Love your stories and your blocks.  

Because I had to take time from sewing with my shoulder surgery, I plan to keep the ox in front of my machine even if it isn't the year of the ox so I can get more of these projects completed.  I have several now that just need me to finish the hand sewing part of the binding as I have had them quilted by Carrie.  She has 2 more to do at her leisure.  They have been hanging in my closet for years.  I also have a bin of UFOs to finish or move on. 

Sounds like a good plan.

Were you so overwhelmed with all the fabric that you did not buy any or did you find some treasures?  I've only been to Missouri Star for a short visit.  Bob was with me and we were on a long road trip.  I'd love to go back w/o him so I feel I can really explore.

I really didn't need any material but I did buy a few pieces that were on sale she calls it a sales rack which was $6 in the yard but when you just leave the day before that Eddie huge Warehouse fabric store it was not a sale but anyways I did buy some odds and ends of other things that I need it so I enjoyed it my friend Julie had been there before years ago and she said everything has really been changed to the better so I hope you get to get go back in and check it out it's really nice

Cathy, my friend sent me an email with her painting for 2022's "Year of the Tiger" and her message is:

In the past a few forum members have posted comments about how they have looked for one thing and then happily found another thing that they weren't even looking for. That happened to me today because I found what will most certainly be the largest block for my "Kresge Kid's Quilt" while I was looking for something else but I have to fix it first.

This item was a "thank you gift" made by the inmates at North Central Correctional Institution for the quilt making lessons I gave them. These dozen men were the quietest, most attentive students I ever had in my teaching career; I suspect that the guard standing in the corner of the room was bored silly. 

Anyhow later in the year there was a "Teacher Appreciation Day" and even though I did not enjoy the experience of going back to the prison with nothing to teach (those clanging prison doors gave me the creeps) I went and was very touched by the gift. I discovered today that when they framed the gift they used double-sticky tape and Elmer's Glue to hold the fabric in place. It was obvious that they couldn't use glass (a big no-no in prison) but the Elmer's Glue on particle board was a surprise.

Now in order to include it in my quilt I am going to have to get the glued-down bits of particle board off the back of the Aida cloth.

Patience, Judy, patience ..... spritz with water, wait a bit and use tweezers.

Now I will have something to mark my twelve year "career" with Project Linus on the quilt.

Yup patience,  but you will get there. 

I remember when you were teaching in the prison!  It will take patience to remove that, but will be so worth it!

i wonder if you could soak it in anything stronger than water?

well we all got sick for Christmas and so far I don't feel like sewing.  I did work on one of the Christmas puzzles.  I'm not necessarily convinced it's covid, but both DH & DD tested positive - so it probably is.  I'm just feeling like a cold - gosh I hate swallowing snot for days.  ah well, at least we have lots of movies and audio books.  DH is feeling better after 5 days, so that means I've got at least 2 more to go.  I feel incredibly fortunate this didn't happen at thanksgiving when we had a big house full including my 80+ year old cousin, tho it has messed up some social plans and DD's work plans.  Still we all have the freedom to stay home and get well.

Oh no…..I sure hope you get better soon!  They are saying that this latest strain isn’t making people as sick, but is much more contagious!  I hear the last 2 days our n7mbers hav3 greatly increased!

which makes sense as so very many traveled, got together, and spread it.  We saw daughter and her guy, but it was just us.

evan was sick with something before Christmas - tested negative.  But it sure took a bite out of a week of his schooling and he was changing jobs at the time also..