It’s been almost a month and a half since I turned on my sewing machine. Back then, I was starting the quilting on Frost Filigree, and my husband came in and took a few photos of me working the quilt through the throat of my machine. I had to look at the date in the meta data of the file to see when the photos were taken: July 30th.
Quilting Frost Filigree
Due to some medical detours that started in about April, a lot of our summer plans got put on hold. My husband and I had originally planned to spend about 3-4 weeks traveling in June this year, but that got put on hold due to my unexpected thyroid issues. In July, after a lot of testing, things seemed like they were naturally correcting (great news!). So, on July 30th, as I was starting to quilt Frost Filigree, my plan was to take a social media break for the month of August to let me take a deep breath and work on some goals:
- Quilt and Bind Frost Filigree
- Test out the pattern for my next QAL
- Piece a quilt top for a commitment I made in early October
- Spend some time camping with my husband
Since I haven’t turned on my sewing machine since July 30th, it’s pretty easy to conclude that I made no progress on goals 1-3. At the beginning of September, my husband and I were able to go camping; a much needed respite for us to talk about all that has happened in our lives since July 30th.
A series of continuing surprise health and life topics have kept us on our toes. I wanted to check in to say I can’t wait to get back to my sewing machine; I think that the lack of a creative outlet has been one of the hardest parts of these past few weeks.
So, yeah, after this next hard week, it has got to be smooth sailing from here. Right?? Seriously, though, I did get a little bit of sewing in a few days ago and I have a good plan for the next week. It still might be a bit before I can be more online.
Sorry you are having to go through health stuff, that is always scary and takes a toll on us for sure, we have been through a bit of that ourselves this year. I hope you are back to feeling great and sewing up a storm soon.
Yvonne: So sorry that you have been dealing with uncertainty. Health is wealth. Take your time to take care of yourself and your family. Creating will help you through these challenging times WHEN you are ready. Social media pressure can derail even the healthiest of us. This will pass and your new normal will fall into place. Sending you good vibes and love. MJ
I’m sorry to hear that things have not gone all that smoothly for you this summer. Hugs to you.
Life is so good at throwing curve balls. So sorry the health issues have continued. Hopefully, you’ve been able to work through all the issues and are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hoping you can eek out some stitching time to help with the stress. Fingers crossed this next week isn’t that bad and you are past the worst.
I was just thinking of you yesterday and wondering how you were doing, so this update has been good to read. I’m glad that you two are talking through things, and taking the time you need to rest, recover and recharge. Good to know that you are starting to sit at your machine again. Please keep us posted on how things are going when you feel up to it.
It’s good that you shared this with us. Health setbacks are so frustrating, plus they keep us from doing what we love, which can affect our coping & healing. Hopefully you’ll be back at your machine soon! Even if its just a few minutes here and there. Maybe a small seasonal project just for fun. You are an inspiration to all of us. I’m saying a prayer for you!
I’ve missed you, Yvonne. I’m what I call a solitary quilter but for the past few years or so you’ve been an important resource for me. Sending good karma your way and know that your privacy and need for self care will e respected but that there are open arms awaiting your return. <3
Wishing you all the best as you deal with the challenges life has thrown at you. I hope you can get back to your creative quilting outlet soon.
I appreciate the check-in, Yvonne! Wishing you a smooth and speedy return to life as normal. Know that you’re on my mind and sending you a big cross-country hug. : )
So sorry that health issues are interfering with your creative time. Sewing is the thing that gets me through tough times. But in the midst of chemo some years ago I developed some neuropathy in my hands and couldn’t sew. Fortunately for me, the neuropathy cleared up after chemo ended and I was able to get back to sewing.
In spite of all the challenges, I’m really glad you and your hubby got away for just a bit this month, AND that you were able to sew, even a little. Hope this week goes as planned!
Yvonne, I had no idea. Of your medical challenges. The last year has also being a very painful period for me so I understand. It’s great that we both are doing better. I pray continued good health for you and more creativity.
I had to switch it up to carrying a crochet hook and yarn in the car instead of my usual EPP… I may not have the same issues but I do understand the frustration of not being able to complete the thing’s you want to at the moment I’m in the same boat. Neck issues here… fingers crossed for you and for me that we both get back to 100% and we can get back to our normal routines shortly. Sending you lots of hugs
I know exactly where you’re coming from! Sometimes life just gets in the way! Hang in there! We’re not going anywhere!
Please allow me to echo all, our health is the most important thing we have to take care for. You do well, take your time, do what you like and may be all these nice comments here help you? Dont put yourself under pressure with showing and writing blog. Just sew when you have the power! It all will turn out well, and enjoy the time with your hubby! This heals most! Keep you in my good thoughts and it was nice to see you quilting writing (but dont stress!)
I am happy to hear from you and so very sorry that things have not quite returned to whatever would be the new normal. I know health is important, and it can get to be consumes emotions and time in odd ways. We have been through it and I have been surprised at the difference since some things are more normal. Here’s hoping that you both get some relief soon…and that you can ease back into things in a healthy way.
I’m sending healing thoughts to you and best wishes for a full recovery, whatever that may mean for you and your husband. Thank you for all you do for the quilting community!
I appreciate the update. I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how it’s going for you. Like you, I had not sewn since the end of July and it was beginning to weigh on me. I sat down at the machine last week and sewed with reckless abandonment for two days. It felt wonderful to hear the hum of the machine and play with fabric. I feel refreshed and have a greater sense that I can handle just about anything that life chooses throw at us. I hope you feel the same way very soon. :-)
You are not alone, Yvonne. Sending hugs and healing thoughts.
So sorry you’ve had so much thrown your way. I recently saw a plaque on a wall with the perfect advice for me right now, too – “Sometimes life isn’t about weathering the storm, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
I totally understand! We got to a point where we said,” I wonder what the crisis will be this week” and found ourselves laughing because there was nothing we could do to prevent these crises we just had to take it as it comes. Casting all our cares and anxiety upon Jesus!
Wishing you well! I’m glad your issues were self-correcting, though all those tests must have been tedious. I went through something similar in the last few years. Tons of tests, found nothing, doctor told me to basically just learn to live with it. I hope you’re able to get back to sewing soon.
Sorry things haven’t gone as you’d hoped. Sending positive thoughts. Take care of yourself.
Wishing you the best no matter the troubles. Went through the thyroid thing many years ago and it is no laughing matter and not quickly resolved.
I hope your ‘keeping swimming’ through life events is keeping you feeling positive. Engaging in creativity is definitely an effective therapy
Oh, I’m so sorry that you’ve been dealing with health issues! Hopefully everything is nice and sorted out and you can get back to the sewing machine with consistency.