Marilyn, I had not heard of it either. I clicked on the links and it looks great. I especially like the needle wallet, Lois. Thanks for showing it to us.

Bionic gear bag ?? Did I miss this somewhere?

Onward. The freezer paper templates and background fabric has been purchased for Gabe's quilt. The blue is background, yellow/cat, reds/seamonster/dragon and green/lizard.




This weeks deed was done so I had play time. Completed www.ripstitcher.com 's Needle Wallet which will go inside my Bionic Gear Bag.








I have the Bionic Gear Bag cut out and have started quilting the exterior. It's ready to go when I get the fabrics cut into useable segments, starched and pressed. Then I have to solve some logistical problems regarding working with such large appliqué pieces. Normally, If I didn't have this carrot on the stick in front of my face, I'd be procrastinating worrying about those problems. I am finding I find creative solutions to those kind of things more easily while I am working on an easier/shorter project. Here's the fabric for the Bionic Bag.

Oh dear Annis it is hard for.you. I wasn't aware of functional doctors though after reading it up there is a lot going for the principle and I think our healthcare in the UK would benefit from them.

In our hospitals, the ones I know anyway the consultants are so specialist they only treat one system/speciality and I hear of no end of reports of people having to go back through their GP to access another doctor for a side effect caused by the first treatment or a conflict in diagnosis.

I hope your daughters tests show no serious problem and something that can be resolved and her health improves. Poor soul sounds like she's had a rough time.

Lorna and Annis I'm so sorry to hear that family are poorly and send you hugs and prayers.
Pam

Wendy, my DD was feeling better yesterday morning and was able to eat the lunch I took her. Today her DMIL is helping with the kids. I'm at my country home choosing quilting designs for my next 4 projects. Her illness is a long story and I don't want to get into details but the worst of it started in mid December after she dyed her hair and then went downhill from there. She's had digestive issues for some years before that and had plans to start seeking answers again in the new year but wasn't expecting her body to crash before the new year arrived. The functional medicine doctor has her on a treatment plan for "leaky gut" which she has just now started, but she's been trying to get other opinions in case there is something else going on since she's been so ill. She is still waiting on some lab results and has several specialists that she may see in the next month. Most of the doctors don't think it has anything to do with a possible toxic reaction to the hair dye. One of the doctors started out the visit by saying functional medicine and similar doctors are all quacks and went on and on about that. Then at the end he said if there were no answers she would have to learn to live with it. We couldn't wait to get that visit over with and had a hard time keeping our composure. I wonder what my mother would have said if she'd been there. She spent most of her life going to "that type of doctor".

Lorna sorry to hear about your grandson it must be so hard for you being so far away, I'm sure your daughter can feel your support wherever you are.

Annis your family are so bad you need to wrap them all up in cotton wool. I hope things improve quick and she gets her knee replacement. How is your daughter, is she still very ill?

Terrie, I can just picture your DGD on you knee. It reminds me of one of my DGS, about 4 yrs old, helping me to machine embroider a costume for a play. I would let him push the start button and he was thrilled. He is 8 now and has his own Featherweight sewing machine. Yes, he sews and pieces quilts. Wonderful to have him interested. I hope he stays interested. His 10 yr. old sister has a Singer 301 (I think). It is in a cabinet with a knee control so she doesn't have to worry that she can barely reach the floor. The 2 older girls have machines, but do not do much sewing anymore. Teenagers have other priorities. They both have their own fabric stashes, so there is still hope. You know, the call of the fabric!!

Terrie, I can just picture your DGD helping you sew on your knee. You know you should have a picture of that. What a lovely memory that would be. Besides, we all should have a picture of that too. Hint. Hint.

Turnips are the general term for swedes, rudabagas, mangle wurzels here in Ireland. Swedes are usually only referred to if the turnip is very small and white.

Lorna, so sorry to hear about your grandson. I really hope things are under control now. It must be such a worry. I am sure you will be much happier when you are back in the States.

Terrie, your jumper would be what we would call a pinafore and it's what we wore to school too. A 'frock' was always only a summer dress or a lightweight party dress. Isn't it funny how the same words can be used slightly differently? Loved hearing about your granddaughter on your knee 'helping' you. I reckon she has the bug already.

Sorry to hear or your troubles, Annis, I hope things fall into a peaceful balance very soon. And, Lorna, Yup, it's hard when distance makes 'being there' for our family or friends quite a challenge. Do you have Skype or Face time?

Prayers for both of you and your unwell family members.Don't forget to take care of yourselves.

I've been babysitting for a several days this week and I am tired, but not exhausted. What a wonder how things improve with time! Got some sewing done with my almost-3 year old GD who 'helped' me, by passing the pins and sitting on my knee and pressed the reverse button when needed while sewing. She also loved my grid-ruler and counted all the numbers. Reminded me of driving on my daddy' knee when I was a little girl His foot on the pedal, and "I" was driving the car! She helped make herself a jumper (not the British kind, which we call a sweater,) but the kind of "frock" with no sleeves or collar that you wear a blouse under. Like our old school uniforms. It's so nice to have a couple of girls to sew for - and her mom can cook, but not sew, so I really need to teach that you gal how to sew. Almost three is not too early! I learned so much from just watching watching watching my mom, and was sewing very early on.

Lorna, it must be hard being so far away from family. Hope you get some quilting time soon. Quilting truly is our therapy.

Lorna, thanks for the translation. Sounds like you and Annis are having a 'right go of it' with one thing after another. Hope things settle down for you both soon.

Lorra congratulations on your finish.

I will be praying for Annis' family and also for Lorna's. I too have a GS with type one who also has Downs Syndrome. It can be a great challenge to take care of him. I guess we all have our loads to bare.
I finally finished stitching the binding on my January quilt. For my January challenge I just wanted to get the top finished so I feel I am ahead of the game. I am half way finished with the piecing on my Feb. UFO and hope to have it quilted by the end of the month. Still have work to do on the dreaded taxes also.