Lost.........

Like I said yesterday, it was so nice to see those crates locked up and loaded on a truck!  

BUT - we had a meeting to catch up on marketing stuff and guess what?  Yep - I've set the date for the wrap-up meeting for the spring market AND the date to start planning for the fall market!!!!    I know that is hard to believe, but we have some long lead times and we've no choice!!   I'm going to hounding people until the dates are met!   I can be persistent!    I can deal with pressure, but this one was particularily bad. I know it was made even worse by my little side trip to the operating room, but still - it can be planned better. We also did something completely different for the quilts on display and we learned a couple of valuable lessons - lead times are IMPORTANT!!!!!

After the meeting, I had a couple more important things that needed to be booked for the show next week and then I had NOTHING to do.  I was also tired, but I sat in my office and wondered what I should be doing!   I felt lost! OK - it wasn't quite that bad, but I ended up labelling and storing a couple of boxes of stuff that was in my office from the Paducah show.

Don't get me wrong, I still have a ton of stuff to sew before I leave on Wednesday morning; a journal cover, a vest, two everyday bags and a stuffed toy.  Now NONE of it needs to be done so there is no pressure - I get done what I get done.    OH shoot - I still have a one page document that needs to be written.

I'm happy to report that my knee is almost back to normal.  Going upstairs is no problem now, going downstairs is still a two feet on one step process.  It's just not comfortable to go up and down like normal.   The biggest issue now is that my knee stiffens up if I sit for too long, but that will come.  The best news - there is NO pain in the knee.  Yeah!!!!!!


Not "working" today, but I've got QUILTSocial blogs that need to be posted so I'll be doing that job today and trying to get some of the other sewing done in between.  Or I could use those projects for the blog?  I'll see how it goes.

I did get a bit of sewing/tidying done this morning.  Yes - I changed the needle in the serger and finished off TWO pet mats. Nice ones with pretty decorator fabric.

Two pet mats

The cutting table still looks a bit messy - but those two bags of scraps are going in the third pet mat I serged up this morning.  The rest of the stuff is what I'm working on this weekend.

Cutting mat

 I also got a bit more of that pile of quilt cut-offs processed.  Perhaps throughout the day, when I need a break, I can do a couple more.

Smaller pile of quilt cutoffs

I was at the meeting of the Grand River Modern Quilt Guild - one of the two modern guilds that I belong to.  Shoot - I forgot that they were prepping for an upcoming quilt show and so I took no quilts, although afterwards I thought that I could have taken the one that is hanging in my office.  Oh well - there is some amazing amazing quilts.  You should check it out. It's the Quilt and Fibre Art Festival - it takes place May 24 - May 28.   The list of events is at that link I posted and the modern quilt show is the first one on the list.  Gosh - if I can get my quilt to them, I may just put it in.  I need a pony express to Waterloo!!!

The quilts are pretty varied in technique, the quilting on them is AMAZING and well - you just need to go and see what it's all about.

Then we discussesd our Charity Challenge for the Modern Quilt Guild that will be displayed at QuiltCon in Savannah (2017).  There are 8 specific colors you can use (all solids), the theme is SCALE.   It was a very lively discussion and we had a LOT of fun with the word SCALE..  The nice thing was that COLLECTIVELY, we came up with an awesome theme.  I'm pretty excited about it. Some of us took fabric, some of us are still contemplating exactly what they are going to do.  I came home and did a bit of reseach and then - WHAM -- I knew EXACTLY what I'm going to do.  And in my crazy organizing scheme, I went to the right pizza storage box and within seconds, I had what I wanted to make my part.  I'm pretty excited and now I just need to find the pattern source (that's a long story), but I'm pretty sure, I know where that is as well.  Let's just say that the pattern came from a magazine and I'm sure I remember which one!  This is a small but mighty group and I'm very happy that I joined.

We also did our first exchange for the round robin.   Everyone was so excited, but there is NO more public show n tell. The one that I have now is pretty easy to do although I don't really have fabrics to go with the blocks in the bag.  Hmmmm - if I looked in my stash, I may surprise myself - I do seem to have bits and pieces of a lot of stuff.

