It's Friday!!

I have to remember for next time, to remind everyone to only comment once for a giveaway.
When I realized that a few people had made more than one, I went back and counted the comments, and then went to Random.org.

And the winner IS.............that lucky Kate at Chronicles of a Country Girl.
So Kate.....just pick a Socketbook, any size, any color.

I think the next giveaway should be for a handwoven towel.........hmmm.  I have 10 in the washing machine right now.
Today, I was still weaving on my colorful warp, listening to classical guitar, and the fire was roaring.

You know I loved these colors, but on my 20th towel now, it's time for a change.

Next up, some blues and lavenders.  I'll show you tomorrow.

The consensus on the bird sounds was that they were woodpeckers drumming, sending messages back and forth.  Today I walked down that same road, and the noise was on the opposite side of the road, in the hardwood trees, and it was sharper and louder.  When I heard them the first time, they were in the tall pines.
That's it for the bird lesson.

Except for this hawk that's been perusing my bird feeders.

Beautiful, but deadly.

Like the flu.
How do you all feel about flu vaccines??  Did you all get one?
I'm dragging my feet.  Stubborn retired nurse.  You know the drill.

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Amen.

 

Today was beyond nice, and it was so welcome.  There was an abundance of sun, and the temperatures were just brisk, in an almost refreshing way.

So L and I took some time off after lunch, and went snowshoeing.  We really did.
 I haven't used my snow shoes in a long time, but they are perfectly good.  I can't say as much for my poles, but they are easily replaced.
We saw lots of evidence of  deer in the area.
We didn't go down to this brook, in fact, I opted not to go down any real steep inclines.
You can't believe how sensible I'm being, right?
Well it IS the first time I've ever actually really had a hole in my head, instead of just being accused of it.

 

 L's leading the way.  Which is good, because then I can take pictures.

 Apparently there was a farm nearby years ago, and they dumped their old vehicle here.
Then someone else came along to add insult to injury, and shot holes in it.

It was so nice that when I came home, I changed my shoes and took Roy for a long walk.
So I guess I got my exercise today.

But I'm not too tired to throw the shuttle just a few more times, only because I'm intrigued with this crazy fuchsia color.

And then I'll call it a day.

As I was walking by the river, with the crisp wind in my face, it felt so good, and I was suddenly conscious of the spring of my step, my barely there headache, an overall awareness of being very much alive, and almost well.  More well than I've been in a long time.
And if my doctor had been there right at that moment, I would have hugged him as hard as I could.

I am so grateful that I found him when I did, and that he had the skill and the knowledge and the compassion that he needed, to do what he did.
Thank you, Dr. Rekate, from the bottom of my heart.

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My half trip around the world

My Half Trip Around the World quilt was inspired by Rachel's over at Stitched In Color. I love a traditional pattern (in fact you'll see more of them around here this year) and I loved her modern twist on the Trip Around the World design. 

I've had it in the back of my mind waiting for the perfect fabric line to appear. Notting Hill turned out to be it - and I'm happy with how the pattern shows off all the beautiful prints. The squares are 5" finished. On the large size compared to the traditional, but really perfect for the large scale prints. It's 50" x 60", so should quilt up pretty quickly.

My next project involves this bright and very boy fabric. Can't wait to get started!

. . . Cindy

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A little of this. And that. And a giveaway.

While walking yesterday, I heard these birds calling back and forth.  I couldn't identify them, I have no idea what they are.
So I took a video with my phone, and I am hoping that ONE of you will know, because it's driving me crazy.
And you know I don't have far to go.

It isn't the "chirping" birds, it is a noise that sounds like a woodpecker slowed way down, softer.  You can hear it at these second marks.
1,7,9,17,28,39

 It was 34 degrees today, just plain awesome.

I wanted to show you my new woven tags, for shawls, scarves and such.
I got them from Stadri Emblems
Thanks, Cait!  I love them.

 

For those of you who wanted my hat pattern.....I posted it under Projects.

Here is another shot of the hat, it is perfect for walking on frigid days.  Just be sure to use bulky weight yarn.

Holy mackerel! Time for a party, we just slid over the 400 followers mark.
Get your party mask on!

 So all you have to do is be a follower, and leave a comment.  Will randomly draw a name for a Socketbook giveaway, any size, any color,  on Friday evening, January 11th.

Just please tell me the name of those birds!

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News.

I feel like I've been on hold for a while.  Months.

Today, I said enough.  Had my haircut, first haircut since surgery.  I was looking pretty shaggy.
  I have been nervous about anyone touching the back of my head.  And to be honest, it has only recently felt good enough to be touched. 

Got my eyebrows waxed.  I was beginning to be distracted by crazy eyebrow hairs sticking out.

