Feb 18, 2014

Final Day Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop



When I heard that the early February blog hop was slated to be something foundation piecing, I signed up.  I love foundation piecing though I know it is not everyone's cup of tea.  This time around Mdm Samm of sew we quilt and Soma of Whims and Fancies put their heads together and came up with three Valentine's themed blocks that participants could purchase for a 5 dollar donation, the proceeds going to two charities.  Details on pattern purchase can be found HERE.

I got a little bit of a late start due to a January donation quilting binge and then my sewing room floor and painting re-do.   I made my 4 blocks in short order and had big plans for them. I was going to replicate one of the Love Stamps and had purchased a 20 inch square wall decal from Stencils and Decals using the shapes for applique template/tracing, borrowing their image here.



Picture this if you will---the foundation pieced blocks would act as cornerstones and it would finish about 40 inches square, a nice table topper size.   I didn't have a whole of the red fabric I wanted to use so my X blocks were pieced a bit creatively and I was saving the longer pieces so I could recreate the stamp perforation.  It would have worked.

Then you know what they say about plans?  The bottom fell out of my world and I lost the love of my life unexpectedly in the early morning hours of February 1st, just days after our 15th anniversary.  His son and I had a funeral to plan and I needed to arrange to get me and DJ back to IL.  I revised my plans to include a tribute to our time together as a couple.  While I feel that one should show a completed project when participating in a hop, it was just not going to happen, in light of the circumstances.  I let Mdm. Samm know what had happened.  She assured me I was not going to land on the dreaded list, LOL.

 So I moved on to plan 2.  I found a lovely heart design in the Readers's Digest  1000 Great Quilting Designs by Luise Roberts.  The book tells you how much percentage to  increase the motif to fit a certain sized block.  I played around in my irfanview software till I arrived at a number that would fit on a 10 1/2 inch finished block.  Then I did it up in redwork even matching the thread to the coral undertones of the two prints I had chosen.




Here it is in the body of the top



I planned to hand quilt this and quilt in the same motif, minus the names adding some fill work around it.  BUT.............I think it looks schizophrenic.   The X's and O's are fun and free wheeling and the redwork just looks out of place.  I will be moving on to Plan 3.  The redwork will come out and find it's own place of honor in our home, I am thinking framed and matted, when completed.  Plain white will go in the center square or I may get some inspiration from what the others have done this round.  I dropped the ball this round for sure.

I was gone for 10 days and did not feel like sewing.  Internet access is limited  at my parents home so I am hopelessly behind in cheerleading my fellow hoppers on.  I'll get caught up over the weekend.  Promise. Meanwhile please stop by and see what today's participants have come up with.   I promise to be in a better frame of mind the next hop I participate in.  The sewing mojo will return.  It always does!  Good therapy too.

Feb 19th

 Lady Bente

Lady Kristen

Lady Linda

Lady Marcy

Lady Susie


Mdm Samm




58 comments:

  1. Sometimes plan A and plan B have to be scrapped! It's ok, it's part of the process. You could leave it as is; it does look fine but you won't be happy with it so it's best to fix it before it goes any further. I can't wait to see how it turns out for both projects. You are a very strong lady to take on this participation in light on the events in your life. Hugs to you and prayers for peace. XXOO - Doris

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  2. My mother in law always gets tickled at me about pondering over redoing something. She says to me that I might as well go ahead or I will never be happy.

    I like your wallhanging but it has to be you who likes it too.

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  3. Beautiful no matter how you decide to finish it! The center tribute to DJ is lovely. Thank you for sharing and more HUGS coming your way.

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  4. I'm sorry for your loss. Your block is a lovely tribute and I think it is very lovely the way it is. To offer a suggestion, if your going to take it apart anyway, you could move the paper pieced blocks to the corners and replace them with the solid white blocks. Then you could leave the embroidered heart in the center. All the same blocks just a little switch around.

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  5. I didn't quite finish either, simply because of the loss of my mother, one week prior to my day on the hop. I had a bit of it done, but not all of it, today I posted the finished wallhanging.. So many wonderful people encouraging me to finish it and I felt in a way it was a tribute to her for doing so and at the same time helped me to deal with her death in a way I hadn't been doing.

    I'm so sorry you lost your husband so suddenly, and I'm sure it has not been easy. It takes courage to post even something your not happy with, let alone try to finish it. I wish you the for you the time to move on, and my prayers of faith that your sadness will heal soon. Hugs!!!

