Friday, May 28, 2010

Grade 12 Home Ec, a present, something new, and that health thing...

I showed you the projects our Grade 11 girls are working on earlier this week, so tonight I'm sharing what is keeping the fingers of our Grade 12 Home Ec girls busy...

A pieced quilt top with scattered chenille pieces, so lovely and soft...
A faux leather jacket (I so admire people who make clothing!)...
A sweet embroidered pillow (this student has never embroidered before)...
An appliqued baby blanket in soft white flannel...
A bean bag with appliqued panels...
And a polar fleece rug with a special name appliqued across the front!
The girls are all learning these stitches for the first time, and as they only get a few hours per week in class they are doing wonderfully!
Along the way each student writes a journal...
...and together at the end of the term the journal and project will be graded. 
They are such lovely girls, and our teacher, Jodie, is wonderful! I have really enjoyed this term. :-)
~~~~~
Today we Gum Tree girls all received our swap doilies in the mail so finally I discovered who my swap partner was! (remember my darling Blossom wouldn't tell us?)
Darling Dawn made this doily for me, and she embellished the yoyos with tea stained flowers and beads, AND she used gorgeous 'Rouenneries' fabrics - I feel very spoiled indeed!
I sent my doily to sweet Vikki, who loved the ruffled edging.
We are all VERY happy Gum Nuts tonight with our swap pressies in our hands - it's a very special thing to own something so beautiful made with hands that love you. Being a Gum Tree Designer is pretty awesome when you have friends like these. I love you girls! :-)
~~~~~
Today I finished a new Christmas design, a wallhanging with something extra....
....a label on the back for everyone around the Christmas table to sign.
You can add a new one every year and imagine the heirloom this will be 20 Christmasses from now?
~~~~~
Before I go I have to show you the fabric I bought for Blossom. She has had a dream to visit Italy since she was a toddler, and when I saw this fabric I decided to get it for her. I'm going to make her a 'dream' pillow and add a verse from an Italian-themed film she loves, just as a reminder to hold on to her dreams. 
Thank you everyone for your concern about my health - how truly kind-hearted each of you are. {{{hugs}}}
We're not sure what the problem is yet, but I am being tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Barmah Forest Virus, and Ross River Fever Virus, amongst a few other things.
(For those overseas - Barmah Forest Virus and Ross River Fever Virus are both mosquito borne viruses unique to the far north tropical area of Queensland, Australia)
My fingers, wrists and ankles are pretty swollen and quite painful at the moment, so although slow hand stitching is good for the mobility of my fingers, I cannot do anything that requires weight bearing or pressure.
I appreciate those prayers.
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

36 comments:

KaHolly said...

Jenny, I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time! Doesn't seem to slow you down much! Your slow is my fast! Fingers are crossed that they figure it out soon and you are cured! Love your doilies and your Christmas Wallhanging. Just another clever idea of yours!!! Kudos to the home ec. kids. Wish my home ec. teacher was so innovative when I was a kid! ~karen

Maria said...

Hope they find out soon what is causing your problems. Then they will be able to help you.
So nice to receive such a lovely dioly.
What a great pressie you are making for Blossom. My GD has always wanted to go to Paris.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

I love seeing all the projects the students are making - glad the next generation are still showing an interest in sewing.

Good luck in finding a diagnosis - hope it is nothing too serious! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Lisa

Janice said...

The Year 12 girls are doing lovely work. They must be thrilled with their projects. Likewise, your new doiley in Rouenneries is gorgeous. Let's hope once the test results come back the docs can have you treated soon.

Terry said...

Lovely wall hanging! And what a great idea to have everyone sign it! Sorry about your illness. Hope they figure it out soon and can get you feeling better soon! :0)

Anonymous said...

A very clever Christmas design!

Those Year 11 & 12 girls are doing wonderful work that they will remember for ever. I learnt just a few needlework skills in Year 7 and never forgot them. Years later when in my 20s, I decided to pick up needle, thread and fabric and finally put those skills to use. I am so grateful for the one year I had to learn the basics.

I hope and pray your are feeling a lot better very soon.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Always pretty things to see here. You even pay special attention to your labels! Wonderful projects by the girls. The embroidery for a first timer is absolutely amazing. Congratulations to all of them. Hoping the doctor's find the cause and can "fix" you right up.

Jenny said...

That Christmas wallhanging is gorgeous! Hope your health problem improved soon, God bless x

Vicki ♥ said...

How lovely is that doily...Dawn made a beautiful doily and so did you sweet Jen. Those girls in the school are all doing fabulous things for first timers. Very clever girls. I do hope they can help your problems and stop the pain for you. Hugs Vicki xoxoxox

Betty said...

Jenny...praying the cause is discovered soon and your discomfort ends even sooner! The girls are so blessed to have you helping in home ec and their work is amazing...what fun to team teach and share your skills + love of stitching!

Maggey and Jim said...

