May is Arthritis Month!

You probably know someone with a form of arthritis and may not even know it.  A lot of people with arthritis don't look outwardly sick or "challenged" in any way.  Note:  we're not all disabled, we just have different things to over come daily.

To many, the perception is Grandma or Grandpa with enlarged finger joints or someone using a cane.  I have a cane, actually three, and a walking stick, a walker and crutches.  My goal every day is not to use any of them.  And I'm a grandmother.  I was diagnosed with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis about seven years ago not long after I turned 50.  I've had the osteoarthritis in my knee since I was 16 caused by an auto accident.  One invasive surgery, 9 "scopes" and a complete knee replacement have enabled me to regain greater functioning in the knee and in life.

I am the face of arthritis.  It takes me about 45-60 minutes every day to start to function "normally".  My hands hurt and I have to exercise them to make them open and close.  My feet and ankles refuse to bend allowing me to walk "normally".  Shoulders ache so lifting and reaching is out of the question.  Exercising and medicine are my best friends.  Pain is omnipresent but controllable using meditation, exercise and medication.

The list of medications taken during this last seven years is long:  Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Humira, Enbrel, Cimzia, Mobic, prednisone and Orencia.  Unfortunately it seems that combinations of drugs eventually quit working and/or the body becomes immune to them.  The next group of drugs are infusions and generally require time in the doctor's office to have them.  A good discussion of the different classes of drugs is here:  http://www.arthritistoday.org/about-arthritis/types-of-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/treatment-plan/medication-overview/ra-medications.php.

A suggestion to help your friends or family with arthritis, do a random act of kindness.  Help bring in a bag of groceries, weed  a flower bed, mow a yard, move stuff to lower shelves in a cabinet or pantry, or just hand them a hot drink to cup their hands about and chat.  You'll make a difference this month for that person.

Barn Quilts

The first weekend in April, my husband Rich and grandson Caleb and I, went to Lexington, KY for Rich's brother Phil's birthday.  Nice weather in KY.  Rich and Caleb played 18 holes of golf in bright blue skys and high sixties weather.

My sister-in-law Peg had picked up a brochure called "Buffalo Gals Barn Quilt Trail" and suggested we go on an adventure.  Quilt blocks were hanging from beautiful barns throughout the hilly country side.  Now in KY, most of the barns are horse barns and a lovely shade of charcoal or black.  The brochure gave a web site where we downloaded the addresses and map of the trail.  Now to be honest, we did not get to all 142 listed properties and we did see some that were not on the list.

Here are some of my favorites:

A gorgeous Ohio star done in red and black on a black barn.  Love the red border that just makes it pop.  This is an 8'x8' painted block.

 

Another 8'x8' block handing on the barn. 

From left to right these blocks were called winter (snowflake), spring (bird), summer (flowers) and fall (pumpkin).  Each painted block was 4'x4'.  This was one of the few white painted barns we saw.

 

 

 Each of the following are 4'x4' blocks.  They were listed as Radiant Star, Arrowhead, Rally Round and Double Wedding Ring. 

 

 The following three blocks were displayed on the wall of the local Pharmacy in Stamping Ground, KY.  The first is a variation on the Friendship Star block, the second is the Labyrinth block, and the third is another variation of the Friendship block.  All were 4'x4'.

 

Another favorite of mine.  I love the way that the American flag is portrayed in this block.  The Ohio star on blue and then the mitered stripes.  I may have to make this block soon.  This is an 8'x8' block.

This last barn has a Carpenter's wheel or Summer's block on it.  I've always liked this block and want to put it on our big red barn to honor my Builder husband and his carpenter great grandfather who built the barn and the house.  Isn't is lovely in the red, white, navy, and yellow?

Before I get comments on the names of the blocks, I shared with you the names that were listed in the brochure and on the maps.  Some of the names I would think they are different but again, I didn't name any of the blocks.  I enjoyed the view and ability to take pictures of so many.

Beautiful day and a great way to spend together looking for the hidden treasures on the barns.  I hope you can go sometime to find a barn trail/tour.  They are so much fun.

Florida Pillows

Another UFO that needed to be finished before I had carpal tunnel surgery on my dominant hand.  My daughter, son-in-law and family are Florida fans and have decorated their family room with Florida memorabilia, pennants and gator themed stuff.  It was only fitting that the pillows for the sofa be made with Gator fabrics.

Both pillows are the same.  I added some backing to the tops to let them be washed often and a zipper for easy insertion and removal of the pillow forms.  My daughter has two children under three and a nine year old.  Pillows get tossed about quite a bit and need washing from time to time.

Sugar Block Club

Blocks for the Sugar Block Club with Amy Gibson BOM.

Finished: Another UFO

I've been trying to spend one day per week completing UFO's (unfinished quilt objects).  This is the latest one to be completed.  A chevron quilt started several months ago for my grandson.  I found the idea/instructions on the http://youhadmeatbonjourblog.blogspot.fr/2012/03/tutorial-modern-chevron-baby-quilt-crib.html.

I had shown some work in progress pictures previously in this blog post.  Thankfully it is now done and in the little hands of the recipient.

Here is my attempt to create the chevron quilt for my grandson, Colin:

 

 

Colin has had severe eczema since birth and does best with soft items.  Instead of doing traditional quilting on his quilt, I backed it with a cream colored soft Minkee fabric.  It was top stitched with a wavy decorative stitch.  He has rubbed his face all over the quilt and seems to like it.

 

Thank you Kirsty for a great pattern.