Bedtime for Bears

OK. It's really and truly finished this time. Well, except for quilting, binding, labeling, and anything else I've forgot. But the bears are put to bed.Their paws are fused and stitched. And that's where they'll rest.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and comments. As you can see, some of them I used, some maybe not. But they were all helpful in the planning process.

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On 08/25/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

How adorable!! Well done, Susan, and I hope you're as delighted with this charming quilt as the baby and family will be!

Hugs!
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Many Thanks

Thanks to all who gave comments, opinions, and suggestions about the Three Bears quilt. I've read and considered all of them (paws win). I think I know what I'm going to do, but I really just have not had the will to go upstairs and work in the sewing room. My back and legs and really making life difficult for me these days. I've been pretty much doing what has to be done and that's it. But believe me, if and when I get a day when I'm feeling halfway together, I'm going to work. I have to. I have deadlines coming up.

Something else that's coming up is Autumn. I saw a little yellow butterfly crossing the road a couple of days ago. And, as my daddy always said, that's a sure sign Autumn is just around the corner.

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On 08/23/2021, Jed said ...

... and I can't wait!

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On 08/23/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

I've said this before, but can your grandson move your sewing machine and whatever else you need downstairs so you can sew when the staircase seems to daunting? It's your home so let all of the rooms on the ground floor work for you.
You're also kindly welcome for my adding my two cents to your query about the bear paws!
Ah, Autumn! I'll be hanging my two autumn wall quilts in our wee entry hall. One is a half size Kim Brackett's "Scrap Basket Sensations" book. p. 30 and the other is from the "Little Quilts" book by Alice Berg, et al.

Hugs!
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Bear With Me

As you can see, I decided that Baby Bear belongs between his parents. I moved everybody a little closer together. Now I'm trying to decide whether or not to add paws. I haven't fused the paws down; they're just stuck on. Sometimes I think I like the paws; sometimes I'm not sure.

Paws?

No Paws?

Something that has just this minute occurred to me: Shouldn't all the bears' chins (bottoms of faces) be even with each other across the quilt? I think so.

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On 08/13/2021, Dorris Carnahan said ...

Love the paws.

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On 08/13/2021, Kathy said ...

Also love the paws.

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On 08/14/2021, Debbie said ...

The paws are too cute.

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On 08/14/2021, Nanette said ...

The paws are really cute....

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On 08/14/2021, Quiltnrn said ...

Chins are fine. Paws definitely!

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On 08/14/2021, Suze N said ...

I think the paws should be on the blue border and the chins right above the blue border...I like the idea of the paws..

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On 08/14/2021, Julie said ...

Yes to the paws!

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On 08/15/2021, Judy Cloe said ...

Paws look better to me!

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On 08/16/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Yep, paws look just right and I think the chins don't need to be under the covers.

This is a charming quilt already!

Hugs!

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On 08/19/2021, Norine said ...

I would add paws. Chins are okay if some are lower, like hiding under the covers. Your quilt is so cute!

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Musical Ear Syndrome

A couple of weeks ago, I started hearing an orchestra playing in my right ear. Not loud. More like I was hearing an orchestra or a band playing a block or so away. I was on the back porch the first time I noticed it, and I figured it was a neighbor playing his tv too loudly.

But it continued when I went in the house, and it has continued off and on ever since. I was a little scared. Had the dementia fairy finally tracked me down. Were the angels coming for to carry me home?

I talked to my sister about it and she didn't seem too concerned. Thought it was some form of tinnitus. But her lack of panic did little to assuage my own.

So this morning as the band played on, I took my concerns to Google. It has a name: Musical Ear Syndrome (MES, which was also my mama's maiden name initlals). Leave it to me to come up with some weird condition. My research revealed that hearing loss is the most likely cause. And I have been diagnosed with hearing loss in my right ear. I have a hearing aid that I hardly ever use. But I'm going to plug the thing in and see if that helps. If not, I guess I'll see a hearing doctor. I would mind it so bad if I could make requests. But I'm not at all partial to the tunes I'm hearing.

Have any of you ever experienced or heard of (no pun intended) this condition?

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On 08/10/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Nope. This is new to me but as long as it has a name, you know you['re not alone. Does the music go away if you listen to music (of your choice!) or turn on the TV?

It's probably a good idea to call your audiologist's office just to report this is happening.

Until I saw a special on TV, I didn't know some people perceive numbers as colors.

Hugs!

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On 08/11/2021, Velvet said ...

