Thursday, January 1, 2015

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!

 

47 comments:

Material Girl said...

So sorry to hear about your hip. It's great hat you can at least do handwork! Best wishes and happy new year!

gracie said...

Sending you hugs and hope you will feel better soon.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Prayers for your healing and good health. May You & Yours have a Blessed Happy New Year!

Denise said...

I wish You and yours a wonderful new year!!!

Shuttle, Hook and Needle said...

Wishing you a healing and healthy New Year!

Maggey and Jim said...

Well, so sorry to hear that. Prayers for much I provent soon. Love seeing your work, so inspiring.. Take care..

Kathryn said...

Best wishes for a good year ahead. May you be back on your feet and back at the Bernina soon! Take care, Kathie L

Lori said...

Happy new year to you Kaaren. May 2015 hold many blessings for you and your family.

Donna said...

I hope your hip will get much better and that you will have a happy and healthier New Year.

Flickenstichlerin said...

Dear Kaaren,
Happy New Year and get well soon.
Greetings,
Sylvia

e said...

Happy New Year, Kaaren and Mr. PQ. Wishing you a relaxing time of stitching and a speedy recovery.

Joan said...

Sending healing thoughts your way. Hope you will be feeling better very soon. Wishing you, your hubby and Ollie and Frankie a Happy 2015!

Pam in IL said...

Happy New Year to you and Mr. PQ! I'm so sorry to hear that the hip is painful again. Praying for you!

Heartsdesire said...

A very happy New Year to you, Kaaren, and I hope that hip mends quickly so you can get to your sewing room. However, it's always lovely to be able to sit and relax doing hand work without feeling guilty.

Sandi said...

Dear Kaaren, I'm sorry to hear that your hip is causing you such discomfort. I hope that living on one level will improve things and you can get back up to your sewing room soon.

Haooy 2015 from across the country. We've a beautiful sunny day hovering around freezing.

Carole Y. said...

Happy New Year to you and your family. Sending healing thoughts your way.

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Well wishes for you!!!
Happy New Year!
Many Blessings
Robin

Cheryl R said...

Sorry to hear you are having such hip pain, sending prayers for healing. Be careful with yourself and enjoy your stitching.
Blessings for 2015

Cheryl R said...

Sorry to hear you are having such hip pain, sending prayers for healing. Be careful with yourself and enjoy your stitching.
Blessings for 2015

Growing Old Fast said...

You are one tough woman. If I were in your place I'd probably be curled up in a ball not moving! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. Prayers your way. Thank you for giving so much of yourself. Happy New Year and a pain-free 2015.

Sara said...

Kaaren,

Best wishes for a wonderful year, and prayers for a healed hip. You are kind to share your artistic gifts and skills.

barbara woods said...

Hugs and prayers dear still love your stove

Janet O. said...

I am looking forward to seeing your version of Down in The Garden. I have loved the alterations I have seen thus far.
The wool pattern is very fun and cozy looking.
Wishing you improvement for your hip issues and much joy in 2015!

Sandy said...

Kaaren, I went to Facebook and looked up Winter Wonderland Sew Along and nothing came up about the pattern you are doing. I am on Facebook daily. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Happy and blessed New Year dear Kaaren! xx

Susannah said...

Hope you feel much better very soon!

margaret said...

I do hope the hip heals quickly and you can get back into the sewing room. Hand stitching can be so relaxing, good that you have some on hand to while away the time you have to be careful. The fire looks a nice cosy place to be sitting nesar

Lou said...

Beautiful pattern !
Happy new year

tante aimée said...

Happy new year !!! et yes !!!! I love socks !!!!
BIG KISSES
Sylvia

Светлана said...

Happy New Year! I wish you health!

Unknown said...

I wish you a happy new year.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Wishing you a healthy, pain-free 2015.

Unknown said...

Dear Kaaren,
I wish you a very happy New Year. May the one hold is hand over you all time.
Looking forward to read more about your projects.

Heartly greetings Karina

Wendy Caton Reed said...

I wish you a happy and very healthy New Yaer!

Robin said...

So sorry to read about your hip issue. What a bummer! And don't you know just when you can't go up steps, that is all you want to do! Can't wait to watch your progress on Winter Wonderland....and all your other beauties.

Charlotte said...

Sorry to hear about your hip problems. Hope you are able to get into your sewing studio real soon.

Many blessings in 2015,
Charlotte

Gail said...

Hi Karen,
Happy New Year to you too! Let's all hope that 2015 is full of health and happiness for everyone.

I'm sorry to hear that your hip is acting up again and hope that it heals quickly. It must be even more painful to be so far away from your beautiful sewing room and fabric stash (wink).

Feel better soon and know that you are in my thoughts.

Gail from NH :)

Susan said...

So sorry about your hip pain. Hope you will soon be happily back in your quilt room.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

I too am sorry to hear about your hip,Karen. I hope you heal fast and i'm glad you have lovely projects to help pass the time. Just love your Pacific Energy Stove too. Happy New year!

Sherry said...

I hope you start to feel well soon and can get back to your sewing room. Hand work is a great thing to do until then. The Winter Wonderland sew along is so tempting but I just posted on my blog that I must not start new projects and get a few finished this year. Happy New Year! Those socks sure look cozy.

Carolie said...

I was so sorry to hear about your hip. I hope your healing goes well. Wishing you all the best in 2015!

LesQuilts said...

Hi Kaaren and Mr P!
Just thinking about you both today, and wishing you a happy day! Take care, Leslie

Unknown said...

Hope you are feeling better now.

Dianne Cook said...

Hi Kaaren,
Just read on your Facebook page that you are in the hospital. I was wondering why we haven't heard from you. I don't use
Facebook, so thought I would send you speedy recovery wishes via your blog. Hope you are able to go home soon and mend better this time.
Dianne

Kathy said...

Wow! So thrilled that I happened upon your blog...so interesting and inspiring. Do hope you can power through those crumby health issues and keep your wonderful spirits up!

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Kaaren, I don't keep up with Facebook but I did hear that you are (hopefully WERE) in the hospital. Sure hope you are on the mend.

LesQuilts said...

How are you doing Kaaren? Just checked your blog to see if a new post, so you must be busy with the hard work of recovery!
Wishing you all the best and thinking of you! Take care, Leslie