What I'm Working On

With surgery looming I need precut simple piecing for after surgery.  Mindless, no brain needed piecing.  I have a box of homespuns Judy B in MN gave me, I've been pondering a project.  Pulled out all the homespuns, grouped by color and washed them in hot water.  I hung them to dry, this is some of them--

There are at least 35 yards of homespuns.  I needed a plan.  I have Accuquilt Churn Dash (9" & 12") and Flying Geese (3"x6") dies.  I have plenty of natural heavy muslin.  I can make LOTS of blocks easily.  Homespuns + vintage blocks = WIN to me!  Homespuns aren't bright like Kaffe Fasset, or eye catching like modern prints BUT I find them timeless and comfortable.   Cuddling in a quilt made of these is like putting on your softest flannel shirt.  I made a few blocks to see--

So that's my plan, I will press with plenty of starch before cutting--essential to working with homespuns.  

Lori1R in South Dakota

PS--Thanks to Liz in Houston for tip on cutting pool noodles to go on hangers--they're perfect for hanging fabric or quilts tops and prevent a stiff crease!  The noodles are easily cut/slit with a serrated knife.

Unexpected

The last 10 days have been busy.  In July my knee started hurting.

No swelling, just hurt.  So I limped on.  By the end of the season I knew it was not getting better.  I saw my local Dr.  He Xrayed it, didn't see anything too major.  He thought it was probably age related arthritis.   I kept saying most the pain was on the inside of the knee.  He suggested a cortisone injection to see if the knee would quiet down.  (It hurt to touch the skin like fire).  Two weeks later still  terrible pain.  It hurt no matter what.  Back to Dr who refers me to ortho Dr.  Ortho Dr xrays, sees some fluid inside the joint but is 95% sure I have a torn meniscus.  Has me sign surgery form, says he will do arthroscopic surgery, a simple procedure.  Yah!!  But he says he wants a MRI to make certain, got me in for scan at 5pm, will call me in two days with results.  Wednesday call--no arthroscopic surgery--I need knee replaced!  I am gobsmacked!  Yes, meniscus tear, but it can't be fixed, should remove it, but no cartilage on bone ends anymore.  So my knee has no cushioning.  And since I've had a cortisone injection, surgery has to wait 90 days.  Might cause problems with bleeding/healing.  This is a very conservative ortho Dr!   

Sigh.  I am limping around.  I can drive the big pickup, its my left knee and seat adjusts enough I can extend my leg fully, rest it on a pillow while driving.  Walking on flat ground in straight line is painfull but doable.  Bending, twisting, leaning, carrying is out.  I am sewing with my leg propped on cardboard box.  My sewing machine cabinet has no front left leg.

Planning on surgery early February, cutting projects that are simple piecing, maybe I can do that while I am recovering.  I'd like to quilt a few tops before then.  

I never dreamed I would need a new knee.  My knee is sore, but very little swelling.  

Lori1R i South Dakota