Be careful what you teach!

I never received any training to be a teacher; it seems to come naturally to me, for which I am eternally grateful. I never planned on being a quilt teacher, but the opportunity fell into my lap (thank you, Gail, at the Hobby Horse for believing in me!), and I took to it like a duck to water! 

I also try NOT to DICTATE RULES to my students. I try to create an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions, and I explain why we do something a certain way. If they want to do it differently, that's OK. I never try to discourage them from doing what they want, but I might encourage them to try a different way. So far, so good, as I've always had great feedback on how I teach. 

But you don't have to be in front of students to teach. You can present learning in so many ways. The more I chat with people, the more I realize that some were taught incorrect methods or were given no explanation for why they were shown how to do something. They struggle, and when they tell me what they are struggling with -- I have an "app" for that! I can fix it for them. It is mind-blowing to see the amount of misinformation there is in the quilting world. 

Not that any of you suffer from that!! 

But I had a disturbing experience the other day. I was in Fabricland, looking at the thread. A lady and a young adult came up beside me. It was obvious that the "more experienced" person was giving the young adult a "lesson" about sewing. Teacher? Parent? Mentor? I don't know. 

As I was deciding which color of thread to buy, EXPERIENCE was talking about the difference between cotton and polyester thread. She proceeded to tell YOUTH that cotton thread was bad as it would shrink and cause ripples in your project. She made ZERO mention of the type of fabric you were working with. And then she turned to me and pointed at the hem of my Patagonia down sweater and said, " See—that jacket was stitched with cotton thread, and look at how it ripples on the bottom." SERIOUSLY??? 

The hem on my down sweater

My jacket ripples because it's filled with down and quilted!!!! Plus, it's well-aged, with over ten years of constant wearing. 

I didn't respond because I was floored that EXPERIENCE singled out my jacket. So YOUTH will NEVER touch cotton thread in her life, and for all the wrong reasons. 

Seriously --- I cannot believe the ignorance of people in the world. There's much to learn, and you can't just categorize thread in two sentences, but those two sentences and the image of my "rippled" jacket will stick in YOUTH's head forever! 

Be CAREFUL when providing information to someone. Is it correct? Is there validity in your statements? And if you don't know? Do NOT make something up --- say, "I don't know." That's OK and makes you a bigger person than faking information you don't know. 

And NEVER say -- this is the way we do it! That's not good enough! I want to know WHY!! My mom was one of those people who wanted things done a certain way. What was the reason? Because I said so! Sorry, Mom, that doesn't work for me! It drove me crazy as a kid and still drives me crazy today!!!!

There are so many ways to create things—telling people they can only do it one way? That stunts creativity!!! Imagine if all the inventors were told they couldn't do whatever they were doing. We'd still be living in caves and foraging for food in the forest. 

When I was at Sew n Serge the other day, it was crazy busy, and one lady brought in a dog coat she made for her dog. Wow, this is adorable. It even has jeans and pockets. But look at his name, which was embroidered on the jacket. So adorable!!!!

Dog outfit!

Meanwhile, Bear is happy to sleep. He doesn't get too excited—well, until I show him his harness, then he freaks out!! But he's a pretty even-keeled guy!! I gave him a bath and put a different sweater on him, and he curled up and went to sleep. That was after I attempted to dry him with a towel and then the hair dryer!

Hanging out with Grandma

I love the sticker on our pizza boxes! Does that remind you of anything? If not, have a look at the end of the blog! 

Love the sticker

The shelving is still in the garage and will remain there for a bit. I'd like to get it in the house, start filling it, and organize the remainder of the stuff, but it can wait for a day or two. 

Look - another quote! 

Another great quote

This is so true! I'd be an empty vessel (at least my brain) without walking. That's the perfect time to solve problems, drum up new ideas, think through lesson plans, or whatever. Don't take away my walks!! 

Speaking of which, I'm on track with my three challenges for 2024. Is that double dipping? Not at all, because they were created for entirely different reasons. 

This first one tracks my steps for the entire year. I set an aggressive goal of 4,500 KM for 2024, and so far, I'm right on target. There are no maps—just a number on a screen. 