On that note - I'm off to review a sewing machine today. Pretty exciting stuff and well - no time to waste.

Have an awesome day (and I'm so glad it's wet and rainy today - I won't feel so bad being cooped up in the basement!)


Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!

Modern Show n tell...

It's Saturday and I have three days before I leave - well I leave Monday so however you want to count that.

Let's see - I'm ready to go for my three classes today.  Have to rejig the quilts that are in the suitcase that's still in the car for the presentation tomorrow. Finish prepping the two classes that I'm handing off to someone on Monday to teach in my absence - but the prep work is basically done.

Everything was shipped or dealt with at work so that's under control as much as it can be.  That leaves the last quilt to be quilted and bound before I leave.  I think I'm in good shape!!!    But I wish I had nothing to do this weekend - the weather is gorgeous and I won't get out on my bike. That's sad!

Show n tell is always the best part of any meeting.  I didn't have any show n tell at the modern quilt guild meeting earlier this week, but I took pictures of what the others were working on.  Not all of it - but some.  A small group, but very prolific.

Jen, our modern quilter extraordinaire, just came back from Quiltopia - an annual event with 80 modern quilters gathering somewhere in the US to sew.  She took a workshop with Elizabeth Hartman and this is the result.  Pretty cool - those butterflies came from a jelly roll!

Elizabeth Hartman butterfly quilt

She also took a second glass and I can't remember the name of the instructor.  It was on improv curves.  But have a look at this fabric.  OH NO - there are stains on it.  Hardly - the stains are PRINTED on the fabric.  Oh boy - have the times changed!!!  I guess that means if you accidentally spill something on your quilt - that's OK.

"Stained" fabric

Liz was into lightning blocks.  This is a small one she made.   I'm not sure why this block is called lightning as I did a quick Google search and this isn't the style that came up.

Lightning block

Liz is also addicted to barcode style blocks.  That is NOT striped fabric - she created it!!!

Barcode blocks

 This block is more in the style of the lightning blocks I found with my Google search.  This belongs to Peggy and she made it with the Northcott MicroChip pack from the ColorWorks Solids collection.  Love it!!!

Peggy's lightning block

Speaking of barcodes, this guild LOVES barcodes.  This is the charity quilt that they made as part of the QuiltCon charity challenge.  You remember all those quilts I posted when I was away?  Have a look at them here to refresh your memory.    Anyway - I think this group hadn't officially become a guild at that time and so they were not able to submit the quilt in the show. But everything is a go for next year.

QuiltCon charity quilt

This was a pattern created by Marilyn. It's hard to see from the picture, but she used a variation of that ring in the quilting.  Very clever.

Modern ring quilt

We had a guest whose name I didn't get as I arrived late.  But she brought show n tell.  This is an amazing piece.  Quilt as you go technique, but very modern looking.  Very fun!!!   Reminds me of a rose!

Quilt as you go

 Another piece by our guest.  She used FLUORESCENT thread to quilt this on white background.  I LOVE IT!!!!!

Quilted with bright thread

 And she also made this one which is the paper pieced emblem of Canada Sesquicentennial.   That's 150 years in case you haven't seen it already.

Paper pieced sesquicentennial symbol for Canada

 Marsha brought in a quilt top that she had resurrected and now it is done.  All forms, styles, and shapes of free form crosses.

Marsha's crosses

And there you have it - a fabulous show n tell.

Now I'm ready and off to get the day started - well officially started. I've been up for hours.

Oh, and I learned last night that Little Sammy does NOT do SKYPE.  M was trying to talk to her and she would have nothing to do with the computer, other than go to the door and bark because she was excited!!!  Poor Little Sammy is pretty confused these days - it's just me at home and she is lost.


Have a great day!!!!!!


Ciao!!!!

Challenged!

I dare not take a picture of my desk (at home) as there is a little bottle of Bailey's sitting there!  There are some days when I think - it's 10 AM, is it too late to crack the bottle open?  Fortunately, those days are very rare, but it happens!