For quite a while now When the house is quiet I think the living room TV is on. I’ve learned that it is actually not on (husband has been watching TV in his study having abandoned the living room; and I am in the bedroom reading or sewing) but I can hear what sounds like the TV in the background. I chalked it up to the possibility that I am hearing the humming of all the electrical things in the house and My brain is recognizing the noise as the TV. Maybe it is this MES syndrome. Interesting. Thanks for sharing that.
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Getting Ready to Hibernate

I got the background pieces added to the bear blocks so I could shuffle them around. I also got all the rows in their quilt sewn together.

I think I've decided on Baby Bear on the end and Mama Bear in the middle. I just think that looks better. I know that in reality, Mama and Papa would probably have their baby sleeping between them. But I hear Baby Bear tends to be an active sleeper. He kicks and wiggles and snuggles And I don't want Papa Bear being waked up in the middle of February before he gets his hibernation out. I'm sure he will growl and grumble all spring and summer if he isn't well rested. And nobody likes a grumbling papa bear.

Design-wise, I just don't think Baby Bear in the middle works. And we wouldn't want to disturb Papa Bear's winter repose.

I'm thinking about putting the human baby's name above Baby Bear's head (if they've decided for sure on a name). Either embroidery or appliqued.

I still think I needs some bear paws to stick out over the top of the quilt. So I have to work on that.

Do you think Mama Bear (above) needs a ribbon in her hair or some eyelashes to identify herself as the Mama? Or does her size do that well enough?

Another question: Does the quilt on the bed need another row added at the bottom? I have another row sewn together, but I was thinking the proportions of the piece were getting too skinny. But now, I'm not sure. (See second photo above.)

 

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On 08/07/2021, Colleen said ...

What about putting Baby between Mama and Papa, but putting the three closer together? That way maybe it would look more like Mama and Papa are snuggling with Baby?

I think Mama would look good with a ribbon in her hair.

The extra row probably isn't needed. Once you add the binding the length will probably look fine. Right now it's the pale fabric behind their heads that gives it the illusion of being short.

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On 08/07/2021, Kathy said ...

Super Cute! I like the Papa, Mama, and Baby layout and a bow on Mama would be great. The length of the quilt looks just perfect. Beautiful work!

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On 08/08/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Love this quilt!
I think you should add that last row because this child will grow.
Yes, Mama needs a bow!

Hugs!
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The Three Bears

All three bears are now created and the quilt is ready to be put together. I was pretty proud of myself for figuring out the math to make the 9-inch Mama Bear. The block instructions I had gave cutting instructions for 12-inch and 6-inch blocks only.

I haven't totally decided whether the bears will line up as they are in the above photo or if I'll put Baby Bear in the center between Mama and Papa. When I get the background pieces sewn to the bear blocks, I'll take photos of them both ways and see what everybody thinks, including me. I'm also trying to decide if I want to add bear paws outside the covers.

I'm trying to talk myself into doing a thorough straightening up and cleaning of my sewing room. I'm an extremely messy worker. I'm not the type of person who cleans as she goes when cooking. I leave everything till the cooking is all done and then clean up the mess. Same with the sewing room. Except I do not straighten and clean up after every project. I think it has been at least half a dozen projects past since I straightened up. And things are quite a mess.

The thing is that when I'm in the sewing room, I want to sew. I don't want to do house work. But I think it's high time. Way high.

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On 08/07/2021, Shasta said ...

These bears are adorable! I too have to build up my motivation to clean up my sewing room.
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Baby Bear

Baby Bear has joined Papa, ready to be part of my cousin's baby quilt. When Mama Bear is constructed, I can put it all together and get it quilted. I don't know when the baby shower will be, but the little mister is due in November. So it has to be ready at least by then.

 

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On 08/02/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Is Baby Bear going to be between Papa Bear and Mama bear? Cute, cute!

I think you're well ahead of time in making this quilt.

Hugs!
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Look What I Found

I started this cross-stitch sampler quite a while ago--maybe in 2019. I got distracted by something--I think maybe it was the millefiori quilt. Anyway, I had all but forgot about the sampler. Yesterday I was going through a drawer looking for an envelope and found both and envelope and the sampler. When I get my new glasses in about a week I'm going to get back to it.

But for today, after doing my online church attendance, I'm heading upstairs to work a little on the bear quilt.

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On 08/02/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the sampler and wish you well on completing it.

I, too, have a long abandoned cross stitch project that I need to get back to and want to, really. Yes, really! What happened to me cross stitching while watching as I did a few decades ago?

Hugs!

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On 08/02/2021, Barbara Anne said ...

Make that "while watching TV as I did ..."
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