Holidaze

It has been a super busy week once more. I realized when I logged on today that the last post was my 4ooth! So I guess I better offer some sort of prize in honor of #401. So I will draw the 4 names of the next 40 comments & send 4 someones a prize made by me. So please start commenting!

I finally finished off those pesky classes that were causing me such angst, & have 2 more years to breathe before I have to do it again! Wednesday I spent all day in class, most of it on my feet doing CPR. My arms & abs are sore from that. After class I was on call for the Recovery Room, & ended up working until 1 in the morning. I pushed the last patient upstairs at midnight, & sat down to finish my charts. When I stood up after an hour on the computer, my new knee spasmed up on me & I could hardly walk. I got 4 hours of fitful sleep then gave up & went up & had my coffee. It was now Thursday, & I was limping worse than ever, & I had the Calendar Girls Christmas party at 10 a.m. I sat there in my stupor, fretting over it. I didn't want to miss it. I'd missed last Christmas. I finally realized I still had my crutches in the closet, so I donned my holiday sweater & jeans, & put everything I had to take in my backpack, & headed off to Betty's house for the party.

This is Betty & Lynnette.
We had a GREAT time.
Laughter really is the best medicine. We did a "White Elephant " exchange that was such a HOOT!
We also did our usual calendar exchange (after all we are the Calendar Girls).

Rena was trilled to get the one I brought. It was a pocket calendar, that I made a cover for. I used some of my hand dyed (from natural dyes), & wool & silk needle felted, then quilted.

I finally gave Mary Gerkin her "Bubbles" quilt that I made her from the baggie challenge we did.

She was pretty happy with how it turned out.

This is Ramona Chinn. She made this quilt for me, from my baggie. I was thrilled to have Ramona make my quilt. I first heard of her when I read an article in the Lady's Circle quilting magazine, back in about 1993 or 94. We were living in Michigan at the time, & there was an article about a group of quilters in Anchorage. Little did I know that I would end up knowing almost every one of them, & now count them among my friends.

Others brought small gifts for everyone. (A lot of over-achievers in this group). This is the stash I brought home. The 2 things in front are Velcro handle covers for your suitcase. They easily identify which case is yours. Also a needle case, & paper thread catcher, all made by Jan Wells, a pineapple hot pad made by Lynnette Motz. There's also a silk covered blue box & a small calendar with Inuit Art on it. I love the designs in it.

Here are some better pictures of my quilt from Ramona. The background is fabric & cheese cloth that I hand-painted. The leaves are made from Batting that I also painted. The flowers, she used some of the yarns that I'd included & crocheted the centers, then cut the Minke fabric that I had for the flowers.

I am thrilled with the results.

Lastly, here is the "white elephant" that I brought home. It's a vintage asparagus steamer. I think it's so ugly it's cute! It'll go nicely in my vintage kitchen!

Now I suppose I should get back to elevating this leg. I'm tired of laying on my backside!

Cheers! Don't forget to comment so I can draw 4 names!