On the back burner...

that's where the blog seems to be staying these days. I've been spending less time on the computer reading quilting blogs and more time actually quilting. I guess that's a good thing! I've been busy making half square triangles for Judy's Bears in the Farmhouse project...

I completed block #2 for Anne Sutton's basket BOM...

I've been working on a quilt for Ellen...who was home from college for the weekend and gave it her approval. And of course she wants it NOW...it's cold in Rhode Island!

I've been doing some customer quilting....

And I made a trip to The Knitting Store to use my Christmas gift certificate...

I received an email saying that they are going out of business and everything is on sale. I picked up this beautiful cotton/silk blend to make the Lily Cardigan.

I've also been spending some time with doctors...again. Before Christmas I smacked my head on a low doorframe, momentarily knocked myself out and hurt my neck. In the past few weeks most of my favorite things to do...like knitting, machine quilting, playing guitar...have made pain shoot down my arm and my hand go numb. Thinking this is a BAD THING, I went to the chiropractor, who agreed. I had an x-ray yesterday which didn't show anything cracked or broken, which is good, but it showed arthritis and the narrowing of something or other, which is not good. I have an MRI tomorrow...we'll see what that shows. The fun never ends here!

We did get Andrew all moved home over the weekend and I'm enjoying having him home. I knew I missed him while he was at school, but didn't realize how much. It was great fun having everyone around the dinner table again...

A few things...

I finished the first two blocks of the Block of the Month from Gail Pan Designs last week...I love these little stitcheries, they're going to make a beautiful Christmas Quilt.

I've also chosen my fabrics for Judy's Bears in the Farmhouse quilt along. I didn't have a good stripe to use for the centers of the blocks, so decided to make a more patriotic quilt since I've always wanted one. I don't have any large cuts of fabric in my stash, I'll need to buy a blue fabric for the outer border. Good thing that the Fat Quarter Shop is still running their Valentine's Day Sale...I think the coupon is still good!

Valentine's Day was very quiet here...the boss has been out west since last week and spent the weekend in Seattle. I did go have drinks on Saturday afternoon...we were welcoming home one of our friends from Iraq. When I got to the restaurant, I thought it had been evacuated...there were people all over outside and emergency vehicles in the parking lot. It turned out that our local Yellow Ribbon Club had arranged a motorcycle escort for Will from his house to PJ's to thank him for his service. Most of us had no idea that this was going to happen...if I'd had a clue I would have been at the house and not the restaurant! They kept it very hush hush to surprise Will. It was wonderful to see so many people come out to support him. The picture above shows him addressing the crowd when they arrived at PJ's and it came from the Burlington County Times website. He'll be spending some time at Walter Reed taking care of some non-combat injuries, then he'll be coming home for good...and we'll be happy to have him back!

Happy 19th Birthday, Ellen!

I hope your birthday is wonderful...I wish I was in Providence to celebrate with you! Love you!

Blooms!

I received this beautiful amaryllis as a Christmas gift from my dear friend Molly. It's blooming and is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks, Molly!

I forgot...

to take pictures of this little quilt that I made in a swap for Andrea. Of course I realized it once the package was winging its way to Wales! This is a Jo Morton pattern, machine pieced and hand quilted. I also included the book and a bag of chocolate covered pretzels from my favorite chocolate shop for her. I think she liked them. :o)

I'm so glad she posted pictures that I could borrow. Thanks, Andrea!

New Beginnings...

This year has gotten off to a busy start...lots of drama around here! Andrew has moved back home now that his lease is up, so he'll finish out college as a commuter. Ellen has decided she wants to change her major in college...and change her college! We're in the midst of a new college search.

The boss's luck has held out once again. Last weekend, while in Chicago, he was riding in a cab. Another car hit the cab, pushed it across the street and it knocked down a pole holding a traffic light. Just as in his previous accident, he escaped with a gash on the head and some sore muscles. He's a lucky man!

In the meantime, I've been working lots of hours. I have found a little bit of time to quilt for customers....

and I've started Anne Sutton's new Basket Block of the Month...

I've cleaned my sewing room so I can get started sewing without having to find the table underneath the mess....

And I've pulled fabrics for some new projects...including a few from Jo Morton and a new quilt for Ellen.

So, that's what I've been up to...how about you?