A lot has happened since my last newsletter. The most devastating news is that shortly after Christmas my sister-in-law lost her fight with cancer leaving behind a wonderful husband and two great children ages 11 and 9. Even though I went to the funeral service, I can't really believe that she won't be with us any more. I know she will be part of all of us forever.

Last October, I was diagnosed with Spina Bifida Occulta and found as a result that my spinal cord was attached or tethered to my lumbar vertebrae in two places. January 11th I had surgery to correct this problem with only partial success. Only one of the tethers could be freed without damaging my spinal cord. The good news is that the pain I'd been in all year is gone.

Now, with the flu and a cold out of the way, I'm back at my desk again. In this issue of Quilter's Review Sampler, I review a couple of handy notions from Colden Threads and a book from Breckling Press called Quilting with Jodie in Cotton Country.