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  6. I have to say, I admire your strength and ability to even participate at all, given what is happening in your life right now. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that quilting will be healing for you and your quilty friends will give you their strength and support. Bless you.

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  7. I wish I could wrap my arms around you and give a warm bear hug.

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  8. Your project is beautiful, and I am so, so sorry for your loss.

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  9. Ohhhhhh Linda!! I am so very sorry for your great loss. I can't imaging going on with the hop as you did. It is just lovely...take care.

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  10. I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't know how you kept on and got a project going for this hop. I'm sure it will turn out great though. Your blocks look lovely. And so does your emboirdery work.

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  11. Hello my sweet….wellll I think it is a wonderful tribute….although a date of your love I am sure will be eternity ….I like you find great comfort in returning to sewing….we are here holding you in our hearts...

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  12. I think you have done fine work on your tribute to DJ. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  13. You have done a beautiful job of honoring the love of your life! I am so impressed that you were able to get anything done at all. I do hope that you can find comforting moments in your sewing as well as with friends and family.

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  14. Linda, I think you did an awesome job on this project even though your heart continues to break. Love the block for you and DJ. It will be beautiful framed. Can't wait to see it. Sending love and hugs to you, my friend.

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  15. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} ... my heart goes out to you, Linda,









































































































































    {{{hugs}}}} ... my heart goes out to you, Linda ... your stitched heart block is a beautiful tribute. The simple pinks and reds and whites in your pieced blocks are lovely. May you find peace by piece as you go forward one stitch at a time ... XO ... <3 Pat



















































    {{{hugs}}} ... my heart goes out to you, Linda ...















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  16. That you even managed to make that sweet tribute heart is amazing. It is so beautiful and will be just one more reminder of the love of your life. Hugs to you!

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  17. Linda Dear, I continue to keep you in my heart. I am amazed at how you can appear to move along with your life in the face of the tragedy of losing your love. Keep sewing. I think the redwork heart will be lovely matted and framed.

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  18. My sincerest sympathies to you and your son. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time that God will comfort you both in the days and months ahead.

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  19. No one minds that you did not finish. That is totally understandable. I doubt I would have been able to start the project, I would be so upset.

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  20. My heart goes out to you at this time in your life.

    Great job on the piecing!

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  21. Waou, I am impressed of your energy and positive thinking! I hope you are coping, but your post showed me you are not giving up, brave you!
    Your small quilt is beautiful, the red fabric is glowing there, waoh!

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  22. The stitching is precious! X X X coming your way.

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  23. Good morning Linda! Well, you sure got farther than I would have, even without the emotional strain you're dealing with. Paper piecing is scary... :P Thank you for sharing your project!
    ~Brandy

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  24. So sorry for your loss.... may you find comfort in making things that will bring you lovely memories . However you finish your tribute, it will be so lovely and special.
    Susie

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  25. Here's a big hug for you Linda. The tribute to your love is one I'm sure you'll treasure always.

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  26. Oh Linda, I am so sorry. If I were you I would have never even thought of this hop. You did a beautiful job. I love the applique in the center. Hugs to you, we are all with you in thoughts and have you in our prayers.

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  27. I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. What a shock; I know I'd never even been able to write a post. You are doing well, I think, and have nothing to apologize for. I'm sure whatever you decide for these blocks will be the right thing. Blessings.

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  28. Look at all you got done! I don't call that dropping the ball. I like the idea of putting your redwork in a frame and I think it will be lovely! Your pp blocks look great and I'm sure you'll have a beautiful finished project soon enough. Sewing really is good therapy. {{ hugs}}

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  29. So sorry for your loss. The redwork is really lovely and would be beautiful mounted in a shadow box. Or maybe do some simple piecing like nine patches in the white squares. Your husband would be so proud.

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  30. Linda - There are no words to express your loss. I read your tribute to your husband - it is beautiful. I can tell how much you loved him. I had divorced my second husband (not because I didn't love - because I couldn't care for him and he wouldn't help me take care of him - LONG STORY). On July 30, the police chaplain came and told me that he had been found dead in his apartment. We had been divorced on 7 months and I had talked to him about 2 weeks before. I was heart broken. His family wanted to do nothing and had to do some things. I ended up with as much of the burden as they could throw my way (by donating his things to our church - I was called upon to help with them). His car is still sitting in my driveway as the church as not resolved that issue. The same day my daughter had a D&C to terminate an unsustainable pregnancy. Then 12/12/13 her father-in-law died unexpectedly in his sleep. Her mother-in-law has had two heart attacks since. So, while I do not understand your grief, I, too, am dealing with similar griefs. Your embroidery is going to be a wonderful memory. You will when and what to do with it. Blessings! I hope you find some sunshine each day. I cannot believe that you accomplished anything to show us. You are amazing. Thanks for participating and being a great inspiration.

