some progress made

I'm working really hard to get out of my slump. I pulled out a UFO this week that was all pinned and sandwiched and started machine quilting it. I worked about an hour on it on Wednesday which made me feel pretty good. I have it laying across my ironing board so I will continue to work on it before starting any new quilt project. I'll post a picture when I finish.

Notice I put the stress on the quilt project. It hasn't kept me from starting new knitting projects. It was really cold last week and since I have been working from home for the last 8 years I have not really had much need to go out in bad weather. Now that we have moved I have to drive to work and then walk from the parking garage to the office. I found that I really need a hat so I started one yesterday. I finished up the knitting this morning and wanted to get it felted so I can wear it tomorrow. I had a few of the purses laying around that had been knit but not felted so I figured I would do it all at once. Here is everything shaped and drying. I have my purses shaped on computer programming books covered with a cotton dish towels and the hat is on a wadded up ball of plastic bags. I have been having a great time with all this knitting. I just need to find a felted mitten pattern so I can make a pair to go with my hat.

I have a new project I have been thinking about in my "spare" time. While checking out a Teddy Bear shop on our trip to New Jersey after Christmas (which I try to do whenever I travel :o)) I found this really cool feather tree with fence. I agonized over it since it would be out for such a short time each year, but finally let DH talk me into it by promising myself I would decorate if for year round then change it up for Christmas. I have had a few ideas of primitive decorations that I could make to put on it, but haven't really come up with anything I love yet. It is currently sitting on the end of my kitchen counter with one lone teddy on it and a couple sitting under it. I have found a spot upstairs where kittens are not allowed to go and am looking for a low table to hold it permanently. As soon as I finish quilting my UFO I am going to make a quilt to go under it then start on ornaments. Anyone have any ideas for neat ornaments?

Happy Birthday to my Mom who had a really good post-chemotherapy checkup on Friday. :o)