February Two's Company Quilting Bee Blocks

This has been such a crazy busy month for me with traveling and goings-on at work.  I went to Florida the week before last for a few days to help my dad, who had surgery.  He's doing well, and the surgery wasn't serious.  He just needed some help for a few days.  I came back to Michigan, and we had graduate student interviews for two days, which was crazy.  Then, I had one day free.  During that day, I took a breather and sewed up my February blocks for the Two's Company Quilt Bee.

Jackie sent us the paper piecing pattern and the pre-cut background fabrics.  We were to add our own reds.  You might recall I said she had told us "the wilder the better" for the reds.  I took that as an excuse to go buy some nice wild reds, because I really didn't have many in my stash.  I blogged those purchases here.  I also picked up a couple more while I was in Florida, when I visited the Quilt Lover's Hangout again.  (See my blog post about that shop here.)  I think I got the wild fabric on the top triangle in the upper left-hand corner there, as well  as the middle triangle in the upper right-hand block.  I especially like that fabric.  It's reds, oranges, pinks, etc.  Cool.  It was fun to add these to my stash.  Makes my stash a lot more playful.

The only one I felt was not so effective was that cool oriental fabric I had gotten in that last major splurge.  When I cut it, it came out as sort of a solid red.  (It's the bottom triangle in that block on the lower left-hand corner.)  Oh well, a place for the eye to rest.

After my one opportunity to sew, I had to get on a plane to CA, which as I mentioned is where I am now.

If I haven't depressed you all enough, I thought I'd just let you know that another hard thing we've dealt with is that one of our cats died a couple of weeks ago.  When I was down in Florida, Papa Pea and Sweet Pea called me.  Sweet Pea was crying, because she and Papa Pea found her dead next to our shed.  It appeared she had gotten hit by a car, dragged herself home, and died next to our shed.  We are all really sad by this, because PJ was a really good cat.  Sweet Pea just loved her, and so did we.  PJ is the cat in the left-hand corner of this photo.

This photo was taken when we got home from Florida after Christmas.  We were having unseasonably warm weather, and Sweet Pea missed her animals so much while we were gone.  I was inside, unpacking, doing wash, etc.  I looked outside, and there was Sweet Pea, laying on the patio, snuggling with all of her animals.  She did this for about a half hour.

She and Papa Pea buried PJ out back, right next to poor old Piper.  We will miss PJ a lot.  Now, I wish we had one of her kittens that we gave away last year!

Maybe this gives you further insights into my melancholy mood lately.  I'm hanging in there and really appreciate all your kind comments.  Trying to keep in mind that life is really good, overall.  I really had a wonderful time spending some quality time with my dad in Florida.  How often to my dad and I get time together, just the two of us?  That was really nice.  Papa Pea and Sweet Pea are the lights of my life, and I do miss them when I travel so much.  I know that's contributing to my mood as well. 

And I need more sewing time!!!!

Have a wonderful day.

Until next time,

Mama Pea

 

Comments

[terriaw]

Aw Stephanie, I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty PJ. What a sad day, heartbreaking for all. We love our pets so very much, so my heart goes out to you and Sweet Pea. Lots of prayers and hugs!

[Shelly]

Wow! When it rains, it pours! Such a darling picture of Sweet Pea with her buddies. (That's sorta what I look like at chore time every day -- My Cowboy says that's why it takes me 3 times longer to do chores than it does him!)

[Deb]

Hi Stephanie ~ love that photo of Sweet Pea. Ya know, if she ever gets lonely when you're traveling, she could come and live with us--just drop her off on your way. :) I always enjoy reading about her when you blog (she might have a good idea about church...just sayin'). Sorry to hear about your pet loss...we don't have kitties, but I can imagine how it would be if it happened to our doggy. My thoughts are with you as you all heal from losing PJ. And...I LOVE your REDS!!! I've never paper-pieced before, but couldn't you do these same flying geese w/o using paper-piecing? But maybe that was the lesson--to learn how. I'll have to try it. I always enjoy your posts even when I don't comment. :)

[Sue]

Your blocks are quite lovely! I love the reds!

[Jana]

Losing a pet is so hard. Hugs to you!

[Colleen]

Stephanie,
I'm so sorry that you are having a hard time right now. I'm thinking of you and sending mental hugs across the ocean.
xxx

[Allie]

Oh hon, I'm so glad your dad's ok, and that you got to spend time with him. You need to slow down, girl!! I hope you can stop all the traveling for a bit, it sounds like you're really missing being home.

Your block is just lovely, hon.

[Maggie Szafranski]

We must have passed each other! Loving the blocks, I love flying geese!

[maggie Robinson]

Hi Stephanie,
Oh my goodness... so sorry to hear about the kitty... So hard to lose a pet...
I can't believe how much you travel and still have time to get your sewing done!I get out of breath just thinking about it!
Take care now and enjoy each day to the fullest
xoxo
((((hugs))))
Maggie

[Linda in Calif.]

You did an excellent job on your blocks. I really like those reds. Sorry to hear about your kitty. I really don't know how you do it all. Your life really is busy. Also, I'm glad your dad is doing okay.

[Terri]

I wish you could get one one hundreth of the joy and happiness you give others when you need it most! You'd be flying high!