Monday Sewing

It's a challenge sometimes to post about something the day after it occurs. Too much stuff happens at my house to stay totally on top of it.

I can't wait to share with you what happened yesterday. It was a scheduled CLEANUP day and oh boy - I'm literally dancing!!!  But that's for tomorrow.

Today, it's all about our Monday sewing and a few other things thrown in.

Since it was our last Monday sewing of the year, we had a pot luck lunch. I LOVE pot lucks! I'm always amazed at out how it works for the savory versus the sweets. We had a bit more savory than sweets which worked out just fine.

Part of the spread for the pot luck

Thank goodness, pot lucks don't happen often. I had a nice lunch including soup and then I felt awful for the afternoon and into the evening. Not awful for what I ate, but how much I ate. I don't eat huge meals anymore and my stomach wasn't happy. What I should have done was eat a bit of the hot stuff, save some of the cold stuff for a snack in the afternoon and the sweets for dinner. I didn't eat dinner that night which is totally unheard of for me.

So there was a lesson to be learned here. Pot lucks are OK, but you (meaning me) CANNOT eat a huge meal so don't even try. Look at it, pace it out and go from there or just eat less or don't try everything. Darn!!!

There are always some very creative and exciting things going on at Monday sewing. I want to make everything, but that's just silly. I know that isn't going to happen, so I just look and enjoy.

Here's a zippered pouch made by Tish. The pattern is the Sew Together Bag by SewDemented. Very cute - there are three zippered sections inside and four non-zippered sections. I wonder how much stuff you can actually put in it and then zip it back up? I love Tish's Home Ec fabric on the outside. Just a side note - if you do a search on the Sew Together Bag, a TON of stuff comes up. Tutorials by video and tutorials that are written, loads of pictures - inside and out. Now how does this work? If I offer a tutorial, why do you need a pattern? Oh - to get the measurements. It's a very fine line for copyright. Not going to worry about it!

Tish made a Sew Together bag

Loretta was quietly working on these ADORABLE applique blocks. WHOA!!!  I've never seen these before. The patterns are designed by a Canadian (A Quilter's Home in Lacombe, Alberta) and they apparently were made for the 150th Canadian Celebration in 2017. The critters are the cutest and you can buy with a kit of Kaffe Fasset fabrics or just the patterns. There are 12 in total. Wait - I think she's added some more - yep there are SEVENTEEN in total. Have a look at the website (link above) to check these patterns out.

Applique pattern

Now I'm popping back to the Sunday Sit n Sew.  Thanks to Liz, I'm now the owner of a new bookmark. You can NEVER have too many bookmarks. Thanks, Liz! That diamond technique is done with a ruler. I can't remember the name of the ruler at the moment, but it's a ruler. WAIT - a quick search revealed the ruler is called the Double Diamond Ruler by Bright Quilting Notions. Their website wasn't working but here's a link to a store that sells the product. 

New bookmark!

And Liz offered me this wooden tote. I think it was originally supposed to be for condiments, but she used it on her cutting table. After a wee bit of downsizing, she didn't have room for it any longer. Hmm - I'm in the process of putting stuff in it. You'll have to wait to see what I put in it.

Wooden tote for studio supplies

Oops - here's one more picture from Monday. This is what I'm now appliqueing. It's a block from the quilt called Nana's Farm. My goal is to get several blocks prepped over the holidays so I can just stitch on the Mondays. Although, I've learned that I cannot stitch all day without boring myself to death. I need to make sure that there is other stuff on the agenda as well.

My applique block

The long arm doesn't know what hit it! It's been working every day with no rest. There's an update to be done - a software update. First, I have to update the tablet (that runs the long arm) to Windows 10 and then update the robot software. I'm NOT about to do that at this point in time in the event there are issues. There are THREE customer quilts left. Then I'll do the update.

Customer quilt - DONE

 That one was picked up yesterday. I did this one yesterday. It's for Quilts of Valour. It needs to be trimmed and it'll go today. In case you're perceptive about this kind of thing - did you notice that this picture is NOT on an angle and NOT that weird perspective. Oh yes - you have to wait for the pictures tomorrow to understand why.

Quilts of Valour quilt

I accomplished quite a bit of paperwork yesterday and that was great. I've got another couple of hours lined up this morning and then I'll be in Studio B for the rest of the day. I love the fact that I put on my calendar some things that need to be done for me. Each day, I open my calendar and it's a surprise what I'm allowing myself to work on. Today it's sample making! I have several things that need to be done and so today is the day.

