Geocaching in the dark

 Oh, I forgot to look for a geocache at the LOVE sign, and I bet there was one there. You have to understand, though, that when you're with a group of 8 other people, none of whom are into geocaching and they are hungry -- one doesn't take time to geocache! 

However, that didn't stop me from geocaching in the dark yesterday morning. 

I knew we had a heavy agenda for the day, and there probably wouldn't be time to get out for a walk. However, I managed to log 13 KM yesterday! Yep --- no cheating involved either. 

I started off bright and early. OK -- so it wasn't bright - the moon was still out. 

The moon on my early morning walk

While that sidewalk looks treacherous, it was absolutely dry and fine. I did experience a few spots of a nasty sidewalk, but it was mostly snow-covered, not ice, and I was able to make good time. By the time I sat down to breakfast, I was already over the 7 KM mark. 

I had checked for caches near the hotel and found one close. Should I get it on the way out or the way back? I was feeling adventurous, so I decided to get it on the way out. Down the alley behind a mall (yes -- I think of potential reasons I shouldn't do that alone, but then I forge ahead!). The cache is in some trees behind the parking lot of the building. And it's dark!

The cache

YES -- there is a cache hanging from the tree! I had to use the flashlight on my phone to find that, so let's say that I was NOT using stealth in my orange jacket (too dark to see) and my flashlight! But there was absolutely no one around, and I was good. 

Then I was back on the walk and spotted this in a new apartment building. Do you know what it is? It's a BIKE ROOM. Now that's cool, especially since there's a bike path right along this road. 

The bike room in a new apartment building

On my way back, I spotted the sunrise. It turned out to be a cloudy day, but gosh -- it was warm. I sure wish I could have made it outside, but I did not. The schedule did not allow time; however, I made 8 more KM in the day. 

Sunrise

My room is on the third floor, and it's in the opposite corner of the hotel from our meeting room. So every time I needed something from my room, I simply walked to the staircase close to our meeting room, and then I walked to my room. Yep -- even up the stairs. 

At one point, I couldn't find my room keys, and after getting another key from the front desk (more steps), I found my key on the bed. DUH!!!!

My room key

So with all the walking to and from the room, the front desk, moving things around in the room, or whatever, I managed to eke out 13 KM in the day! I know some people will not count the "daily" steps they take, but good grief -- those extra walks required time and effort, so do I count them? You bet! 

And you never know what you're going to spot along the way -- this grate is very cool, and I see some inspiration for something in there. 

A decorative grate

I won't go into specifics about the day except to say we had a blast. I swear that one side of our group was drinking in their meeting! Way too much frivolity, but it's been an excellent team-building event, and we still have the rest of the week. We're talking about products and different ways of using them or how to use them properly in the first place -- I learned some stuff last night that I'm anxious to get home and try. 

Yes - last night. If you think I'm having a "fun" time away from home, this is work, and we didn't get to bed until almost 10 PM. A little late by my standards, but it was all worth it. 

The best part is that the knowledge in the room is HUGE -- collectively - well, I can imagine many, many years of experience in this room. I won't even hazard a guess to protect our ages, but it's a lot. And it's like Christmas, with a goodie box set up for everyone, and it keeps getting fuller by the day. It's stuff to use to show consumers when we do our events and tools for us to make samples. 

I feel like Oprah when I put something in -- You get a car, you get a car, and you get a car! Except we're not talking cars here! 

When I go home, my head will be spinning, and I will have a lot of work ahead of me. I can only hope that we're going to have a super year and that we'll be on the road a lot. We have some great projects lined up to showcase the products, and we have a lot of knowledge to pass along. If you are a Husqvarna Viking or PFAFF consumer and live in Canada, get out to your local dealer and BEG them to host an event. Especially if you are in the market for a new sewing machine r a serger. It's a great way to test drive the new machines, including the sergers, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE. And those dealers can always book me for a private class (not through Husqvarna Viking or PFAFF) to teach you anything you want! 

OK -- time to hit the road! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Fun in Vancouver!!

I'm as cozy as a clam in my hotel this morning. I've got the AC off, so it's quiet and a beautiful temperature! I got a quilt on the bed, and I'm listening to my home radio station! How cool is that!!!!😊  Oh, I had to switch to the Zoom call for the Barn Quilt from Thimbles and Things. You have to love the internet. 