My annual walking goal

This is one of the mapped walks - it's the extended version of the Great Wall of China, and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed, but I shouldn't be, considering this is in CHINA! But while the walk is mapped along where the wall is, there are no pictures of the area around. There are a few photo drops, but not many. I was hoping to see some stuff along the way, but I bet China isn't too thrilled to have Google map out their territory! I'm on target with this one, and when I'm finished, I'll start a new themed challenge. 

Great Wall of China challenge

The final one was a just-for-fun -- to "travel" to a new part of the world. So, I mapped from Cairo to Cape Town and gave myself three years to track my KM (over 16,000 KM). It's a VERY aggressive goal, and I'll have to supplement my walking with a  few spin class rides to make up the distance. I did that in the first year and will have to do it again this year. I'm OK with that. Again, very little of this area is mapped by Google, but there are areas, and it's been fascinating to see the terrain. 

My mapped walk through Africa

Well, that's it for me!!!

Have a super day!!!

And as it said on the pizza box - Ciao!!!! 

I'm a technology success story!!!

What a wild day!!!! The temperature had dropped, but it was totally bearable with the sun! Those who were able to come to the full-day INPERSON session for the Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC 3 went home with their heads spinning from the amount of information I spewed at them! The intent was to give them a broad overview of the capabilities, but we need MORE than one day!! 

I was fired up and had fun!!! Thanks to Brampton Sew n Serge for hosting the event. I wonder if there are enough people with EPIC 3 around to host a Zoom club? I do NOT want to take away from a shop hosting events. 

The girls and the boy were home alone all day, but they managed just fine. I think it is the "parents" who worry about them, and that's only because there is usually one of us in the house at all times! 

They were pretty hopeful that I would take them with me in the morning. WAIT -- they were just waiting for their treat! 

MOM --- we're waiting for our T R E A T S

But there are those best buds again. They hang out together so much. Murphy is going to miss Bear when he goes home. WAIT -- isn't this his home now? Possession is 9/10ths of the law? Sadly, he will go home, but he's stuck with us for a few more weeks. 

Murphy and Bear

Here, he is perched in one of his favorite spots when we're in the kitchen. After I put him on the sofa, he bound up there to survey his kingdom!!!

Grandma -- I'm watching you!

And Lexi --- what a girl. I think she likes sleeping under the table because she can rub her back on the edge. She needs an itching post. 

MOM -- I need a scratching post

They were in fine form last night. Murphy and Lexi were "fighting," and Bear was the referee. I finally had to stop it because I couldn't focus on reading for the noise!!!! Interesting about dogs making noise. I recently heard someone who doesn't allow their dog to bark. How does the dog tell them when they need something? Murphy got stuck under the deck a couple of years ago. The ONLY way I knew that she was stuck and exactly where she was was because she barked! They alert us to people dropping off packages who don't ring the doorbell, they let me know when they want to come in the house (one woof is all they are allowed), and so much more. That's like telling a child to be quiet; we all hated that! Nope  - sometimes my girls are a bit too noisy, but I'd rather a bit of barking than they not be allowed to talk!

I wish they could coordinate their in and out schedules, though. It's like they have a conspiracy against me. 

Lexi: Hey, Murphy. You asked to go in, and I'll ask 2 minutes later. 

Murphy: OK -- and then tomorrow, we'll switch it up

Lexi: Sounds like a plan. It drives Mom CRAZY!!!!

Someone was not happy. Actually, she's eyeing Lexi. They are like cat and mouse or that cycling pursuit sport where they watch each other to see who will make the first move! 

MOM -- don't disturb me - I'm very focused

And Mr. Snuggles finally calmed down. What a little goof. 

I'm exhausted!!!

And all is calm at last. It's funny that they all get along but do NOT want to sleep next to each other. Oh no!!!

The three-dog night

In case you're wondering, the one-car thing is going very well at our house. I drive DH to the train when he needs to go downtown to work. He'll take an Uber back, which works out just fine. 

We have put on 2,600 KM (something like that ) since November 27, primarily driving errands around the neighborhood (well, he does groceries on Sundays and takes his mother shopping). And I've done a few couple-hour trips. We do NOT need two cars. No one has lost their freedom to go where they want when they want. I knew that! 

However, I've noticed something. There seems to be an issue with the gas gauge. It's NEVER close to empty when DH is in the car, but that gauge drops like a rock when I get in! Why is that?

Almost on empty!!