I even had time to walk to the library to pick up a book that was on hold and I got two more out. I know - I couldn't help myself! And I listened to a good portion of the Linwood Barclay - Elevator Pitch. OH MY - it's a good book.

So here's the thing about books. You can get an e-book and instead of reading it electronically, you can have the computer read it to you. Why the heck would you do that? I'd be bored to tears having a monotone computer read me the story. BUT if you have an audiobook - well, most of the narrators are EXCELLENT. And the inflection added by their voices is incredible. I just love it. Now, I might have done a bad thing. I requested and downloaded The Haunting of Hill House on audiobook? Am I going to scare myself to death listening to that one opposed to reading it? My go-to at the library these days is an audiobook. Then the hard copy! I'm so not into reading the book electronically unless it's the only option. Besides - I like to use my bookmarks!

On that note, I've got loads to get done today and I'd better get started.

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!

Where to buy older prints

I spent most of the day in the car! But the patient is home and happy to sleep in her own bed! I took her on the scenic route home yesterday - yep - got chatting and then realized that I missed the turn and well, it took longer to get home. I'm sure she was saying in her head - "for god's sake - just get me home so I can go to sleep!". But no - a trip with me - well you never know what can happen.

Then it was back home where I had a private session with a student of mine. I'll share that with you tomorrow.

I did manage to get a few things done but today - I'm going to share the rest of the pictures that I took earlier this week.

I've always said that if you're looking for some older fabrics, you need to go to Lens Mill. It probably doesn't matter which location you go to. They often buy the remainder of bolts that are languishing in the fabric warehouses. They get them at a good price and depending on what they are - it can be a good deal or not. Perhaps these two fabrics I'm about to show you weren't such a great deal. And yes - for the record, I went back again yesterday. Three days in a row!!!!

So you see that pale yellow fabric with the parasols on it? I bought that fabric - probably from Lens years ago. I'm talking over 10 years at least! They still have a pretty full bolt of the darn stuff!!! Just saying.............

The pale yellow fabric was printed eons ago

Now it's probably not the same bolt. If they bought the stuff on clearance, they could have bought 20 bolts of the darn stuff. It wasn't likely a hot seller.

Same thing for this fabric below. See the pale blue with the water tower on it? I know - first off -who designed that????  And why????  Well, I bought some for my novelty print stash. I still have the piece I bought and they have it with a blue background and also yellow I think.

Water tower fabric anyone???

Here's the rest of the stuff that I bought. I did splurge and buy 1 whole meter of this print. My vision for this? Put fusible on the back and cut out those letters individually. It's perfect  - the letters do not overlap, there won't be that much waste and I can get some cool things made with it. Oh yes - I have a vision! I won't share more than that for the moment.

Alphabet fabric that I bought

OK -- so I couldn't help myself when I saw this. I had to buy some. I only got a ½ meter. But it's a brilliant acid green stretch fabric. When the lady was cutting it and I said that I didn't need a huge piece, she asked me "why - don't you want a body suit out of this?" We got a good chuckle out of that. Nope - I have another use for stretchy fabric these days. Heck - I might even fire up the embroidery machine today and see what happens in the "gecko birthing room!".  It's super brilliant.

Green stretchy fabric

I also bought some screening. I've been looking for this. Now I have some. And now I need to get myself busy and come up with something cool with this.

Screening

It's very soft and pliable. Hmmm - could be used for numerous things.


When I was sitting in the OR waiting room earlier this week, I glanced up and saw this. Hmm- that's a weird place to find this. I think I mentioned this quilt on my blog a while back. Well - that took a few minutes but I found the link.

A Canadian Quilt

They also had a framed copy of the story of the quilt beside the poster. Here's the story - not sure if you can read it. I must have a copy around the house somewhere.

The Story of the Canadian Quilt

I wonder where the quilt is now? At CBC downtown????  Anyone know?  Hmm - is it still hanging downtown? If so, I think a road trip is in order to get a picture!!!

I have one private quilt class today at my house and then I'm free the entire day. And nothing quilt related tomorrow either!!! I love it!!! The weather is too cold to be out in the garden, so I guess it's a guilt-free quilt day!!!

Oh - so I haven't really put Alexa to the test, but yesterday I did ask her what's my next appointment and she told me! How cool is that!!!!