I've access to my files on my shared drive so I can put the finishing touches on the presentations I'll be doing tomorrow morning. Yep -- it will be the final reveal for Boho Heart, Wanderers Wife, and Long Time Gone. I'm so excited -- that's almost more exciting than seeing all the fantastic quilts at Quilt Canada!

Never one to shy away from walking, I decided to walk to the convention center yesterday, and it's less than 2 KM, which is nothing for me. I finally hit 11.5 KM yesterday, the first time since I left home. 

But I had to get out of the hotel first! I was waiting for the elevator as my room is on the 7th floor. When one finally came by, it was packed, so I decided to take the stairs. I got to the bottom, and there was NO exit from the stairs to the lobby. Really?? I had to return to the 3rd floor and take the elevator down. It drives me crazy when hotels do NOT make stairs work for people who don't want the elevator because who takes the stairs in the hotel? By the way -- if you look in this picture, the EXIT for L had an alarm on it, which is why I had to go back to 3 to take the elevator. Just in case you were thinking, I can't read!

Help -- I can't get out! 

I see that cars and pedestrians are a big issue here as well as there are loads of underground parking and there are HUGE signs for people to pay attention to those entrances to the underground parking. The problem would be those people who are always on their phones who would NOT see the sign. 

Pay attention

And I spotted these in a window close to the convention center. I LOVE that type of thing, and it would be easy to do with the embroidery machine. Hmm -- an inspiration, which is partially why I love to walk as you never know what neat things you're going to spot. 

A fantastic sign in the window

Here are some more things I spotted on my walk. When this section of sidewalk was created, they put the impression of leaves in it. How cool is that? I should have done that at home, but I wasn't there, and I wouldn't have thought of it!! 

Leaf impression in the concrete

And then I spotted this on the edge of a building. The first 11 (or so) stories have letters written around the edges. It's so cool. I didn't get the entire wording -- I'll have a better look this morning. 

Words on the outside of the building

And there's my thumb. -- the picture doesn't show how bad it is -- OK -- so I'm exaggerating. It's not that bad and only hurt when it happened; now, I wouldn't even know that anything happened. 

My bruised thumb

I found the Food Court across the street from the convention center, so my goal was to hit the Tim's for breakfast. The breakfasts in the hotel are so expensive. And once I had sat and enjoyed some quiet, it was off to Quilt Canada 2022!

Welcome to Quilt Canada

It was a CRAZY day! We still had a few things to get together in the booth and once that happened, well -- let's just say that we were still doing some of those last-minute things when the doors opened, and we had people, and we were swamped all day. People have been cooped up and wanted to kick the tires of new sewing and quilting machines, and they came in droves! I'm sure people will be back today as they checked out other machines and then will decide today or tomorrow. 

What was so fun was the number of people that stopped by to say that we had "met" on Zoom. How cool is that? And people from all over Canada have come, so that is super exciting. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello. 

I didn't really get a chance to leave the booth yesterday, other than to get something to eat at lunch! I'm in a class until 4 PM today and hope to spend some time during lunch and after the class ends to check out the quilts. Tomorrow will be a quieter day and ends at 4 PM. 

After a group dinner, I was off to meet up with M again. I got to walk past the steam clock in Gastown, which I've seen on numerous occasions. It fascinated my grandfather, so he brought us here many times!

The Steam Clock in Gastown

And then someone at dinner mentioned The Old Spaghetti Factory. Oh my god -- when I was here MANY years ago (with Katimavik!), I went there, and I remember getting some glasses from drinks that you could buy -- The Conductor and Jump up and Kiss me? Does anyone remember those? I still have those glasses! I thought I might stop for a drink or dessert as I had some time to kill, but the place had a 20-minute wait, and all the bar stools had been removed for the pandemic. 

The Old Spaghetti Factory

So I continued and spotted an ice cream shop, and even though I found the air cool, I stopped for ice cream. I didn't get a picture as it was in an overflowing cup, and by the time I got things under control, I had forgotten. Let's just say that it was YUMMY. 

Yes -- I find the air cool here while people walk around in sleeveless shirts and shorts. BRRRRR!!!

And then I got to meet up with these two. M and I and Bear had a good visit. That little guy is enthusiastic about his greetings, and what a goof, but then he settled on the sofa beside me and was quite happy until it was time to go. Another short visit, but better than no visit at all. 

