Little Forest Quilt-Along Update and My Knitted Vest

HI Everyone,

I just wanted to check in on the Little Forest Quilt Along.  I am sorry I've been such a bad hostess.  Truly.  My life just sort of got taken over.  Since my retreat, I have traveled to Iowa (because my former mentor was getting an award) and now I'm outside of Chicago at a conference.  Also, I just learned the other day about a death in my family.  My dear, sweet cousin Brian has passed away very suddenly and tragically.  It's a real blow for my family and for me.  I've been busy making travel plans to be with my family.  (Perhaps I can talk about that more later, but it's a little raw for me right now, so I'm not ready to talk about it.)  I'll fly out of Chicago to Arkansas to be with my family tomorrow.  Then, I'm back in town for four days and have to leave again for Ohio.  It's just lunacy.  The long and short of it is that I'm really having trouble keeping up with everything in my life right now.

Consequently, my Little Forest quilt still looks like this.  Well, not really.  I do have the quilt sandwich put together.  It's just not quilted yet.  I apologize for being so late.  I WILL do the drawings for prizes I owe you guys, and I will go look at your quilts.  I hope you understand, and I thank you in your advance for being so forgiving of me.

Want to hear a funny story?  Well, last week, I got an e-mail from a blogger friend who is on Twitter.  It said, "Really horrible blog post about you.  You'll want to see it.  Click here...."  I e-mailed her personally and asked her for the link, becuase the link wasn't working.  I didn't hear back from her for several hours, and during that time, I was thinking, "Oh, boy.  Someone in the Little Forest Quilt Along is really upset with me on how lame I've been as a hostess and is going after me online.  I can't believe they would do that to me.  It destroys my whole vision of how supportive and lovely everyone in blogland has been."  I felt disheartened by it all.  I've known some other people who've had nasty comments made on their blogs or mean blog posts about them.  I listened to them in tears about it.  I've said things like this to them, "Blow it off.  Don't attend that that rude stuff..." and so on.  But now the shoe was on my foot, and I was finding it tough to follow my own advice.  I really felt bad.

Well, then my blogger friend e-mailed me back and said, "Don't click that link.  It's a hoax.  I didn't send that.  It happened to a bunch of people on Twitter last night."

I can't tell you the wave of relief I felt.  My immediate thought was, "I need to tell people how awesome they've been for being tolerant of my delays on this Quilt Along and thank them for their graciousness toward me."  So, thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support, graciousness, and kindess.  You are all just great.

I wanted to show you something to show that I have been somewhat productive, despite my lack of blogging and sewing.

I finished my sweater vest!  Yes, an honest-to-God finish!  Remember I showed you when I started it (see this blog post here for that)?  It wasn't even that long ago!  LOL.  I really wanted to wear it on my trip to Iowa, so I did get it finished.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  I love it.  The wool is great in color and feel.  I like the lacey bottom on the vest, too.  I think it looks really good with jeans.  I linked to the yarn and pattern in my previous blog post about it, if you want that information.  The pattern is good and pretty easy to follow.  It is knit in the round, so the only thing you have to do when you are done with it is sew up the shoulder seams and then do some knitting around the neck opening.  Pretty straightforward.  I certainly recommend this yarn and fabric to anyone.

Now, I'm knitting a baby sweater for someone who's having a baby.  I'll show you that later.  It's too cute!

I had a GREAT time in Iowa.  There were about 30 of us former students who all studied with my mentor (some of those are current students) and who came for this award.  It was really a special and overwhelming night.  I'll show you some more photos of that later.  It was a fantastic trip.

Well, I need to run.  Again, I apologize for being behind and will try to get caught up, but it's just not possible right now.  I'm just trying to keep my head above water in my personal life and work.  Finishing the Little Forest Quilt is at the top of my list, however!

Hope you are all well.  I think the pincusion kits are about gone.  I need to respond to the remaining comments about that and get to you.  If you haven't heard from me yet, it just means that I haven't had time to respond to your comment yet.

Talk to you again soon!

Until next time,

Mama Pea

Comments

[Rene]

Hey Stephanie, your vest is gorgeous!!! Love your trees too. I got the same twitter message about a horrible blog post etc. Don't know how I heard it was a hoax as I haven't been online much lately but luckily somehow I knew to ignore the link. So glad you weren't able to open it. Take care and safe travels.

[Barbara Anne]

Hi Stephanie,

I popped over from Susan's UFO challenge and I LOVE your Little Forest quilt and your wizard vest! Well done!

My sympathy on the loss of your cousin Brian. Hugs!

Hope your schedule calms down soon as your life has certainly been a whirlwind recently.

No finish or work on UFOs from me. I'm making Christmas gifts first since October is nearly over.

Cheers!

[Linda]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your cousin, Stephanie. It sounds like you've been crazy. I've been wondering how you were. I wish you safe travels. Your sweater vest is beautiful. BUT you are the scene stealer. You look amazing! :-)

[Allie]

Stephanie....NO BLOG GUILT. That's an order. I'm so, so sorry about your cousin, sweetie. You just take the time you need, you hear me? You and your family come first.

I LOVE that sweater vest, it's so flattering and you wear it well - look how cute you are!!!

[Terri]

Ditto that, Allie: No guilt, Stephanie. You know your blogger-friends are the most supportive women EVER! And I agree with Linda...wowzer! You look fantastic! Looking forward to the Ohio visit!

[Jackie]

You are gorgeous... and the quilt is too cute for words... your daughter must love it!

[Candice]

Looking good, my friend!!! :)

[Lynn]

I've seen a button floating around titled "blogging without obligation." I've not ever taken the time to grab the button, but it is my general philosophy about blogging. This a hobby, not a job for you and I. Don't sweat it!

I'm so sorry about your cousin!

Your sweater looks awesome, as do you!

[Sue]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your family member. That is distressing and I will be praying for you all.

Your vest you made is lovely. I so wish I could do that!

[carolld]

Hey, Skinny. You look like you've lost weight! Love that vest and love your hair. It is so darling. Your little quilt will get finished soon enough. I'm with Allie...no blog guilt! Hang in there.

[Donna]

You have been very busy! So sorry about your cousin Brian.
Your quilt is adorable and the vest is the cutest! You did a great job. I love your hair too!

[sisLH]

Would a blackberry brandy help?
Sorry to have missed you Sat with papa and baby. Can't wait to shake those curls!

[Linda in Calif.]

I'm so sorry to hear about Brian, (((Hugs))) I'll be keeping you and your family in prayer. It's so hard when it's sudden - but God holds him now.

Your sweater vest is adorable!!! You did an excellent job, it looks great on you.

Well, you know life gets hectic sometimes and family comes first - not blogging and quilts. Take Care.

[Samantha K.]

So sorry to hear about your cousin. Sending prayers your way. And I wouldn't be one bit worried about keeping up with posts, replies, quilting, etc. When life happens, your family always comes first and others will understand. Hugs!

[Rosemary Dempster]

I am so sorry to hear about the death of your cousin. I hope you are able to connect with your family and that life calms down for you.