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  31. Linda!
    I love your tribute. It is beautiful. Maybe you should just set it aside for a while until you fell like coming back to it. You might like it better then. I love it and you will continue to be in my heart and prayers.
    xo jan

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    1. Hi Linda! I had an idea about your wallhanging if you wanted to keep it as is. What if you added a clear pocket in the 4 white squares and put pictures of you and DJ in those pockets. You paper piecing blocks look terrific! No way did you drop the ball!
      xo jan

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  32. So sorry for your loss. Your tribute to your loved one is beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to share.

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  33. Linda I think Jan's idea is wonderful. The piece is lovely and the stitchery is a gorgeous tribute!

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  34. I am so sorry dear Linda!! Sewing does provide some comfort, specially when you are doing it for both of you. The embroidery looks beautiful amongst those perfect hugs and kisses, but I can see why you like to showcase it just on its own at a place of honor. However way you choose to display the heart, I know it will be beautiful.

    I am glad that you were able to join the blog hop.
    Love and hugs,
    Soma

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  35. I'm so sad to hear of your loss...we all understand and give yourself some time...Your quilt will be beautiful when it is finished! :)

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  36. Bless your heart. What you did was wonderful. Take care of yourself.

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  37. We were very sad to hear about your beloved husband - think the tribute embroidery will be beautiful all framed up. Shalom.

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  38. what if you quilted it in red thread? or pink? looks good!

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  39. I think you are a very brave and courageous woman. To experience such a loss and still be able to meet your PP commitment with grace you are amazing. Peace and Healing Energy...

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  40. Linda, I hope you will take this in the spirit offered but I think you could go ahead with the piece and it will look great. I can just visualize it with the feathered heart motif quilted in the empty blocks, maybe in red thread and perhaps a small border. However, to the maker belong the decisions, right? I do admire you going ahead with both your project and with sharing your life. So many of us will face this particular loss in our lives, especially those of us married to older men (mine is 14 years older.) Thank you for sharing your heart with us. You are in my prayers. And, I agree, sewing is about the best therapy out there...even better when combined with chocolate and a purry friend to keep you company. Beth @ Words & Stiches, pbstrand@msn.com

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  41. Linda dear,
    The red work is wonderful and as always you did a great job. You are in my heart & prayers as you know my friend.
    much love
    maggie

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  42. I like your project and think once you quilt it, add a colorful border and a binding it will be stunning. Continued prayers for you and your family.

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  43. Your quilt top is lovely though, like you, I think the embroidered block should have a place of honor. I admire your determination to move forward through your grief. My heart hurts for you and my prayer is that God will give you His strength for the hard times and that you will have moments of joy in your memories as you travel this path. blessings, marlene

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  44. I want to say you are in my prayers and I love what you have done. I have yet to get my sewing back on track yet as my husband of 46 years passed away in Dec. I love that you have been able to continue and I so hope that I can get back into. I think I would love to make this in memory of my husband. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  45. Prayers of peace and comfort for you. Hang in there. You did great on this hop and I hope to see more of your work. Hugs,

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  46. I am so sorry that you are going thru such heartache. My father passed away last month but it is not the same as your love. I came over from Jan's Sew and Sow Farm to checkout your blog but I feel like I intruded into your life. Please know that you have are thoughts and prayers with you.

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  47. I am so sorry for your loss--what a difficult time to think hugs and kisses, or maybe not; maybe good therapy to help you remember all of the love shared in your 15 years. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family from a fellow Illinois quilter. Your lovely heart will be a constant reminder of your love.

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  48. Linda, you did a fantastic job! That little personal touch in the middle is just lovely!

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  49. I am sorry about your loss. My prayers are with you.

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  50. Dear Linda,
    I'm so sorry for your loss and I wish you much fortitude to go on...
    Sewing is the best therapy and I do look forward to see how your quilt turn out.
    x-o-x
    Bente

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  51. I'm amazed you finished as much as you did. Wow, love the colors and your red work is a beauty for sure. You have been in my thoughts and I am praying for your healing process.

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  52. What a beautiful idea. I hope I get to see it.

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  53. What an absolutely lovely tribute. You have been in my thought s and prayers through this difficult time.
    Hugs,
    Amy

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