M, me, and Bear

It wasn't that far for me to walk back to the hotel, so we took Bear for a walk for part of the way, and I spotted this on a building, which is very cool. And when you make a trip like this visiting family, you realize how true that is. 

An excellent slogan on a building

But I love this picture. Do you know how hard it is to get photos of dogs and people and have everyone looking at the camera? Well, he cooperated on the third picture. Love you guys!!!!!

Bear and M

He is such a pumpkin!!! 

It was getting close to 10 PM when I got back to the hotel, and I spotted many homeless people on my way. There are quite a few homeless communities around this area, and the weather is more conducive here than it is back home. But it's scary to think how and why they ended up homeless. How far away is each of us from being homeless? 

The bottom line is that I wasn't scared to walk home in the dark, and well -- don't mess with me. I remember something my grandfather told me when I was a teen. He said, "walk like you know where you are going, even if you don't, and no one will bother you." That is something that needs to be written into my memory book about him. Wise words of wisdom and so very true. It boils down to confidence, and you can get into trouble if you aren't confident. Thank you, Grandpa Mills!!!

Gosh  --- this is a pretty emotion-filled trip with all the family visits and memories. I hope I have more in me as I'm not done with the visits and memories! Good grief   -- I keep losing my phone on the bed as I remember another picture to put in the blog. 

I need to share what's happening on the home front. The concrete for the step and walkway are poured, and it's time to get the PATIO done. Yep -- there's going to be a patio on the front of the house. I can't wait, as I'm excited to sit out there and visit with neighbors, dog walkers, and well -- just watch the world go by. Often I sit on the steps, and it's not comfortable. The patio is not huge, but enough to put a chair or two, and the girls will love to be out there. 

The forms for the patio

It will also help the transition with that huge step and hopefully make it easier. As a neighborhood, we just don't spend enough time getting to know our neighbors or taking full advantage of our yards, so we're trying to make every square inch have a purpose. Then the rest will be landscaped with trees and grass. 

I won't be home for a while yet, so I will have to wait to see it all. 

I see it's almost time to get myself moving so I can walk down to the convention center, have some breakfast, and then get to my class. I'm so excited about it, and well -- I have more stuff to tell you, but not today!! 

You can check out this link if you want to see the winning quilts from Quilt Canada. I haven't even had a chance to check it out myself as it's been quite busy, but I'll have some time tonight, so I hope to do that, or better yet, I hope to see the quilts in person!

On that note -- I'm off for another fun-filled day of, well -- FUN!!!!

Have a super day~!!

Ciao!!!!

A humbling experience

 

It was a challenging day yesterday! I had three Zoom sessions and the internet did not cooperate in some of them so I'll be calling my service provider yet again. At least, I have some knowledge of what the issue is to help those that are not trained enough to help fix the problem. 

Speaking of which, I learned a very valuable lesson. I had to give a demo of something that I'm not that familiar with and I had practiced but I wasn't that confident in the subject. It showed and I goofed! Oh boy - it wasn't pretty, but I at least had learned enough to get myself out of the mess and get back on track. Let's just say that I did some more homework yesterday and I WILL be better prepared next time. 

There are two Zoom sessions today and neither requires much preparation so that's great!! I'm getting caught up on my writing assignments. One more went out this morning and I hope to cross two more off the list later this afternoon when the Zoom calls are done!

Without going for a long walk each day (well twice a day) I would go stark raving mad! I don't know how people can be cooped up in their houses all day. I like having a destination, but I don't need one. I just need to clear my head. Yes - it's cooler now, but once you get walking, I warm up quickly and I'm good. If you've put your walking shoes away for the summer, you should dig them out. The afternoons are so beautiful right now. Get out there and WALK!!!! With all the stuff going on in the world right now, instead of sitting and watching the depressing news, go for a walk. You'll feel much better and you'll get to enjoy that pumpkin pie and whipped cream a whole lot better. 

I don't know if you saw this on my QUILTsocial post the other day, but the quote is so important. I'm finishing this off to make a wall hanging that I'll see each and every day. Only YOU have the power to make YOU happy. You can never forget that. 

Inspirational quote by Groucho Marx

The last class yesterday was to finish off our tote bags. I was prepped as you saw in yesterday's post. To help demonstrate how to put the bag together, I sewed along with the group. And here's my finished tote bag. Hey M - do you remember this tote bag??? The colors are nice and bright! Good choices M!!!

