Remember me?

I don't know what I've been doing, but I must have been busy!

My friend, Lanna, is having a second round of surgery tomorrow, as the next phase of treatment for removal of a malignant tumor with its host kidney. Please add Lanna to your prayers, along with ours, for a good report, and speedy recovery. Lanna is just as sweet as the day is long. So, to wrap her in the warmth of our hearts, as she approaches this surgery, we made her a flannel rag-time quilt.

Here's Marguerite at the machine, with Mary J, assisting, sewing the last seams together, and the assembled project. This is a cross country effort with blocks sent in by others in our group living in Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Georgia and Florida. Sadly, we've made a number of these quilts, so we are experienced. We'd be happy to give up the practice, since it means that someone we love dearly is very ill.

As to my own activities, mostly, I've continued in my sock knitting frenzy. I desperately need to dig out my studio again, and think about making some more doll clothes for grand kids. The room is such a mess, I hate to even walk into it, because it's almost claustrophobic. A good start would be merely cleaning up my desk!

Spring is trying to peek out at us. The iris in my front flower bed have shot up so fast, one would believe it possible to actually see them grow, reaching for the sunshine. The huge lilac bush outside my kitchen window is loaded with green shoots, and I anticipate tons of fragrant blooms. When my DS and DDIL moved into their house, the first spring brought three blooming lilac bushes. One has deep dark purple blooms. I always wanted a white one, but I think I may have to get a runner for one of the dark ones first! They are stunning. I haven't looked at my magnolia bush yet . . . I'm sure it's ready to bloom, too.

We're on the countdown for our annual Paducah trip. We've had a couple people have to withdraw, so I would be happy to find replacements for them. It helps bring down the cost per person, thereby leaving more money to spend in Hancock's on fabric! It's just 30 days away, now. We stay at Big Bear Resort on Kentucky Lake, reserving both a chalet and a townhouse. I'm afraid I may have scared away a couple candidates when I suggested bringing $10,000, because one wants to buy everything one sees! What a fantasy . . . to spend $10,000 just on sewing things . . . of course, then I would need even more time to dedicate to sewing, as to justify that expense . . . it's probably better to be more selective, just for the purpose of alleviating the guilt such spending would incur. The guilt surfaces now and then, as it is, but I try to lay down and let that feeling pass!

We are looking forward to meeting Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville, and Lucy from the Netherlands, who will be in other quarters. Bonnie is such a gracious hostess with materials shown on her website. She was very kind to permit our Guild to use some items from her website for our Retreat last fall. We have a whole new crop of Bonnie Hunter fans as a result. They are all using her "Leaders and Enders" techniques, as well as sorting their scraps. Sossity has baskets adjacent to her cutting table, and attached to each are lists of the components she needs to cut for three different quilts. They are filling up fast, and she has been turning out quilt tops like a whirlwind. Sandra is enjoying it so much, she has nearly ceased coming to auctions so she can stay home and sew!

Just thinking about it all is inspiring . . . think I'll get the snow shovel and clean my room, so I can start sewing, too!