The End of an Era

Well, that's it. I'm now officially a retired person. It is a very strange feeling, partly like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders and partly some anxiety about the future. I have been in school, university or working since I was 5 years old ( with the exception of two 5 months breaks for maternity leave) so this is very novel.
It's also strange cleaning out 20 years worth of accumulated rubbish from my office. I  had never thrown out all the old lectures/teaching sessions on overheads or slides, even though they had been superseded by Power Point and online learning. I had collected shelves worth of old research papers, teaching handouts, academic journals etc. It was very liberating to throw it all in the bin.

I had a lovely send off  with this wonderful cake, which unfortunately Mr Hare couldn't resist, so I haven't got any before photos.

 

The red ball in the middle is meant to be a pin cushion and it did have the most wonderfully crafted pins on it  which unfortunately got knocked off on the trip home. As you can see, it's absolutely brilliant! We did not eat it all ( it was huge!) so I took it back to work for everyone to have a share.

 

 

I also had a fantastic bunch of flowers, which again I forgot to photograph, so here they are a few days later:

 

 

 

 

They had kindly made a collection for me and I was given a huge wodge of cash. I have already spent most of it on quilty things! I ordered some fabric which has yet to arrive  but these goodies have arrived:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will have a meal out with all my colleagues at a later date.

 

 I have been frantically trying to revalidate , so I could go and do VSO or other work abroad. The GMC in it's wisdom has declared all doctors have to revalidate every 5 years. This is an entirely paper ( well computer) exercise and will not stop any future Harold Shipmans. Unfortunately, my number came up in the first tranch so I have been jumping through all the necessary hoops. I had my final appraisal on my last day. All my patient reviews are in and I'm just waiting for the 360 degree multisource feedback from my colleagues. I had done a few for colleagues before I left and quite honestly anyone would have to be seriously bad not to get a good review.  Anyway, I hope that it will all be done in time. My revalidation date is mid May, so I should be alright.

 

All this paper work has left little time for sewing, but I hope to rectify that in the next few weeks.

 

 



 



Sibling Together March Block

 

I'm queen bee in March for the Sibling's Together Bee organised by the wonderful Lynne of Lily's Quilts.  My fabric is Storybook by Katie and Birdie ( kindly donated by Moda ).

The block I'd like my fellow bee'ers to make is the block from The Original Happy Quilting  quilt a long : http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.co.uk/p/quilt-longs.html. The tutorial is at the bottom of the page but is quite drawn out , so I will include a small tutorial here.

Included in your packet should be 20x 5inch squares and 1 plain 14inch square. Use 16 of the squares to make a 16 patch and put 4 squares to one side for now. I strongly recommend that you use a lot of starch at this point.

 

 

Then cut the 16 patch across in both directions diagonally ( quite hard as the hypotenuse is longer than my 24 inch ruler).

 

 

 

Next step is to rearrange the four quarter triangles to make 2 squares.

 

 





 

 

Sew these together and  you should have 2 x 12 3/4 squares. The starch prevents the bias edges from stretching.

 Set these aside  for now, and cut your 14 inch square across both ways diagonally. In Melissa's tutorial she uses a 13 inch square but I found it to be too skimpy. Again, I would use lots of starch here!

 

 

Then take your 4 remaining 5inch squares and draw a line on the diagonal

 

 

Next pin your 5 inch square to the corner of each solid quarter triangle and sew along the marked line.

 

 

 

Repeat on all four corners and trim off excess fabric.

 

 

You will also have fabric to make 4 HST's

 





 



                                    

Arrange the 4 corners around one of the 12 3/4 blocks

 

Sew the corners to the block

 

 

 

Your finished block should measure 18 inches square ( 17.5 finished size).

 

 





 

 

I'd be grateful if you would send me the other 12 3/4 square when you return the block, so I can either make more blocks or use them for the back. I have some fabric left so I may be able to make another quilt for ST as well.

 



 

Happy sewing!





My first finish of 2014

 

Joining the FAL is obviously working as I've made my first finish, though probably the easiest one on my list. I managed to get my VW cushion done.