I only accomplished two of the three things that I set out to do yesterday, but I did other stuff instead - that was all about timing and availability yesterday. I need to add one more thing on today's list of three and then get them done! I have too many things to do to not get three things done in a day!

Have a super day!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!

Let the flood gates open

Wow - another intense day. Well, not really - I'm still pretty relaxed but then I'm almost always pretty relaxed.

Before I get to the quilting, let me chat about the weigh-in first. So one more pound has gone! That leaves three to go and I think there are two weeks left in the challenge. But that's OK if the three pounds aren't gone when the two weeks are up, I'll just keep going. I ran into someone yesterday who said that they have also given up sugar because of what I wrote on the blog. Hopefully, more of you will as well. It's not that hard IF you want to.

Here are some observations:

1. I only lost one pound this week because I cheated. There was a container of yogurt covered cranberries that had been purchased way before all this started. I hated to throw them out so I slowly ate them over the course of the week (yes - ONE WEEK). But those things are laden with sugar. On top of that, I had two hot chocolates (prepped at home with water). Both together in their serving size is not huge amounts of calories, but both are totally laden with sugar. Thankfully both items are now out of my house. While I can have those items, it's like everything - have it in moderation. I shouldn't have eaten all those cranberries in one week! But I did start having a half portion instead of a full portion and I was OK with that. 
2. Protein - that's a pretty important part of any meal. It's what fills you up and makes you feel less hungry. When I don't have protein with a meal, I'm very hungry soon afterward and that's when you want to start snacking! 
3. Fiber and water. When you eat a lot of fiber, it's very important to drink a LOT of water. Not going any further with that one. But we should be drinking a lot of water every day regardless of what we eat. 
4. Eating out is possible, even when you are trying to lose or maintain weight. The last two weeks, we've gone to restaurants that do not have their nutrition information on the menu. So I sit there and look it up on the internet. On the menu last night, I don't think there was any meal under 1000 calories and most were around the 1200 calorie range.  That's not far off my total daily intake. That's outrageous!!!!  So I had a burger - I never eat the bun - EVER and I gave the onion rings away. I figure I shaved about 300 calories off the meal by doing that. Maybe more???  I had a glass of water to drink. No dessert. I walked out of the restaurant feeling great - not stuffed. The woman beside me had a MASSIVE plate of ribs. I almost got sick looking at it. 
5. The other thing about eating? SAVOR your food. Sit down and enjoy it. I never used to do this. I would eat on the run. Then when I was finished, I would still be hungry because my brain didn't even acknowledge that I had eaten. Now I savor my snacks and I sit down for my meals. 
6. I wish I would have tracked the calories I consumed on a normal day before I started all this. I would bet that I easily consumed 2500 calories a day. Way more than I should have been eating which is why those silly pounds crept up on me. But they are gone - banished! Again, not so much the number of calories as the amount of sugar and fat. 
7. I think the bottom line is easy - it's all about choices. It's not about eliminating one food from your daily intake. It's not about liquid diets or fancy fad diets. It's about making choices of what you put in your mouth. Writing down the calories (or in the case of Weight Watchers - they have points), makes you accountable for what you eat. The Smartphone app called MyFitnessPal makes it a snap to keep track of what you eat (and how much sugar and fat you eat) and takes about 2 minutes in total per day to input everything. And I can't say enough about portion size. Start measuring your food and you would be surprised at what actual portion sizes are!!!!  

OK - that' my thing on weight this week.


Yes, I managed to get the next quilt quilted. Yes, it was mine and that's OK. Yes - this was one of my UFOs from 2017. It's now quilted and thrown on the table along with all the others that need to be trimmed.

My quilt - quilted!!!

The next one (oops - mine also) is loaded on the long arm. Just needs a piece of batting. I hope to get two quilts quilted today. I had a few errands to do yesterday and Ronda came, although we both worked while she was here. She made a binding and I was sewing.

I did get some pictures taken yesterday, however, there was a LOT of prep work before I could start taking pictures. I hope by the end of today to get four days worth of photos loaded on the internet and get a bit of writing in as well. Three days of pictures are already loaded so it's not that bad.

