Recovery Sewing Strategy

It is important to stay busy.  A few weeks ago I was told I needed surgery to replace the seven year old hip replacement that had failed.  So, that's what I was doing last week!  I'm told the procedure went well and in a few months I should be better than ever.  I'm very excited about the prospect of no more limping, no leg lock ups when walking and the elimination of leg pain!

Due to the nature of the procedure, I have to stay off the leg for 3 months forcing me to adapt to alternative modes of getting around.  With a little help I was still able to get some fresh air this week on a spectacular day.

I had a little notice that this adventure was coming so I was able to think about some hand sewing projects to keep me entertained.

One of the most recent Splendid Sampler blocks has already been embroidered this week.

I've been carrying this cross stitch project around for quite some time.  It's colorful and easy (not too many 1/2 stitches) pattern that I am stitching on a larger thread count aida to minimize the stress.

One of my scrap management strategies is to cut scraps down to useful sizes.  I have a nice little package of 2.5 inch squares and I've started to hand piece them together.  This is really slow work but hand piecing is a technique I would like to develop some proficiency with and this project should help.

Then I have some crafty books that I have set aside for bed time reading.

You can imagine my excitement when the physical therapist said I could be machine sewing (for short periods of time) soon!  The day we returned from the hospital my son had already extracted my sewing machine from the sewing suite downstairs and set it up on the dining room table.  My kids know me well!  I hadn't planned on being able to use the sewing machine, so I don't have any projects ready to go but that just gives me something to ponder in these first few days.

My family and friends have been wonderfully supportive through this and I'm even getting some napping time with the Grand-dog!

I'm also looking at this as an opportunity to catch up on my blog reading (sorry!) and maybe even do a little long overdue maintenance to this blog!  Thank you all for continuing to generate so many beautiful things for me to look at!

Whether hand sewing or machine sewing, it looks like I will have lots to fill my time as I work at healing over the next three months!

Have a great day!

Kathy

Splendid Sampler Update - #60 - 74

The scrappiness continues!  Here's the latest batch of Splendid blocks!  I love projects where I am stretched a little and learning new things.  This project certainly qualifies!

#60 - Hearts and Flowers.  This project has rejuvenated my love of embroidery.

 #61 - Traveler

#62 - Hen and Chicks

#63 - The Icing on the Cake.  More hand work, this time needle turn appliqué.

#64 - Rising Star

#65 - Stripes and Flowers.  Yikes.  This was a surprisingly tricky block for me but I am pleased with the outcome!

#66 - Happy Thoughts.  This block reminds me that I need to focus on color value and saturation more.

#67 - Bobbin Chase

#68 - Wild Roses

#69 - Full Circle.  From this block I learned that I need to practice curved piecing!

#70 - Bows.  Now, I am a big fan of paper piecing but this little block was really a challenge.  My lesson on this one is to really, really lower your stitch (2.0 was not small enough) to ensure the stitches stay intact when removing the paper.  Oops.  Lots of repair work needed!

#71 - First Stitch

#72 - Full Circle Star

#73 - +Love

#74 - Button Basket

And this is what these 74 Splendid blocks look like together:

Have a great day everyone!  And to my American friends, if you haven't already, please do vote next week!  It is important that whatever the result is, that it reflects the voice of the people.

Kathy