Yesterday would have been a good day to crack open the bottle. NOT because of frustrations, but because of celebration. I refrained - just in case you're wondering.

Nope, this would've been to celebrate our medical system. I don't live far from the hospital and my doctor is nearby as well. I had an appointment at the hospital for 9:30. I need a little joint tune-up - it's nothing big by any means. I arrived at the hospital shortly after 9 AM and had to park on the top floor.  No big deal - the sun was shining - it was a glorious day!  Got registered and my TWO bracelets - one for a drug allergy, one for me. You can imagine that there have been some screw ups because I was asked to verify that information at every place I went. No line - up at the registration desk.

Arrived upstairs at the clinic with 15 minutes to spare.  Handed in my paperwork and sat down and pulled out my book but not before I noticed a sign on the wall - April 14 - possible wait time - two hours. OK - whatever. Minutes later, I'm called into the examining room. OK - I get out my book, crap - here is the surgeon. Did I bring my X-rays? No - I didn't have any. Then he checks my records - yes - I had some taken in January when I went to my doctor.  Oh god - I forgot about that!  I was supposed to pick them up. Ooops - no one told me or more likely I forgot!  No worries - the X-rays weren't at the right angle anyway.

Escorted right over to X-ray and I pulled out my book again.  Crap - called immediately and before I could even sit down, I was whisked back into the examing room.  The surgeon comes in - we chat and he says he has an opening on April 29 - do I want it?  HMMM...... - YES!!

Next up - walk over to the surgeon's office in the building across the parking lot.  Get the pre-op information package and everything is booked.  Now I need to make an appointment with my doctor to get the basic health info done.  I call and she asked me to come IMMEDIATELY.

Up the stairs to the top of the parking lot and drive to my doctor just down the street.  I yet again pulled out my book but was taken in pretty quickly. Everything is now done and I was home by 11 AM.  WHOA - what just happened?????  It was crazy and I'm not sure that I was even able to read ONE PAGE in my book. Got a call later that day for the pre-op appointment at the hospital and I'm all set.

Surgery is booked for a Friday, surgeon says I should be able to drive by Monday and back to work. My doctor says I should take time off. For what????  I'll just be home sewing so might as well go to work.  Bottom line - it happens on a weekend when I had NOTHING planned - so I'm hoping for RAIN that weekend so I won't feel bad that I can't ride my bike!

Was I lucky?   Does the medical system work sometimes?  Or did they just like me?  Anyway - I'll be glad to get this issue resolved, but the surgeon thinks I also have some arthritis.   LALALALALALALAA   - not listening!    I know it's going to happen, I can already feel it, but I'm in total denial about that.


I worked from home the rest of the day and well - it was a crazy day as I learned how to UNZIP files without having WinZip on my computer.  It has been an issue for a long time - every time I try to unzip files, WINZIP wants me to BUY their software.  There has to be a way to unzip files without being tied to WinZip  and YES - I found one and my files unzipped WITHOUT coughing up money to WINZIP. Technology - 0 - Elaine - 1.

But here is the best part of the day - it was meeting time for the Grand River Modern Quilt Guild.  A small group of people, but very enthusiastic. After the regular show n tell which I didn't take any, but this morning, I realized I should have taken something and gotten some advice for how to quilt it. No worry - the top for my Paducah quilt is now on the long arm (finished it this morning) and well - I'll just wing it!

Anyway - last night we got to reveal our starter block for the round robin.  My goodness - this is going to be FUN!!!  I'm so glad I decided to participate. When I was editing this morning, I realized that I forgot to take a couple of pictures.  I think I missed a couple of pictures - one of them happened to be the piece that I brought home so I got that picture.

It is a very diverse group and some of us are dabbling in modern and some are more modern than others.  It's all in the interpretation. The other thing to note about these blocks - modern can mean a lot of different things to different people. To some, it is funky little prints and low volume backgrounds, to others it is solids and to others  - something else completely!  Have a look.

