Sewing Fun!

Many years ago I met this guy in college who had a handmade quilt that I fell in love with. Yes the guy and the quilt! Mike's mom had made the quilt I do not know how long ago but it was well loved by the time that I saw it. It was a patch work quilt made with 1x1 or maybe 2x2 squares of fabric. It had a light blue back and batting filled. The batting had seen better days and there were clumps in the corners, even so it was Mike's favorite quilt. While he no longer has access to it his mom still does. I think he mourns that quilt to this day.

I decided when I went home for holiday and summer breaks that I would make a similar quilt. I started with cutting up my favorite shirts that I knew I never would wear again, I took a ruler and measured 3x3 inches and cut them out with the kitchen scissors. I then moved along to other fabric that I found in the house that was not being used! That first holiday of collecting and cutting was fun and I ended up with a good stack of fabric. The next trip home while I was working at Dippin' Donuts a customer sitting at the food bar asked what I did for hobbies so I told her about the quilt I was making. The next day she brought in tons of scraps for me. So I continued to add 3x3 squares until I had enough to sew together.

I grabbed pieces and started sewing them together and went on my merry way until I had a bunch of long strips. My mom taught my how to re spool a bobbin and back to work I went. We had plenty of thread and the quilt is made with many a different color. When one spool ran out I would just grab another. Most of the time the bobbin color and the thread color did not even match. Anyone who is a quilter is probably cringing right now.

When I finished with my strips, probably 2 years after I started, I realized they were all different lengths and widths. The widths I could not do anything about but I stitched removed the ones that were and sewed them on somewhere else.

When I was done I went to Zayre's and bought a cheap top twin sized sheet and batting for the quilt. I laid them all out and realized that my quilt was twice as long as a twin and much too narrow. So I removed some of the squares and made new rows and then added them to the width. When done it was still not right but perfection is not my strong suit. Ok, you can stop laughing now! So I merrily sewed all 3 layers together and left 6 inches to pull the fabric back through and hand sewed the hole.

Tada! Here I am in 1990 as pleased as punch about my twin sized quilt that is more of a couch throw. Sorry picture is blurry it is a real picture that I took a picture of (pre-ownership of a digital camera).

So I told everyone about my quilt and they asked if I used the strip quilting technique, fabric shears, a rotary cutter, a self-healing cutting mat, acrylic quilting ruler and on and on. I had no idea what they were talking about. I simply cut, stitched and accepted however it turned out.

Mike and I got married in 1993 and for Christmas he bought me some sewing and quilting gear. I still used some of my mom and grandmother's stuff though. I learned about all the things people had mentioned and more. I learned that you could buy pre-cut squares and fat quarters of fabric.

I also got a sewing machine but I do not remember when!

I made several other quilts and started many a project that I still have not finished.

I took a class from Adult Ed when I was working in Westbrook, Maine and made a log cabin quilt that I am also very proud of. I learned a great many tricks and tips from Cindy who taught the class.

This is the log cabin that I made for our queen size bed.

I learned to sew using squares and then piecing the squares together.

I also learned how to finish and edge.

I started back to work on Monday and I decided that I was going to make myself a mask on Wednesday. I researched a bunch of YouTube videos and read some directions online.

I found The Fabric Patch website a great source of info and she also mentioned Jesse Killion who made patterns for different sized faces!

So I measured my face, printed the pattern, cut it out and then went searching for the supplies I needed.

While we moved in to the house in October my sewing and crafting stuff was not a priority. So I dug out my sewing machine, fabrics and tools and got to work.

Fortunately the room stays bright well into evening.

I wanted my mask to be reversible so I picked out two patterns that I thought would work. I also wanted it to be used by Mike but was not so sure it would fit him since I measured my face and used the appropriate size for me. I picked a blue and a pink and began my project.

I did not have elastic so I made strings to tie around the head. That was the longest part of the creation but I am happy with the end product!

I wish I actually followed the directions and I wish that they offered HomeEc when I was in school!

Many a thanks to all those people making masks for front-line workers.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/808916311/thank-you-frontline-heroes-sign-h-stake?ref=related-4&pro=1

Merrily, Merrily, Merrily....Life is but a Dream

I am in heaven doing yard work. I get to be outside in beautiful temperatures surrounded by birds and squirrels and bright flowering life. I am physically moving, working up a sweat and feel a sense of accomplishment.

My brothers yard

and then I woke up!

I awoke Easter Monday, April 13, with what looked like a spider bite on each of my wrists. I know we have small spiders when we moved into the house but I have scoured all the surfaces when we arrived and I clean the house ceiling to floor weekly. I know they can be hidden but I could not image that it could have been a spider.

I sent my brother a picture to see if he thought it was poison something or other but it did not look like any posted images from Google of Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac.