With my other car, the fuel light would go at 100KM. The light popped on at 38 KM. That's cutting it a bit close if you ask me. I'm sure there's a setting I can change because otherwise unless you remember to watch the gauge, you could easily run out of gas. So I must look for that setting and change it. Perhaps someone else will notice it. Maybe he thinks we bought an electric car? 

So last night, I was too tired to sew, yet too wound up to go to bed. So, I dug out my iPad. I'm always telling people how I use it to store all my manuals, and I do, but what a mess. I have a love/hate relationship with my iPad. Apple is so darn proprietary it could choke you! 

I was all excited when I started doing this years ago. I can put the PDFs into iBooks and see them on the shelf. I could sort them by topic, and that would be great!! Ah -- not so fast!! If the book is not an Apple product, you cannot sort them in iBooks. So I had amassed a HUGE pile of books, and I had to sort through them to find what I wanted. It's not an ideal situation. 

A mess of PDFs in iBooks

I had learned that I could put those PDFs into folders, but I also struggled with that. I had files all over the place that needed to be sorted, which was a mess. I had duplicates of most things, and I was tired of it. 

My NEW file system on the iPad

So, I decided to bite the bullet once and for all and would SOLVE this mess. This was AFTER 6 PM, which is not my prime learning time. 

Guess what? I figured it out!!! Yahooo!!!! It was probably the reason that I couldn't get to sleep last night. I still have about 40 documents to transfer to the filing system. Yep -- there were a lot. 

It's super easy if anyone wants to know how to do it. In iBooks (I think that is what it's called), you touch the three dots under a title, and a menu pops up. Touch "Share PDF."

Share PDF screen

That gives you choices, and you select "Save to Files." 

Save to Files

Then, it was "easy" to sort them into folders. OK -- that took me some time to figure that out. For all the talk from people about how intuitive Apple is -- it is NOT!!!! But that could be a lack of knowledge from the operator. Anyway -- all that doesn't matter because I figured it out. How? I didn't even have to Google; I PLAYED with the buttons, and I PLAYED more with the buttons, and I tried different things, and VOILA -- I figured it out. 

So now the big deal is to get ALL of my PDFs onto the iPad. Then, ALL my manuals and guides will be in one place, which would be amazing. I know some are on my computer, and probably my laptop and I might still keep some of those on those devices - just to have them handy, but I'll soon wean myself off that and use the iPad. At least I can say I'm using it then. It is probably the most underused iPad in the world. 

I also want to get my iPencil working. Yep -- I bought one of those and have rarely used it. I did search Google to find out how to charge it, and I am missing one small piece. I can charge it through the iPad, but a small connector allows me to charge it through a USB. I know I have that tiny part in the house somewhere, but where? 

My iPencil

Here's one more thing about Apple, and it involves the Apple store. I wanted to download a drawing program and play with it. And when I searched, I found one that I had to pay for -- OK -- maybe later, but right now I want a free one, and there were several. I downloaded the first one (a coloring book style), and the minute I went to open it, it asked for a subscription payment. AH --- you should have said that on the search page. I deleted it. 

This happened twice. HEY -- if you want me to pay, ask upfront; don't let me download, and then ask. I will ALWAYS delete those --- be honest!!!!!

Well, there is a success story with me and technology. OH -- I can get frustrated with technology when I can't figure it out, and that iPad was a pain! Almost to the point where I'd just go to the website to find the manual and use that through the iPad rather than store it on the iPad. Well, I no longer have to do that!!! 

And all it took was a bit of finagling and a will to learn how to make the product work as I wanted. It's not that I don't understand technology; I want it to work in a certain way. I'm not an early adopter, but I push this stuff to the limit and try to make it do things MY way, not the way the company wants. I will NEVER buy an Apple book to use and sort it in the iBooks app. NEVER. 

OH -- I should mention that when you open the file folder system and click on a book? You can open it in iBooks to read it like a book (swiping pages). That's exactly what I wanted, but there is NOWHERE that tells you how to do that. I need to start my own YouTube channel on solving problems that NO ONE else seems to have the answer for!!!!

On that note, I'm out of here. It's minus 4 right now, but by the time I finish the walk, it's supposed to be PLUS 4. What weird weather!!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Use your time wisely

Things are settling back to normal! As we get back to normal, I think we all need to take stock of our lives and see what changes need to be made. We CANNOT just go back to normal. We need to evaluate what we what in life (we only have one, and the clock is ticking!), how and who we want to spend our time with. What projects will we work on, what groups will we join, what classes we'll take, etc.? 