Jenny, I pray that it is nothing serious. All the girls projects are outstanding..Love the doily and what a nice exchange for you Gum tree nuts.. Please take care and don't overdue things with your joints..
Maggey

Allie said...

Wow Jenny those projects are so great! I detect the influence of Jenny there, the stitches are so nice! Love the quilt top, all the yummy chenille.

Ah you got Dawn's doily! So so pretty! And I love your ruffled edge.

Your new Christmas design is lovely, what a keepsake! I don't know how you do such lovely, precise work so FAST.

I love the fabric for Blossom. What a lovely idea. I have no doubt she'll get there!

You know you've got my prayers, sweetie!

Graciela said...

Hi Jenny, I love the work of girls and very nice fabric for pillow Blosom,
I hope you recover soon from your pains
kisses and hugs for you from Argentina

Lisa said...

What gorgeous doilies! I'm so glad that they still have home ec classes for the kids. I remember my class with great affection. I hope that everything is sorted out with your health very soon. xoxox

Pam said...

Sorry to hear about your health problems Jenny. Hope all is sorted out before too long and you are able to carry on doing all the projects you enjoy so much.

Deb said...

I hope that they can figure out what is causing all your problems! The doily you received is beautiful and I'm just taken back by all the wonderful projects everyone is making!

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

So sorry about your health problems and hope that some solution can be found soon. However I'm glad you can still stitch. I don't often comment, but I do enjoy all the wonderful designs and stitcheries you post! The Christmas wallhanging is lovely.

Synnove said...

I cross my fingers that you will be feeling better soon, and that you will find out what's wrong quickly.
The doilies you and your friends swapped are sooo cute! I love the one you got, yo-yo's are really pretty:-)I Like the ruffles on the one you made, too:-)

Big hugs from Synnoeve!

Robin in New Jersey said...

Jenny~~So sorry about the swelling and not feeling well. :( I will be praying for wisdom for the doctors. You are such a special lady and I can not imagine you not being able to stitch. Your designs are such a blessing to so many people.

retdairyqueen said...

Oh You poor girl
I trust they find out soon so you can get started on the right treatment
I love your Christmas wall hanging

Julia said...

Jenny, I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time with your hands ...Good luck in finding a diagnosis . hope it is nothing too serious!
Love all the beautiful things in this post..
Julia ♥

Jeannie said...

The girls have done an awesome job! This is something they will do for the rest of their lives :)
You are so in my prayers at all times!!
soft hugs for you!

Debbie said...

Omg Jenny, Hope the test come back ok, or sometimes it's better to be diagnosed with something at lear you know what it is. Good Luck.

Unknown said...

Your Students are doing a Wonderful Job you must be feeling very chuffed..their projects are just Beautiful & I Love the Idea of the Journal...Love Love the Doilie from Vicki...what a Lovely Swap..Hope they find out what's wrong with you soon...Take Care.
Hugs

Jo-anne Blossy said...

Sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Your Home Ec girls are just so talented & very creative. They're AWESOME!

Jude said...

i like what the home ec girls are doing and blossom has received some lovely gifts and must feel fery loved. I also like that Xmas hanger and think it is a great idea for the family memories.

Joy said...

What a clever bunch of girls in your home-ec class!! I'm with you, I'm always envious of people who can make clothes, I'm no good at it at all *sigh*!!!
The doily swap was great fun wasn't, they all turned out so gawjus!!! I can't wait til the next one ;o)!!!
Do hope your poor hands are feeling better soon dear one!!!
Love n hugs,
Joy :o)

Joy said...

.... ummmmm, I meant to say ....
The doily swap was great fun wasn't IT .... LOL!!!!
But you knew that, right??!!
*mwah*
Joy :o)

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Hi Jenny! I hope your health improves soon. Please tell "your girls" their work is lovely!

Barbara said...

Hi new found friend, sorry you are such a time of it, pray it will get better real soon, lots of hugs from me to you, Barbara from
http://bakinnbitsbarbara.blogspot.com/

Sarah Oldham said...

Beautiful stuff! I do come by just about every other day to see what you are up to, but must have missed that you are suffering from the unknown! I keep you in my prayers, but I'll add for the intentions of your health. Mother Mary, ora pro nobis!

Kim D. said...

What fun projects the home Ec girls are doing. Love your doilies, so cute. I hope they figure out what's wrong and it's nothing too serious. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Jenny I hope you get some resolution about your health problems soon.I am sure sewing does help both physically and mentally.My thoughts and prays are with you.
The kids are lucky to
have such an inspiring teacher.
Hugs
Denise

Wendyb said...

Love it all Jen, and what a wonderful idea for your Christmas wallhanging!!! Sending prayers and wishes your way to hasten the healing!
big sugary healing hugs
XXX Wendy :O)

Kaylee said...

I sure hope the test results come back with nothing too serious and you recover shortly, take care. Hugs Kaylee xx

Cath Ü said...

Jenny... the Home Ec projects all look wonderful... well done girls... I love the doiley swap you girls had... they are gorgeous.... and I am sad to hear you are unwell... hope it all works out for the better soon for you... I have missed so much with no internet...

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