Squares for a table cloth

The quiltmaker plans to use this as a tablecloth; therefore, no batting is used, just a flannel-type layer in between.

I went to the doctor yesterday and got cortisone tablets for 5 days.  This appears to help with the eczema, the inflammation in my middle ear (causing my deafness), and also my rheumatism in my thumbs.  Now I am living on hope, but the itching, redness and swelling started subsiding late yesterday.

As I type this, I am rather frustrated.  I, after having done a bunch of quilts lately, and now being up to date, had plans to clean every nook and cranny in this house.  I got up before 4 am to start my little robovac.  I prefer to have her do the vacuuming while all the pets are still asleep.  No luck this morning.  We had to update our cellular phones recently, so I am thinking this must have deleted the info on the app, as this is still on my phone, but not the layout of the house.  I will have to have her map the whole house again. Now I got up this early for nothing.  To do this, I will have to wait for everyone to be awake and try to get them all out of the house.

Instead of sitting here, drinking one cup of coffee after the other, I have started supper for tonight.  Eisbein, sauerkraut, baked potatoes and pearled barley with a beetroot salad on the side. Now, at least, the early morning has meaning.

Cat print quilt

Some people are so organised.  This quilt maker made this quilt for her son, who adores cats, for Christmas.  I have not even thought of Christmas, and I know it will end up being a matter of last-minute rush as it always does.

Having done a couple of edge-to-edge quilts recently, it was nice to get to do a little custom work again.

Shweshwe quilt

This vibrant fabric, with its distinct smell, originated in India but was introduced to South Africa in 1858 and is now produced locally.

The quilt maker decided to go bright and bold, making an all Shweshwe quilt. It does not show texture as she used flannel instead of batting, as she plans to use this as a tablecloth.

As for my ear, it turned out it was not wax as I thought, but severe sinus inflammation.  The nurse at the clinic gave me medication for 10 days. If my hearing does not return, I need to see a doctor.

Furthermore, my eczema has flared up again, this time really bad.  Previously, it was mostly my back and neck that took punishment; now I have rashes and itches all over my body. My hands are especially bad. I can barely work with water as it burns like hell.  I now know with certainty my eczema is not caused by products I use on my skin, but rather certain foods.  I had a deluxe (extra of everything) anchovies pizza on Friday, and obviously, anchovies contain sulphites. I seriously have to rethink my love for this.

There is no school for the little one today, so she will be coming over to spend the day with us.  I am not expecting to get too much quilting done.

Double bed colourwash quilt

I mentioned this quilt in about 2 prior posts, and I finally got around to doing this.  What made this quilt rather special is that the quilt maker’s husband was almost bragging about it and eager to have it on their own bed.  Sometimes I do think men/husbands think quilters are wasting their time with this hobby.

Planning to use it on their bed, the quilter did not want elaborate custom quilting, which would anyway have disappeared on a colourwash quilt.

Yesterday morning did not go as hectic as I anticipated. By the time we had to attend the dress rehearsal, I had everything and more done, even did the laundry.  The rehearsal was short and sweet, and when we got home just after 9 am, it was into a clean house with most everything done.

Granddaughter was just as mellow and not her extremely active self.  We saw her yawning at the rehearsal a couple of times, and after having lunch, she fell asleep until it was time for her weekly swimming lessons.  I pretended to go to the doctor when I had my pedicure, knowing she wouldn’t be interested in tagging along.

I therefore got to finish this quilt that was on the frame.

Wonky blocks

A wonderful example of how to use up all those remnants.  The maker just wanted edge to edge quilting but the more I looked at this, the more the linen-coloured sashing screamed at me for a little more attention.

Remembering the maker overpaid me for her previous quilting, I took law into my own hands and did just something different on the sashing and I don’t regret it.

As for news on my deaf ear, I’ve started with softening the wax last night, will continue this evening and go to a local clinic to have my ears rinsed out on Wednesday.  Hoping for a good outcome.

Today is one of those hectic days.  I’ve made an appointment a week ago for a pedicure, not knowing how this day will turn out.  Then we were informed the youngest grandchild has a dress rehearsal for their year end concert and grandparents may attend as we are not allowed the evening of the concert.  Trusting this will finish in time, so I can still have my pedicure done.

Then, the part that bowls me out totally, is that the little one can come home with us after the rehearsal.  I am not sure what other grandparents do while on a pension but hubby and I lead rather busy lives with always something to do.  Once this little one is here, everything comes to a halt.  So, I had to start my little auto vacuum machine just after 4 am this morning, just to feel as if I at least did something.  I’ve started dinner, planned lunch for the little one and will mop the floor once the autovac is done.

With me quilting, I guestimate how long it will take me to finish a quilt and then inform the next quilter on my waiting list when I will be ready for them to bring their quilt to me.  Some of them wait for days or a week and I am sure will not be too pleased if I phone them and say they should come later.  Oh well, let’s take it one day at a time or as my daughter says, we don’t have much of a choice, it is not as if one can say “okay, I’ll simply skip Tuesday”.