Helen recently listened to a decluttering your life lecture from TWO different organizations, so we know it's on everyone's mind! She mentioned a book, and once I dig out the title, I'll share it with you. 

Why should we do this? Well, I'd say a HUGE one would be guilt. You signed up for a class because you thought you would miss out on something -- that's the BIGGEST issue -- FOMO (fear of missing out). Well, guess what? Now you feel guilty because you're in the class and have nothing to show, so you feel guilty because you signed up for something that you really shouldn't have signed up for in the first place. Why not sign up for ONE project you have time for and do it to the best of your ability. There will ALWAYS be another class. Teachers are not just going to stop teaching! 

I know a lot of people in my industry are in burnout mode. I'm not sure I'd call myself in burnout mode, but I certainly bit off more than I can chew, and I plan to rectify that. I'm making lists of what I want to do personally (notice that came first), then what I want to teach, and I'm going to be very picky about what and where I teach those things. 

I've also decided that I'm going to be RUTHLESS, and if you want to be part of my club or groups (note -- NOT classes), you need to be a CONTRIBUTING member, or what's the point? I know that seems harsh, but seriously, when I look at a list and see people who have never participated or attended the group in a very long time or ever, do they need to be on the list? Nope --- why should I fill up their e-mail box. I went through one group yesterday, and I'll go through more later. 

Before you all start to panic --- this will happen in the fall! I will NOT remove people with temporary issues for not attending or completing the work. And if you can only occasionally come because you work full-time, I'm OK with that. I'm talking about people who have never shown up to a Zoom session in two years. I don't think they need to be on the list. Sounds harsh, but it's being realistic. Most people can't say, "please take me off," so I'm doing it for them! I bet most won't even know they are no longer on my lists! 

If people paid for a spot, they would remain on the lists for obvious reasons, but I will be questioning people going forward and making it very clear that I'm looking for contributing members. I don't care if I only see that person in ONE group, but if they are actively participating, that's all I care about. And if I only have ONE other person in my group, but they are contributing, then I'm good with a group of two!

The bottom line is that I want to grow, and I need others to help me do that. I can't keep giving and giving -- then I will go into burnout mode. 

I tidied up (Studio B is a disaster!), and I got some sewing done. I have much more on my plate today and for the remainder of the week. And if anyone lives near K&A Studio in Ingersoll and wants to take a paper piecing course, I'll be there IN PERSON on Friday. It's a small block, and you'll learn about paper piecing and angles. You do NOT need to come if you already know how to paper piece. 

As I sat down to sew on the Monday Zoom call, I had so much to do and no idea where to start. Lynn suggested I make those two half-square triangles for the pinwheel quilt. Thanks, Lynn -- I needed a start point, which was perfect. I dug out some batik scraps, and can you tell which are the imposters???

The pinwheels are together!

Then I got some white fabric and a batik fabric to see what color border to put on. 

Auditioning the borders

Which one did I use? I chose the white, which is on the left above. 

The top is done!

Then it was time to get the binding made and find some backing. 

Ready to be quilted

I may change that backing and find something a bit more multi-color. YES --- I'll do that later today. I grabbed pink (no idea why), but I do not like it. It needs to be multi-colored, and I must have something with multi-colors on it. 

And YES -- all the seams on the back are twirled. How could they not be? 

Twirled seams

I have a big day planned, and the machines are ready! The embroidery machine is out, and so is the Scan and Cut. 

The machines are ready to rock and roll!

I am determined to make this machine embroidery applique happen. OH -- I've done lots of machine embroidery applique -- what I want is to take a paper applique pattern and convert it to machine embroidery. I've done it before, but I'm still learning the software as each type of applique brings a new challenge. 

This is the design that I'm currently working on. And I DID IT!! I need to go back this morning and check the width of the stitches as I forgot to do that last night. 

My machine embroidery applique project

And as easy as pie, I had the embroidery files and the SVG files for the digital cutter. It was pretty seamless and took maybe five minutes, including scanning the file. 

Saving the SVG files

I need to learn a few more digitizing tools (cleaning up curves - Bezier curves), and then I think I'll have it figured out. OH -- I need to cut shapes in the software as well. I hope to try stitching the tree out today. I know it'll stitch  -- I watched it stitch out in the software, and everything is in the proper order. I can pick ANY stitch that comes in my embroidery machine as the decorative stitch -- I'm not restricted to satin stitch! So that's another area to play with. 