I also went outside and took pictures of the weeds that I had pulled, sent them to my brother and we identified them again as not being poisonous.

So I avoided itching them and went to bed. Upon awakening I noticed I had more on both arms.

I went outside again and took more pictures and found Poison Sumac on the fringe of the property where I had not cleared. I now assume that I must have cleared some with out realizing it. Poison sumac is a woody shrub or small tree that can grow to 27 feet tall. Yikes!

Poison Sumac, Toxicodendron vernix

Later I discovered Poison Ivy as well, again, in a different area than where I was working.

Poison Ivy

Mike who ears long pants, a sweatshirt and head gear was not effected at all.

So now that I knew what it was I started to research the toxin.

"The poison leaves have a sticky, long-lasting oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash after it touches your skin. I did not have this in the beginning." (WebMD)

"Poison ivy is the only one that always has three leaves, one on each side and one in the center. They’re shiny with smooth or slightly notched edges. Poison oak looks similar, but the leaves are larger and more rounded like an oak leaf. They have a textured, hairy surface. There may be groups of three, five, or seven leaves. Poison sumac leaves grow in clusters of seven to 13 leaves, with one by itself at the end." (WebMD)

"It forms within 24 to 72 hours of contact, depending on where the plant touched you. It usually peaks within a week, but can last as long as 3 weeks. The rash doesn’t usually spread unless urushiol is still in contact with your skin." (WebMD)

Over-the-counter medicine can ease the itch and keep you more comfortable. Unfortunately I had no Calamine lotion or Diphenhydramine, but I did have Hydrocortisone. I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol to keep it dry. Then would apply the Hydrocortisone for the itch. Hot or even warm water irritated it to no end. Showers were painful, cool splashes of water were soothing.

"Don't scratch. It won't spread the rash, but can cause scars or infection. If someone in your household has poison ivy, oak, or sumac, you can't catch it from them, even if you come into contact with the blisters." (WebMD)

Lastly clean everything you possibly touched with hot soapy water then clean it again with isopropyl alcohol. Dispose of everything safely.

Day 3 AM

Day 3 PM

Day 4 the spread continues, forearm

Day 5, the oozing begins, Yellow puss drips from the center of the wounds.

Friday, I break down and go to the grocery store to get Calamine lotion and hopefully more alcohol to clean the yellow puss from my body. At this point it is on both of my arms and legs, chest, armpit and face.



They have none but I find this aerosol can and grab it before I leave.

It relieved the itching immediately and I finally got some sleep that night.

Day 6, red irritated skin and scabs start to form, more puss.

Day 7, I am miserable. My arms are swollen, fire red, and itchy. Mike goes back to the store to get me more Calamine spray and Hydrocortisone. He talks to the pharmacy who tells them I show go to the Dr. 

I called Patient First and they said they were not busy and I could come in. I did not want to go if they were seeing Covid-19 patients and they ensured me they were not. A different facility was handling that. They were not busy so I drove the mile to the clinic and was seen immediately.

The Dr. was great, told me I was severely allergic to Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac and that I should have come in sooner. I have not willing been to the doctor since I broke my foot in 1994. I only go when I have to for the visa process of the international schools I have worked for. I have a high threshold of pain and did not want to bother anyone.

He gave me Prednisone and sent me on my way with a warning to my husband that I might become grouchy on the steroid. You will have to ask Mike if I did or not!

Then the healing began. Wish I started sooner.

The puss stopped the next day and it continued to dry out, the itch was still there but not as bad. Red bloody scabs continued to form but luckily they did not burst.

Healing and relief!

The scabs got knocked of easily and would catch on everything. I was now itchy due to the drying and cracking of the skin. I would use a fingernail clipper to remove the scab before it tore of my body.

I have used a full bottle of rubbing alcohol, 3 bottles of Calamine Spray, 1/2 tube of Hydrocortisone (can't use it with Prednisone), 1/2 bottle of Calamine Lotion, and a bottle of Hand Lotion in the past 16 days.

This is with lotion on, you can see how cracked and dry my skin still is on Day 16.

Day 17 and there are no more bumps on my skin. It is smooth and bright pink as it is healing. No more itch either. 

During the first 10 days I was afraid to go outside. The doctor said that I could be so allergic to it that I could get in off a strong breeze. Yikes! I felt a prisoner. I have overcome the fear and we are back at yardwork!

My suit has arrived so I am good to go!

Picture taken from Wallpaperflare.com

Hummus

Ingredients 

• 1 (16-ounce) can of chickpeas (or garbanzo beans)
• 1/2 cup liquid from the can of chickpeas
• 3 - 5 tablespoons lemon juice (I use a whole medium sized one). I have also used an orange when had no lemon.
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Tahini (sesame paste)
• 2 cloves garlic (peeled and crushed)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil (optional to be poured on when served)

Gather the ingredients. 

