What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

The boys are back! 

The nutcracker collection began with a gift from my mother shortly after we were married.  She gave us two or three more.   I've acquired the rest at TJ Maxx, estate/rummage/garage sales, and thrift shops.   They're all German.  

I made Good Cheer in 2013 from swap blocks.

Just as forecast, it began snowing at noon Saturday and continued all night long.  This was the view from the front door this morning.  9" accumulation.  

I shoveled the front stoop and ...

I'm giving out bags of  caramel/cheese popcorn.  Our Rotary Club sold it as a fundraiser and I bought three cases of 24 4-ounce bags.  Rather than re-selling it (which other club members have done) I'm giving it away.  Whatever is left will be part of the snacks for the Zion Woman's Club Bunco night in two weeks.  (That is, if I can refrain from any more snacking.)

Yesterday Lynn and I had a nice catch-up and a good long walk in the sunshine at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.  We've known one another since kindergarten and reconnected at our 50th high school reunion.   She lives about 30 miles southwest of me.   After the walk we continued the conversation over lunch.  

She is a realtor and a writer/editor (EmpowerWritingService . com)

Image from bunnybunch.org

Now it's time to welcome a new month with an autumnal rabbit, rabbit.

# # # # # #

In the studio:   

The Christmas monkey wrench quilt is under the needle.   

I've made 10 out of 20 ...

Top: swamp milkweed, purple coneflower, blue lobelia. Center: vervain, liatris (blazing star), red lobelia. Bottom: nodding onion, pinnate coneflower (Mexican hat), Culver's root. 

# # # # #

On to quilting!

My dear Magpie friends made a two-sided hug quilt for me. It was in the mail held for me during my trip.  It began as two hugs, one for Stevens and one for me, but it turned into one.  The blocks are from the U.S., Canada, England, and Australia.  

My side was assembled by Terri and Gilly ...

Rabbit, rabbit -- this pair is dressed for the occasion and posed on a quilt.  (I grabbed the photo from a Google images search. I suspect it's a Chinese-made DWR.)  

Stash report, June: 

Fabric IN:  126-1/2 yards, $36.  That's .28 per yard.  Lots of rummage sale ...

Erika treated me to brunch (crepes benedict, which provided supper as well), with a cinnamon roll from the restaurant and some P.E.O. daisies.  

I spent much of the afternoon in air conditioned comfort with a Zoom call and paperwork for Stevens' estate.  It is not at all like the BBC dramas where the lawyer brings everyone together and reveals the contents of the will.  In this case, there are IRS forms, new accounts to open, and ...

I had a good two-mile walk at Pine Dunes Forest Preserve.  At the end, when I saw the car in the parking lot, I had a startlingly clear vision of Stevens half-opening the car door and waving his cane to greet me, with a big smile on his face.  (I hope those clear visions will continue for a long time.)

# # # # # 

 I continue to thank you all for your kind words and condolences.  Quilting is very therapeutic during stressful times.  And the endorphin rush from bargain fabric acquisition is not to be discounted.   I have recent experience with both.   

Her gift included bags of flannel that I have given away.  I kept this yardage.  The blue, yellow, and pink pieces in ...

I hope that today will bring a resolution to Stevens' placement.  Thanks once again for your kind words, prayers, and support.  

# # # # # # 

Here's a fast finish!     I found ...

 March ended like a lion. On Monday Stevens woke up vomiting. Paramedics took him to the ER where, after many tests, they found a bowel obstruction.  No surgery required but he is still in the hospital. I visited yesterday. He perked up when he saw me.  Not sure when he will be discharged and to where.  More discussion with hospital social worker and a care consultant today.  (The hospital is in the same complex as the clinic where his doctor's office is, so his own physician has been to see him.)  Meanwhile V was so helpful. While I was ...

 Thank you all for your supportive comments regarding my husband.  The care home assessment was Friday.  His condition is beyond what assisted living/memory care can accommodate.  For now we are increasing in-home care (two caregivers have been recruited to help with the 6 p.m.-bedtime shift (V comes in the morning)).  We have a video visit with his doctor on Tuesday.  

The Quiltville FB group has photos of many versions of the design with different colorways and different sashings or settings or borders.  I'm going to stick to the sashing as patterned but I may do something other than the checkerboard border.  

"Smile for your fan club!"

Sunshine and temperatures in the upper 30's and lower 40's were conducive to walking this week.  It was good to stretch my legs!

This is pack ice, covered in sand.

I saw four of the ornaments I hung along one of the paths in mid-December.  This one had a few remnants of its red paint.

# # # # # # 

I had a satisfying and productive month in the studio. 

The Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) prompt this week was half-square triangles. I have a box of batik HSTs on hand so this was an easy step ...

All 25 Old Town blocks are assembled.  I think the design looks good this way but the sashing, which I have yet to make, kicks it up several notches.  I will persevere.

I've begun something new. 

These are big blocks -- 17" finished -- and that 8-1/2" center square called for the jumbo Kaffe flowers.  

My One Monthly Goal for January ...