I still have this stuff to put away, and I hope to do a bit each day. It takes a lot of time to put things back, and when you get something new, you have to find a home for that item!!

Stuff still to put away

But look what I found! My mask! Diane made this mask, my favorite one, and I have been careful during the lockdown. It was always in my jacket pocket to be handy when I needed it. Then I went to those in-person events, and after two days, I couldn't find it, so I had to go to my backup. 

My lost mask is FOUND

I thought it was a goner as I checked the car and my backpack. Nope -- it was in the bag with the sewing machine accessories! 

And we still need masks. I went to pick up my package at CrossBorder Pickups, and I needed a mask inside the facility. 

My package!

And inside the box??? My book!!!

The Diane Cherrywood book

Their location is right under the flight path, and as I got out of the car, this gigantic jet from the United Emirates flew overhead. Sorry -- it doesn't look that large here -- it took me a minute to dig out my phone. This plane is so large, you have to wonder how it can fly!!

A massive jet in the sky 

And now back to more sewing. I got the border on the jelly roll quilt that I made last week. 

Jelly roll quilt top FINISHED

I needed to do that because the next batch of fabric for Diane, who is sewing the community projects quilts for me, is all the Oh Canada fabric I have. There are four bags/boxes, which should keep her busy for a couple of weeks!

Fabric for Diane to make quilts 

Some of these bags contain panels that will make suitable backings or the start of a quilt backing, and there are bags of scraps that can be used to make those slab blocks that we made several years ago. My goal -- it all needs to be stitched up into quilts. I'll have to make several trips to get this all to Diane's. I thought about taking my wagon, but I can walk over twice, and I should be good. 

I see this month is promoting walking to school. Let's see how well that goes over in this car-focused city. 

Walk or roll to school!

And someone got a new ball yesterday. Let's say that she's a happy dog. Oh, Murphy!!!

I GOT a new ball! Thanks, Mom!

She killed or lost the balls from last summer, so she played with this one in the house for a while, but she loves it when I throw it into the bushes by the pond. Sometimes, she finds it right away, and other times, she has to search for it. She's such a goof!!!

MOM -- this balls rolls!

I'll get that list of quilt shows back up tomorrow. 

In the meantime, you have HOMEWORK today. You need to start looking at everything that you have signed up for. Can you possibly do all those projects? Do you even want to do all those projects? If it's a project you haven't started, then perhaps it's time to say, I will NEVER make this so I can continue to sit in on the class, but do NOT feel guilty. 

You should NEVER feel FOMO. This is YOUR life, and you do not want to miss the things you want to do with your limited time because you think what someone else is doing is more fun. Make what you want to do FUN, and you'll never have FOMO again! 

I don't have FOMO; I want to do too many things that I can't worry about what others are doing! So I'm going to be very diligent about what I take on, and I'm going to be very clear to people signing up for groups or clubs about the expectations. And I will refuse to sign someone up if I think they can't handle the extra workload. This is for my PERSONALLY run stuff. If you have a class pass and want to sign up for every class, that's your choice, but do you want to?

I'm being totally selfish about this -- I want to be around people who will get me excited to try even more new things and inspire me. This is about every participant giving a bit of themselves to the collective whole of the group to make it a truly inspiring group. We all know the 80/20 rule, and I want a 100/0 rule! 

You may not think you have anything to contribute, but you do! If you make your quilt in a different colorway from the pattern, use your fabrics differently, try a new technique, or think outside the box to construct a block? You are contributing, and that's what I'm talking about. If you're in the newbie stage, you have LOTS to learn, but if you just remain a by-stander -- you won't get to the good stuff!! I don't care how minor your project is -- I just want you to do something! From chatting to other teachers/store owners, I know that we are ALL in the same mindset on this -- this is NOT just me saying this --- it's everyone! 

All of this is going to take place in the fall. For now, it's all status quo, and we're just trying to get through what we signed up for. That's great, and if you want to continue to audit a class, that's totally your choice; I'm not going to discourage anyone from doing that. But you must think of your time -- -could you use that time more wisely with something else. And let's face it, sometimes people are auditing classes/clubs for ENTERTAINMENT. 

