Saturday 25 September 2010

Don't faint !

Hello I am Andrea and I am a Quilter - lol.

You may be forgiven for not believing that statement due to the content of my blog recently. You may be aware I have been having terrible problems with my back - to cut a long story short it is apparently chronic sciatica nerve damage. Sounds impressive huh ? Anyway the pain has now moved from my lower back to my left leg - lol ! Which although not ideal is far less debillitating than the pain in my back. I am much more mobile, in less pain and more importantly have been able to use my sewing machine - hurray !!!


I have a free-ish day today and have big plans to sew some more. A neighbour is heavily pregnant ( due in a couple of weeks ) and I have it on good authority that she is expecting a girl. I have had a ton of ideas swimming round up top and off I trekked to my pretty pastels - lots of half-square triangles made.



I will show you progress soon but for now here is what I did with the off-cuts -





The whole thing measures 6 by 8 inches so really bitty bits - I normally throw them but because I was so chuffed to use my machine had some fun with these. DH Jason was very impressed - lol.

I also have started another charm quilt - more hexagons I'm afraid - why didn't anyone stop me !! Just been going through my stash and cutting ONE piece from each fabric and turning them into a hexie. Here's what 400 look like. Pictured next to my last charm quilt - 3D hexagons whish just happened to be on the end of my bed.


and here's the next batch ready - about 200 I think.



Much deliberating how I'm going to sew these together but just enjoying basting them for now. As the dark nights are drawing in ( much to my delight - I love Autumn and Winter ) I will have plenty of time to slowly work on these.


And talking of time something happened this week that will free me up A LOT. DH Jason has passed his driving test at the ripe old age of 38. It was his first attempt but boy was he dragging his heels to actually go for it. I have been driving him round for work for 2 years and it is a lovely feeling to see him toddle off by himself to his jobs. I feel like waving a flag every time I see him go - haha ! Well done love - about bl**dy time !!! More quilting time for me...



Sure I have more news but I am anxious to sew - just waiting to hang out some washing and I'll be away.


Thanks for your lovely comments and emails - I have managed to keep up my blog reading via Patricks iPod but haven't been on my pc to leave comments as it was too painful to sit on my chair. Hopefully things will improve in that department too - fingers crossed xxxxx

25 comments:

Gene Black said...

Glad to hear that the pain is less and you are more mobile. The worst part of back pain is how it debilitates you.
You have certainly lined up some projects!

Howdy said...

Ouch - back pain is... well a pain! Glad you are getting some relief. I had some issues a few years ago and just love, love, love, the Physical Therapist who figured out just the right twist, turn, pull move to straighten me out.

SandyQuilts said...

Oh dear I know exactly what you're going through. Mine started way back in 1968 when pregnant with my 1st child. It came and went until 3yrs ago when I landed on the couch for almost a year. PT didn't work for me. I finally got relief with injections ... it was so swollen inside that the medication flowed back out. Two rounds over a 6month period finally worked along with muscle relaxers. I know that sounds crazy but they worked for me. I also started an exercise program at the YMCA with a personal trainer to get stretched out. Of course, I'm alot older than you. I hate having to be so careful all the time but man I don't want to end on the couch again. Walking is good and stretching helps. Good luck and I hope things get better for you.

Elsie Montgomery said...

I am glad that you are getting some relief and hope the pain that moved from your back to your leg keeps going down, out your toes, and off to never-never land! And congrats for using all those bitty pieces. Is Welsh close to Scottish? If so, I understand totally why you didn't toss them all!

Roseanne said...

I now what back pain is all about. I am glad that you are filling a little better and you could get some sowing done.

claudia said...

So glad to see that you are at the sewing machine again. My hope is that you continue to improve, so you will FEEL better!
I suffer with various aches and pains due to my poor ol' aging body, I understand what you are saying.
That little pinwheel quilt is just adorable. You have such patience!
It's great to hear from you!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Andrea, so sorry to hear your back isn't any better. I had hoped it was. Your HST look wonderful and your mini quilt is too cute! Hang in there.

