Wednesday bits and pieces

Here are the promised redwork patterns.  Aren't they great?  They are designed by Robin Kingsley, with Bird Brain Designs.

Most unlikey they will get done for Valentine's Day, but one of these days.  I really like them.

Still working on my TiddlyWinks.  I am happy with the red and white color scheme,

I believe I counted 45 completed blocks.  Just 35 to go.  Most of these fabrics are from Westfallenstoffe (a German company that I visited a couple of years ago)

Sweet friend Willemijn sent me this fascinating magazine from the United Kingdom.  It is full of fresh and new ideas for collecting, making, creating.  (filled with Amy Butler type of fabrics) Great gift, thanks Willemijn.  Aren't I lucky!

Trying to change my heading

but not successful.  Alas.  I don't understand how to make it work.  So moving on. . . . . .

An old folk song:

"But I can give you morning, on a thousand hills, and kiss you and give you, seven daffoldils"

These poor, confused flowers - I love them, but it's only January. 

Had a couple of nice days,

Those seem few and far between, so we must appreciate them when they stop by.  Maybe mid-week the weather man tells us?

I'm working on my recovery.  Today it was two 15 minute walks, plus spending some time in the sewing room.  Hurrah!  This is a pattern called Tiddly Winks by Roxanne Carter - an active member of my quilt guild.  I love it.  So here are a few of my starting blocks,

As you might notice, they are all red and white. 

Today also included a shopping trip to Target.  My wonderful Rowenta Travel Iron has died.  RIP.  So today it was off to find something else that will work.  This one is larger, but after 1 day, it seems to work adequately.  So we shall see.  [and for $6.99 how wrong can I go?]

Today some redwork patterns arrived.  I'll show you tomorrow.

A little bit confused

Look at my poor narcissis - I think he is confused - it's only January (but he is kinda cute, too)

And then, Taa Daa  (sorry Caro)
I wandered my way to the sewing room.  I have been practicing going up and down the stairs, so today it was with real purpose.  I did find that my brain was a bit addled trying to make sense of the pattern here.  But isn't this a great border?  I just loved it.  From Janet Kime's book,

Lots of bias edges, so hopefully I have been careful enough.

My fabulous caregiver

Today a parcel arrived by way of HEMA in the Netherlands specifically for my caregiver - a real badge of courage:

Quilters are the most fabulous friends

My quilty friends have been taking such goodo care of me.  Thank you so much!  Even from her own sick bed, Caro sent this sweet wrist pin cushion,

And yesterday, Ronda came over with goodies galore.  My Christmas gift,

new quilty socks.  She also brought the next block-a-buck block to work on.  I sure hope to spend some time in my sewing room this next week,

and she cleaned out her collection of quilting magazines.

It's fun and actually informative to go through even older issues to see how things have changed over time and to reassess my own preferences.  Which patterns appeal to me today?  I'm thinking that my tastes are changing - and that's not all bad. 

Yesterday there was a brief interlude when we could go outside for a short walk.  Yeah!  Fresh air!  Thursday is my first check back appointment with the heart surgeon, so that's a good one to check off.

Thursday's report

Albeit slowly, I'm still here.  (glad you can't see my 'nursing home hair')  I did get one thing completed (well, the top that is) before my hospital time.  It just makes me happy,

Isn't that a fun little wall piece?

I am NOT wandering far from home, because

I think the current total for here is about 8+ inches.  They said rain today, but not yet.  Good thing that I don't have anywhere I have to go.  Maybe tomorrow I can have some time in my favorite room?????  I will let you know.

Very quick

Released from the hospital on Sunday - in the beginnings of a snowstorm.  But bless good, good friends they did extra duty and brought me home.  Now we are working on getting the regimine of medicines aligned, doing deep breathing and walking around the house (at 4 or 5 minutes at a time.)  Do take care of your health - coming back is so challenging.