Anyway -- I'm sure I'm going to offend people with that, but I offend people with every decision I make, so this won't be anything new. I'm a big girl - I can handle it. 

And on that note --- I'm out of here!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

The transition from Zoom to in-person

 

We've all been waiting for this moment -- getting back to in-person events. Well, we must be careful what we wish for! 

In-person events require getting in the car and traveling! It's a challenge to go from ZERO traveling by car to spending THREE hours commuting -- that's 1 1/2 hours each way, and I have one more day to do that. It's not that it's a big deal, but I paid almost $80 to fill the car the other day -- I wouldn't have had to do that if I were doing an in-person event. My butt was sore and stiff after spending that much time in the car, and I could have accomplished a lot in THREE hours. 

Then we need to worry about the weather. Have you noticed that we're all checking the weather app these days, or is that just because we are older? And there's a weather advisory every day, or so, it seems! Yesterday it was freezing rain and today it's high winds. I lucked out yesterday -- the drive to the city was absolutely dry. We got some freezing precipitation while I was there, and there was some rain on the way home. When I arrived at the house, the cars and the house's windows were covered with ice.

Ice on the windows of the house

More ice

And let's not forget the issue of getting dressed. It was so easy to grab a sweater and a scarf, run a brush through your hair, and you were good to go. Hmm -- now we have to add pants and shoes to that mix. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about clothes not fitting as I kept an eye on that during the pandemic. 

But I had a good laugh yesterday. I try not to turn on the lights when I leave -- I'm pretty good at knowing where everything is. I left my shoes in the porch, and I put my socks and running shoes on so I'd be ready for my walk when I arrived at the hotel. Then I switched to my day shoes and went in. 

I thought my shoes felt a bit weird several times, but I didn't think anything of it. Then I was at the front of the room, and I glanced down. OH -- I have my indoor shoes/slippers on! Not my dress shoes which were still under the bench in the porch!  

My indoor/slippers

Not that they were very noticeable as slippers, but I had a good laugh. Thankfully, they weren't pink or something outlandish. The joy of being totally conservative with clothing choices! 

What was even funnier is the day before, we had talked about doing the event in our PJs!! 

Other things to consider as we transition from Zoom to in-person. You can't have a nap when you want -- sometimes, I sneak a 20-minute nap between calls, but that would have been a challenge unless I crawled under a table at the back and had a snooze!! And eating -- you have to eat what they put out for you and eat when they put it out! So if you wanted an apple, you'd better have brought it! 

The whole in-person thing requires a lot more time and planning. Hmmm --- do I really want this? I was really having fun with the Zoom thing. OH -- and the girls were never alone. Well, it's fun to be in-person, don't get me wrong, but it involves a WHOLE lot of things that we aren't used to. 

Let's say that I was EXHAUSTED when I got back to the retreat house last night. I slept like a log. 

Our sixth person didn't arrive as she now has COVID, so good thing she checked before she came. And now I have a permanent spot for me to sew.

I LOVE having a retreat with a small group of people in a house because we all sat around the table at dinner and talked and talked for hours! We couldn't or wouldn't do that with a large group in a hotel!!!

I did manage to get a bit of sewing done before I had to crash. I'm working on scrappy quilts again. Will I ever use yardage again? 

Scraps for another quilt

I'm making some little blocks with the scraps -- I need 49 blocks that measure 3 1/2", and I've got 14 more to complete. I'll sew them together, and then you'll have to wait to see what I will do with them. 

My scrappy green blocks

This is the retreat where I've had to move my sewing spot the most. I set up the sewing machine, then took it down to take it with me. Then I used the serger and then took that with me. Now I have the sewing machine back, and look what I get to sew on!!! I've got rid of four sewing machines, so I will only have to load one machine back into the car at the end! There was a LOT of packing and unpacking happening at this retreat, but all is good now. 

The PFAFF creative icon 2

YES --- this is the NEW PFAFF creative icon 2. 

The creative icon 2

It's a gorgeous sewing machine and does embroidery as well. And look at all the incredible technology incorporated into the creative icon 2. The way it sews is a dream! It's powerful!!

Technology in the PFAFF creative icon 2

I love my little portable office setup. The Bluetooth speaker runs off my phone and uses data to stream the live radio! I'm using the phone also as a hotspot to run my laptop on the internet. It's' just like being at home!! Thankfully, I've learned how to do all that stuff. So much more to learn, but hey!!! What would life be like if we weren't learning something new every day? 

