First Post-Op Post

This is the last project I got sewn up before I went in for day surgery on Monday. It's one of the two birthday gifts for this month. 

It's a child size reversible apron! A really sweet, easy free pattern too. I found it while surfing around loading up my bookmarks with things to read, watch and do for after my surgery.  You can find this pattern by Heather Mulder Peterson at her blog Children's Fat Quarter Apron. You'll have to scroll down a bit in the post, but you can enjoy pics of her sweet baby, new fabric line and Christmas too!

I wanted to share this photo to show you where the apron ties go. They go through beneath the arm openings and then tie above the waist at the back. I thought this was pretty ingenious and am probably not explaining it the best this morning. There is no pic showing the back of the apron on the pattern so I wanted to help out anybody else who needs the visual to make sense of the words (again, not really sure I did that here LOL)

My surgery was a long time coming. A large cyst was found in my uterus in December. I had laparoscopic surgery to remove my left ovary and the offending cyst.

 I know I am not alone in coming to quilting due to health issues. 

Almost 17 years ago I was diagnosed with endometriosis and it was quilting that saw me through some very dark and challenging times. This cyst was a result of that disease. I am very grateful to be sitting here as a quilter with 2 beautiful children and a life that brings me happiness and personal fulfillment. These past few days of being still and needing help with almost every daily chore have made me grateful for all that has come my way. The love of my family and the care and concern of my friends at Pat Sloan's Quilt Mashup Forum have been invaluable. 

So has the internet! Who knew I could find so much to lose myself in and then find myself all over again! Handstitching and finding simultaneous affirmation of it through Kathy's post with a link to Creative Bug and Pat Sloan's radio show with one of the artists featured on Creative Bug, Rebecca Ringquist just made the blanket stitching that much more rewarding a pursuit.
It was this week's radio show - you can see Pat's post and get the link here.

What else has got me through? Listening to Jamie Ridler's podcast with Eric Maisel at 1 a.m. helped me find solace in a sleepless night.

I worked on this while listening to Tula Pink (same radio show) - she makes me want to explore and push my boundaries when it comes to quilting. A fun challenge to take up for sure! I decided that my first round of light blue blanket stitching wasn't quite funky enough for this teacup so I added a second round! This round matches the red dot in the background fabric. The double blanket stitching really gave this cup texture - I may be tempted to go back and do this to the rest of them!


Thanks for listening today. I am healing. And creating!
Hoping to get down to my fabrics today as there are BLOCKS to plan - but that's another post:)

With Joy,
Sarah Vee