Alexa saves the day!!!!

So I was buzzing around the house trying to finish off the laundry, including making the guest bed, putting clothes away, and folding towels. Mission accomplished. I managed to get the filter and pump cleaned in the pond, and decided that the water level was a bit low, so I grabbed the hose and let the water run. I set a 30-minute timer (Alexa - the only thing we use it for in our house). Murphy had already been walked, but Lexi needed a walk, so after the cleaning crew arrived, I took her out for a thirty-minute walk.  

When I arrived at the house, I could hear Alexa beeping in the kitchen. OH MY GOD!!! I totally forgot I left the water running. Can you imagine if I had left the house for the airport with the water running? And who would have known it was running? It would have been a costly and messy mistake. Thank goodness for Alexa!!!! I ALWAYS set that timer when I'm filling the pond!

At the last minute, I decided there was one more quilt I wanted to take with me, and I had to cram it into a suitcase, and then it was time to go. The girls got a cookie and were unhappy that they couldn't take it to the backyard to eat it. But I had to leave. I had three suitcases and my backpack. When you choose Uber, you get to choose a regular-sized car or an XL, which is larger, like an SUV or van. I didn't need that, but I also didn't need a Prius coming to pick me up. 

Thankfully, the guy had enough room in the car for the suitcases and even helped to get them in and out. Oops - I must remember to tip him. I haven't done that yet on the app. Yep -- there's an app for that! There's a flipping app for everything these days. 

One little SNAFU with the luggage drop-off at the airport. I'm not sure what was happening, as one bag didn't like being scanned, but a ticket agent soon took care of it, and then I was through security, and all was good. I had plenty of time to spare. Look at me --- PLENTY of time. 

I learned something new at the airport. I typically stop at this one store and pick up a sandwich and a bottle of water. It can cost over $20 for those two items. This time, I decided to go only to Tim's and get everything there, which I remember was equally expensive. I bought a medium tea, a cookie, a bottle of water, and a breakfast sandwich for $15. I guess I won't be buying my water or sandwich from that other place any longer!!!

Then I actually got to sit in the boarding area and enjoy my tea. I met up with my colleague, and my boss eventually showed up as we were boarding.

The flight was pretty uneventful, which is always a great thing. 

WAIT -- I had a few minutes before I left and I did this. Of course I did!!!! I grabbed all the lighter purple pieces and laid them on the table. Only one color left after this round!!! I even managed to get a few pieces of the puzzle in place, and you can see the work along the table's bottom edge. OK -- I confess - obsessed!!!!

Almost done with the gradient color jigsaw puzzle.

In the Facebook group, there's a participation event where a puzzle style is selected each month, and you can post what you have done. This month was rainbows, gradients, and color. It's just a way to keep everyone engaged, and I think it's great. Not everyone strictly adheres to the theme, but I guess they do what they can with what they have. So far this month, there are 450 posts of their puzzles. Last month, it was close to 1,000. I am going to make two posts, as I have another puzzle that I want to get done this month as well, as it fits within the theme. Wait until you see that one! 

The three of us took a cab together to the hotel. We needed a van, as between the three of us, we had nine suitcases!!! I know -- it's crazy, but that's what happens when you travel to a quilt show, and you need quilts for display purposes. And samples for my presentations next week. 

There was only one cart at the hotel, so I bundled my three suitcases like this and got them to the room in short order. It works like a charm. 

How to move three suitcases at the same time

Of course, I was at the complete opposite end of the hall from the elevator!!! 

A long walk down the hallway

That would be my room -- 725 in the far corner. Look at the size of 724. Hmmm -- must be a suite, but this room is plenty big enough for me. 

As far from the elevator as you can get!

And look --- my name on the screen when I walked in the room. They must do that remotely. It didn't stay on very long. I don't think I have ever turned on the TV in a hotel room. 

My name in lights

I had one largish quilt at the top of each of the two big suitcases, and the first thing I did in the room was get them out. I didn't want them squished for the show. This is one, and well, you can't see the other, but it sure cheered up the room a thousand percent. I even remade the bed this morning, which I rarely do in the hotel. I never have my room made up either. I don't have that service at home; it seems silly to insist someone make my bed for me while I am away. 

My bed in the hotel

I love this quilt above. It's one I taught online a couple of years ago—sorry, can't run downstairs to check my poster for the year. The designer had a single word on each side of the square quilt. I loved the idea of words, but I wanted something more. Something that spoke to me, so I found a great quote. By the way, I just checked the blog, and it was 2023.  

Check out the quote - I found one that split nicely into four sections, and one section is appliqued onto each side of the quilt. 

Part one of the quote

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Isn't that just the perfect quote for me? There are so many good quotes, and we need to keep them close to us as reminders of what we want to accomplish, who we are, and how we feel. Anyway, I'm glad I remembered that quilt at the last minute and that it's on my bed. While others are comfortable staying on a steady course, I would be bored to death. So in everything I do, I try to find something new outside my comfort zone! 

The first order of business after checking in was to find some food. My breakfast sandwich didn't go far. There is a restaurant on the main floor, so we grabbed something light, with the intention of going down later to eat. Well, later never came as I wasn't hungry - I had brought the leftovers of our nachos to the room, and I finished that off. And that's OK. My eating has been so erratic over the last week; it's good to try to settle things down. Sadly, there won't be any big donuts on this trip!

But I had a huge laugh when I saw this on the menu. I took a picture and sent it to KU. No deep frying for this restaurant!! I don't know why, but the smell of air frying makes me ill. OK -- so I'm exaggerating - I don't get sick, but I find the smell obnoxious. And I know -- it's probably all in my head!!!

