My best thinking

Murphy's thoughts are rubbing off on me! No, I didn't want to throw my sewing machine into the pond so someone could rescue it. But as she and I were walking yesterday, a thought popped into my head, and oh my goodness. I realized that if I added the embellishments in their two separate components, I could stitch them to the wall hanging. No glue required. It means sewing part of it with a sewing machine, which I like, as that's sturdier than glue. The second part of each embellishment can be hand-stitched. 

Thank you, Murphy, for that! I finally got to the sewing machine last night after dinner to test my theory, and it worked beautifully. I was so excited, I almost couldn't sleep. 

Yesterday, I spent a lot of time at the computer. Over the years, I've taught MANY large quilts that required multi-part classes. The list needed to be fact-checked and, in some cases, compiled. Without the help of my blog, I could NEVER have done it. And I completely forgot that I have a second blog, which came to mind when I woke up around 3 AM. Yes - for those who don't know, I started blogging around 2007. I was using the LiveJournal platform at the time. Here's a link back. 

When I went in there this morning, I found more information about those quilts, but I didn't have time to look into it. 

Now I have a couple of questions that I hope you can help me answer. The first is this quilt, called 'Around the Block,' which was taught at The Hobby Horse in 2008. Did anyone make this quilt? I did not keep class lists. I've sent an email to two people whom I think may have made it. I'm still waiting for an answer. 

Did you make this quilt with me?

The only reference on this blog is when I finished my top. And I vaguely remember giving this pattern away, as all I have left is a photocopy of the front. 

The second question is related to American Beauty (Marti Michell templates). I need to do more investigation on this one, but I think I only taught this at Cockadoodle Quilts in 2012. If you took that class from me anywhere other than Cockadoodle, let me know. I see more details on the LiveJournal blog about American Beauty, but it's too early for this quilt, so there must have been another quilt by the same name. I won't have time to check until later today. 

The third question is related to 'Long Time Gone,' which I know I taught twice, once at Thimbles and Things, starting in 2020. But I taught it a second time, and I'm certain that was not through a store. Does anyone have the year I did it independently? I have this information on my blog and will go back and check, but there are a ton of posts to go through. 

My email is elainetheriault@gmail.com. If you have the answers to any of the questions, feel free to send them to me.

On my master list of those multi-part classes, I added a couple that were shorter but still involved large projects. The total is over 80 since 2003. It's no wonder I have so many UFOs!!! Never mind some other large quilts that were multi-part (I mostly remember Marti Michell), but didn't make the list. 

And then DH and I played the EXIT Game last night; he was the one who came up with the answer. It was one of those AHA moments, and yes - it worked! We have one puzzle left, and we are done with this graphic novel. I think he will be pleased when it's done! He's not a fan of the characters, nor the story. 

Here's the little console table I bought. It's pretty neat, and I like that it can be pulled under the chair, although it's a bit short for that. However, your feet don't get caught up in the legs, and it's pretty sturdy. There is a storage pocket on one side. 

Our new console table

But here's the part I really like. It has a folding top, so it looks like this when it's closed. 

The table is in the closed position

And it opens up to this. Made in India, found at Homesense. 

The console table opened up

I had the most amazing walk yesterday. Everything in my leg/back was settled down, and I felt absolutely nothing. Being in discomfort for so long and then nothing is a wonderful feeling. Will it last? I doubt it, but let's be positive! Can it be the better posture and stretching that are helping? I can only hope so and will continue to do them. Perhaps this was a message from above - telling me to get off my butt and do something about myself. 

I swear, DH has a terrible attitude. He is struggling with various issues with his mom, and I asked him the other day what he was doing so he wouldn't become like her. He said it was his business and I shouldn't worry about it. Excuse me, but I do NOT want to become your caregiver. It is MY business as well. I have no idea why people think that what they do is entirely their own business! If a family member has to become your caregiver or clean up after you, then it's their business! 

So that's something to contemplate. 

I need to switch shoes. I needed to do that a while ago, but didn't want to break in new shoes in the mess of rain and snow. When I checked the bottoms yesterday, you can see how this leg issue is causing me to put more pressure on my right foot than my left. That's not good, and so stretching is the name of the game! Don't yell at me - they are long overdue, and the new ones will come out of the box this afternoon. 

Uneven wear on the bottom of my shoes

Speaking of putting things in the pond, I was outside enjoying my bran muffin and the lovely day when Miss Murphy decided to play with her fish, an outdoor toy that is more often in the house than out. She was getting mighty close to the edge, so I had to get up, grab the toy, and bring everyone inside. Sigh.

MOM - the fish wanted to swim! 

As I was fact-checking on the blog, I came across several photos that made me chuckle. Oh - I spotted more than these, but I only grabbed three for your enjoyment.  

Here's a pile of stuff waiting at the front door to be donated. This was from 2015, when I emptied all the cupboards in the kitchen and donated half of the contents. I told you I've been at this for a long time. And we could go through the cupboards again, and I'd likely find more stuff that we don't use. 

The donation pile from 2015

Yes, the decluttering thing is a long-term, ongoing project that never stops. The second you bring something new into the house, something should go out! 

This next one is from Studio B. Oh my -- look how neat and tidy that corner is. That's my computer from upstairs, and I remember doing some work on it downstairs. And I think the tables are nice and clear because I was hosting a weekly hand-embroidery club there. Imagine keeping it like that all the time - that would kill me these days. I didn't take note of the date, but it was around 2015. 

A spotless corner of Studio B back in the day

And then there is this! Yes -- while Studio B doesn't look so great, it certainly looks much better than this. I didn't get the date of this photo either, but it was from 2012? Anyway, it's a huge mess, and if I don't get myself back in order, it's going to look that way again! No, it won't, as I won't let it get that bad. 

Studio B from a messier time

Now that I know how to complete the Trendtex challenge, I can finish it. My goal is to finish it today. If it arrives at its destination before April 30, it has a chance to be in the judging. I don't really care about that, but it would be nice to say I met a deadline! It still will go in the auction if it doesn't meet the April 30 deadline. 

And more writing happened yesterday - it was a LONG day at the computer! I have a ton of work to get done this week, but every little bit is bringing me closer to the finish line. I know I'll never be on top of it all, and I just have to live with that. But summer is coming, and I shouldn't have to accept anything new, so that's a positive. It might give me a chance to catch up a bit! LOL!!! Such a dreamer I am. 

Well, I'm off to spin class. And someone mentioned another new-to-be Canadian author. Tessa Wegert. I couldn't find her first book (6 in the series) on the digital services, so I had to resort to the library, and there it was. It's going to be on hold later today. 

I'm reading another great book right now - about a "mentally retarded" girl who rides the bus all day. I'm running out of time - I'll share the details of the true story tomorrow. 

Have a super day!!!! And if you can help with those three questions, that would be awesome. I know I'll be thinking about all three of them while at spin class. It makes the time zip by! 

Ciao!!!