What next?

Okay, let's get the not-so-good news out of the way first.  Hubby Ben had the nerve tests done on his arm yesterday and it appears there's been no healing. So learning to live with his damaged arm is likely our new reality and now we'll have to figure out the next step as far as his employment goes.  A scary thing to be facing when he's within a few years of retirement.  How life can change in a moment!

And now, some good news.  After my website disappeared without a trace into cyberspace a couple of months ago, it's finally back up and running again.  I signed on with a new host and rebuilt the thing from the ground up.  What a lot of work!  There's still some posting to be done but if you'd like to check out what I've done so far, here's the link: http://www.countryquilts.ca/.  What do you think of it?  As a little celebration present, I'm offering free shipping on any orders within the US and Canada placed from now to the end of January 2011!

Some more good news... I've designed another Block-of-the-Month pattern and Kansas City Star Books has agreed to publish it in book form later this year!  The pattern is called "Welcome Home" and features a lot of house blocks which I love.  I'll update you on the book's progress so stay tuned!

And finally, I've finished the little quilt project I started in my last post.  Here it is ready to be hand-quilted.

 And here it is, finished.

I enjoyed making it so much and there was so much extra fabric in the kit, I was able to make a second!

 I made this one without the woolen circles. 

 I can't decide which one I like better.  Which one gets your vote?

Goodbye 2010!

What a roller-coaster ride this past year has been for me! Here are some highlights.

During spring break in March, my teacher-friend Meg and I headed down to the Washington coast for a girlfriend getaway. We spent the night in this wonderful B&B in Port Townsend, a town filled with historic homes.

In April, my first book, "Country Comforts" was published by Martingale!
What a day that was, when my advance copy arrived, along with a bouquet of flowers.

In May, my Monday night quilting group had its annual weekend retreat in a lakeside house near our home.

We've been doing this for years and as always, we enjoyed great company and amazing meals.

Also in May, I took a road-trip before Spring Market in Minneapolis to visit "Primitive Gatherings" quilt shop in Wisconsin--something I'd wanted to do for years. Definitely worth the drive!

My book debuted at Market and I did a couple of book-signings there. In June, I visited Schoolhouse Quilts in Georgetown, Ohio (another great shop) for a trunk show.

Afterwards, hubby Ben and I drove through Amish country near Berlin.
Then I exhibited at the National Quilting Association Show in Columbus.
In July, Ben had nerve-graft surgery to try to repair the damage done to his right arm after an accident last December. Since nerves take so long to heal, we still don't know if the surgery was successful.  He'll be having tests done in January to determine if any healing has happened.  He's now been off work for over a year and if the tests show that the nerve isn't healing, it's unlikely he'll be able to go back to his previous job, which he's had for 33 years.  2011 could bring a lot of changes! 

Later that month, a group of quilters from France came to visit me in my home. The trip was organized by Martine (on my right) as part of a tour of quilt shops and shows. Martine and I had not met before but instantly became friends.

In August we spent a week with two other couples in a house on BC's "sunshine" coast.
Going back several years, this has become an annual tradition for us. We are so thankful for these close friendships and as always, the scenery was spectacular.
Also in August, we attended the beautiful wedding of my niece, Tessa in Washington state.

Then it was off to The Buggy Barn near Spokane for their annual show.

In September, three other Canadian designers and I hosted the second "Quilts at Tanglebank Gardens" near our home. The forecast was for rain but thankfully, they were so very wrong!And then, what has to be the highlight of the year for me, Ben and I spent an incredible 3 weeks in France.

The French version of my book was for sale at the Patchwork show in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the Alsace.

We visited my friend Martine at her home near Tours.  She was a wonderful hostess!

And we spent a couple of amazing days with another friend and fellow designer, Vero Requena, who owns the "Born to Quilt" shop at her beautiful home in Burgundy. 

Whew, I'm exhausted! When I think of all the wonderful friendships and experiences that quilting has brought into my life, I am amazed beyond belief.  And so very, very grateful.  Thank you all!

WISHING YOU ALL A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH JOY!