Air frying in the hotel kitchen

WAIT --- when will chain restaurants follow suit? Instead of hot, greasy fries, we're going to get air fries? 

Then Margaret had to go to the drug store, so I tagged along to get some steps in. I spotted this in the magazine rack and bought it. I know!!!! I got sucked in, but the cover promises so much. I want to see what all the hype is about. What I'm afraid of is that I'm going to see apps or commands that will suck the fun out of my day. Planning, scheduling, and a whole lot more. It's basically saying that if I let AI do stuff for me, I'll lose weight, have well-panned meals, a completely decluttered house, and save time. But where the heck is the fun in that? 

And I'm saving time so I can do what? In my case, that is working on a puzzle or sewing, but for others, it means spending more time on their phones. With all the AI, we will be married to our phones and have ZERO skills in our brains. I know people argue that they have to give AI the commands so they are still in control. WAIT—before any of us judge, let me read it. 

I'll be reading it with a very open mind (OK -- I'm going to try to maintain an open mind), but I suspect most of it will never happen in my life and is for people who—well, not for me! 

I'm going to call that research reading!! I want to know why I should or shouldn't be using this technology. Notice how it says, I can streamline my schedule? Could it really do that? I doubt it! Be open!!!! 

OK -- here's a tricky question for you. I am sure that every one of you has a shower in your house. What's the one thing about a shower that annoys the heck out of you? It doesn't matter if the shower is in the tub or standalone - the same silly setup exists. 

What is that one thing that every one of us hates!!!

Well, have a look at the shower in my room. Here is the right side. 

The right side of the shower

And here is the other side. There is a solid glass wall on the right, and it's open on the other side. Although I originally thought water would splash everywhere, I really like this style. There is less glass to keep clean!

The left side of the shower

Did you notice anything unusual? Look again. What's ONLY on the right, and what's ONLY on the left? 

Yep—the showerhead is on the right, and the controls are on the left. Now - doesn't that make super logical sense? How many times have you popped in the shower and either scaled or frozen to death as you tried to adjust the water temperature? This is brilliant. I want a new shower at home, and I want this in it!!!

It's something so simple, so why haven't I seen it before? 

But here's a new puzzle to contemplate in the shower. Can you tell me what this bar is for? 

A mystery bar in the shower

It's on the left side of the shower, near the floor. I have two theories. Of course I do. Can you guess what they are? 

The position of the bar

Theory number one -- you put your foot on there to brace yourself as you get shampoo and soap from the dispensers. Those dispensers, by the way, are brilliant. They have been in hotel rooms for many years, and there is no bar of soap to slip on, no waste, no plastic bottles. Just brilliant!!!!! By the way, it's easy to get the shampoo out of the dispenser, so I doubt that's the reason the bar is there. 

Theory number two - should you slip on the floor and can't get up, is that bar there to drag yourself away from the water jet and try to grab the other grab bar? LOL!!!!

I have no idea what that bar is for. So now I have a new mystery to solve. 

OK -- so I Googled it! It's to put your foot on while you shave your legs (seriously?), or you exfoliate your legs/feet. Good lord—I would have thought of that—I really would have!!! By the way, that was Google's AI that told me that. 

But here's the thing - I am confused by AI and Google. I know that Google has AI, but it also had an amazing search engine once upon a time. That seems to be replaced by their version of AI. To me, Google's AI is just a search engine on steroids. It's all very confusing!

It doesn't matter -- we now know why that bar is there. Personally, I preferred my theories. They are more fun! 

Well, it's setup day at Quilt Canada - my favorite day of any quilt show, and I can hardly wait to get started!!!! NOT!!!!! But it's fun to chat with others. OH -- as I entered the line at Tim's in the airport, the person in front of me said hello! One of my students from an online class!!! It's so hard to recognize people in person when you used to seeing only their face. I'm not good at facial recognition. I'm sure that's the first of many encounters!!! 

All kidding aside, I am not fond of setup day, but the hard work pays off when you see the booth set up and all the quilts and other projects on display. So much eye candy, and it's going to be a great show! I also have TWO things I want to check out while I'm here. I am remembering that I don't have a ton of room in my suitcases!!! But I could always wear several layers of clothes home, or I could pack a bit tighter, and I'll have room for the two things that I hope to buy here. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

PS-- I know you are anxiously waiting for me to post the list of classes. I still need to put the dates in my calendar! I know—perhaps I should ask AI to do that for me. But seriously --- I will try to post at least the projects I have chosen, so you will be aware of what I will be teaching. 

I will get the dates, costs, and more links up, probably next week, but in the meantime, this gives you an idea of what is happening. I think this was all I decided on based on the feedback I got from you! 

There is nothing to do at this point in time. I am not taking signups; I don't have dates yet, but I will get the information to you ASAP. All classes are on ZOOM - once a month, lasting for one hour. My rates are ridiculously cheap. And be sure to pass this information along to anyone who wants to know. I will be sending out emails and posting online as soon as I get a chance to put those dates in the calendar. 

Here are the classes: 

• One class is My Kinda Town - paper pieced. While I have chosen a specific pattern, I suppose you could pick any paper-pieced pattern if people absolutely wish. Will be several classes - not determined yet. 
• One class will be on scraps—9 or 10 sessions.
• One class will be an ongoing quilt with crazy blocks to work on (9 or 10 sessions) - 40 shades of grey.
• One class will be handwork - wool applique - I have a specific project in mind, but anything goes. Here is a link to the kit I highly recommend. Keep in mind that there are six kit styles, and within each kit, there are four colorways. See the picture below. If you are at Quilt Canada, I think Wonderfil will have those kits, so you may want to get one. Otherwise, I'll give you local resources to buy. 

40 Shades of Grey

Sue Spargo precut wool applique kits.