Well. i thought it would be nice to show you all some of the quilts i've made. In 200 i made my first quilt, but i don't have a photo of it. It was a trip around the world quilt, black with black and burgandy florals, and it was 6 inch squares, and it was tied together. Thats the only quilt i've made myself so far, but it's nice and warm on our bed. The next quilt i made was in 2001, our pastor suddenly resigned from our church, and a goodbye dinner was being held one week later. I made the quilt in 6 days, and on the last day got the ladies in the church to help me hand quilt it. I have a photo here, it's not a very good photo, of it on their bed, it's folded back in half...they loved their quilt, and i miss them a lot. It has hearts on it, and on the label i put the scripture that there is faith, hope and love, but the greatest gift is love, cus that's what they gave to all of us

Now i'm trying to think what is the next quilt i did. The next two both got thrown in the closet, cus they got messed up, and i dont know if i can fix them. Then in 03 i made this quilt for our newborn grandaughter, Elisa, the love of our life

Right after Elisa was born, i became very ill. Very suddenly having severe memory problems, personality change, very withdrawn, could not follow a conversation, could not multi-task, started dropping things, and was very confused. My dad had just tested positive for Huntington's disease, and so i scheduled testing for myself, and the results came back positive. I did not want this disease to win, and i wanted to make a positive impact. My parents 50th anniversary was coming up, and my 3 sisters could not decide what to give them. I decided to plan a quilt. None of my sisters knew how to quilt. I sent them fabric and instructions in the mail, and taught them how to paper piece the roses, and so we each made roses for the quilt. Then i put the whole quilt together. It is an irish chain, because my parents background is irish, and i put 50 diamonds on the outside of the quilt. The quilt was done in 1 inch blocks. For me, having just been diagnosed with hd, it was really really important to me to finish this. Even amongst the confusion, i was able to do it.

HD started taking over...i tried to make my new grandaughter a quilt for her first Christmas, but it got thrown in a box in the closet, because i didnt have the clarity of mind and focus to be able to quilt. So i thought that was the last of my sewing, but a year and a half ago, i got put on a new drug that is used for Alzheimers patients, and within 3 weeks all my confusion was gone, and i felt almost normal again, so i pulled Elisas quilt out of the closet, and finished it, it really was a miracle, cus i really could not finish it before. Here is the quilt she got last year for Christmas

Sorry i'm going on here, but just thought i would do this. Anyways, since last Christmas, i am still feeling well on my new medication, my neurologist is so pleased that i'm doing better than i was 5 years ago, and so i am happy too. Last few months i have been working on a quilt for a very dear friend, and it isnt finished yet. This Christmas i made Elisa another quilt, and right now i want to make one for both my daughters. I am also making a wallhanging for my doctors office from Denise's BOM pattern, i will post it when i'm done. And then i want to make a raffle quilt for the hd clinic, to raise money for research. So, that's a bit more about me, and some quilts i've done. I love paper piecing the best, and i'm really enjoying being able to sew again, and really enjoying this forum

Barb, I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better with the new meds.

Great work on the quilts. They are beautiful. So is your grand daughter.

Kyia

Awe, thank you so much Kia :)

the quilts are very nice and I'm so glad they found a medicine to help make you feel better. Quilting is such good therapy for what ails you , I hate to think about not being able to.

You did a very good job of telling your story, very articulate. I am so glad you are doing well now.
Your quilts are all great :D

Okay, I've dried my tears of joy at reading the wonderful story associated with your parents quilt. What a fabulous gift you've given your family. I am sorry that you're suffering with Huntington's disease. I can see that you value everyday as a gift and we are all blessed because of that. Take care and have the most wonderful day ever :):):)

Your quilts are just beautiful. I'm so glad that you finally found a med that would help you. Keep up the good work. We will pray for you that you keep fighting this. Thanks for sharing.

Barb your story touched my heart... Thank you so much for sharing.. I am so glad that the confusion has cleared up and you still feel well..

Thank you so much everyone. Each of your posts made me smile and happy. So nice getting to know all of you :)

Thank you for sharing your quilts and your story. Quilts beautiful, story uplifting.

We are so happy to have you in our group, but even more happy that you have been able to get back to what you LOVE. Glad you are doing do much better. Keep up the fabulous work you have many more quilt projects to do!

I hope you continue to get better with each passing day.

You are all too sweet, thank you so very much

Beautiful quilt! Lovely daughters! A champion history!! I am SOOOO glad that you found a medicine to help you!! Bless your heart!! You keep right on fighting too. Don't let the disease have you, YOU have the disease!!!

