Hi Bettie!
*** Quoting Bettie West to Julia Sidebottom dated 09-03-97 ***
> I didn't know you had been ill Julia. how are you feeling now...? I love 
> the Pergamano. it's so delicate and easy to do and it looks like you 
> spent hours at it.
Today I am   holding my own.  I am still in a bit of a "shock" after my visit 
to the doctor yesterday...  I have been on a massive dose of steroids now for 
several weeks. One of the many side effects of such large doses is major 
weight gain... I was doing pretty good for the first 3 weeks then in the last 
6 days it happened!  I gained over 30 pounds in 6 days!  I look awful to say 
the least.  I knew I was gaining as I could feel the tauntness in my skin, 
but I had no idea it was that much until I weighed in again yesterday! We 
were all more than in shock... well I am on additional medication to counter 
this now. The thing is I know from past experience that it will not come off 
as fast as it went on.
   I am definitly enjoying the pergamano. Some pieces I have been doing I 
have spent hours on... while other pieces take much less time to do... but to 
me the end results are well worth the efforts. Combining the two crafts, 
RS/ing and Pergamano is a wonderful way to be more and more creative.  I am 
learning how to be conservative with the parchment paper as it is quite 
expensive.  And this can be achieved with some of the different RS techniques 
that I am trying.  I just did a piece that used a RS as the focal point of 
the composition. This piece was of butterflies in a flower garden.  The piece 
will allow me the luxury of adding a verse to it.  For now I am leaving that 
space blank so I can use it when I need it for something special.
*** Quoting Bettie West to Julia Sidebottom dated 09-03-97 ***
>  How on earth did you make 50 quilt blocks in one 
> day. it takes me forever to get them cut out, let alone put 
> together..My Sis ter did make a "Log Cabin" in a week end. but I'd 
> never try it..I'd get tired and make mistakes. they say no quilt is 
> supposed to be perfect but if I tried that it would be so far from 
> perfect it would be a mess I'm sure.
Actually it was not difficult to do as I was able to production line them to 
whip them up... and it took all day and well into the night. But then being 
home all day and doing nothing else but being at the sewing machine helps a 
great deal... plus the blocks were done on my serger which goes much faster 
when doing such a project.
  I also finished a large number of Rose and Cream blocks for another swap.
Now mind you they were more of a challenge... and once I had completed my 
obligation for this swap I had completed 72 blocks. Now mind you I only 
needed to send 30.  I made a "few" mistakes along the way... the good news 
about the mistakes is that I have enough to make another quilt with so the 
blocks won't be wasted by any means.
*** Quoting Bettie West to Julia Sidebottom dated 09-03-97 ***
> You continue to take care of yourself and do write again soon..Bettie
Believe me I am definitly trying to take care of myself... sometimes I fall 
short of that goal but I do try ... I will definitly stay busy with my 
quilting and RS 'ing and Pergamano no trouble there ....
be chatting with you
Julia
--- He Lives! 
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