Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Letter Class

Okay, I AM still here, everything is going well. I am spending lots of time with my husband, did a bit of sewing with friends and some teaching... I am on holiday. I have spent about 20 minutes total on the computer in the last two weeks - so completely unlike me. Sorry I've been negligent.

I have a long list of things to blog about and it's overwhelming me, so I'm just going to tackle the quickie stuff in this post, rather than keep putting off posting because I don't know how to get to it all.

I taught Introduction to Free-Pieced Letters at the JaM Patch last week. It was soo much fun. A small class but that was great for me because this was only the second time I've taught letters. My students were camera shy, but I'm allowed to show their work.

Joan decided to add letters to a much larger Christmas quilt. Here she is sewing peace:

Felice made this totally fun boo quilt - she left lots of space for some fun quilting. Isn't this owl fabric a hoot? (sorry, had to go for the pun). The owls are so cute and adding this blue fabric completely made the orange quilt sing.

Kathy finally got a chance to use a Halloween fat quarter that she'd been unable to cut up. It really is fun fabric as is this Boo! quilt:

Kathy also completed this pretty Joy quilt that features a nativity scene:

In Pokey news, she is active and happy. The specialist vet said that her kidneys were small and misshapen and she either has kidney stones or calcium deposits; he suspects she's had them growing in there since she was a kitten. Not good news. Putting her under anaesthesia to remove them would be dangerous in her condition. So the only thing that can be done is to treat the Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) and hope for the best. She'll never get better, but we can hope she doesn't get worse for a long time. She hasn't yet developed the anemia or high blood pressure which CRF cats get.

We've been taking Pokey to the vet for her subcutaneous fluids. She started squealing and jumping when my husband and I were doing it, making it harder and harder - there was no way I was going to be able to do it by myself. She doesn't like going to the vet's but she's no longer cowering under a bed for hours after we get her home. She's bouncing right back. Whew.

I've received all sorts of fun packages in the mail and I've been horribly remiss in thanking the senders and showing you all pics. Sorry, sorry, sorry. I have to get that all sorted on and on the blog!

Gotta go now, take care.

28 comments:

Laurie Ann said...

Thank goodness about the news on Pokey. I was convinced that the reason you weren't posting was that she had died and you were too shaken to post about it!!! I am SO glad that's not the case.

I am sure you don't but do you still have the e-mail for that gal I sent my Xmas scraps to? I never did hear if she received them. It was several months ago. Anyway, glad all is well!

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

thanks for sharing! now i have lots of ideas spinning in my head!

Jennifer D said...

I too was afraid that the reason you hadn't posted was because we had lost our little pokey! I am so relieved. Sweet little quilts, good job ladies.

Beena said...

It's probably best pokey is getting her fluids at the vet, now. It's a good opportunity for them to keep a careful watch on her condition, too, if she's there everyday. Glad she's still managing, and that you are, too!
Sounds like you had a wonderful class! I think I may be doing some project with letters again, real soon.
Keep cool, Tonya!

Deborah said...

Always worried about Pokey. Rusty and I check on her every day. I'm so jealous that there was a letter making class 3000 miles away. I'm starting my first go at it with a beach word quilt to hang over my bed. Here in California we call it earthquake art. When the big one hits, the quilt won't kill me when it falls. So far I plan to try: lighthouse, beach, Martha's Vineyard, sea shell. Wish me luck!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

you've been busy! bet it's great having hubby home! who want sot think about computers then! looks like your class was a success, they all look very Tonya! Nice job! good for pokey! tough cat!

Twisted Quilts said...

The class sounds like great fun. Often a teacher learns from students too. I know you enjoyed seeing everyone working and creating.

Scrappy Raven said...

Thanks for sharing your class photos. Very inspiring. Glad Pokey is okay.

Anina said...

I do ove those letters! I hope Pokey does well.

MelissaS said...

Give Pokey scratches and hugs from us!

And one day, I'll try some letters....(you can't see me nervously wringing my hands)

animal lover, quilt lover said...

So happy you posted. I know about Pokey,bless Pokey!!!! Having the fluid gaven at the vets is good but
expensive. Bless you and Pokey!

jovaliquilts said...

I'm so glad your class went well! And I'm glad you are taking a little vacation time to spend with your husband. Enjoy!

Kristin L said...

Your class looks like a success. I too love that owl fabric!! I'm sorry to hear about Pokey, but it sounds like you guys have at least found a routine that works for you.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear your silence was busy-ness, that's all...was also worried it was something worse.

Cats are pretty resilient creatures - once the vet trip gets to be routine, they get over the inconvenience. I was taking my cat there every other day for shots a few years ago, and whereas he didn't love it, he recovered pretty quickly.

Years ago, the ex and I had a vet who would come over on his way home to give fluids to our cat. Now that was a great vet!

Sharon said...

So happy to hear that you haven't posted because you were having fun! I'm glad Pokey is dealing well with the vet, and I hope she stays stable & happy.

Looks like your students did a great job! How do you like teaching? Their work is great, so that shows what a good teacher you are!

Keep on having fun with your DH...we'll be here waiting. No sweat!

laura said...

No offense, but quilt blog or not, Pokey news should come first! lol I have been so worried, praying that you were doing just what you were doing instead of having news that you couldn't bear to post.
Feeling much better now...enjoy your hubby and the summer. Can't comment on the quilt stuff, I was so happy that Pokey was ok (so to speak) that I never read that part-will have to go back.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy the news id good. I too think Pokey news is top of the list important. Thank God for the Dr and I will continue to pray for your family to stay complete for a long time.
I do think your class had a great time. I really think I will get started on some words of my own.
Have fun with your hubby and give the furry babies a hug from me.

Judy in Michigan said...

So happy to hear from you. I thought the worst also but then with DH home, I thought maybe you had been spending more time with him, vacationing, etc. Happy to hear all is well (almost). Your students did very well!!! Congrats!

YankeeQuilter said...

Enjoy having DH home..we'll be here when yo get back! Glad to hear Pokey is perking up...the class did great work on the Boo's and Joy!

Kristin Shields said...

It's good to hear you're all doing fine. I was starting to worry. The class looks like great fun and I love the little quilts that everyone made! I have that owl fabric too and I think that's a perfect way to use it.

Nat Palaskas said...

I love all the class projects that they have been making. They gave me some ideas for little quilts as gifts. Must be a fun class to teach. Sorry to hear that Pockey is not totally out of the wood, but there seems to be some improvement?

webmistress said...

What a great idea for using up those fat quarters which we all can't resist buying, but then lurk in our stash!

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Thanks for the solutions about fabric we hate to cut into! Use a big piece. Love the cute owls, especially.

Magpie Sue said...

I was hoping it was good things keeping you away from the computer and not bad news about Pokey. Whew!
Love the owls with Boo!

jacquie said...

love seeing the work of the students. i need to do some more fun with letters!

Jamie said...

I just came across this blog and I love it! What a perfect way to do fun letters! I am definitely going to try it, I've been thinking of some wall hangings that would be perfect for that!

Thanks for the ideas!

Vic H. said...

Tonya, off topic: can you tell me what needle you use for your quilting with the perle 8 thread? I just made my first lettter mini-quilt and am trying my first time at quilting by hand but I don't think I have the right needle? Maybe wrong batting? I can't get your e-mail....please e-mail if you have time...vheaton@cox.net. Thanks! I'll send a pic of my project...Vic

Clare said...

Glad you are enjoying time with your sweetie - make the most of it.

x