After initially feeling pretty good, the pesky health stuff (update at the end for those that are interested) has been taking its toll a bit and hence I've not done much sewing for the last couple of months. Blogging has also suffered although I am over on Instagram slightly more often - I'm sillybananasewing
However before I started to feel really rough I got a few things done. I decided I would make myself a quilt so I rummaged through my stash and found a Hometown layer cake and some Kona Cream I bought for a project that I never got round to (like about half the fabric I own!).
I had purchased some patterns from Alison of Cluck Cluck Sew when she had a sale and so decided I'd use her Suburbs pattern.
It came together really easily and I love it - I can definitely see myself making it again.
The soft, slightly faded colours and the cream background remind me of the seaside so I'm calling this one 'Beach huts'. Inspired by Trudi's Free Motion Quilting workshop at the Fat Quarterly Retreat I decided to try quilting it with swirls - the fact that the quilt was for me meant that I could relax and not fret if it wasn't great.
Not perfect but I was really pleased with how it turned out - I need to work on my consistency and spacing but I'm glad I bit the bullet and tried something new.
Quilt stats:
Beach huts
Size: about 60" by 70"
Pattern: Suburbs by Cluck Cluck Sew
Fabric: Hometown by Sweetwater for Moda; Kona Cream; Bella Solids (random blue)
I also finished a quilt top for the little lady (much to the disgust of the wee chap who informed me in no uncertain terms that he has been waiting long enough for his Cat in the Hat quilt and made me promise I would not make any other quilts until it is done!)
I bought a half yard bundle of Handle with Care with coordinating solids from Pink Castle Fabric last year and wanted some nice easy sewing that would showcase the fabric.
It badly needs pressed but at the moment I am seriously lacking in energy and it was a case of press the top or blog about it!
And whilst we were doing the photos my two little monkeys decided to join in!
Thanks for stopping by
Sarah
Pesky health update
Well I have now had 4 of my 6 cycles of chemotherapy - all three cycles of Taxotere and one of FEC (which I can't say without wanting to add "Drink! Arse!").
My oncologist is pleased with my progress and says I'm tolerating the chemo well, which I suppose I am but I will be glad when it is over as it is starting to take its toll. I just have no energy (hence the lack of sewing) - I made tea last night and microwaving some spuds, defrosting some bolognese sauce and grating some cheese left me knackered and needing a sit down! In addition the FEC is making me feel really queasy - like really bad morning sickness.
And unfortunately I've ended up in hospital after the last two cycles because I keep spiking really high temperatures. I have felt fine on both occasions but got admitted for IV antibiotics because of the risk of having an infection which can be dangerous if your immune system weakened by chemo. Both times my blood counts have shown my immune system has been fine and other tests have shown no sign of infection so they think it is just how my body is dealing with the chemo. It is frustrating and disruptive but I keep reminding myself that there are plenty of people who have much worse side effects and a much poorer outlook than I do, so while I have had some down days, by and large I'm staying positive.
And talking of the positive, I had a mid point ultrasound and that showed that my tumour has shrunk substantially and broken up and the three abnormal lymph nodes have all shrunk too. This shows that the chemo is working (thank goodness - I'd hate to be going through it if it wasn't!!).
But at least it is only another two cycles so by the end of October it will be over and done with and I'll be on to the next phase - surgery!
Take care
S
