Sunday, July 20, 2008

The Week In Review

It has been a sad week for me, and I have not had much interest in doing anything in my sewing room. I lost my little dog Amy last Sunday evening. She developed an abcess on her side; and even though the vet said we could try to treat it with antibiotics and give her pain meds for her arthritis and an ear infection, she said she didn't know the cause of the abcess, and she really didn't sound very hopeful. I've realized that Amy has been sliding downhill for awhile now; and for the last week and a half, she'd just been lying on her bed staring. She's had multiple health issues for quite a while, and she was losing her hearing and eyesight. Not a very good quality of life for my poor girl, so I thought maybe the very best thing I could do for her was to put her down. It's an awful decision to have to make; and even though there's nothing I can do about it now, I keep agonizing over it, wondering if I could have made it work a few more days, a few more weeks, a few more months. Her dishes are still sitting on the floor because it gives me a little bit of comfort just to see them there.

Friday I went to Kay's for our bimonthly get together, and it was nice to forget about everything for a little while. I love these women that I share this time with, and it was a nice afternoon. I worked on the binding for my Twisted Nine Patch, and I have one more short side to finish and it'll be done. I have one more quilt to bind after that.

I didn't get my strippy for the week finished either and will try to get it done this coming week. My Orange Crush is still languishing on the design wall, right where it's been just about since Bonnie posted the last part of the mystery. Needless to say, probably the last thing I really should be doing right now is starting a new quilt. So after much consideration I decided not to start on Judy's Star Block of the Month after all. Rather, I'll collect the directions for the blocks as they're posted and start it at a later time. At the rate of two blocks a month, I could start it in two or three months and still catch up, if I'm better positioned at that time.

What I thought I might do instead is pick up where I left off with this Galaxy of Stars quilt that I started seven or eight years ago. I bought it as a kit, made 3 or 4 blocks, and it's been sitting ever since. It is predominantly rose colored and would work equally well in my bedroom. Better to get the ufo done maybe.



Even though I hadn't wanted to start another new project, I'm having a hard time refraining from starting this butterfly quilt, which appeared in the latest issue of Fons and Porter quilting magazine. This is not typically a pattern that would interest me, but I found the use of these large scale prints very appealing. I'd love to make this whole quilt with Kaffe Fassett fabrics, as the maker did; but I only have a few, so I'd like to start collecting some fat quarters and start making a few blocks here and there. I would plan to machine applique these and hand embroider the antennae. The Maine quilters guild is hosting their annual quilt show in Augusta this coming weekend, and I am hoping to find a few fat quarters in some of the vendors booths.

Credit where credit is due:
Galaxy of Stars quilt design by Lynn Dash
Butterfly Garden quilt design by Cheryl Kerestes, Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Jul/Aug 2008

8 comments:

Margo in Maine said...

So sorry to hear about Amy...they are just like family .....
galaxy star will be beautiful....sorry you are not doing BOM with J....I am trusting the funny measurements will not throw me into a spin....trust you will have a good week...

Yvonne said...

Very sorry to hear about your little Amy. I think you should trust that you did the right thing for her. She's not suffering anymore. Take care!

Amanda said...

You must be feeling so sad about Amy, losing a long time companion is heartbreaking. Aren't we lucky though to be able to help them out of their misery when the time comes, rather than having to see them continuing to suffer. Sewing is a wonderful way of getting through the difficult times.

Gina said...

I'm sorry to hear about Amy.

We had to make a similar decision a few years ago and it still is the hardest decision I've had to make. Although you know you are doing the right thing for them it doesn't make the decision any easier.

My thoughts are with you.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Becky said...

Sue,
So sorry to hear about your little Amy. Our little friends become such a part of us. Know that you made the right decision even though it was terribly hard to do. We had to do the same with one of our pets. It took me a year and a half to say I was ready for another little friend.

Your goals sound very realistic. I have had to say no to some new starts, too. Especially when I remember that I have something in a plastic storage bin that would work just as well.

Have a great day!

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

Sorry to read about your little Amy...but you made the right decision to aleviate her pain...I'm sure she is in doggie heaven...wagging her tail at you :)

Sometimes we need to adjust our goals to better accomodate what is going on in our lives...Judy's star BOM will be waiting for you when the time is right.

Thinking of you and Miss Amy...

Lurline said...

Sue, take comfort in the fact you are not alone in your doggie feelings - when this happens I try to think of all the good times!
Best wishes - Lurline.

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Sorry to hear about your Amy - sometimes it is even harder if you are the one making that decision, but if she was suffering then you did the right thing.

Looking forward to seeing your work on your UFO - I sometimes keep picking away at a UFO keeping my eye toward a finish rather than a new start! Sometimes... , LOL.

Enjoy Augusta if you go... hotels are almost 2X the price now because of summer camp and pretty booked too so make sure you call ahead - I just passed through there!

Cheers!
Evelyn