Getting Back to Normal

It has been almost two weeks since the earthquake. Aftershocks has decreased in frequency and intensity which really helps with getting back to our normal routine. One of the scariest rooms to enter after the earthquake was our master bath. 

After moving the furniture I was amazed to find our glass shower wall in one piece. It sat on the floor until yesterday when it was time to get it reinstalled.

So much better! Notice the new bar that braces the glass at the top left. We were missing that piece before the earthquake. Safety before aesthetics...learned the hard way.

The best therapy for getting through the first week of intense aftershocks was to spend some time at my quilting machine. 

A better look at the quilting with some of the lights turned off to create shadows.

And the backside. I love this quilt. I didn't have a single tension issue the entire time and I used several different threads in the quilting. 

The quilting group I attend retreats with throughout the year had a Christmas party and gift exchange last weekend. The weather was not great that day, icy roads, but 13 of us gathered and had a group hug for making it through the quake. I got a set of Merry and Chris Moose crafted for my secret Santa. For my gift I received a wonderful set of bright batik fat quarters. 

Creating is such a great way to deal with stress.

I also finished the redwork embroidery on this set of ornaments. I plan to make blocks out of them and put together a mini quilt. I plan to hand quilt this project. Maybe I can get this little top pieced at our February retreat.

These patterns are by the Australian designer, Lynette Anderson. Not my usual style but I picked up several of the patterns at a quilt shop in Paris. The specialty wooden buttons are what grabbed my attention.

I don't want to dwell on the earthquake. We had so little damage even though we were just under 25 miles away from the epicenter. The aftershocks have really lessened in the past two days...big relief! The toughest part for me was my husband had just left on November 26th for a long trip with Fed Ex and did not get home until Monday, December 10th. He rarely does long trips but he wanted to have Christmas off so he is now done working until January...unless Santa needs more help delivering packages.