One side of my completed tote bag

I love how the two sides don't look the same, but that's OK. And the fusible fleece that was used is pretty thick so the tote bag is quite sturdy!! The only thing left is to cut the Plasticore for the bottom of the bag. I'll get that done today and this will be one more project done! A completed UFO that wasn't really a UFO - well, it was, but it wasn't on the official list. That feels great!!!!! 

Side two of the tote bag

And I must STOP taking projects apart that I'm not happy with and remaking them! But I learn that way so I'm OK with it. 

I got some photos of Kathi's tote bag from yesterday's class. Great job Kathi!! I love your fabric. 

Outside of Kathi's tote bag

She did a super job on the top intersection which can sometimes be a challenge to get to lie flat. It looks great. 

The top of Kathi's tote bag

And there's the pocket on the inside, even with a key fob!! I have a feeling that she's going to be making a whole lot more tote bags. 

The inside of Kathi's tote bag

I know that Rose finished her tote bag and I think Loretta did as well. But I didn't get pictures yet! The fourth person wasn't able to join us today, but I know her - she'll get the bag finished!!!

On Friday, I also got some more work done on Summer Moon and three more blocks are DONE. That leaves 18 blocks left to finish so that all 72 are done and ready to sew into a quilt. 

Three more blocks for Summer Moon

Some of those remaining 18 blocks are done but need the sashing sewn on, others are cut and need to be sewn. So I'm getting there. I have six presentations this coming week, so there will be a bit of prep work involved, but hopefully, it won't be as much as in the past as I'm getting things organized and some of these are repeat sessions. 

I hope to get back to the long arm today and back to sewing as well. 

Oh yes - I completed two more blocks for Vintage Christmas. 

Toy Drum Block

There is one very wonky seam in that block!

Glitter Block

And that's it. Time to get the day started and make calls, write e-mails, and prep my presentation for this morning. 

Remember - turn OFF the news and go for a walk. You'll feel so much BETTER. 

Have a super day!!!!!

Ciao!!!

Is this a trend???

I won't bore you with the details of how my FitBit logged 21,000 steps yesterday. Let's just say the girls were happy, I got some errands done and I used my gym membership! If I do that for a couple of days, I'll be right on track! Phew - I CANNOT get so far behind that it's not possible to catch up. One of my teammates suggested that I could change the end date. WHAT????  NO WAY - when I make a commitment I could NEVER change the end date. Unless something very significant got in the way. But to change because I'm behind? NEVER. That's where I kick it up a notch and get back on track.

I feel that's what is happening in life today. Something needs repair - throw it away and buy something new. You don't like your job? Get a new one. No one wants to buckle down and try to fix things. It drives me crazy. But then that's the pioneer spirit in me. If it can be fixed - why not fix it? If it means buckling down and adding a few more miles to each day - then do it! I love having a stretch goal. It's darn motivating and I've already been to the gym this morning.

I do laugh when I go to the gym early in the morning. I've always parked near the far end of the parking lot. Most other people covet the spots right by the door. Why?? You're going to the gym to exercise - a few more steps won't kill them. And the weather this morning? It's like spring outside - very unusual for our part of the country.

Adding steps by parking away from the door

On one of my walks yesterday, I ended up at Indigo. This is like a smaller version of Barnes and Noble. I took a browse through the craft section to see if there was anything new. There used to be a fair number of quilting books. Yesterday, I think I counted less than 10 including duplicates. There were lots of books on embroidery (mostly hand), books on knitting and crochet (mostly knitting) and then I noticed this kind of book. Now I know they have been around for a while, but it was pretty obvious yesterday. Could this be a trend????

The books were about the MAKERS, not the projects. Or about styles, but no projects. This first one was about why we make things.

Making a Life by Melanie Falick

 The next one was about local makers. The crafts covered beer, furniture, soap, etc. Many, many different crafts.

Toronto Makes by Randi Bergman

The third book was also about artisans and their various crafts.

Made to Last by Vanessa Murray

Each of those books was beautiful. They were hardcover and they were very expensive! Although all the books are getting to be expensive.

There are several magazines by Stampington & Company - Where Women Create and Where Women Cook. These are simply inspirational - there are no patterns in those magazines and there are no projects - just pictures and stories about the makers.

