.  I’ve got a back brace around my middle for support.  I’ve got the tens unit charged up for a long day of flying to Arizona – and I’m a mess.

And we are going TODAY – because hurricane conditions may prevent us from flying tomorrow. 

And as much as I can while I am there, family will find me flat on the floor trying to give this thing enough time to work itself out.

Jeff is staying behind to batten down the hatches, and care for Sadie and the 3 kitties – and I think that Jason’s cats have finally turned a corner into acceptance.  I had both of them purring yesterday.  It’s getting better.

Quiltville Quote of the Day.

Vintage applique quilt from the American Museum in Bath UK.

The pathway to unhappiness is lined with unrealistic expectations, of ourselves and of others.

Learn to recognize those expectations and let them go!