I did manage to finish not one, but TWO projects yesterday. More on that next week. But here's Finish Number 15. Just simple squares - easy. It's the beginner quilt project at Oh Look Fabric. So if you know anyone who wants to learn to quilt, I'll be teaching a beginner class at Oh Look Fabric. The dates for this class haven't been set yet, so get on their mailing list (or get your want to learn to quilt friend on the list), so they will be in know when the dates are announced.

Project finish Number 15 for 2018

Of course, while I was there, I had to buy some fabric. Look what I got. This collection is adorable. Since I have now figured out what to make with it, I'm allowed to buy some. I told Ronda what I'm going to make, but she knows that she's sworn to secrecy about the project until it's done. It's awesome!!  And I'm going to kill three birds with one stone with this one!

Purely Canadian Eh? fabric collection

 I got this at Oh Look Fabric and hope to find more of the collection at the Etobicoke Quilt Show this coming week. Oh shoot - just realized they did flannel as well. OK - looks like I have to find the flannel for the backing.

Here is my project finish Number 16 for the year!!!!  This one has been sitting around for a long time and just needed the binding sewn on. Well, the binding is now on as well as my little label and it's done!!!  This was one that I made with a Northcott panel (Fields of Gold) for Fall Market two years ago. The edges of the quilt were serged as the quilt did travel, but there was zero time to get that binding on.

Fields of Gold lap quilt - Finish Number 16 for 2018

I noticed something the last couple of days. There seem to be bits of red thread everywhere I look. On quilt batting, on bindings, on fabric and yet there aren't any red threads in the project. Why is that?

Mystery red threads

I'm down to seven projects in five days. I've got them all listed on my white (orange board) - I'll show you a picture tomorrow.  I also got one prototype block done on the test quilt. I've got all the fabrics laid out and two blocks completely cut and ready to go. That one is going to be touch and go, but let's see what we can do.  I think it's all doable - going to be tight, but doable. It's a wide open week this week. There is NOTHING on the agenda (except my spin class) and Monday sewing between now and Friday morning. Heads down and focused in the studio is the forecast for this week.

On that note, I'm out of here to prep and load more pictures.

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!

Quilting archives!

I have to say that it felt good to get back to my routine yesterday! I had been ignoring some paperwork and I made a good stab at two of the items. There will be some follow-up for both, but that's OK - let's get these things done and off my plate as there's a lot more waiting to be processed!

Part of the routine is getting back to the gym. I pay a lot for that membership, I might as well make good use of it. So I was off to my favorite spin class this morning. Oh, my - I think I might need a nap later today - that was a tough class and I pushed myself, but you know what - it felt awesome when it was done! I did over 29 K in the hour, worked hard, my knees protested a wee bit, but that's because the darn things are rusty! A nice lounge in the steam room and I'm set for anything today! Plus it means I got to stop at Tim's on the way home to get tea!!!  I've been very good and making my own tea here at home. It really is time for a change and to make new routines!

I'm looking into some meditation, yoga, and strength training classes as well at the gym and a detox program. I'm not sure if I can be good and follow that, but it's time to get this body back in shape. I even used my foam roller TWICE yesterday. It felt amazing and yes - it's like getting a massage except you do it to yourself. My neck needs work because of sitting at the sewing machine and the computer. I'm trying to loosen up my upper back and the foam roller is awesome to do that. I'll post pictures if you don't know what that is.

I have a couple of things to share today that I've been promising so here goes. I'll be blogging about calendars later this week, but here's a quote from my daily inspiration calendar (from last year). I love it and that pretty much sums up my life! I do like to plan, but not too far in advance! That's boring!

Fabulous quote

I'll have ELEVEN people sewing in my studio next week and while it doesn't look too bad there are some trouble spots. As a result, I've been tidying up. Now here's the thing - I've come across things that in the past, I just shoved away in a new home, but this time, I'm actually trying to get rid of the stuff or in fact keep it because I want it, not because I don't have time to deal with it.

Here's one thing that I found that was interesting. Perhaps a few of you will remember this. But back in 1996??? (or even earlier), Dick Gordon from CBC was interviewing Angela Krotowski. She's a quilter from Ontario and I'm not sure what the premise of the interview was. Quilting in Canada? I think a bet of some sorts took place because Dick didn't think there were many quilters in Canada. Angela said "oh yes" and invited listeners to send in quilts blocks. It looks like 88 quilters responded and Angela assembled the quilt in the picture below. It's HUGE measuring 3 meters by 4.5 meters. I did have a poster of the quilt at some point, but it got messed up and got thrown out years ago.

