2015!

2015...I like the sound of it.

I have much to be thankful for...my family, friends, hobbies, a warm house, lots of food in the pantry and for the most part, my health.

Right now I am house bound because of recurring problems with the hip that fractured from the radiation treatments about a year and a half ago.  The pain is such that I cannot go up and down the stairs so we have again moved our bedroom into the living room downstairs.  That's not a problem except for the fact that my sewing room is UPSTAIRS!  Horrors!

With the help of very strong pain killers, I can sit without too much pain so I'm forced left with nothing to do but handwork.  Oh darn, right?  *wink*  

On the bright side of things, I was finally able to finish the heavy socks I had started three years ago while I was away for my cancer treatments.  I had a difficult time getting back to working on them because of the bittersweet memories they conjured up but suffice it to say they're now done and are ready to grace Mr. Painted Quilt's feet.

I have also reworked the line drawings for the last five blocks of Leanne Beasley's Down in the Garden quilt and I'm hoping to get those transferred onto the prepped fabric sometime today.  Then I'll have plenty of handwork to keep me busy!  

Below is a photo of Leanne's finished quilt.  Mine will end up being substantially different.

One of the Facebook wool applique groups that I belong to decided to have a stitch along using one of Norma Whaley's patterns called Winter Wonderland. 

My pattern arrived on Monday...wouldn't you know it?  

We'll all be starting to work on the first part whenever we can this month.  It is our intention that this will be a non-structured, no pressure kind of sew along and our goal is to finish one designated section per month.  If you'd like to find out more or join in, you must have a Facebook account and look up "Winter Wonderland Stitch-a-Long" and ask to become a member.  

I have tons of wool in my stash but after reading over the pattern, I decided that I needed some homespun yardage and ordered a kit from one of the gals from the group who has a quilt/wool shop in Maine.  Hopefully I'll have this hip thing sorted out by the time the homespun fabric arrives so that I don't fall too far behind!

So while Ollie and Mr. PQ are outdoors bringing in some wood from the barn, Frankie is chilling solo by the fire.  

It won't be too long before Ollie joins him, especially after working so diligently at bringing in the wood.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year!  I hope it is one that is filled with health, happiness and prosperity.

Thank you all for your friendship.

Happy stitching!