More time for crafting

My fitness journey with classes at a local gym has been sidelined. I think I mentioned a while ago that I have been dealing with what I thought was bursitis in my right hip since last October. It would act up, then calm down and then act up again. I was feeling mostly good for the first few months of this year and then right before our trip the pain really started in again. I was worried about being able to enjoy the trip and all the tours. Needless to say, my orthopedist prescribed a Prednisone dosepack to start just prior to the cruise. It worked wonderfully. I had a followup appointment when we returned and an MRI of my hip was prescribed to determine why this is a recurring problem. Two torn tendons were found so another appointment was made with an orthopedic surgeon. I was nervous, but this specialist says that most 65 year old women have tendon tears. No surgery is needed. He thinks the problem is my back acting up again. I have arthritis in my spine that has caused scoliosis. Another MRI is to be scheduled for my spine and then possibly an epidural shot. I had two of these shots several years ago for a similar situation. I am allowed to continue with my walks, but I must put my fitness classes on pause. I'm disappointed, but I'm looking forward to being pain free. One bright spot is that I have gained 90 minutes of crafting time 3 days a week. You have to look at the bright side. 

So what have I been doing with the extra time. Well, I have made great progress on my younger granddaughter's Christmas stocking. The green nightgown should be finished by the end of next week.

I have also started the Christmas ornament for my older granddaughter. I have to add white beads around the outside and then applique it to a beige background.

It will look like an iced gingerbread cookie.

Having a Ball now has 14 of 36 blocks quilted. I have marked the black block for quilting. I am not happy with how the edge of the block looks, but there isn't enough fabric seam allowance along the edge to fix it and it wants to fray.

I haven't shown you my crocheting in a while. These small granny square blocks will become a baby blanket to have on hand as a gift. I am using up scraps of yarn. I am trying to use colors of similar value.

 I have 77 out of 221 granny squares made at this point. This is my TV watching craft.

My flower pots on our back deck have finally filled in and are so pretty.

My daughter gave me the pot on the right below for Mother's Day. She left it for me when her family stayed at the house while we were on our cruise.

My butterfly bush is all in bloom. The lavendar next to it is done blooming.

My hydrangeas are pretty too. 

If you haven't seen it yet, the final post of our vacation is here.

I will be joining Kathy for some Slow Sunday Stitching and Frederique at the Quilting Patch today. Make yourself some tea or coffee and pop on over to their sites to see what other bloggers are stitching. 

Thanks for stopping by!