 

 

It isn't really as wonky as it looks, just that I didn't have the correct size for the cushion pad. The one I've used is 2 inches too small ( 18 inch squared as opposed to the necessary 20 inch squared).

 

After wrestling with the piping, I couldn't face putting in a zip, concealed or otherwise, so I just made a simple envelope for the back.

 

 

 

 

The backing is a Michael Miller fabric called 'We come in Peace' and conveniently featuring VW vans and some non-scary aliens. So this is going to a colleague called Gaynor who is going to auction it  at a VW fan club to raise money for charity.

 

Cushion Stats:18 inches square

 

Front made using Tula Pink VW pattern heavily modified to be the same as a photo Gaynor sent me. Base fabric Kona cotton in Teal and Aqua. VW made from scraps. Front quilted in straight lines 1/2 inch apart using a grey Aurifil 50w

 

Back in Michael Miller's 'We come in Peace'.

Piping in Robert Kaufmans Spot On in orange 

 

 





 

2014 FAL list of shame

 

I've decided it's about time to try and finish all my projects and so what better than a finish along with Katy. As I was compiling my list (which I'm ashamed to say is not totally comprehensive!) I realised that this is going to be very long, so please bear with me. There is no way I can finish all of these in one quarter but I'm hoping that just compiling the list will spur me on. Sooo:

1)Sparkle Punch Quilt

I can't even remember when I made this. The back is done, just needs quilting and binding

2)Quilt for Helena

Top is done, the back is half finished, then needs quilting and binding.

3)Lois's Quilt

 

These were my Bee block choice from FQR Kinky Bee 2012. All the blocks are done but need to be sewn together. I have bought the back ( extra wide botanics-lush!) , then will need quilting and binding.

 

4)Grace's Quilt

 



I made this quilt top for Harri's then girlfriend Grace, 4 years ago. She chose the colours. It's been languishing ever since. I decided to make it double sided and use mod mosaic blocks on the back. These are done, just needs the back finishing, then quilting and binding.

5) Star Bee Blocks

 

This Bee was a disaster. Four of the participants kept my fabric and didn't return it and a fifth participant sent the fabric back ( my month was March 2013!)  So I have 14 blocks and need to make at least another 6 minimum before I can continue. I have bought the backing fabric, so just need to do it!

6)Disappearing Nine Patch Blocks

 

 

I have all the blocks for this one, but I'm not loving it, so going to the bottom of the pile and maybe destined eventually as a charity quilt. This is a shame as the colours are fab.

 

7)Random Stars Blocks

 

 

 

 

I started this eons ago and even joined the Lucky stars BOM 2013 and now 2014. I haven't made one of the BOM's . So I need to do a few more blocks and then we'll see.

 

8)Red and White Sampler Quilt

 





I'm not loving this one much either. It needs more blocks and then I'll see.

9)Madlen's Scrappy Trip Around the World

 

 

Blocks are all made for this one. I just need to sew them together. I've got the back , so just needs quilting and binding.

 

10)Siblings Together Quilt

 

 



 Just need to quilt and bind this one before July

11) It's a Wonderful World.

 

 

The fabulous Bumbling Honey's made me some wonderful blocks for this quilt. I'm really loving this one, so working away at making a few more blocks before assembling it.

 

12) Kaffe Fassett Quilt

 

 

 

I foolishly decided to hand quilt this one. Once I've finished my hexagon stars ( see below) then I might get back to it.

 

13)EPP Hexagon Stars Quilt

 

 

This was started in March/April last year and is my retirement quilt. I have five full stars and two half stars to make, then sew them all together, quilt and bind. I already have the backing. I'm wanting to finish this by the end of March, but I have a lot of annual leave left ( and some skiing to do) so I'll see.

14)Economy Block Top

 

 

I have the backing for this one too, so just need to quilt and bind it.

 

15)Scrap Vomit for Lydia

 

 

 

Blocks all done, need sewing together, quilting and binding. I've got the back for this as well.

