Wednesday 21 May 2008

Joy and Jubilation !! (44)


Please imagine me throwing my hat into the air and shouting hurrah! Yes, the black and white quilt - from now on to be known as The Scarlet and The Black - is finally finished. I stitched on the bindings and handstitched them down this afternoon, and THAT'S IT!! This was only the second proper quilt that I ever started - and the third that I've finished, and I am chuffed to bits with it. 

So now, what next? There's a huge quilt shaped hole in my life now that needs to be filled. One of DH's nieces has a birthday coming up at the beginning of June, she's at university so I think a quillow would be a really useful gift for her. And not too arduous for me to make in a short time, especially if I tie it or do big-stitch quilting. 

It's been an odd couple of days. Yesterday I visited a homeopathic doctor. The GP can't seem to get to the bottom of my health problems (not that he wouldn't like to try, but he has no time and no money to do many tests) so we thought we'd start looking at alternative medicine. It's going to cost an arm and a leg I fear, but I want to know that I've tried everything. I spent an hour and a half with him, going through every aspect of my present and past health - and nearly 60 year's worth of health is an awful lot. I came away with a forest of paper to read and questionnaires to fill in, a load of blood tests to get done and some other tests to be arranged. Let's hope something comes of it.

Then today, I went to the dentist to get 'measured up' for a couple of new crowns and a bridge. I'm going to run out of arms and legs at this rate! After that, we went to visit my mother-in-law in hospital. She seemed reasonably bright, all things considered. They've removed a whole load of fluid from around her heart, and need to drain off more fluid from her lungs, so she is likely to be stuck in hospital for several more days yet. Poor thing, she can't get about without help and gets very frustrated and bored and unhappy being away from home. We'll probably visit again in a couple of days.

Thank you to everyone who gave me some suggestions on where to go to get some help with Blogger. If anyone needs help here are the addresses:

www.splitdecisionz.com
www.bloggingbasics101.com
http://blogger-tricks.blogspot.com



And finally, here's a picture of my new kitchen curtains. Please try only to look at the curtains and not the rest of the clutter.





16 comments:

Candace said...

Your blog is like life today, it had its ups and downs. First, congratulations on getting your quilt done. I am a little confused by 2 started and 3 finished, but I'm sure there's a good explanation. It's a beauty, and I'm 'chuffed for you'.
I'm sorry about your health problems, but I hope that this new Dr. can get to the root of it, and find a solution. Also, I hope the dentist leaves you an arm or a leg, and that your MIL improves. Lastly, your new curtains are charming, and your plants are very nice. Looks like you have a green thumb. Seems like at some point in life, we ought to just sit back and coast and enjoy, but it doesn't seem to work that way.

LAPPEQURI said...

Hello from Norway
Lovely quilt on nice color
Have a creative week:-)

Tanya said...

I hope you can get some relief with the alternative medicine. In Japan there is a lot of acupuncture, a lot of ancient Chinese herbal therapies and even incense therapy. I guess I don't have enough health issues yet to check into all of them but some of my friends swear by them!

Kay said...

Oh Amanda, I'm so sorry about all you're going through. Thank goodness you live in England. I can't begin to tell you what all that would cost in America. We really have a problem with health care. I hope you feel better soon. I also hope your mom will be more comfortable. It's hard to watch your loved ones go through any pain.
Your quilt is absolutely incredible. Gorgeous!!! Will you be putting it up on a wall because it's certainly a work of art.

Cornfield Quilter said...

You quilt is wonderful! Congratulations on getting it done!!
It sure is a wonderful feeling to finally finish a quilt. It also makes me sad usually because the journey with that quilt is over, but then I get excited because now I can plan a new one. LOL Have a great day!! :D

Kay said...

Oh wonderful blog help. I'm going to need it when my life slows down a bit and I can concentrate. There's so much I can't figure out how to do. Thank you, Amanda!

Amy said...

UGH! There's that word again!!! "CHUFFED"......
I'm guessing: "pleased, happy, elated"....??? Am I close?

The Scarlet/Black is absolutely spectacular!!!

I wish I could spare some Arms and Legs for you, but many American's are starting to feel rather limbless ourselves with our rising gas prices and rising food prices (EVEN THOUGH, yes, the are still cheaper than over seas). But when the gas prices have risen almost 200% over the past two years in the nation, budget priorities sure take a change.

Ooo...listen to me, sounding so pesimistic!

Keep us posted with your health and we will continue to keep you in our thoughts!

scraphappy said...

Congratulations on the Black and White Quilt. It is lovely. I really like the way that the red sashing brings out the colors, and especially the way that it carries out into the border, it really draws the eye around the quilt. I'll have to check out those blogger sites, I've been wanting to change my background for a while now, and haven't been able to figure it out. Thanks for the links.

Tonya Ricucci said...

congrats! red, black and white is always an amazing combo. now on to the next quilt!

Donna said...

Beautiful quilt. I hope you have some luck with your new doctors and your MIL goes home soon. It is fun to think of starting a new quilt and will help to lift your spirits. Take care of yourself.

D said...

Lovely quilt! You have a pair of Penelope´s hands - the difference is that, given your Ulysses live by your side, you do not have to unstitch the quilts during the night like in Homer´s Odyssey! Congratulations. You have a gift, Amanda.

Phyl said...

I love the curtains!

I am glad u are doing more to find out why you are not feeling well! I am beginning to suspect allergies may be messing with me. I pray you find out soon!

I am heading to the dentist next week, too. We gotta have our teeth, huh?

I will pray for your MIL.

Many hugs..

Helen in the UK said...

I can hear you celebrating from here!! Congrats on a great finish - black, white & red is always a stunning combination and this is no exception.
Good luck with finding out the cause and a cure for your health issues :)

Gretchen said...

Love the scarlet and black quilt!!! Your black & white kitty would probably love to lay on it too! Can't wait to see what your next quilt project is going to be!! Your garden is lovely. It reminds me of courtyard gardens in Charleston, South Carolina.

Renee said...

Yeah, hooray on finishing the Scarlet and The Black. It look gorgeous. I've been taking classes on machine quilting and learning how to use my new sewing machine, so hopefully I can do some quilting on some tops real soon. I hope that the new health tests help you to feel better. I know how not feeling well can bring you down. Keep your spirits up and keep the piece. Renée

Cath Ü said...

Stunning colour combo in that red black and white quilt..looks good... I am not a quilter..though I do design them.. yeah I know sounds silly...LOL I love your curtains though...
Cath Ü