Bought new glasses, they should be here by the end of the week.  I used to buy light colored frames, or tiny wire frames, but that was when my hair was COLORFUL.
Now my hair is working its way towards WHITE. ( If you knew how much I looked like my father.
Oh, dear.  It's scary sometimes.)
So I decided that my glasses needed to kind of stand out.
Be noticed.
So I got black, with some bling on the sides.

Today there was some sunshine.  It came and it went.

But little Miss Sunshine always brightens our day.
With her little pink tights on.
I love the way this picture turned out, with O in motion.

It's amazing how sitting under the loom can make her so happy.
I might have to try it one of these days.

I did a lot today, got a lot done, and I am feeling pretty good.
And I have exciting news.  
I found another blogger who also had Chiari surgery.
And you won't believe it, but she lives about 45 minutes away.
We're having lunch on Sunday, and she's bringing a friend, who ALSO had Chiari surgery.
I can't wait to sit and chat with them, because they have been where I've been.  They know how I feel, they understand like no one else can.
I'm really thrilled.

 Yes, O, thrilled.
What a face!

DH is watching an "action" film, and I am listening to iTunes on my laptop.
And guess what, my headache is MINIMAL.
Got that????     minimal

Yes, it's true.  Hallelujah.  And amen.

 

Two away from 400 followers, and I've decided that the giveaway will be a Socketbook.

Your choice.  Any size, any color.

Celebrating the day. Because I can.

 

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Is it a quilt?

 My flannel hexagon top is finally a "quilt".

Maybe it's not a quilt? I used the same technique that I used in my Summer Blankie, combining flannel and voile, sans batting for a light weight, very soft and drapey blanket.

The two layers are held together with minimal quilting. I simply stitched 1/2" on either side of every seam. Quick and easy! Done in a day!

The voile is on the back this time and the "quilt" has a traditional, but machine-stitched binding. These blankets are so soft and very comfy for napping. {I know this from experience}

In other projects, I fell hard for Joel Dewberry's new line Notting Hill. I used the decorator weight for a new Multi-tasker Tote. {The first one given to my daughter}

And a sneak peek at the quilt I'm making using the Poppy Palette. It's making me smile!

. . . Cindy

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Bring me sun

Almost to 400 followers!!  I better get thinking on that giveaway.
I also have to do a January sales newsletter.
Then what's stopping me, you ask?   How about just plain old BLAHNESS.
Do not tell me that isn't a word, Miss Spellchecker, because in January in northeast anywhere, it is definitely a word.
It's cold, it's gray, it's messy and dreary.  If that's not BLAHNESS, nothing is.

The good news is that spring will come, and this will end, as it does every year.  I just have to bluff myself through it.  There always comes the conversation about moving south, but I love the Adirondacks most of the time.
I would go south for a couple of months, but there is much disagreement in this house about that.
DH loves Florida, I do not.  Too busy, too crowded, for me.
I would rather go somewhere not so far south, where maybe it isn't 80 degrees, but maybe it isn't 18 degrees either.
In the end, I probably will not miss one winter here ever.
Depressing.

My cats long for the sun, too.  And green.  So I planted these for them.

 

And I planted a back up for them too, for when these are all chewed up.

I used this container, because I can close it so they don't mess with the dirt, but it has holes in it for air.

 It's perfect.

A little dirt.

 And some wheat grass seeds.

 

 Yes, all the cats at CAAL are SPOILED, inside and outside.

Yesterday both outside cats got treated for tapeworms, an unfortunate part of living outside.
$18 for medicine for 2 cats.
Did I mention that I would be a wealthy woman if I didn't like cats?

Ah, what's money anyway?
I think it's overrated most of the time.

There was sun eventually today, and I loved every minute of it.
It was good enough to do a little photo shoot.

This is  a preview of a new page on my web site.  These are my new Paper Birch rugs.

 

They are all in shades of white, black and grey. 

They are thick and absorbent, and make great bath mats.

 

I have two sizes, 24x36, and 32x48.

  I am working (still) on the acceptance thing.......the truth is that I am not yet past doing  just half days....at the studio, and pretty much half days at life in general.
I have found that I no longer wake up with a screaming headache, just the dull ache that is always there........I go to the studio, I do STUFF, eat lunch, and by 1pm, I am done like toast.  Neck aches, and ultimately, pretty serious headache.
Ah, but there's good news.  NOW, unlike before, I can deal with it. 
I come home, take some Motrin, have some tea, lay on my wonderful, heated herb/rice pack sent to my by namesake Hilary, rest a bit...................and Voila, success.  Relief.  Then the rest of the day is pretty much fine.

Life is good, and I am grateful.
And that's that.

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