Your parents name is Sturgeon?!?!?! Too cool!!! That's an uncommon last name! It's my mom's maiden name :D.
Hey!! We could be cousins LOL!

Thank the Lord you found a medication that would help you. your quilts are beautiful and even more special because of the trials you had to go through to do them.

Quilting is therapeutice for me. I've had 2 knees replaced in the last 18 months and the last one still has not healed (since October) quilting is what keeps me going. I live alone and was already disabled with back injuries and when i discovered quilting it opened up a whole new world to me. Started in Nov of 2006 and have not stopped yet.

Keep on quilting!!

Jane Sisk

Barb,
Thanks for sharing your quilt work and life with us. So happy the new meds are helping. That's got to be the best feeling in the world! Looking forward to seeing your next projects. The ones you've shared so far are beautiful. I especially love the anniversary quilt.

Barb, Thank you for sharing with us. Your quilts are beautiful, and it sounds like you have a beautiful family. I'm so glad you found medication that helps you so that you could get back to doing things you love.

Beautiful quilts, beautiful stories. Thanks for sharing them.

M

Barb, that is a very inspirational story. I'm so glad about the new medication and what a change it has made for you in your life. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

I'm so glad the meds you found have given you back yourself. I hope you continue to improve. And your quilts are just beautiful. Your granddaughter is precious. She looks pretty proud of her quilt!

Glad you are feeling better and a your quilts are sooo nice. :D

Now, now, just because you’re feeling well doesn’t mean you ‘have’ to spoil Elisa with more quilts; then too, I understand that’s what grandmothers do best!

:thumbup:

Hi Barb:
Welcome to the board. We're so glad to have you with us.

Your quilt for your parents is wonderful. I read everything and it made me cry...tears of joy that you and your sisters were able to do this for your parents. I'll bet it's more than a family treasure...to them and to you guys. Good job.

You are an inspiration to all of us Barb and we are truly blessed to have your friendship. :)

I am so happy that they found meds that enabled you to get back to quilting.
Your quilts are beautiful! :)

Wow, i'm so happy from everyone's responses. I am really blown away, and just haven't known what to say, so many people, and so many kind words, that i think later tonight it's time for me to post a note to each of you, which i should have done right from the start :) Yeah, so that is what i'll do later, thanks guys :)

It makes me feel nice that so many of care so much, thank you :) And yes, i love my grandaughter tons, she is a cutiepie for sure.

bjstrawberry, that's soooo cool that we could be related! And you're so encouraging to me, thank you...Cousins for sure! :) My sister does the family geneology, i will have to get her onto this lol

Jane, it must be very hard being disabled and living alone, so glad you've found quilting too :)

Thank you Yvonne, Minda and everyone, i'm so glad you like my quilts.
And yes, so glad to be on the med i am on. It is called Memantine, and it stops brain cells from dying.

lol steve, yes i love spoiling elisa lol

feathers, thank you (((hugs)))

shadow, im so blessed to have your friendship too :)

xyzquilts...sorry, i renamed you lol, my mind cant work backwords, sorry, tried and tried to type it other way lol. Wow, i'm so sorry your family has been affected this way. Please tell me more if you like. Was your cousins son really young? That is sooo tragic, and i'm so very sorry. I am very fortunate, i have not been immersed with hd all around me like in some families. My dad is 75, and just in the early stages too, so i havent seen a lot of hd, but have got to know many special families dealing with hd. Jhd is the worst, and touches everyone's heart. I would love to hear about the quilt you made for them to raffle for HD. Do you have a photo of it, would love to see it! How much did they sell tickets for, and how much did they raise? Where and how did they publicize the raffle? Just curious, because i'm wanting to make a raffle quilt too. Your quilt must have been beautiful, cus it came from your heart. So nice to meet you :)

pretty heart quilt.....

Great to hear that the new meds are working so great. Beautiful quilts and g/d. Thanks for sharing story and continued success and blessings.

Keep up the great work with your quilts! Glad things are going better for you, and quilting will certainly keep you busy!

I am so happy for you. To regain health is so special and so are you! Keep quilting.

So thankful that the new med's are working for you. Sorry about all your trials. Lovely grand daughter and lovely quilt. The card is so special. Know that your Mom and Dad were thrilled with the quilt. Praying that you continue to heal and feel better.You have a lot of love around yourself. Thanks for sharing. BrendaK

A wonderful story. Don't ever give up. I am made very happy by your accomplishments and will stop my whining now!
peace