This winter...

This winter has been very mild and will likely lead to an early spring.  I should be happy, right?  Huh.
This winter I broke my arm.  Then two weeks after I got the cast off I started thinking I could get my life back on track.  Nooo, the Universe has a different plan.  Mom fell and broke her hip.  While she was in the hospital I got a cold (which thankfully only lasted a week - I'm grateful for lemons and honey!!).  Now we're on a new round of appointments with the fracture clinic.  I get to push a wheelchair with my healed but sore wrist, and I get to take more time off work since none of my siblings can help.  So, I am officially declaring a little pity party for me and labeling this The Winter That Sucked Canal Water.

This past weekend was the Binbrook Guild annual retreat at Creiff Hills.  Normally I look forward to this with unbridled excitement, but if you read the previous paragraph you might figure out that I just wanted to stay home and cover my head.  I went anyways and had a good time, although I came home tired as hell.  Two weeks ago I was VERY SMART.  I planned ahead and booked a massage appointment for today because I am always twisted right up after sewing for three days straight.  Hah - the massage gal called me this morning and had to cancel because of a child-related emergency.  See previous paragraph and description of this winter.  sheesh.

My tumbler top is together and can officially go on the TFUQ list.

After I finished the tumblers I put together the Block of the Month which will be due at the end of March.  I used a new-to-me method of applique.  This is really soft since there is no fusible web involved.

APPLIQUE TUTORIAL

• invisible thread in the top
• fusible thread in the bobbin
• mark the outlines on the selected fabrics with a sharp pencil, or whatever you can see
• stitch just a wee bit inside the lines using the above listed thread combination
• trim with sharp scissors ON the marked lines
• place the pieces on the background fabric
• fuse with a hot iron & steam
• applique in place with a blanket stitch and decorative thread (note - I have not done that yet in the photo... or in real life... maybe tomorrow)

Now, I am going to do that 'cover-my-head' thing.  Good night.