Sliding into homebase!!

Phew! I'm done! Everything I wanted to get done is done! 

I'd really like an extra hour this morning to get all the computer work done, but that's not going to happen. I'll do what I can, and that means the blog might be a bit short today. 

I don't know if the cardinal has attempted the new piece of suet in the feeder, but he was sure taking a long bath yesterday. I don't know how many times he dipped in the water, but he was having a grand time. 

Hey, lady - a little privacy here! 

There is plenty of room, so other birds can use the public bath as well, but all seem to love that one spot on the rocks. I bet they think they are in bird paradise - waterfalls, cold, clear water, rocks! 

OH, I see the peonies are just starting to bloom. The plant is in a bit of a shaded area, so it takes longer than those in other yards I've been passing. I think I'm going to miss most of the blooms. DRAT!!! But as with all peonies, the bush is loaded! I really must get a couple of other plants because there is room where this one is. And it seems to thrive there. 

The peony is just starting to bloom.

And the dogwood is starting to bloom as well. I believe that was the name - I remember looking it up last year, but can I remember from year to year? Of course not, it's not important to me. But I can tell you almost any information you want to know about quilting and sewing! It's all where our priorities lie!

The flowering trees in the backyard

Sadly, I didn't get any gazebo time. I had to take a trip to the mall and pick up one thing I had forgotten the day before. I had a snack and some quiet time, but I didn't dare go to the gazebo as I knew it would be hard to get back in the house. 

I don't know what DH does to his iron, but it was loaded with crap, and guess who had to clean it!! I guess I can clean it since I don't have to iron his shirts. I'm not qualified for that job. And seriously? I would go on strike rather than iron a GOLF shirt. Good grief. That's a bit much. 

Cleaning DH's iron

I had some machine embroidery to do, then some sewing on the machine, and finally some hand stitching, but I managed to get the last item for the wedding done! I can't share a picture because the bride hasn't seen it yet, and it's not quite complete. There is a bit more handwork, but I need a certain someone before I can complete. So I have more thread, needles, elastic, and ribbon in case Plan A doesn't work! 

It's quite pretty, and I hope she likes it. I added a wee surprise on the back. And that required a lot of mental capacity to get it to work - trust me - it's not rocket science, but I didn't have a lot of room to work. And I should have made a sample first, which I did not. But it all worked out, and it's packed!

Then it was on to hem the outfit. I bought an outfit online (first for me!), and the company makes the pants very long so that if the wearer is going to wear heels, or flats, or something in between, the length will work. 

I ended up cutting off 5 inches from the bottom. And of course, the outfit was lined, so I had to do the same on the lining. The bride has NOT seen that color, so I'd better not get into trouble. But all is good. I hope they have a steamer at the hotel! 

What I cut off the pants

As the day progressed, I had my suitcase open and started tossing things inside. Yes -- it's a small carry-on. I'm only gone for a few nights, so there's no need to take loads of stuff, although the weather looks cool. 

It's amazing what one can do with an extra hour (in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep): the laundry got put away, the suitcase repacked, and it all fits without bulging. There is room for more, BUT there is no need for more! Have you ever wondered about those ads for using the vacuum bags? I'm sure I have mentioned this before because it drives me mad. People use cubes (OK - I get that it might help with organizing), but to me, it's a sign that you are taking way too much stuff. 

And with the vacuum bags, you are tempted to take more. Guess what? MORE means more weight, and who the heck wants to carry more stuff with them? Besides, part of our travel plans means we have to travel light. DH is getting used to it - he travels light for work, so travel light for pleasure as well!!!!

OH -- the quilt got quilted, but sadly, you can't see that either! Soon!!!!

And then it was time for my event! I found out there was a Zoom social hour for puzzlers. So I joined in. There weren't too many of us on the call, but I got to meet a few other people, and we talked about speed puzzling and how we would like to be there one day. And can you believe that one fellow's wife was a quilter and she's going to Quilt Canada? I told him to have her look me up! She sews on a Husqvarna Viking!!!

I managed to get a wee bit done on my puzzle, and I don't think it's going to be that difficult, but it will still take time. 

I was happy to get this corner done. Two pieces. 

Yeah -- two pieces to the puzzle are in!

But it kept calling to me, so I decided to work on the pink, and OH MY—this is going to be a challenge because those pieces curve around. But I can't wait to get back to it, except I'll be on a tight turnaround, so I won't have much time for puzzling for a bit. 

Working on the pink pieces

I have some other quilts to share with you and reveal a couple of secrets - that will have to wait until tomorrow, when I have a bit more time. 

Since I'll be in a different time zone, the blog may be delayed. It depends on when I get time to write it. it. Bear with me!!!

And on that note, I need to get the girls out for a walk and finish packing up the portable office. I can't forget to grab the external hard disk. I love that everything is now on the small hard disk!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Ciao!!!!