I bought Tahini from Amazon as I could not find it in the local stores.



I make my own tortilla chips so I get those in the oven while I make the hummus.

You can use any size or flavored tortillas.
Cut them in stripes.
Spray with cooking oil.
Season as you like. I use Garlic Salt and Powder.

Bake 325 for 10 minutes, remove from oven and loosen then then make for 3-5 more minutes.

Drain the chickpeas and set aside the liquid from the can. Separate the skin from the chickpea. This will allow for smoother hummus. This is the skins.

Combine the drained chickpeas, lemon juice, sesame paste, crushed garlic, cumin and salt in a blender or food processor.

Add 1/2 cup of the reserved liquid from the chickpeas.
Blend for 3 to 5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.

I have a small food processor so I make in in 2 batches and then blend together in the end.

I sprinkle with paprika and parsley for garnish and serve with the chips.

Delicious midday snack.

Aunt Peg took me to a special dinner at El Morocco, a  Lebanese restaurant, in Worcester when I was young and I fell in love with it. The smells, decor and flavors of the Middle East! It was served as an appetizer with olives and fresh baked Syrian bread.

When I moved to Egypt it was called salad and was served with Tabbouleh, Tzatziki and Feta. No bread, that was extra!

When I moved to Brazil, Kelly would make it from scratch as a staple to her vegan diet.

I decided to learn to make it when I moved to Virginia.

So easy and so glad I did. So my 2 lbs of Tahini and multiple cans of chickpea will last hopefully through out quarantine.

We feel like we survived something....

....monumental.

It is been gloomy the past couple of days so when the sunshine started shining around 3 we emerged from are cave and embraced it and began puttering in the yard and garage. I brought my delicate herbs out for some sun, planted some romaine in mason jars, prepped pepper plants for planting and then started to work on replanting my aunt's holiday cactus.

Mike has always been highly attuned to weather and he pointed out the black clouds rolling our way. I quickly brought in the plants and he moved Big 4 into the garage. We have a Toyota 4 Runner and Toyota RAV4. I kept calling them both the Toyota so we named them Big 4 and Little 4, so much easier, I know!

I grabbed the tomatoes off the front porch as the power flickered on and off. He closed the garage door and the power flickered again leaving the door half opened. Got the door down and went to see the storm out the kitchen window. By the time we arrived bright flash of light immediately followed by a loud crack of thunder. The 70 mile an hour winds began and the trees swayed, Mike yelled, We are going to loss a tree", my heart stopped and we both held our breathe. The oracle spoke and true to his word the yellow pine snapped 15 feet high and crashed down in-front of the window we were starring out.

It sheared the Dogwood and crushed another. The remaining 30 foot long tree bounced, snapped again and the top launched and landed on the roof of the sun porch.

We jumped back and the hail started, no lie, quarter sized hail pounded the house, glad we got the car inside in time.

Just a little to the left and it would have taken the gate instead.

Devastated Dogwood

Right side of Dogwood is gone

20 minutes in and we lost power, the rain slowed, and the darkness vanished. We walked out the front porch to see what damage the front took. Limbs and fresh oak leaves littered the ground mixed in with the hail.

Mike grabbed some of the hail that had not melted yet.

It was quarter size when it fell but lost its size by the time we got out there. That is Mike's hand and my thumb nail for sizing.

My irises survived but will need  a little help to stand again.

The power went out at 5pm and so did my cell phone battery. Luckily we could cook suppah on the grill even though we ran out of propane but fortunately we had an extra tank.

We finished suppah and settled into read. Mike lit the alabaster candle holders we have from Egypt and the room took on a warm, cozy glow. 

We settled down to read on our iPads which did have power and Mike said, "Now that the candles are lit the power will come back." The oracle speaks and the lights blinked. He should have been more specific and included and stay on! 5.5 hours later as we were contemplating calling my brother to get his generator the power came back. The freezer is saved. We are thrilled and went to bed!

We spent some time between the rain today to clean up some of the yard. I think this will be a big project but one that we enjoy.

Other damage is behind the fence.

The house is littered with leaves, twigs, and mud!

Sun-room window with leaves stuck to it. Downed pine in the back.

More trees down, they broke 12 feet high.

So I started the post with the feeling that we survived something. I am not sure how to explain this....I am thankful that the house did not get hit, the power came on so we did not loss the food in our new freezer, and that my birds and squirrels survived.

Living in New England we were prepared for nor'easters and blizzards. Being abroad we always had a quick getaway bag ready and knew how to handle the possible sand storms, earthquakes and typhoons. I was not prepared for this in April in Virginia!

I feel like I had no warning, no defense, and was not prepared. I know that what we went through is nothing compared to what others have suffered. I will take this new knowledge and use it to become prepared, receive timely weather warnings, and continue to be grateful for what I do know.