 

16) Oakshott Bolster

 

 

 

I started this last winter and had underestimated how much smaller it becomes when you use the lil' twister blocks. So it ended up too small. It needs quite a bit more adding before it will be big enough as a draught excluder for our French doors.

 

17) VW Cushion

 

 

 

A work colleague asked me to make this for charity. I've just got to make it into a cushion ( with binding).

 

18)Super Tote Bag

 

 

I 'made ' this QAYG fabric ages ago, just never got round to making the bag. Pattern is bought, just have to do it.

 

19)Lucien's Quilt

 



 

I have all the fabric bought for this quilt, including the back but have only made one block. Quite a lot to do then!

 

20) Oakshott Quilt

 

 

Again, I have all the fabric for this quilt top ( but not the back) but have only made one block. Not really any realistic prospect of getting any further in the immediate future.

 

 

I think that's the lot for now. I've realised that I need to do another post like this for knitting projects!!! Realistically, I'm hoping that I get numbers 13,14,16,17 and 18 done this quarter.

 

 

 



 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



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2014 : A new beginning.

2014 is certainly going to be a momentous year for me. Firstly, I turn 60 in just over 5 weeks. I have also made the decision to retire from work and become a lady of leisure. After 35 years as a doctor,  25 of these as a consultant, I've just had enough. The NHS is creaking at the knees and moral is very low. I really miss the excitement of Intensive Care but the long hours over many years have  worn me out. Mr Hare is not impressed!  He's going to carry on working for a while, perhaps another year and then have a rethink. So, from 1st April I'll be footloose and fancy free. I can't wait!
We still have a lot of work to do on the house  which will be easier to organise if I'm not working. And think of all those quilt tops that I will now be able to finish.  Like this:

 

 

And this:

 

 

 



So, I'm going to join Katy's FAL and try to reduce the number of WIP's. I'm also going to attempt a fabric diet as I have enough fabric to start a shop and have forgotten what some of it looks like.

Show your Joe

This was causing controversy in USA but I think it's hilarious fun.

Random observations ( USA related)

Well we are back from our holiday road trip ( Atlanta to Houston in 2 weeks).We had a very relaxing time, eating too much, drinking slightly less, though I may have had one too many Hurricane cocktails in Pat O'Briens in New Orleans ,while watching the duelling pianos.

 We also managed a little retail therapy ( it was Black Friday whilst we were there).It was unexpectedly cold, so we both had to buy a fleece and a jacket ( quelle dommage!). I won't bore you with any more  details. We visited a number of tourist destinations: Mister Hare developed a passion for Civil War History and made me go round an Oil Rig museum ( definitely the low point of the holiday).Some of the other touristy things like Graceland and the Nasa Space Centre, Houston were more interesting.



NASA Space Centre , Houston

 

 



Anyway, just a few random minor observations

1)When driving in the USA, as well as driving on the right hand side of the road( always disconcerting) drivers on dual/multi lane roads can overtake on both the outside and inside lanes. This leads to some Kamikaze moments when cars are weaving in and out of slower cars. Plus, there are the same number of middle/ and outside lane hoggers, who manage to drive in such a way that they are not quite overtaking the car in the inside lane so both lanes are blocked by slow moving cars.

2) In the UK the ground floor is counted as zero, the next floor up the first floor etc. Not so in the USA- the ground floor is floor one and what we would call the first floor is the second floor. Weird!

3) In the UK we write the date as day , month , year. For some inexplicable reason in USA they write the date as month, day , year. Why?

4) We don't celebrate Thanksgiving, so we totally underestimated the effects this would have. We did a lot of driving that day but couldn't find anywhere open to have lunch. Even the Macdonald's were closed, I suppose like Christmas here. In the evening nearly all the restaurants were closed, and those that were open were all fully booked . So Thanksgiving was a starvation day for us!

5) The Peabody Hotel in Memphis has a tradition dating back to the 1930's where real live ducks are led into the fountain in the middle of the hotel at 11.00, where they swim until 17.00 when they are escorted out again  to their residence on the roof of the hotel.

 

I have a video to share but can't work out how to place it in this post, so it will just have to stand alone in the next post