Here goes................

The first one is Jen's.  She is the true modern quilter amongst us.  I love her stuff and she isn't afraid of color and keeps us on track for all things modern.  By the way, we're going to work on the Modern Quilt Guild Challenge and I'm very excited for that.

Jen

 This next one is mine.  Do you know what it means???  My theme is "hidden in plain sight" and I've asked everyone to create a word in some kind of code.  When the blocks are done - I will attempt to create a sentence from the words. Can't wait to see the words and can't wait to see what codes (even made-up codes) that people will use.

Elaine

 Liz just took a class with Jacquie Gering (one of the Modern Quilt Guild gurus) and her theme is the log cabin block. Plus we have to use an entire square of a charm pack that she has included.

Liz

 Marilyn is of the "go big or go home" school of thought. She has a HUGE block for her starting point. And a HUGE bag of fabric to go with it. It's based on the artwork of a Russian artist whose name escapes me.

Marilyn

Peggy has very clean lines and a touch of Northcott fabric!  Her theme is based on a crazy word which I can't remember, but it's in the book that accompanies her block.  All about getting lost in the north or being crazy!  I think we can have loads of fun with this one too.

Peggy

The next one I believe is Audrey.  She wasn't there so I can't put the name to the face. Can you guess what her theme is?   NEGATIVE space!   Oh boy - that is a lot of negative space.

Audrey

 Marsha has a gorgeous palette which reminds me of the beach.  Good call since her theme is beach glass.  She also included a lot of fabric. I didn't include any fabric in mine. It will be a free for all - part of the challenge!

Marsha

 Brenda has an interesting concept. It is a very modern looking block that looks like something. It's abstract, but yet it's not.  Is it a globe in a nest?  Is it oriental in nature?   It is my job to add something to it or make a block.  Hmm - I have a couple of ideas.

Brenda

Let's see - I forgot to take a picture of Linda's - it is a wonky churn dash in very neat colors with a "wordy" background.  Sheila - I forgot to take a picture of yours and for the life of me, I can't remember what it looks like.  Lois will be working like mad to make her block as she didn't bring anything last night.  All I can say is that I'm glad I'm not making one after seeing what everyone else did.  So much creativity.


WHOA - through the power of e-mail, Sheila had a copy of her block with her while she is visiting the east coast.  AH - now I remember what it looks like.  Here is Sheila's block.  I adore the color scheme.

Sheila

I think the plan is to rotate the blocks once a month and so we won't get to work on everyone's block. But I'm going to encourage EVERYONE to make me a word for my quilt. I don't care when it gets done - I think it will be fun to have the entire group create a hidden word!!!!


On that note - it's off to work - last day before Paducah and there is much to be done!  But the sun is out and it will be a glorious day!!!!!


Have a super duper awesome day!!!!

Ciao!

Into the night.......................

I try to not do a lot in the evenings. I try - I really try to have only ONE thing scheduled per week, but that doesn't always work out.

This past week was truly a bad week as I was out FOUR nights in a row.

Tuesday night was the Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee meeting.  Not bad for timing - they try to keep things moving along and we are usually finished by 8:30.  Still you get home at 9 PM and there isn't really any time to do much.

But if you are into cycling at all - check out this story about this fellow that I met at the bike show.  Gosh - did I already mention him???   Anyway - have a read - it's pretty amazing and I wish I had the guts to do what he did.  Unfortunately with the line of work that I do - it's a bit impossible.

That was Tuesday. As I mentioned, not a lot of time to do much, except I get a call from my dear sweet daughter.  "Mom - could you go to my friend's house to pick something up??"  And it needs to be done TONIGHT.  And the good Mom that I am, I got in the car and drove to pick up her stuff. That same night, I had something to drop off at Diane's who was then going to take it to work the next day for someone else.  She lives close to me so I stopped on the way home from my other errand.  Of course, the girls were with me in the car and so they got to have a cuddle with Diane.  That Lexi is a cuddler and a moocher!  Any attention to be had and she is right in there!  Little Sammy didn't get out of the car as she didn't have a leash.

