Thursday, September 5, 2019

Dusting off the blog

That was an unplanned hiatus.  I spent the summer lost in a combination of grief and inertia.
I lost my dad in early June.  May had been a nightmare month as his health plummeted, with trips to the ER and tests and more tests.   He'd been fighting a long battle against a degenerative muscle disease and it finally won. 
I can't say enough good things about hospice - I literally don't know how we could have gotten through it without them.  So much help and comfort at a time when we really needed it.  Letting go was so hard, and they held our hands through it all.
Getting back into any kind of creative groove took a long time, and it's taken even longer to get to the point where I feel like talking again.
So, here I am, talking again.  Hello.

One thing I did do is get the quilting done on my granddaughter's Storm at Sea quilt, which I've been calling Sea of Tranquility.


(She's holding the other end of the quilt, but I cropped her out of the picture since I didn't ask her for permission to show her face.)
As you can see, I went ahead with my crazy plan to quilt it in a big spiral.  The beginning was a certified pain in the butt, but it was just the kind of simple mindless process that my frazzled self needed.  And I love the effect it gives of ripples moving out from the center, echoing the light to dark transition that I'd worked in the values of the blues and greens.

Big project, big quilt, done.  One positive to put up against the negative.
We just keep going.

28 comments:

Judy said...

My condolences. All my experiences with hospice have been as positive as possible under the circumstances. I deeply appreciate their calm, comfort and knowledge.

Brilliant quilt! Really like the way the quilting works in this quilt.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Welcome back!

I am so very sorry for your loss.

The quilt is absolutely stunning. Your quilts are so inspiring.

Vireya said...

Please accept my sincere condolences.

"Sea of Tranquillity" is beautiful. The quilting is perfect, and I can understand how soothing just sewing round and round would be at a difficult time.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I agree with your comments on the loving care of not only the patient, but the family as a whole by Hospice. They were such a comfort when my Dad was in final care and probably be there again for us with Mom. My deepest condolences and I am glad you are back with us. Slow and steady - just like the quilting on your latest finish.

Libby in TN said...

Glad to have you back! SoT is beautiful. Doing a big circle on a quilt that size can't be easy.

MissPat said...

Losing a loved one is never easy and always disruptive. You deal with it one step at a time, one day at a time and depend on friends and family to hold you up. Sea of tranquility is gorgeous and I'm sure your granddaughter is delighted to have it finished.
Pat

Ruth K. said...

So very sorry for your loss, it's never easy to lose a love one.

Laura said...

I am so sorry for your loss!

The quilt is absolutely beautiful!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I understand your sorrow with loosing your father, it's hard to watch them deteriorate. Hospice is a blessing and a great help. Storm of Tranquility is beautiful and you've done a lovely job with the quilting. So good you had the mindless quilting to help bring you peace. Blessings!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

So sorry to hear of your loss--I know how difficult it is to lose a parent. Your quilt turned out beautifully. I can't even imaging doing that spiral quilting on such a big quilt! I agree--the beginning is the worst of it. I've only done a small one, so I'm very impressed!

Louise said...

My deepest condolences on the loss of your father. I'm so sorry. Grief moves at its own pace and comfort comes in fits and starts. I'm glad that quilting gave you a bit of distraction. Your storm at sea quilt turned out beautifully!

Magpie Sue said...

I did wonder where you were/what was going on. Thanks for coming back and bringing us up to date. So sorry for your loss, it can't have been an easy time for you. I'm glad you were able to get Sea of Tranquility finished. You can certainly be proud of that one! I hope more of the joy of quilting will come back as time passes and you continue to adjust to the new normal. <3

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

It's not easy losing a loved one, thinking of you during this time. Your 'Sea of Tranquility' is amazing, I love your quilting on it too!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

So sorry for your loss... You did an amazing job quilting this gorgeous Sea of Tranquility

Jeanne said...

So sorry for your loss. I still mourn for my Dad. Welcome back!

Chantal said...

My heart is singing to see you blogging again. I know the road was very rough to get here (as I have traveled it too) but you've made it. Yay! Big hugs to you, my friends, with lots of positive energy.
I love what you did for your granddaughter. It's awesome. The quilting is really the cake! To quilt spirals on such a big quilt with just a domestic sewing machine is a phenomenal accomplishment. Congratulations!
And remember, I'm here for you. ♥ ♥ ♥ ;^)

Cathy said...

Welcome back! If dusting off your blog gives you such a gorgeous result like the Sea of Tranquility I guess I need to let my blog gather some dust. Glad you ended up going with the concentric circle quilting to give that sea some ripples. It's the perfect complement. Hope your granddaughter knows how lucky she is to have such a loving grandmother!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Grieving is some of the hardest work we ever have to do ... glad you have waited until you felt ready to share with us. The quilt and your spiral quilting is gorgeous!!!

Dorothy said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. Glad you didn't feel compelled to keep posting while you dealt with all of the emotions. Glad your back. I think we all have missed you. Beautiful quilt

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I am so sad to hear of your loss. You were terribly missed!

Your quilt is beautiful!!

Angie said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I hope Fabric Therapy will help ease your pain!
Sea of Tranquility is beautiful! Great idea to use the spiral quilting.
Glad to have you back!

QuiltGranma said...

SO sorry for your loss. I recall how helpful hospice was when my brother-in-law was passing. His was quick, fortunately. He recalled all the problems his wife had had and did not want to prolong his life since she was already gone. Their ashes are buried next to each other now. Working on a quilt can be just so healing, with prayers added into each stitch. Love you! j

Sally Trude said...

So happy that you're back and hopefully ready to lead us into more squirrel chasing adventures. We've missed you!

Ann said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Hospice was a great help with my sister but there is such a void after a loved one passes. It’s hard to get back to anything, much less something creative. I’m glad you are feeling the urge to pick up this blog again. I made some quilts from my father’s and sister’s clothes. Hopefully a memory quilt will help you heal, too. At least it is something to wrap around you or touch - both comforting actions.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I wondered where you had gone to, but I was afraid sending an email would be too stalker-y. I agree that there is a special place in Heaven for hospice workers. I've had two experiences with them, and both times they have been such a help. Thank you for taking the time to let us know you're OK.

Hugs from St. Louis,
Andrea

Cathy said...

So sorry to hear about your dad. ((Hugs)). Sea of Tranquility is spectacular! It’s good to have you back - we missed you!

Mystic Quilter said...

For some reason I missed this post from you Gayle. So very sorry to read about your Dad but so pleased that he was able to be in hospice for care. It is important to take the time to grieve after your loss. So good though to see you back again and showing us your beautiful quilt for your grand-daughter.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Welcome back, Gayle! I'm SEW glad that you found a way to do some quilting over the past while. Your granddaughter's quilt is simply stunning!