It's been awhile

It's been awhile since my last post, but I have been keeping busy. I am back to work every Friday at Kindred Spirits, and I just found out that the owner, the manager, and one of the housekeepers are all pregnant! That means I am knitting and sewing baby things. Hopefully one of the babies will be a girl. I am going to make a little hat and maybe booties to go with this sweater. After this outfit is done I will make one for a boy, and by then I will know the sex of at least 2 of the babies, so I will know what else to knit.

I finished a couple of little cross stitch projects. These are going to be made into Christmas tree ornaments.

On the sewing/quilting front I have started a long term hexagon project

These flying geese blocks are my May blocks for Block Lotto. These would make a great border for a quilt.

This quilt has been on our bed for several years now, and I just realized that I didn't have a picture of it.

We have started planting our vegetable garden. So far we have planted onions, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, beets, peas, turnips, carrots, parsnips, and radishes. I have peppers and tomatoes started in the house, and they are coming along nicely

Peppers

Tomatoes

Our azalea bush is in blossom, isn't it pretty?

Bird Blocks for Block Lotto

These are the blocks I made for this month's Block Lotto. Aren't they cute! I'm crossing my fingers that I am one of the winners this month, as these little birds would make a really cute little quilt.

On the home front, we are facing the difficult decision of whether we can continue to look after my mother-in-law here at home. Her dementia has increased dramatically in the last few months, and she has also been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Right now we are awaiting an assessment by a gerontologist, to determine what level care she really needs. These pictures of her were taken on her 90th birthday, almost 2 years ago.

Starburst is finally finished!

I finally finished my Starburst quilt. All I had left to do was the binding, but I never seemed to take the time to get it done. Since hubby is home this week with a sore back, I took the plunge and got it done. The fabric is 1930's prints, and the back is pieced with 1930's fat quarters. The tutorial for this quilt is available HERE

Family updates, some knitting, and a few quilts

Things have been a little hectic around here lately. Mum (mother-in-law) has been diagnosed with heart failure, and her dementia has increased dramatically, to the point where we probably won't be able to care for her at home much longer. We are waiting for some more testing and needs assessments to be done, but for sure she is going to need some nursing care from now on.

Hubby is laid up with a bad back, so much so that he called work today and told his boss he couldn't leave to go to work tomorrow (he's a truck driver). He has to be hurting pretty bad to not go to work.

Last night we learned that my brother-in-law had a very bad accident while working in the woods. A very large tree branch came down and hit him on the face, shattering the left side of his face. He is facing some major surgery and reconstruction.

I haven't done too much in the sewing department, but I did get some knitting accomplished. My daughter Amanda came over today and did some modelling for me.

 ZuZu's Petal, pattern is available HERE

Pimpelliese, free pattern is available HERE

I don't have any quilting to show you, but Amanda has been very busy making quilts, so here are a few pictures of her accomplishments.

Springtime?

It snowed again last night. Are we ever going to see spring? I need some warm weather and sunshine to boost my energy level. Right now I just want to sit around doing nothing.This dreary weather has made me dreary-feeling. I need a pick-me-up.
I have been doing some knitting. I finished a pair of socks, and have a couple more pairs on the needles.

Online Supersocke 6 ply - color Chilly ( to be a christmas present for a granddaughter)

Oldfield Creek Sock Yarn - color Panda

The Loopy Ewe Seasonings Series - color Loopy Lodge

I also finished another pair of mittens

MacAusland's 100% Wool

On the needles, a shawlette/scarf. The pattern is a free one from Ravelry called Pimpelliese, and I am using KnitPicks Stroll Hand-Painted yarn in the color Lullaby

Not a lot going on in the quilting/sewing room, but I did make some string blocks for a swap-bot exchange, a few 6" 1930's blocks, and one more barn block.

String blocks

6" 1930's blocks

Barn block

On My Needles

Here is what is on my needles this week. I have been having problems with DeQuervain's tendonitis in my wrist, so haven't been able to knit much, but it seems easier to knit with the thicker yarn and larger needles, so I'm trying to stay away from the sock yarn for awhile. Not easy, when I just got 3 new orders of sock yarn, one from Knit Picks, one from Hot Yarns, and one from The Loopy Ewe. All that sock yarn goodness and I can't play with it!

Honeycomb Mittens in progress

Boot socks in progress

 On the sewing front, this is what I made this afternoon. Isn't it cute!

It's Giveaway Day!

Beat the Winter Blues – Quilters’ Blog Hop Party

Today is the first day of the blog hop party being hosted by Michele at QUILTING GALLERY . I know I am ready for winter to be over and spring to arrive! To celebrate the soon-to-be arrival of spring, I have a little giveaway for you. All you need to do is leave me a comment, any old comment will do, but I do love to hear where you're from if you'd like to share. If you would like a second chance at winning, follow my blog, and leave a second comment telling me you are a follower. What am I giving away? How about these 5 fat quarters of Get a Clue With Nancy Drew by Simon & Schuster for Moda Fabrics.

Giveaway will remain open until March 14, and is open to everyone, no matter where in the world you may live. Good luck to you all!

Update: We have a winner! Mr. Random Number Generator has picked the number 123, Cherilyn from Ohio

CherilynMarch 11, 2013 at 6:30 PM

Hi from Ohio!! Great give away I loved reading Nancy Drew when I was younger! I think it would make an amazing library tote! Thanks for the chance!