Amy of parkcitygirl is hosting a Blogger's Quilt Festival October 9-16. Just pick any one quilt you've made and blog about what it meant to you. There'll be prizes involved, too. I just love prizes, don't you!?! On another note, it's day 35 of my surgery recovery and it's all great. I'll post a pic soon.

I've been recovering from surgery...

Well, I haven't posted because I've been recovering from surgery and haven't done any sewing. I had a nip tuck on August 19th. These are the before and after pictures, taken from my iPhone. The after is 18 days after a lower face lift and eye tuck. Yes, I know, it is an unnecessary vanity surgery. But, after losing a lot of weight I felt my face kind of fell and, you know, when your favorite dress is too big you give it a few stitches, insert a couple of darts, and boom, you're back in business. That's what my surgeon did for me. I'm now at day 27 and less swollen than in this picture, but you get the drift. It is a big change. Overall, I'm happy with the results. It was not painful, but it really isn't for the faint of heart. It kind of messes with you when you look in the mirror and you're swollen, or you feel that you don't look like you. Now that the swelling is down, I look like I did in my 30's and I'll be 49 in a few months. I admire people who sew and my surgeon, Dr. Jeanette Martello, is the best. You can't even see her tiny stitches around my ears! And her bedside manner--to be admired! Oh, well. I hope you all don't think it too weird. I know it's vain. My excuse--I'm cuban. We're a bit vain!!!

Apon and Quilt Top...

Hurray! Here's my cute little refashioned apron! It was a bit long (still looking dress-ish) and I didn't want to cut and hem so I folded up the bottom 6" and sewed it up onto the front. Then, I sewed three lines making four divided pockets. I'm so pleased with myself! I watched "A Town Without Pity", an awesome 1961 movie with Kirk Douglas and Robert Blake while finishing up my projects. Tagline: The story of what four men did to a girl...and what a town did to them! Really good movie. Now here's my completed OldRedBarn quiltalong quilt top. I love the fabrics. I haven't decided if I want borders or not. I'll play around with some fabrics, then decide.

I won! and Updates...I love Julie Kundhi!

First, I want to thank Chase for her fun giveaway! She made these awesome paperdolls using snippets fabric. I think my lovely niece Fiona would give my prize a great home! I can't wait for it to arrive. I'm going to try out the paper doll tutorial and make some more. Check out her blog PageLyraHandmade-she's very creative and has a fun spirit!
Well, I've been putting together my oldredbarnquiltalong top. I'll post a pic when I get further along. For today I'm posting a peak at an apron I'm making. I have a blogcrush on JulieKundhi. She's a genius! She upcycles clothes in awesome ways, and I specially love the apron she refashioned. But what I really love about her is that she changed the way I view things. I look at clothing differently now.




Just because it's a jacket doesn't mean it can't be turned into a messenger bag! And, just because it's a dress doesn't mean it can't be turned into an apron. Here's a sneak peak at my Salvation Army $2 dress that I'm turning into an apron! I'm adding fabric that I cut from a JoAnn's $2 per yard special. I just have to sew up the sides and add the waistband/ties (in the blue and yellow print that will match the neck strap.) I'm in love!

Rae Gun Ramblings: Giveaway: 3.5 inch Fabric Square Pack

Rae Gun Ramblings: Giveaway: 3.5 inch Fabric Square Pack If you like japanese fabrics, run on over and put your name in for this giveaway! The fabrics are oh so cute!

Back from Denver

I'm home now. We sent my beloved Abuela off into the next life with love and unity. My siblings and I joined my aunt, uncle, cousins, neiece, and friends for several days of remembrance, fun, and togetherness, culminating in an uplifting funeral service, reception, and next day family picnic. I've hung on to something the priest said--that no matter how far away we are, we should make my Abuela proud by being a united family. We certainly succeeded in that this weekend and I hope we will continue to make her proud by sticking together no matter what. Here we are right after the funeral service. All together. Abuela would be proud! And here's a picture of my beautiful Abuela. I imagine that's how she looks now, sweet and at peace with herself. Well, since I'm back at home I'm gonna snuggle my two kitties and my dog, and spend time with my human family, and friends. And, I've got work to do. I haven't put together either of my quiltalong tops so that will be the first order of business. Then, I want to get onto the vintage sheet quilts with my daughter and sister in law. I'm happy. We did good. And now, the quilting will be good. As my cuban Abuela would say--"Eez too bee-u-ti-ful!!!" and "I luv yew!" I love you, too, Abuela!

Abuela's Quilt

I haven't posted in a while because my Abuela (grandmother) was very ill and she passed away a few days ago. She lived in Denver and I made the trip on June 19th, stayed for a week, and am going back in a few days. I'm at home creating a video and eulogy that I'll deliver for her funeral. My Abuela was an amazing woman, who wanted to be a star since she was a little girl in Cuba. She became a dancer, and travelled all over South America in a dance troupe. In her honor, I thought it fitting that I post my favorite of the few quilts I've made since I made it for my beloved Abuela. It's a log cabin pattern inspired by a spanish dancer's shawl. Since my Abuela's dance repertoire included flamenco, the shawl was my inspiration. I love the way the fields and furrows layout gives the quilt movement, like an embroidered shawl wrapped around a swaying dancer. A flamenco dancer stamps the ground to represent the earth, and reaches her hands up, to represent the heavens, so I used black for the earth, and white for the heavens. The flowers are so typically spanish, representing the pretty embroidery on a shawl. I'm so happy I made this quilt for her. I'll always think of my Abuela, the beautiful spanish dancer, and the quilt I made her.