A Canadian Quilt

 I wasn't able to find anything about this quilt on the internet which is a shame. I've no idea where that quilt is, but perhaps it is (or was) hanging at the CBC building? I hope it's in a good home.

In the paper that I had printed out (in 2000) was the list of names of the quilters who contributed a block. I'm sure many of those quilters are no longer around, but two (well three if I count Angela) names I did recognize. Jeannie Jenkins and Maggie Vanderweit!  Isn't that wild!!!!


Does anyone have any further information about this quilt? Where is it??  Did I get the story right?

Wouldn't it be cool to compile a book of the most "famous" Canadian quilts?  That would be awesome!  OK - volunteers????

But what are the chances of this happening? This quilt was made or spearheaded by Angela and when I was cleaning up, look what I found. This is a pattern by Angela for a miniature flower block wall hanging and there is one block already completed. Not by me!  I inherited it from somewhere. Now that fabric is very dated, but it's a cool pattern. Any takers?

Flowers in Miniature by Angela Krotowski

Part of this mess happened as a result of needing an electrician. We have a number of light switches that need to be replaced. Yes, we could do it ourselves, but I'm not into electrical stuff. I knew that I had a bunch of switch plates and switches hidden away in one of the storage rooms so I spent some time yesterday digging them out. As I was doing that, I decided that all the tools and other such stuff needed to be in one spot. How logical is that? Because I moved that stuff, I made more room in the storage room so I was able to put a few more boxes and bags from the studio area into the storage room. That was a bonus! But I came across stuff that I thought needed to be dealt with. You know - the odds and ends that you have no idea what to do with.

Odds and ends to deal with

 I found this box with stuff from my sewing machine. I think it was when I started the Halloween project. Bobbins, a screwdriver, the presser foot ankle, felt pad and other odds and ends. All are in their rightful home now and the tin is empty and in the empty tin spot.

Bits and pieces of my sewing machine

Here's a picture of the item that I wasn't allowed to put in the giveaway box. I made this little Easter basket for M many years ago. She used it when she did her Easter egg hunt at our house. I have put it away to keep, just in case! Her reaction was so cute - "you can't throw that away! You made that for me and I used it!"  Fair enough! By the way, I have to say that it's nice to have M at home. I know it's only for a couple of weeks and I get weepy thinking about the day when she gets back on the plane, but that isn't for today! I still need a lot more cleaning and sorting from her before she goes!

Easter basket that we are keeping

 In cleaning up the storage room, I stumbled across another basket of odds and ends. For gosh sake - could I not deal with this stuff at the time?? My old worn out mocassins that I was going to keep. Why? Was I going to repair them? They were very worn out. Was I going to keep the beadwork? Maybe, but it wasn't intact any longer. They are now in the garbage. A tote bag with a handle that had been sliced in half. Seriously??? We have so many reusable totes, I won't ever need to get or make a new one for the rest of my life! And there were lots of other little stupid things and I've dealt with most of it, but I still have a few things that need to be addressed this morning.

More odds and ends

 Do you know how good it feels to be doing this? I'm in my glory and even if it doesn't last all year, it's great to know that I'm at least getting this much done. While this isn't all necessarily quilt stuff, it does have quilt related stuff mixed in. Look at what else I found!  This series of a CANADIAN quilt show that was done in 2001.  I never watched it, yet I spent close to $100 for the tapes. What is wrong with me???

Canadian Quilt TV series

I'd love to watch it just for fun. The only problem is that I don't have a VCR.  Anyone have a VCR and wants to binge watch this show with me??  And when I'm done - does anyone else want it? Otherwise - it's history!

I did get the magazine quilt quilted yesterday. I was very brave and on the solid blue backing, I used yellow thread! Looks pretty cool and if I can remember, I'll take a picture.

Things are progressing very nicely in the tidy up area, the quilting area, and the paperwork area. Could it be that I have at last found my groove? I needed that time taken out of my day (by going to work) and now I'm forever grateful for that experience and what it taught me about my extra 50 hours each week. I think I'm making good use of them!  And I get to spend the evening doing NON-quilt stuff like reading or puzzles. I'll show you what I've done there on another day!

I'm so warmed up from that bike ride, that I feel like I could go outside to walk the dogs without a jacket, but common sense will prevail and I'll put a coat on!

Hae a super day!

Ciao!