I have so many samples that I want to make with the creative icon 2 -- I need to get that machine fired up when I get home and have it running 24/7 to get everything that I want to stitch actually stitched out. 

The other nice thing about the in-person event was that we got to chat with the shop owners. What is going on in their world of in-person versus zoom? Do people want to return to in-person events? Who wants to teach via Zoom? What is the future of educating the consumer? So that was a good thing. There's a different group of people today, so those conversations will be new!

So for those anxious to get back out in the real world of in-person events or work, be careful what you wish for!! It's a massive change, and while some parts are good, it's a significant change! The biggest issue is the "wasted" time in the car! I've always resented travel time, and doing that three days in a row -- that's a total of NINE hours in the car when I could have been doing something else!!!

We did discuss the future of teaching and how to keep a social aspect to the entire thing. If anyone has suggestions -- be sure to pass them along! 

Good grief -- I just asked Alexa to turn off the radio again! She's NOT here with me! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

A sidewalk story

 Elle is BRILLIANT!!!! She suggested using the new doggie bench (when it arrives) as a grooming station. That is brilliant! It'll be sturdy; the bed just sits in the frame around the top and can easily be removed. And hopefully, Murphy will be occupied by the great outdoors. Gosh -- I want Elle to be -- well, I want her to be my consultant -- she is very clever. Thanks so much for that brilliant idea. 

Yesterday was all about free-motion quilting and the second part of the free-motion class at Thimbles and Things. Well, technically, NOT at, but hosted by them. It's amazing how smoothly something can go when you are prepped, and I spend an hour or two (at least) preparing everything - taking pictures, setting up cameras and machines. But I've got it down to a science now, so it's not too bad. 

There's a second two-part session in April. If you're interested, you can sign up -- there's still a bit of room in that second class. 

I also learned a thing or two about scheduling. Oh yes  -- with the pricing and the class structure, some students have discovered an "out." I had a couple of people who couldn't attend part two of the class for one reason or another, and some of them were legitimate and asked to move to the next class. So I've learned a lesson --- there will ONLY be one session during each class cycle. Then there's no switching! 

Personally, it's not a big deal, but each switch requires I process the e-mail and add them to a distribution list. Not huge, but if everyone asked? Well, I suck at admin work at the best of times - it's just more room for error. I've noticed many people traveling or have gone south for a month or two. And that's a good thing -- it means that stuff is starting to open up or people are feeling more comfortable, and I'm all for that. 

I'm thinking of booking some trips, and I need to do that FAST as there are a lot of places I want to go to this year, and I can't let work take up all the good slots. Of course -- I can have my classes prepped and teach it from anywhere in the world, so as long as I'm ready to do that prep --- look out, world -- here I come! Well, anywhere I can get good internet or good cell service and use my phone as a hotspot. 

After the free-motion class, it was back to the sewing and embroidery machine to finish getting ready for the classes today. We have the machine embroidery club and one of the sew-alongs. I'm happy to report that everything is prepped and ready to go, which is good since the first one starts at 9 AM. But I'm going to have a totally free afternoon, and I plan on hitting the long arm. 

I finished my 100,000+ embroidery

I have a little side trip today into the world of walking outdoors. It's that time of year when the great outdoors gets a bit sketchy for walkers. 

I've already reported one neighbor for shoveling the snow from her driveway into the street. The by-law officer came by and had a chat with her as the next time we had snow, NONE of it was shoveled into the street. 

I'm being very patient with another neighbor, and well, they've tested me, and the next time we have a snowfall, guess what? I'm calling. Why???? 

Look at the condition of the sidewalk across their driveway. I don't think they shoveled the drive at all and the windrow at the end of the drive? They just drove over it -- it was smaller than mine. It's a total disaster. There is snow and ice everywhere, and at least THREE capable adults live in this house. 

A messy sidewalk 

BUT --- they could shovel the little light around their fancy posts at the end of the driveway.