Linda Foley said...

As all the others said, OUCH! I know what back pain is like as well. If it were not for my Chiropractor, I'd be in a wheelchair today...

I've just joined your blog and as excitedly reading about quilting... I'm not a quilter but interested nonetheless and hope to become a quilter soon.

Pam said...

I am sorry to hear about your back problems - good to hear it is starting to get better. Chronic pain can be so terribly wearing on a person!! Nice to see you blog a bit here and there. I have totally slowed down on my blogging - but I still read a few here and there and spend more time sewing than reading - which I like better anyway :)) Get better soon!

julieQ said...

I am glad your pain is better...one back surgery later for me, and the sciatica is gone! Hope you don't have to go that far...you have been making great strides on the quilting front!

Chocolate Cat said...

Welcome back and welcome back to your sewing machine! Looks like you will more than make up for the time you spent away!! Glad you are having some relief from the pain. Wow - Congratulations to DH, that is a huge achievement!

Gail said...

Love the little quilt and your hexies will make a lovely quilt. I keep thinking about hexies but can't quite make myself commit! SO Glad to see you back!

Deb A said...

So glad the pain is less and you are able to sew. Love the new project and the little quilt is so adorable.

Sarah Nopp said...

Have you ever seen Keen brand shoes? They have made it possible for me to stand upright and cut things without having sciatica flare ups. Life changers, these shoes.

Ali Honey said...

Sorry you have been in pain. I do hope it continues to improve.
It's lovely to have you back blogging. Happy Sewing...aren't hexagon addictive!

Rhonda said...

Bless your heart...I hope you get to feeling better and better. My mom has that problem....she's trying that electric shock pad thingy.....seems to be working for now....take care.

black bear cabin said...

so nice to see you able to create again! and that mini, is amazing...super tiny :) you almost need to set something next to it for scale so folks believe you :)
and kudos to the hubby for finally getting his license...the freedom it will bring to both of you will be awesome!

Gina said...

I'm sorry that you are still in pain butI'm glad that you are getting more mobile.
Love that little mini quilt. I have a question. What do you use for the papers of your hexagons. I have an urge to a hexagon quilt so any tips will be gratefully received.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Quilter Kathy said...

Wonderful to hear your update!
Glad to hear you are doing some quilting even through the pain. Your mini is A D O R A B L E !!! How fabulous that you turned that fabric which would have been in the trash into such a cute quilt!

A Time for Stitching said...

It's lovely to see you here again and I'm glad your pain is more manageable.
You're certainly making up for lost time and I can't believe what similarities there are between what you and I are working on. I've recently posted about HST's and a few post ago made a mini quilt just like yours with cut-offs (only not quite so mini!)and my hexes are still on the go. I'm therefore extremely interested to see the results!!

Floss said...

Yeah, so glad that you are able to move around again. Enjoy your sewing.

And congrats to Jason, I have a friend that age and she thinks she too old to learn to drive, so good on him.

Jindi's Cottage said...

Love your itty bitty quilt...
Big ouch on the sciatica...hope it resolves soon...

*karendianne. said...

Love the delicious things you're working on and congrats on the driving for DH! Good news there. Drag to read about the back troubles. Those are terrible and require so much rest that it's very very challenging for The Quilter! Blast! I'm beaming good thoughts your way.

sewkalico said...

yahooo Jason! I can imagine easing up on the driving helps your back too!!! More hexies? naughty naughty lol

Unknown said...

Andrea, The pain you decribe sounds exactly like the one I used to have. Mine was caused from degenterive disks that caused the pain to go from my back and down my right leg. I used to get steriod shots in my spine and they helped for about 6 months at a time. Then I changed insurance and my new Dr. would not give them to me, saying they were really bad for me. He suggested I go to their chiropracter and I scoffed at him, because I was not a fan of them, but I agreed to try it out. Boy am I glad I did, I went to hi, 2 times a week for 3 months and I have not had any pain since then. It has now been 2 years. Have you ever considered a chiropracter?