A place for everything, everything in its place!

I'm glad I'm not the only one having dreams. I woke up remembering another dream, but it was a pleasant dream. Some of us were sewing, making things, and borrowing stuff from each other - just like at a quilt retreat! It was a fun dream! 

And I'm happy to report that I had a great day yesterday. I did not get everything done that I wanted to, but I made tremendous progress. I completed almost half of the side job, efficiently using the fabric I was given, and effectively using my time. It took just over three hours to cut 20+ yards of fabric into shapes, and that is part one. Part two will be easy, but part three will be a bit more challenging due to the fabric. But only because of the size and weight of the fabric bolt. I'll choose one of those jobs today, and I'll probably pick the easier one since we are going out to lunch today. 

My scrap bucket looked like this when I was done. 

The scrap bucket after my three hours of cutting

From time to time, I get asked, "How often do I change my rotary cutter blade?" Well, to know exactly, I took a piece of tape and taped it to the handle of my primary cutter. I glanced at it the other day and decided it was time to change the blade! Oh my -- perhaps a little overdue, but I haven't cut tons this past year. OK - probably more than I realize, but I wasn't having any difficulties with the cutter, despite the decrepit mat I'm cutting on. I really need to do myself a service and get rid of that darn thing. Or at least switch it with the newer mat. When I cut batting or other crap, then I'll swap them out. 

When did you last change your rotary cutter blade? 

Anyway, I've installed a new blade in the cutter, and although I don't see a significant difference, it's done!

What I found really enjoyable was that I think I've finally got things set up the way I want them. Or in a way that is working very well for me. I just need to sort out the three boxes that were delivered the other day, which I'll likely do later today. What about those three projects? Have a look......

All the appliqué and hand stitching were completed on the blocks for Vintage Farm Girl. I realized afterward that this was just some stitching, but who is going to know the difference? 

Small bit of appliqué

Small bit of hand embroidery

The blocks are now on the design wall. There are three extras, so now I need to arrange them as I like, cut the sashing and cornerstones, and start sewing that top together. For the moment, it's going to stay this way as I have a couple more "urgent" things to do. I do NOT want to be doing things at the last minute. Having all those projects in that huge mess on those tables is actually good for me. All the things I need are within easy reach and at a good height. No digging through a tub. I just need to figure out how to sew faster!

The blocks for Vintage Farm Girl

So that was project number one. 

Number two was to finish piecing this block for the Dear Jen project. Actually, I had to do the satin stitch on the handles and then sew the pieces together. The block is now complete. 

A block for Dear Jen

And it has joined the rest of my blocks on the design wall. I was making significant progress on this much earlier this year, but then things happened, and the blocks started falling off the wall. Now, I need to refigure out where they went. I'm pretty sure I have a picture on the blog to guide me. 

The blocks for Dear Jen

That one will also stay this way for a bit as I work on the homework for the two classes for the coming weekend. And let's not forget my UFO homework, although any of these can be substituted for my UFO homework, and I'm OK with that. It would be nice to finish what I put on the list, though. 

And the third project? It is pieced and in need of a good press. A few embellishments, and it will be done too. My plan is to complete that task today and then work on my homework assignments. I managed to get more done on one of the presentations yesterday, and it's going to be so nice to actually have time to review them, add, and delete as necessary. The trick is to stay ahead of the students. When they ask questions, I'll hopefully have the answers! 

And a few more half-square triangles were sewn and trimmed. 

More half-square triangles done! 

I will confess that I'm in a hyper-cleaning mode these days, and the second (OK - I'm not that crazy) that I'm done with something, it gets whisked back to its home! But it sure makes a difference to have the projects accessible, the tools and supplies in their proper spot, room to walk around, and plenty of room to work. I feel like I've hit the jackpot! 

By the way, I figured out the problem with the headphones. There is a short in the connection between the earpieces and the headband. The earpieces twist to turn on and off. If it doesn't turn on immediately, I just jiggle the earpieces, and voila - it works. It's not perfect, as it occasionally turns on and off by itself when I make specific movements, but for now, it's good enough. So I can throw on my headphones to listen to an audiobook, or stream some music on the speaker, and well, what more could I want? 

My trusty companion - that's what! Murphy is sleeping on the mat under the tables. 

MOM -- this is NOT the same!

But she also loves to sleep in the stash room. It's almost always completely dark in there, and cool, and she loves it! But she doesn't usually sleep in this spot. I'm not sure what that's all about. 

MOM - I have to try all the spots!

I am now down to this pile of stuff that still needs to be dealt with in Studio B. I'm sure there is much more hidden somewhere, but for the most part, this is all that remains without a home. Yes - I could just whiz through that, but it's a lot of crappy little things, so I'm content to grab a handful of things each day and sort through them. It takes no time to find the proper home, or toss it, or whatever needs to be done. It's not in the way, but I'll be glad when it's dealt with!

Things to deal with in Studio B

And it makes me so happy to finally make decisions about some of that stuff. Just deal with it!

I found this stuff earlier in the week while working through a much larger pile. And this takes us back to a simpler day, when this was all you needed for an address. Can you believe that? 

A straightforward address

The address was on this 1970 seed catalogue. OH MY GOODNESS! That catalogue is almost as old as I am! But I remember my Mom scouring those catalogs to buy flower and vegetable seeds. That was a big deal for her. HEY - back in the day, almost everything we purchased was mail order. It's a strange world since we stopped getting things by mail for a while, and now it's back with a vengeance! Except we don't buy from catalogs, but online! 

A garden catalogue

I thought some of you might get a kick out of where this place is, and maybe you've even been there, as it was located in southwestern Ontario. 

The garden center

I know - you're asking why I have this old seed catalogue of my Mom's? When I was home last time, my aunt gave me a bag of stuff that she had secreted out of the house. Wait -- let me explain that. I had given her strict instructions not to take anything from the house for Mom. But being the kind-hearted person she is, she grabbed a drawer of craft stuff and eventually took it to my Mom. I believe that she didn't keep any of it. GASP!!!!!! 

It had been sitting in my aunt's garage for a while, and when I visited last time, she gave it to me. Oh boy! So I carried it all home in my suitcase. And it's been sitting in a bag on the floor ever since. 

Well, the other day, I went through that bag and found the catalog. I'll share what else was in the bag, and you'll understand the seed catalogue when I show you the rest. I don't have time this morning. 

I caved, and on my walk, I passed by Indigo and stopped in to look at the jigsaw puzzle. I was thoroughly disappointed and disgusted by what I saw. 

The state of the jigsaw puzzle

Someone deemed it appropriate to disassemble almost everything that had been assembled. I've no idea who did this - was it a young or an old person? But seriously? Do people feel the need to be destructive (you know what I mean, since I'm not sure destructive is the right word)? If you have no purpose for something, then leave it alone for others who do. I didn't even stop to work on it. I formulated a speech all the way home as to what I would say to the culprits if I had spotted them. 

I guess that leaves me no choice but to set up a jigsaw puzzle at home where no one can pull it apart. Since there is no room in Studio B, I'll have to do it in Studio U, where there is room. 

Since our schedules haven't allowed us to revisit the EXIT Game in a while, we tackled the puzzle last night and found the answer in just a few minutes. We got rid of many extra pieces that we had accumulated. And tonight, we'll tackle one more puzzle. I think we must be getting near the end of this one. 

Playing the EXIT Game

There is more paperwork to deal with this morning, and then I can head downstairs to get some more sewing done! And I MUST tackle that long arm today. I need to get the quilt off the frame! 

On that happy note, I'm out of here!

Have a super day!

Ciao!!!