Technically I didn't go out on Wednesday night, but I did have people over for a meeting. Again - it wasn't a late night, but it meant that the evening got tied up.  It was a very productive meeting, I'm glad we had the meeting and my house got tidied up to boot!  Can't beat that. There is nothing like people coming over to get motivated! But I seriously wonder about people whose house is clean and tidy no matter when you drop in.  I would DIE if I was that tidy!

Thursday night was the meeting of the Grand River Modern Quilt Guild - that was in Waterloo. I had been to one of their meetings before - the group is awesome and well I signed up. I joined another guild!!!!   Not only that, but I've committed to a group round robin!!!!   I know - how did that happen?  But it is going to be fun and I thought about my piece all the way home.   The biggest problem with this kind of thing (well so far) isn't the lack of ideas - it's narrowing them down.  I think I really should just get some fabric (not that I don't have any) and slice and dice - experiment and see which version I like the best. That is where the learning comes and the mistakes?  They are NOT mistakes.  That is learning!   Once I was finished, I had something else to drop off at Diane's so another late drop.

I swear if someone was following me, they would think I am into serious drug business or something.  All these late night meetings.

Then last night - it was another adventure. This time at the airport.  I had applied for a NEXUS pass months ago and it was finally my appointment - Friday night at 6:45.  For some reason, I did not write this date in my agenda and I looked on Wednesday and YIKES - almost had a heart attack.  I thought the appointment was next week.

Anyway - I get to the airport, park the car and get to the office where they do the processing.   You have to sign in,  the agents will look at the list (compare it to the appointment list) and then call your name. They called one lady's name and asked her for the confirmation letter as she had signed in, but was not on the list.  AHA - her confirmation letter said April 11 - NOT March 11. Bye bye - see you in a month!

But now I'm thinking  - I don't have a confirmation letter. If they refuse to see me, well - I'll be ticked as you have to wait a long time for the appointments.  When they asked for my letter, I told them I don't have a printer which is the truth!  So they verified my name on the list and I was good.  A couple of pictures later - did you know that you get to smile for this one! Fingerprints, eye scan and answer a few more questions and I was good to go!

Back to the car. WAIT - where the heck is the car???  Oh for heaven's sake - I can't find the car!   I even used my panic button on the key fob - no car.  OK - so I must be on the wrong level.  I did pay attention, but not really when I parked.  Back into the airport - I don't have a coat - just in short sleeves.  Off to the washroom which I should have done in the first place so I could focus - originally, I thought I could make it home. Back to the parking lot and as I was walking back, I realized my mistake.

Airport map

As I was walking back to the parking lot (the long green lines on the right-hand side of the map). I took the fork to the left and completely missed the fact that there was another one to the right!  That one on the left went to Level 4 and the one on the right went to Level 5.  DUH!!!!!   As soon as I took the right fork - there was my car!

They even had these at the door to help idiots like myself!  

An aid to help you remember where your car is parked

Never mind that all the columns are numbered and color coded.  Did I pay attention to any of it?  Nope - I trusted my sense of direction which is usually pretty good.  I knew I was in the wrong spot - I just didn't know how to get to the right spot. I must take a picture next time because it is a bit tricky - there is a big post in the way when you exit the airport doors so you don't necessarily see that upper walkway. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!!

The problem is how to find the car if you absolutely don't remember.  Imagine being away for a week?  

The good news - I'm teaching a class today, but then I don't have to go out tonight!!!!

Which really is good news because I do have quite a bit of stuff that has to be done and prepped before I go away.  I have no idea why going away is such a stressful thing.  I guess because there is a deadline.  It sort of takes the fun out of going away!

And a huge thank you to all my volunteers.   I got people anxiously awaiting their little package of fabrics to mess around with. Can't wait to hear their thoughts!

On that note - I'm out of here. 

Have a great day!!!!!!

Ciao!!!!



PS - I hear Lexi blogged this morning.