Why I haven't been blogging lately and other things

So, I normally try to blog a couple of times a week, but I have been busy with this:

my little helper-likes to sit on my lap and watch the needle go up and down.  Now, if he could only iron LOL.

 And this:

My text book

 I am enrolled in the local college in the Survey and Anatomy course.  A condensed and very intense class because it's over the summer.  Leaves little time for other things, like quilting.  Between work, school and kids home, I am stretched a bit thin.  It's only for a year though, I am training to be a medical assistant, the heavy course load starts in August.  Looking forward to it though. 
I have though, been doing a few little things,  like coming up with a deadbar for my frame.  I get really tired of having to move the take up roller up every few passes.  So, here is what I came up with:

a couple scrap pieces of wood, a 3/4 inch pvc pipe with end caps, and some screws and I have a dead bar. 

on the frame

Here is a practice piece, I was trying out some new designs.  I also have been going through some old quilting books I have had for years, and this was one of the designs I updated for rotary cutting:

What do you think? I am thinking of making a whole quilt with these colors, I think I have enough of the fabric to do it. 
Well, off to lala land, gotta work tomorrow. 
Happy Quilting,
Marianne