BUT they can shovel the snow off their fancy light

 Seriously???? This is the neighbor, who yelled at me because I was verbally disciplining Murphy one day as I walked past her house. I know the city was called to their house last year (not by me) as they do the same thing every year. OK -- I'm going to be the mean and nasty neighbor, and I'm calling EVERY time they don't clean. It's dangerous. As a matter of fact, I'm taking a paper and pencil and writing down the house numbers of the ENTIRE street. I'll give them 24 hours (maybe 48) to shovel, and that's it! I've had it with our street and their lack of shoveling abilities. NOW  -- it's about 10 houses, not the entire street, but still -- it's darn annoying. 

Just because the sidewalks on major streets in our neighborhood get plowed does NOT make them safe. 

This is that busy street that is used by a lot of school children. This photo was from several days ago, and it was a nightmare. Murphy didn't care -- "HEY MOM -- I've got four legs to keep me steady!" And people must have complained because this is after the city plowed it the SECOND time. At least the path is wider but still very much covered in ice. 

 A busy sidewalk covered in ice

A day later, this is the condition of that same sidewalk. So yes, it looks a whole lot better -- the above freezing temperatures took care of some of the mess. 

A day later, on the same sidewalk

But in other parts of that sidewalk, the warmer weather also brought huge puddles of slush or water. 

Long patches of water on the sidewalk

And let's not even talk about this mess. Most sidewalks have a small patch of grass between the sidewalk and the street. This sidewalk, which is near the community center and one of the high schools, has no grass between the sidewalk and the street. So the city has cleared a path but in the MUD. The snowbank is sitting on the sidewalk. 

A MUD path

Gosh -- I think I need to forward this blog post to the city. The city planners, the snowplow drivers, and the admin people who schedule all this stuff need to get out and walk the sidewalks for which they are responsible. Then they may get a better appreciation for the job they do. And there are a LOT of people who use these sidewalks. 

Here's something else about sidewalks. They are made of concrete with a seam in them. Or do we call that a join? Anyway, remember the saying when you were a kid -- don't step on a crack, you'll break your mother's back? Well, there's some truth to that. Look at the cracks in the sidewalk. FILLED with slippery ice. By the way -- I just looked up the origin of that comment, and it steps from racism? Really???

Ice in the sidewalk crack

And don't get me started on the painted crosswalks. That white paint is slippery when wet. Very dangerous to pedestrians and probably to cars that need to break on that crosswalk!

Yet - look at the paved multi-purpose path. It's totally clear and dry and seems to be so much easier to plow. Why can't we go from concrete to paved paths everywhere???? 

The paved path is clear!

Anyway --- I'm not going to stop walking because of the weather, but this time of year becomes very dicey. And it was actually better walking in the forest yesterday than the sidewalks. Those paths, which are NOT maintained in winter, will become very dangerous in a couple of weeks when the well-packed snow becomes a skating rink. Thankfully we have options, but right now, walking requires a LOT of concentration or attention; it's not only cars we have to watch for, but lots of ice! 

Oh, look, with all my shuffling around, I've cleared a spot or two on the top of the bookcase in Studio B. Oh yes -- I'm determined to get everything nice and tidy. Slow and steady will be the trick. I'm about done with the shuffle, and now it's going to be time to get to work and get stuff accomplished instead of "wasting" time with the tidy-up! The best news is that those empty spots will NOT be filled with something unless I decide to bring a few more things from upstairs to try and have everything in one room. I'll think about that. 

A few empty storage spots on top of the bookcase

And that Lexi!!! What has happened to my sweet angel? She's been watching Murphy and Bear and thinks that HEY -- if they can jump on the furniture, then I can too. DH was on the couch, and she just decided to pop up and make herself comfortable. There was no getting away from Murphy on this one. But she only does it when someone is on the couch. She's not shy!!!

Lexi sleeping on the couch

And she stayed there for quite a while. Oh, Lexi -- and you were always the good one. The problem is she has a TON of hair, and now it's going to be all over the couch. DH loves it! NOt the hair, but the fact that Lexi snuggles with him on the couch. I should leave her brush on the couch!

I've seen ads on Facebook for those big comfy blankets for dogs. I'm not buying from a Facebook ad, but has anyone seen them locally??? I see them online at paw.com. Does anyone have one, and are they truly waterproof?

And what happened to the weather? We have super freezing temperatures this morning. Apparently, it's only for one day, and then it gets warmer. The temperatures will fluctuate a lot in the next couple of weeks. Oh yeah!!

On that note, I'm out of here -- off to brave the sidewalks and the cold!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!