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Normal service has been resumed!

Tuesday, September 25th, 2012

Phew! I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to wake up this morning with all traces of the headache from hell gone. It almost felt like that wonderful moment after giving birth when the pain finally stops. Apologies if I’ve just put you off your lunch, but after 36 hours of feeling like someone was drilling into my skull it feels so good just to be back to being normal again. Thanks so much to all of you who wrote to wish me a speedy recovery – you are all lovely, you know!

On top of being headache-free, today turned out to be one of those glorious clear as a bell, crisp autumn mornings, so by 9 I was in the garden in my wellies and tackling the jungle. I have two compost heaps, but I don’t like to put any nasties of the pernicious weed variety in them and to be honest there’s just too much stuff to compost it all, so I’m quite fanatic about filling my big green bin every week for the collection on Tuesdays. We pay by the bin, (and being Switzerland it ain’t cheap) so I like to stuff that bin full to within an inch of it’s life. By 10 the bin was full and had been dragged out to the roadside and I’d made a very satisfying cleared area within one of the bigger beds. I try really hard to get as much done as possible before the autumn school holidays because about then we get our first frosts and then it all turns into a disgusting soggy mess – and it gets really cold for garden work. I’m a big wuss when it comes to cold and soggy and then I feel really bad when the spring bulbs have to battle their way through all the slime in the spring!

That done and feeling very virtuous, I let myself have a little Bear Paw time. I love this fabric and the pattern – the blocks are slow and fiddly and they have a real dusky rose old-fashioned feel to them. Old-fashioned patchwork at it’s best. I’m seriously thinking hand-quilting, which will take me forever, but do you know what? I don’t care. I need a bit of slow and steady in my life right now!

The postman brought me two more Sea Glass blocks from the Sew Euro-bee-an bee….this time from Christine in Germany – thanks Christine!! This project is turning out really well. I love the way everybody is improvising and every block has its own character, but they come together so well. I can’t wait to see the rest. This is the first time I’ve put a toe outside my comfort zone for a bee – and it’s been such fun!

Now it’s back to the decluttering for me. Boy does that feel good too!

Have a lovely afternoon ladies! I hope you get to enjoy some sunshine!

Helen

9 Responses to “Normal service has been resumed!”

  1. Gertie Pye Says:

    I love both of these quilts in progress! Are you going to do sashing on the bear claws? I think the different interpretations on the sea glass definitely makes it more interesting. I especially like the occasional pink squares hiding in there.

  2. Elisabeth Says:

    Your Bear Paw’s are gorgeous! They do have this slightly old-fashioned feel I love.
    The Bee blocks look great together. I have to go into town to buy a fabric marker as I only have the disappearing variety at home and that just wouldn’t do. As soon as I’ve done that I’ll get my blocks in the post for you.

  3. Julie Says:

    Both quilts are exquisite Helen! You still haven’t asked for my mailing address…I guess I’ll just email it to you. šŸ˜‰ xxoo

  4. Jennifer Says:

    So sorry to hear that you have had a rough few days — but glad to hear to that you are feeling better now. Both of these projects are beautiful! I partially hand quilted a ing-sized bear paw quilt, and it was very satisfying…although I did cave and use the machine for straight line quilting of the sashing. Whatever kind of quilting you feel motivated to do on this project, it is going to be stunning! Enjoy!

  5. Vreni Says:

    Poor you! Although I don’t suffer from migraines I do know how bad they can get as my husband has them from time to time. Not fun. But judging from the sewing you’ve done you are definitely on the mend. Love both your WIP equally!

  6. diane stanley Says:

    Glad you are feeling better and you are back to your creative self. Cleaning out the old garden is always my least favorite job of gardening. Ours is still standing as a memorial to what was this summer. ALl dried and shriveled up.

  7. Nicole Says:

    Bear Paws are looking dreamy! So glad you are over the migraine. I used to get those until I got pregnant with my second child. The doc told me sometimes a big hormonal shift can have an effect on women who get migraines. So that’s what you need to do, get pregnant.

  8. Katy Says:

    Yay for bouncing back! I fear I’m sinking, I had to have a 2 hour nap after work tonight, bloody colleagues and their bloody germs!

    Blocks are looking fab though!

  9. Elaine Says:

    Both are gorgeous pieces Helen – beautiful and unique. Migraines are horrid, aren’t they? So glad to hear you’re on the mend!