Well, Boys and Girls, it looks like my posts are getting less frequent, rather than more often like I was hoping. Lots of work happening behind the scenes here, with not much crafty goodness. BigDaddy came home from the hospital last week and it’s been slow going. MyDadLovesMeBestSister and I have been busy busy managing Dr. appointments, caregivers, and just spending time with MeMum and BigDaddy — not to mention our day jobs. Thanks to many of you for the sweet e-mails — it seems that several of you are in a similar boat and working hard to help parents.
After my last post, Wendy left a heartwarming comment that I found very comforting. In case you missed it and you’re also caring for someone, I thought I’d share her words of wisdom:
“I have had a hand in caring for someone who is ill also. It’s amazing how much time is consumed, and how you can feel like you have accomplished so little. But it isn’t true, bedside sitting is invaluable, and is an intangible benefit to the patient. I have always been in healthcare, and you can see the difference when patients have the support of loved ones around them. You can’t put a price tag on it, but its value is often overlooked. Sometimes it helps to have a visual result (like a hand-knitted sweater and a loved one on the mend) to “quantify” the value of one’s efforts. Am I making sense? I have recently been working on “teaching” someone I love how to be a calm and peaceful bedside companion. It can feel so helpless, when you want to be “doing Something”. It can be important to realize that “Being There” *is* “Doing Something”.”
Thanks Wendy — you’re a peach!
Wendy’s peptalk really puts things into perspective and I know that there will be plenty of time for sewing and knitting. For now, I’m content to sneak in a quilt block here or there. I’ve always wanted to make a Union Jack quilt and I’ve been collecting fabrics. When the British Invasion line from Riley Blake arrived, I thought I’d make a few blocks and play. I’ve seen several patterns and I wanted one that was proportionally correct so, I’m using the pattern in the January/February 2014 McCall’s Quilting magazine.
The four quadrants of each block are paper pieced. I’ve probably never told you that I detest … urm … HATE paper piecing. It’s so fiddly and slow and wastes fabric. But, I can’t see any other way to piece all those little strips with any hope of getting them remotely even. So, paper piecing it is. VERY slow. I want to make 32 blocks, so this will be a long term project for me!
Okey Doke — I’m on night duty tonight, so I’m outta here. Oh — if you’d like some British Invasion for your fabric stash, I have a few fat quarter packs left in my little shop.
XOXO,
Anna
I’ve missed you but suspected the reason for your absence. Hope you’re taking care of yourself, as well!
Your Union Jack blocks are wonderful ~ they have been on my list for a long time but unlike you, have remained there. :-(
Thank you for sharing Wendy’s special comment. I can see you’re having fun with those Union Jack blocks, even if you don’t like paper piecing. :)
Wendy’s comment is brilliant – and true. It’s really hard to remember when you’re the one sitting there thinking that you’re not doing anything to help that the “just being there” is helpful. Love the UJ blocks. :o)
What good words Wendy shares with you (and us). Thank you for that. God bless your time with BigDaddy and Memum. The Union Jack blocks are great!
Wendy’s comment is perfect. Going to send it to my two daughters just getting into healthcare. Your Union Jacks are awesome. That does look a little tedious but it’ll be accurate. Good luck!
Wendy has stated some very wise words – invaluable! Love your Union Jack blocks. Thinking of you all. Hugs x
ooohh oooh i want some British Invasion!!! I’ve been seeing it pop up everywhere. Send me one! Love your Union Jack blocks. You’re a rock star getting this done amidst work and caring for your BD. We heart Wendy. She wins the best commenter award. i know that i’m usually the one who wins, but i’m passing my crown over to wendy.
have a good night!!!
good to see you for a moment.
:waves madly while noticing wendy’s sparkly crown
Wendy really put into words what anyone who has “been there” has been faced with.
Love your Union Jack blocks really fun and they don’t look easy.
Hang in there –
Can I add an Amen to Wendy’s comment? You are doing a wonderful, loving service and that never goes “unrewarded”. And I love your blocks. The color is wonderful and just so patriotic…no matter what side of the pond you live on.
Hang in there. Thinking of you today and every day. Hope things are a “new normal” soon.
