Sentimental Stitches

I looked at the date of my last post and gasped. It was nearly two months ago on January 2.

I'm sure many of you are asking the same question I'm asking myself:

"What quilt have you been hiding under for the last two months?"

I don't have a good answer for that question and can't quite figure out when the crawling under began. In my defense, I have worked a few days at the Grand Rapids boutique, traveled to Traverse City to attend a very unexpected funeral. I've made two trips north to staff the Petoskey boutique for a week or so.
I've visited the doctor twice and the dentist twice. My teeth have been cleaned and filled with one crown left to do.
The doctor visits have been a little more complicated.

This was last week - swollen, discolored and sore from carpel tunnel surgery.

Yesterday - swelling gone, bruised, but even nail polish remover won't remove the purple marking pen or orange stuff they painted on my hand.

The surgical tape fell off during the night. The incision doesn't look too bad with its cute little fishing line tails sticking out at both ends.

Not much sewing being done around here and the condition of my sewing room has been both a blessing and a curse to my attitude. It looked like this when I got home from Traverse City.

Look! There's actually a sewing machine in this last picture.

I wanted Kevin to have the larger of the two bedrooms downstairs and asked the guys to move my sewing room from that bedroom to the family room. They did a fantastic job but by the time I added the things I brought back from the lake a little organization was needed. Let's be honest here, a little organization was an understatement. How about a major purge!
I wish I had some pretty pictures of a neat, organized quilt studio to show you but we're not to that point yet. All I have are the shots of Clutch and I under one of our favorite quilts.
I have found some fantastic treasures and done tons of sorting, folding and organizing. So far I have three huge Rubbermaid tubs filled with things I'm either listing on ebay or putting up for sale in the Online Store. I'll put a link to the ebay auctions at the top of the page. I'm still offering free shipping on orders.

I really am healing nicely which is good because next week I get my stitches out, go for an ultrasound and then a biopsy to figure out why my last pap test came back with what they called abnormal endometrial cells.

Being unemployed does give you the time for all that medical stuff but the little unemployment check doesn't take care of the bills and it's tax time for the cottage with trillion dollar view.

Did I tell you Rob is getting me my own 'old blue chair' to sit in down by the shore just like Kenny Chesney does?

I know you have lots of questions and are wondering about the block of the month patterns and orders that are long overdue. I'll do my best to take care of all of that before Monday.

I pray the best for our world in 2009. It seems as we turn the page on 2008 there are many things demanding our attention and causing stress in the lives of people worldwide. I'm looking to the new year with gratitude for all the blessings I have been given. If worse came to worse I think I could find a bent needle, some dull scissors, old rags to cut up and still make a quilt to keep my family warm. I know you could (and would) too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

I've been receiving spam emails from my own web site. I hope you haven't been receiving them too. Because of this I've hesitated publishing the new pattern pages for 2009 or send out a newsletter. I'm working the Lunarpages, my ISP, and can't say enough good things about their customer service for being fast to warn me of the problem and assisting me in making it go away. I'm no expert and wouldn't have a clue how to fix this without them. As soon as it's taken care of the pages will start to appear like magic.
Here's a sneak peek of the Changing Seasons Block of the Month. You can use the blocks in a quilt or finish each one with a special setting for individual wall quilts.

I hope you had a joy filled Christmas Day. We enjoyed a wonderful day together and Clutch exhausted himself with all the activity.

Do you hear your everyday responsibilities calling you back to reality? I know I do so today we're sending out orders to everyone who has been patiently waiting for theirs to arrive. A few of you got caught in the pack and move back to Grand Rapids followed by the holiday but today is your day!

I intended to tell you about this quilt right after my trip to Shipshewana but the patterns somehow stayed in GR while I returned to Traverse City. Now that we're back in one place (at least I think we are) I'm hoping you're still in the mood for Christmas and thinking about next year's projects. Remember the Reason is a heart tugging, inspirational quilt to make. The finished size is 25" x 34" so it's not too overwhelming even for beginners. I made mine using hand applique and embroidery but it would be a quick project with fusible applique and inking. Better yet, try Back Basting for your applique. I have enough of the star charms to include with each pattern ordered.


If you're been thinking about anything else in the Online Store, take advantage of


on all domestic orders. No coupon code to enter. It's calculated automatically. For you international customers - you'll receive a special surprise in your order. The free shipping offer will end on January 1.