Poking my head out

It's the first day of spring, though you wouldn't know it by looking out the window. But I'm in a spring mood, emerging from my winter routine.  What was I thinking?  For weeks I've been hunkering down, intentionally staying out of the sewing room and diligently handquilting, trying to get Molly's quilt finished up.  I thought if I focused on this exclusively, I'd be able to power through it. 

I've often been quilting during the day, which has been more productive than evening stitching, but I've found that I can only work on it so long before my fingertips get chewed up and need a rest.  So if I put in a good afternoon's work, I might need a day off.  Or I can quilt daily for a couple of hours at a time.  Which leaves lots of time for other projects, so I'm not sure what my intent was by limiting my other work.  *Winter mind*, I guess.  Playing with fabric and design is my favorite part of quilting and I need to get back to it! 

I am moving along on the quilt, though it's taking so much longer than anticipated (or than any other quilt I've made ~ all of those seams!).  The whole center is done and I'm working out to the corners now.  I suppose soon it will be too warm for a quilt in Dallas but I'm determined to motor on until completion.  Now, at least, I don't have to actually sit under it, corner quilting allows most of it to fall to one side. (Though if ever there was a winter to be sitting under such a project, this was it!)  If you're wondering what that is at the bottom of my hoop, it's an unrolled finger cot.  I can't stand wearing one on my finger but they sure are handy to pull a loaded needle through a tough spot.  I usually keep one right at hand to grab if needed as I work along.

Which brings me to something I didn't plan to share when I sat down here but have changed my mind about.  Two weeks ago, I had a routine outpatient procedure which required an IV.  Needles don't bother me since my long-ago (28 years!) experience with Hodgkins Disease and years of followup bloodwork.  But when the nurse inserted the needle in the back of my hand, she hit a nerve.  I jumped, she pulled it right away and decided to use my left arm instead.  I didn't give it another thought.  Over the next few days, I quilted, went to yoga, used my hand in many ways with no thought of it until while putting on some hand cream, touched that exact place and about passed out from the immediate pain.  Since then, it's been an off-and-on problem, mostly while on the computer and several times upon waking in the morning. Hopefully it will eventually calm down, but here's my point ~ considering that almost everything I enjoy doing, I do with my right hand, why would I willingly offer it for a needlestick when I have a perfectly good LEFT HAND which would hardly impact my life if somehow comprised a bit?  Something to think about, friends.

Don't you love that top photo?  I came across it on Pinterest a few months ago. (Sadly, unattributed, as so many items there seem to be. Does anyone know the source?)  It touched me in so many ways. That's what I have to get back to, playing with fabric.

Yup. That's the ticket.

Comments

[Thimbleanna]

I love that you titled that picture applique couple. They're doing the project together. My hubby suggested one day that he might take up quilting with me in our retirement. Not sure how I feel about that but it's an interesting thought.

Thanks for the PSA about the hand -- like so many things, that would never occur to me until it went wrong. I hope your hand won't give you any more pain.

Snow tonight. I'm a big snowlover, but since this is the first day of spring, even *I* am ready for the end of this winter!

[Dot]

A Google image search turned up this site where the photo was also posted:

http://www.anambitiousprojectcollapsing.com/2009_10_01_archive.html

It's credited to "The North Carolina Craft Revival project via The Hunter Library". I didn't find the photo on that project's site, though. It's a bit difficult to navigate.

The "ambitious project" site is a fascinating place!

[M]

That happened to me once with an IV too! I couldn't hold a pen in my right hand without shooting pain, but thankfully, it subsided after a couple weeks in a wrist brace. It was super scary though.

[Byrd]

What a beautiful photo of the couple and your quilt - love it! I am so sorry to hear about your hand. That is something to think about though. Please rest and enjoy this long-awaited spring! Take care, Byrd

[janet]

Oh my! Hands are so important! I do hope your hand recovers to completely better SOON! Sounds like you are making good progress with Molly's quilt. I never thought of just keeping a finger cot nearby - I can't stand wearing one either but it sure would be useful to have one. I love playing with fabric too :0)

[Linda in NC]

Loved this post from the opening photo (why is it that I think I need a better equipped sewing room?)to the advice about needles and one's working hand to the thoughts on just getting in amongst the bits of fabric and playing.

The quilt is looking great! Isn't it wonderful to be on the downhill side of a huge project?!

[audrey]

Love the old photo. You can almost feel the womans absorption with her quilting.:) Lovely to be making progress on your hand quilting project!

[Cindra]

I hate giving blood or IVs. I hope the pain goes away soon! Love that quilt!

[Taryn]

I am happy to learn you are a right-hander. Some lefties think they have the creativity market cornered. You prove them to be very wrong. I will never offer my right hand again. That is a very good point and I wish I'd read this last night. Had my physical this morning and feel like a pincushion now. Including my aching left shoulder.

[Meredithe]

I do hope your hand is ok soon. The quilting looks/sounds like it's going well!

[Elizabeth]

This winter (and so far spring!) has been a bon for creative sitting projects. But enough already, I want to be outside and definitely need some colour. I checked the new spring knit magazines were all muted shades and browns and I clicked off the page!

[Izzy]

Your quilt is gorgeous, I just began one of those but by hand ..As far as your nerve in your hand I have one word for you LAWSUIT!!!! that was negligence!!ALso you use your hands to quilt and other things and you may need therapy for it to be ok again..

[LeeAnn]

Congratulations on this nearly finished beauty! It will be cherished for a long, long time, especially with your hand quilting. Love that photo at the top!