Sunday, April 25, 2010

What are friends for~~

Friends are something that I cherish.  We all have friends who come and go, but it's how you spend your time with them that's important.

I went to the hook in last Thursday (but have to admit) that I didn't want to go. I had a very rough morning with my mil, and when I left her, I just came home and sat in complete silence. My car was already packed and ready to go to the hook in. I thought I would just go to Kohl's and return a couple things and just walk around to try and relieve the stress that was built up.  I was even planning on buying something. But darn it, there was nothing that fit right, looked right, etc.  I just wasn't meant to buy anything. That is good though, because I know me. If I were to have bought something, I most likely would have taken it back. When I'm in that type of mood, nothing looks the same a day later....  But I did enjoy the silence. Well, until I got a couple texts and then a phone call. I teased them about it later.  When I felt it was time, then I headed on over to the shop. 

It just so happens that I did forget a couple things, so I decided to bind my quilt. Barb gave me some pointers, and Linda shared a few things the day prior.  I am so very pleased with how it turned out for being my first one. Doing it all by hand was so very relaxing for me. I can't wait to do another one~


It was just a small group when I got there. Barb, Doris and Linda. Linda said that a few others were there earlier.    Here is Barb doing some of her quilting. I don't think I'll ever do a quilt that size!!


Doris was working on her Santa. I wish you could see the sculpting in the beard and fur. It's just not showing up. But what a gorgeous rug!



Linda was working on a new rug. I just love the soft dusty shades!


After a while, I believe something blew in with the air.  Or something was in the pizza.  Because what happened next, made it all worth while being there.  Linda had put on some music. Tanya Tucker.  Well, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.  I never laughed so hard. I sure did need it. Tears were rolling down my face.  What a show :).


But that wasn't enough.  More accessories were needed lol.


Then she settled back down for a bit.....


Sherri came and finished the inside of her hit or miss horse rug. She just needs to do a border. Isn't it great?


I truly believe that if I didn't go to the hook in, I would have wallowed in my own sorrow, and would have missed the opportunity to be lifted in spirit by my dear friends. I can't thank you all enough for making me laugh till I cried :). 

On Friday, I went to my dye group over Joan's house. Our new project, we will be doing a scroll.  Always something new to learn in rug hooking, even if we never plan on doing it again.  I think it will be a great learning experience. We picked out our design and picked out our colors.  Again, lots of laughs with some dear friends. (I am truly blesssed to have so many, and each one is special in there own way.)

Ok, so we started to get things ready for the dyeing. Wire hangers, clothespins, ripping the wool into strips, etc. Here are some pic's of everyone doing there dipping!


Jewel is the shortest of us all, so Joan helped her out lol. 


Talk about a burn in your arms, dipping and dipping waiting for that water to clear..  They said the stool helped with that some.

Nancy

Joan

And here is the pattern we are doing and the wools after they were dyed.  We will be hooking them at the next meeting next month. 


Joan had us pick a paper and Nancy won a little gift. Joan said it was an over due Christmas gift that she had found. 


Lots of fun and lots of laughs!!  What a wonderful way to finish out the week. 

Yesterday, I spent the entire day cleaning. It's all done and I was able to take a small nap after church this morning.  Then I went up in the wool room and started to put some stuff away that was on the floor. Still needs a lot more picking up, but I'm just relaxing today.  Getting ready to make some dinner and then see what my mood afterwards will be. That will decide what or if I will do anything. It's so damp and dreary out there. Sprinkling on and off all day.  Just a good day to stay inside and do something... or.... nothing.

Enjoy the week ahead, and I hope you can be around friends who will lift you up if needed, or be the one to do the lifting :).   God Bless....

9 comments:

Rugs and Pugs said...

Kathy ~
It's so hard dealing with an elderly person who is close to you. So very sad ~ for us and for them. I know what you are going through.
Your little quilt is lovely and as always, thank you for sharing Grant Street with us.
The wool you dyed looks yummy!
I hope you have a good week.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Doris said...

Hi Kathy - hope you are feeling mentally bettr. I love the way the quilt looks - good job! Isn't coat-hanger dyeing fun - give the arms some muscle! Hope you have a great week.

corinna said...

kathy
i am happy your day turn into a beauty
great little quilt
i like the little quilts too
the big ones are so darn much sewing and matchy matching .....not for me
i think they are beautiful but want others to make em

lovely dyed wools
what a fun bunch as always

smiles
corinna

Cathy G. said...

Hi Kathy,
Love your little quilt. I know what you mean by the hand sewing being relaxing. I like hand sewing for that reason.

I am glad you found comfort and support from your friends. What blessings they are! Hope your week is a good one and things go better with your Mil. One day at a time is all we can handle right? Hugs Cathy G

Joanne said...

Looked like another fun day at Grant Street - Glad you got cheered up!

Wow that dip dyeing looks complicated!

Love your little quilt

moosecraft said...

I can totally relate to where you are with your MIL... I was there with my Grandmother... You did the best thing you could have possibly done by surrounding yourself with love and friends at Grant Street!!!! :-) Laughs, hugs and wool are the best medicines!!! Love those dip dyes you did! Nice "butt shots" of dipping by the stove!!! LOL! Linda's rug is looking gorgeous. And, TOTALY love your little quiltie!!! Kinda makes you want to start filling the other half of your home with cottons, right?!?!? Hugs and smiles to you! ~Sharon

patijane's primitives said...

I feel for you Kathy. I helped take care of my MIL for 2 1/2 years. She had Alzeheimers and was very mean at times. Lots of prayers and friends helped make each day OK. She passed away in 2008. She was 95. I miss her, but know she is in a better place now. Just be sure to de-stress..helps tremendously. I love your little quilt. It turned out beautiful for your first one. You'll be making big quilts in no time. Great colors of dyed wool. Can't wait to see the scroll. Have a great week. Blessings....

weaverpat said...

Hi Kathy,
You did a great job on your little quilt! Are you ready for the Big One now??? hahaha!
Glad you went to Grant Street and had a few stress free hours with friends. We NEED those times with other women to share troubles and joys.
Best Friends Forever!!!

TeresaM said...

Hi Kathy!!!

I can't believe I haven't been able to make it back down to Grant Street!! My rug is still sitting here waiting to be finished and my wall is still bare!!!

Love your quilt!!!

See you one of these Thursdays!!!