Getting back to the routine!

The good news is that with shorter and slower walks and lots of ice, I'm doing OK. Better than OK, and that makes me happy. 

However, someone is very unhappy with the short walks and is protesting. Every time I was near the front door, guess who was there? Demanding that I take her for another walk. How does she know her walk was shortchanged? Lexi is just happy to get out and doesn't care how long the walk is. 

However, the morning walk with Murphy was bizarre. I think I had mentioned that we had some lightning and thunder -- one of each, and that was it. But it had started to rain, or since it was so cold, it almost resembled sleet. I bundled up for the cold, wet walk. As I walked, I could see the clouds dissipating, and by the time I got home, the sun was out. And the sky was completely blue. That happened in the space of 20 minutes! Go figure!

Oh my --- I decided to work on the jigsaw puzzle. Shoot - I didn't take a picture of the puzzle, nor did I take a picture of my progress. It's a hand-painted scene of New York, and it's quite fun! I believe a Canadian artist, or at least a Canadian company, created the puzzle. And I know I've said it before, but this little puzzle station I carved out of space in Studio B is amazing!! I love those felt boards. 

The border for the next puzzle

To avoid getting totally distracted, I put the felt boards over the puzzle to keep my wandering eyes off it! I'll work on it in the evenings as I listen to audiobooks. And oh my --- I seem to have quite a few books in the queue at the moment. That's how it happens -- you have many books on the hold list with long lead times and then - poof --- they all seem to come in at once. And yes—I know I can suspend those holds. But I think I have it under control. 

I got this cordless vacuum at some kind of charity event. Or DH got it - I really don't remember, but we didn't pay for it. I love it for Studio B. Have you noticed how clear the floor is? Getting those books back on the shelves was great, and now it's time to finish cleaning up the dirt, lint, and dog hair. I thought the vacuum was on the fritz because after charging it a couple of months ago, it wouldn't work. 

But I gave it one more chance yesterday, and after recharging it, it works like a charm. OK—now I have two cordless vacuums. Perhaps one can stay on the main floor. 

My cordless Rowenta vacuum is working again!!!

After seeing how much crap I clean off the floor every time I pass the Swifter or the vacuum, it boggles my mind how anyone would want carpet in their house. Never mind the dog hair - it's the dirt and the lint and the dust that is insane!! No wonder so many people have breathing problems. The first thing we do in any house is get rid of the carpet! And the stairs? It is a nightmare to have carpet on them. Thankfully, we have no carpet on our stairs either! 

I managed to get more half-square triangles trimmed. It's a mindless task, and I'm OK with that kind of task at the moment. 

Trimming half-square triangles

I even got a few more trimmed this morning. Slow and steady is the name of the game. 

More half-square triangles

And yes—I will tackle those little bits one day. I have already sewn several projects from the half-square triangles. I should dig those out and share again. Think of them as making fabric! Once you have the fabric, you can make anything. Zippered pouches, quilts, tote bags - whatever your heart desires. But I have the goal of making a larger scrap quilt, and I'd better get organized for my upcoming scrap class in the fall. 

I started prepping for the upcoming Zoom session on the Grainline Studio Tamarack jacket that I'm going to host on May 23 and June 27. I'm rewatching the videos and taking notes to discuss with the attendees. There are great things about the videos that I want to emphasize, some things I want to clarify (or add my two cents), and a couple of things I'd do totally differently. 

Either way, if you are interested in making a quilted jacket from ANY pattern, I highly recommend watching those videos (you'll find them on YouTube). They are thorough, and what is discussed applies to ANY quilted jacket pattern. Dare I even say that after watching those videos, you should NEVER have to take a quilted jacket class ever again? Except if you want the social aspect of taking a class. They are that good and that thorough. 

If you are interested in attending my sessions as we discuss the video content, send me an email, and I'll add you to the list. elainetheriault@gmail.com

By discussing the process of making a quilted jacket with our peers, we're going to solidify this information in our heads, get answers to any niggling details that we don't understand, and perhaps come up with a new tip or two. I'm looking forward to it. Before you get all excited about attending my sessions, I strongly encourage you to watch the videos (Graneline Studio), as my discussion is based on them. If you don't watch them, our discussion will be meaningless. And my sessions are NOT being recorded!!!

I decided it was time to fire up the long arm, which has sat idle for quite some time. I have a couple of customer quilts that I need to get done, and there are those eleven community project quilts that I promised to do for someone that also need to be done. I'd like to get those done because the quilt tops and the basket of flannel for the backing are taking up visual space in Studio B. 

Here is the first of the eleven -- it's done and trimmed, and I do not have to put the binding on. 

Community project quilt - Number One

I thought I might as well get the backing for the next one done, although I'll work on a couple of customer quilts. Actually, I'll alternate - community project, customer, etc., until I get through both piles. 

I happened to have just enough of this fabric to make a backing for the next quilt. While you can't see it in the picture, there are a few seams along the edges to make it large enough to load on the long arm. 

The backing for the next quilt

This is the last of my Canadian Idol fabric!!! 

Canadian Idol flannel

And when I was done, this is all I have left!!! A teeny scrap which is now in the scrap box for the pet mats. When I trim this quilt, there won't be much of anything left. It's a tight fit, and I'm OK with that because the quilt is on the small side (52 by 52). Having the backing this tight on a customer quilt is NOT acceptable, in case you were wondering whether you could get away with it! I tolerate it because the quilt is small, and I'll have to babysit the loose pattern. 

All that remains

I pulled the backing fabric for the next quilt, and I'll attempt to get that done in the next day or so. I need to whip through and make all the backings so I can put the baskets of flannel away. 

Then, onto fixing those pants. Hmm -- the edges of the pieces were serged, but the seam was only stitched on its own. What's crazy is that this seam was also topstitched, and both rows of stitching came out. It was fiddly to repair, but it's done, and I even re-topstitched the seam. 

Mending pants

But if you think you are buying quality when you buy something expensive, you are not! The seams were quickly and cheaply sewn. I'm sure I'll be repairing some other part of the pants at some point. Now I still have that fancy shirt to repair. I'm not looking forward to that one because - well, how does one fix the elbow in a dress shirt? I swear he has dragged himself along the ground on his elbows because both are faded and thin. I'll have to ask how old the shirt is. 

I am setting aside time every day to work through some reading material. It's a question of staying consistent with that if I want to see any change in the quantity. The only problem is that there is so much literature, podcasts, and things I want to learn/read, and I have to make choices, and I'm not good at prioritizing. But I'll get there. 

I do not know why we tend to sit back when we are having issues, whether with our health, our skills, or whatever it is. We are all good at becoming complacent and thinking, "Oh, it's not that bad - it can wait." And how often have we put ourselves on the back burner while we bust our butts to help someone else? I do not know why we do that, but it's time we stopped. We are important, and if you are a caregiver to someone else, it's even more important that you take care of yourself, or you'll be needing a caregiver as well. 

And as soon as we are pain-free, we think — OH, I'm good now. No, you are not good; you still require attention. That's kind of me, as I know that taking it easy will ease the pain, but it doesn't eliminate it! And the instability of that leg is what bothers me the most. There is NO way that I would ever consider running - I'll be flat on my face before I take a handful of steps. 

If you are waiting for a sunny day to make hay, stop—make the hay today, because you need to get it done or get the situation looked after, whatever that situation is. 

On that happy note, I'm out of here. I must prepare for my short walks, and I'll take the girls out later in the afternoon for another short walk. I did that yesterday, and it worked just fine. No waking up in the night, and that works for me. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!