"Quality of life"......a gift that just keeps on giving.

I've enjoyed reading about everyone's creative side. Besides participating in and watching sports, and writing/editing newsletters I come from a long line of creative folks, including artists and craftsmen (and women). My grandmother taught me to knit before I went to Kindergarten. I am still using her Singer Featherlite sewing machine for many projects. It was patented in the 30s and is one of the first electric machines that were small enough to be put in a portable case. Love the way it stitches straight. Also love the other sewing machines that live in my basement! I made T-shirt quilts for each of my 4 grand kids when they graduated from high school. They loved them and they all went off to college. This past summer I dug into my yarn stash and made wine bottle cozies for family and friends. My sibs and I don't really give gifts for Christmas anymore, but home made stuff is 'legal'. Those were made with pure wool yarn and then were felted. Recipients buy their own wine! They are fun to make and don't take a lot of thought....easy to do while sitting in front of the TV, which we are doing way too much these days. My latest quilt project is a baby quilt for my newest great niece, who was born yesterday; three weeks early which means I'm not quite done with it! Most of my baby quilts are 'crazy quilts' with a variety of meaningful fabric. So, like others, I keep collecting fabric and it piles up. 🙂 My oldest granddaughter uses the sewing area in our condo for her stage costume projects, so there always seems to be fabric galore.

While these projects are truly enjoyed, I'm so ready to get out and about! I miss seeing people. We've done a lot of zooming, but a lot of people are tired of that too. 2nd vaccine shot coming up on February 16th. Hoping that will release some of the pressure. So glad John and I were able to get in line.

Reading comments about vaccine being wasted breaks my heart. I know so many people, especially seniors, who do not have a clue how to register for these clinics online. They keep waiting for their primary care physicians to call them, and that isn't happening. How long will these people have to wait? In some instances it appears to be who you know that gets you in. 🙁

Happy crafting everyone...now if I could just get excited about cleaning, purging and getting rid of stuff, I'd be euphoric!

@1nan. Your comment about not making assumptions new symptoms are due to old age or extensions of the same health problems we're dealing and bringing them to the attention of our health providers right away is one of the most important things I've learned the hard way recently. I assumed my shortness of breath after going up a flight of stairs and general fatigue were being caused by my being overweight, old, and out of shape. It took a trip to the emergency room when I thought I was having a heart attack and numerous tests to determine I had a paralyzed diaphragm that wasn't related to my age, weight, or being out of shape causing these symptoms, as well as periodic chest pain. I can be assertive and be my own advocate; but at the same time it's hard to change my perspective from not wanting to complain and bother people to making them aware what's going on and asking them to address the issue. A stereo type image I have in my mind that I hope is outdated and not correct is that many medical professionals don't take "complaints" from senior citizens seriously. What do other people think about this? Nancy PS I too love fabrics and had an amazing collection from the 55 countries around the world I visited. Sadly, I gave them away when I downsized; but I gave them to quilters who in turn made beautiful quilts which they then gave away. I know the recipients of all the beautiful items many on this thread have made and given away are really appreciate of your talent and generosity.

Love your post Nancy - amazing how many creative people are here. I just (stupidly) undertook a spreadsheet project for another organization, and it was originated by someone with no training, then edited to meet a very visual member's demands, without respect for the havoc it would cause! Now I am attempting to tame it - on a deadline. When will I learn? Yesterday I met a fellow Master Gardener to make a pickup, and learned we have a mutual interest in fabric dying - so we'll be meeting come summer to teach each other new skills.

My next quilt is for my daughter - her long awaited t-shirt quilt - which has been on my design table for 2 months waiting for a few more cherished bits from her. My 4 year old grandson informed me Friday that his little brother is "getting too small for a baby quilt" and I should make him a new one. I reminded him those come for the 4th birthday - 2 years away yet. I love doing custom-themed quilts as well a designing my own patterns - the only pattern I ever used was a double wedding ring for my sister, and even then I chose all the fabrics expressly for her.

I am culling my stash & donating what I know will never be used...
Sue

Sue, when grandchildren started coming I totally lost my sensibilities! It never occurred to me that there would be 9! By the time the were three they each had three. The crib quilt with theme for the nursery, a heart themed baptism quilt, and one at age 3 years for whatever their love was at the time. Lesson learned. Great grandchildren get one themed by my choice that they can grow into than as toddlers, such as appliquéd owls, hot air balloons, and the butterfly quilt for our baby girl coming this week. (Laurel Burch had the perfect fabric line for that one.) And now on the hunt for June and a zoo theme. But never again “3 by age 3”! Because we know it didn’t stop there. 😂
Nancy

Sue, when grandchildren started coming I totally lost my sensibilities! It never occurred to me that there would be 9! By the time the were three they each had three. The crib quilt with theme for the nursery, a heart themed baptism quilt, and one at age 3 years for whatever their love was at the time. Lesson learned. Great grandchildren get one themed by my choice that they can grow into than as toddlers, such as appliquéd owls, hot air balloons, and the butterfly quilt for our baby girl coming this week. (Laurel Burch had the perfect fabric line for that one.) And now on the hunt for June and a zoo theme. But never again “3 by age 3”! Because we know it didn’t stop there. 😂
Nancy

@suzanne2, After putting aside knitting for at least 25 yrs, in favor of other pursuits, I set re-learning to knit as one of two goals for 2021. With growing arthritis is thumb and hand I wondered if that was "doable" so also set a back-up goal of not adding any sugar for one day/week. Happily I can report that beginning steps to knitting are coming along and have found the relaxation it provides a real pleasure. OTOH, beyond a doubt, going without sugar in any form each Monday has been a trial indeed...something sweet is the 1st thing I think of ea. Monday but I'm sticking with it as a goal,too. Doing without makes Meatless Mondays a walk in the park! LOL

@suzanne2, After putting aside knitting for at least 25 yrs, in favor of other pursuits, I set re-learning to knit as one of two goals for 2021. With growing arthritis is thumb and hand I wondered if that was "doable" so also set a back-up goal of not adding any sugar for one day/week. Happily I can report that beginning steps to knitting are coming along and have found the relaxation it provides a real pleasure. OTOH, beyond a doubt, going without sugar in any form each Monday has been a trial indeed...something sweet is the 1st thing I think of ea. Monday but I'm sticking with it as a goal,too. Doing without makes Meatless Mondays a walk in the park! LOL

@1nan I did quilts for all my family members. Blue star wallhanging for sister when my nephew was off to serve in the Army. Numerous baby quilts for friends. This coming from someone who flunked home ec in junior high school, really! I have crocheted baby blankets, also. I have Laurel Burch horse and cat fabric. I do have some zoo themed juvenile fabric...
My little champ of a machine is a Kenmore 1040, named Mr. Joe [more than just a pretty faced Ken, think GI Joe!] I also have two older Kenmores. Fabric is sorted by color families, except for novelty, batiks, and Southwest. I did 6 labrobes for stepson's family at holiday. Next big project is a flimsy for the travel trailer. And some hand-quilting on a wall-hanging.

When crocheting, it relaxes me so much I often fall asleep with hook and yarn in place. On a trip, my husband has commented I fall asleep, and never drop a stitch ;))
This "quality of life thread" helps show us what we define as our compasses.
Ginger