Anna, hope Big Daddy is mending. It’s a hard road-this aging process. Been there. Hang I there. I know you’re appreciated. Your Union Jack is going to be great!
Wise words indeed! I can imagine it’s not an easy time for you (and your family) at present, but one day you look back and you’ll be grateful, that you did your very best for your dad. I’m glad to hear that he’s recovering at home. And also glad to see that you are able to squeeze in a bit of sewing from time to time. Love those brilliant Union Jacks.
What a great post. Such wise words from Wendy. And another amazing quilt from you! That will be so pretty when you finish. Hang in there my dear. Your mom and dad are so blessed to have you. I know there are an awful lot of people sending you comforting thoughts and wishes. And happy May!!!
Me too, me too!! I loathe paper piecing! Love the Union Jack blocks …… fingers crossed that the union still exists after September’s vote!!
Lots of love from Majorca, Anne xoxo
I hope that your Dad keeps improving, good news that he is out of hospital now. Hope that you enjoy your patchwork in the meantime and that it relaxes you! xx
Oh dear, that all sounds very wearing (and familiar). I hope things become easier in the not-too-distant future.
I do like your interpretation of the Union Flag. You need to get some thistles or kilts or bagpipes or sheep or… rain… or something on some of the blue bits (because that’s the Scottish element of the flag) !
Glad to see your post today! I know caring for an aging loved one is hard. But be thankful you and your sis are nearby to help out. Hope your daddy continues to improve!
Love the Union Jacks! I’ve never seen a quilt block like that and the fabrics are perfect!
It’s not surprising that your posts are fewer of late Anna – you are being pulled in all directions and going through such a worrying time. I hope BigDaddy is improving with every day and that the support those close to you and kind words of wonderful people like Wendy help to get you through difficult days. Your Union Jack blocks are brilliant – 32 of them together will be stunning!
Get plenty of rest and look after yourself x
hope Big Daddy continues to get better, don’t forget to take care of yourself too x
love you Miss Thimble Anna! Not sure how you and sis are able to work without falling asleep at your desks but more power to you! :P
forgot to say: i LOVE paper piecing BUT is slow going and it DOES waste fabric! ;p
Hope bigdaddy is doing better. I loved Wendy’s words. They are so important and so true. And I can completely relate to the idea of seeing something physical as a “proof” of well spent bed-sitting-support-time. Warm hugs to you and your family!
Fun blocks, I love ’em!!
Beautiful blocks Anna and I love the fabrics! Funny thing, I was trying paper piecing as well, so much fabric waste…. probably due to my lack of PP skills :)
32?!! Gosh, you will be an expert at the end, I googled the pattern from the magazine, it looks really nice!
I hope everything is ok with you and your family, I miss your blogposts
Xoxo Berglind
I love this project and really look forward to it being all finished. Will you border the blocks or put them all together? I loved making my union jack projects last year – I should do some more …..
The UK really has the best flag ever, don’t they?
Take care and don’t forget to take some time off of all the caring every now and then. It will keep you sane!
Hi Anna! I hope all is well with you and your dad. Mine is sick too….we left for our little trip to shetland on Saturday and it ended with my dad being met off the plane by an ambulance, a trip to the hospital, the insertion of a temporary pacemaker and an air ambulance back to Glasgow today. My mum heads south to be with him tomorrow but they want us to stay here and try to enjoy our holiday. We shall see how he is as the week goes on…..and take each day as it comes.
Hey you! Wise words indeed. Ya know, in today’s society people are more concerned with doing than being. If all you do is “do this, do” that etc. what you’re left at the end is a big pile of dodo! Glad you are being there for your father, it makes all the difference in the world! In the meantime, make sure to take good care of yourself! hugs! xox
It’s been far too long since I have popped in to Thimbleanna Land. :( I just read about your dad. I hope he is on the mend. I know how hard it is to juggle work, care and trying to fit in the fun stuff! Dad’s been in Florida at my sister’s for the past two months after we had all the kids get together and go through the house. Wisely hired someone to do an estate sale this past weekend. But not before the hubs had emergency open heart surgery!! Oy. You are in good company, Anna. I agree with Wendy- every little thing you do matters! Enjoy those sneaked-in moments that are just for you. You deserve them. :) Love ya!