Is the trend to just read about people and techniques but not to make? The same as being a professional student - when do you just let loose and say - "I'll use my creativity and imagination and the skills that I've learned so far and just make and explore?"  Imagine that statement coming from me - a quilt teacher!!!  I love to teach, but I want to teach people the basics and then let them explore. Let them bend the rules of the pattern and go for it!! I certainly do NOT want anyone to be like me. I'm too darn difficult!

I think as a society, that we're losing our curiosity. What happens if I do this? What happens if I change the color of my project? What happens if I eliminate a part of it or make up a new block? We're so set to follow formulas. How will anything new be created if we just follow what already exits?

So after I snapped those pictures in the craft section, I wandered over the craft magazine section. There were TWO American quilt magazines. The rest were knitting, cross-stitch, crochet, die-cutting or quilt magazines from Britain or Australia!!! Now that says something! I know that the book stores do NOT have a say in what comes to them, but it's based on sales. Again, there was quite a selection of inspirational or motivational publications. Oh my goodness - that's so scary that people need to get their inspiration from a magazine. Don't get me wrong - I do sometimes - I love all these magazines, but reading them or browsing them is not allowing my brain to do its job and come up with its own inspirations. But we are all different and I get that.

Where are the quilt magazines? 

Speaking of teaching, I taught a pillowcase class last night. One person dropped out so I just had one student. She is 13 going on 30. What a dynamo! She learned rotary cutting in a flash (a wee bit of practice is still needed) and she was bang on with a straight seam. Meticulous with the ironing, although she just had a birthday so she's not a Virgo. Anyway, she was a pleasure to teach and I expect to see her in more classes. She has her own sewing machine as well. Which I'm sure will get upgraded if she spends more time sewing.

Pillowcase class

I spent a great part of the day learning new software and a tablet, instead of a mouse. I'll save that story for tomorrow. Learning software is always a "FUN" experience. How much of the manual should you read versus just playing around? Actually, I'll be blogging about the software later this month so you don't get to see that part tomorrow, but the tablet? You get to see that.

OH - I should say something else. If you DO NOT have your iPad or tablet or phone in a protective case, run out and get one. I was sitting on a kitchen chair with my iPad Pro (it's a big one). It's in a case. My legs were propped up on the rungs of the kitchen chair, the iPad was sitting in my lap and next thing I knew, it fell on the floor. A corner of the iPad hit the ceramic floor and then it fell flat on its screen. I had a MAJOR moment of panic. I picked it up, the video I was watching was still playing and there wasn't a scratch of a dent on the thing. The corner of the case just needed to be snapped back in place. If you do NOT have a case - get ONE. That would have cost me hundreds and hundreds of dollars to replace.

I'm just waiting for my FitBit to charge back up and then I'm off for a walk with the girls. It's going to be a long day as I'm out for the entire day and the evening. It's my first class for the dressmaking course that I signed up for! We're making skirts this semester. I can hardly wait!!

Speaking of learning new things - here's a story about a couple that lives in the US. They needed to downsize. Have a read on how they did it. I LOVE it and what a perfect way to get rid of their possessions.

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Now I'm confused

OK - so I took a day off the other day. I shouldn't have. I don't have time to take a day off, but I did. I wanted to visit the Textile Museum to see the Color Improvisations 2 exhibit. The exhibit has been at the museum since the end of May, but as usual, I wait until the last minute since the show closes on Sunday. 

I decided to save myself some money and coordinated it so I could get a ride to and from downtown with DH. It was like a daytime date! He had some meetings and wasn't going to be gone all day so I tagged along. 

The museum didn't open until 11 so I got a bit of time to wander around. Yikes - there are TONS of people downtown. I used to work downtown Montreal but that was years ago. I'm not sure I could handle the hustle and bustle anymore!

I managed to snap a photo of the TORONTO sign. Gosh - I think that is the first time I see that sign in person, although I was around the corner from the sign when we started our bike trip last month. 

The TORONTO sign

I'm fascinated by the tall buildings. And these aren't even the tallest ones. While I think it would be very cool to live downtown, work downtown and play downtown - it just isn't my thing. But it could be a cool lifestyle. I was informed that when we retire, we're going to buy a condo at the St. Regis. A studio apartment with 642 sq ft is up for grabs for $650K. I think I'll pass. 

Downtown Toronto

Anyway - back to the exhibit? How many of you went to this show? Did you like it? 

The title of the exhibit is Color Improvisations 2 - An international exhibition of contemporary quilts. The show was curated by Nancy Crow. Nancy has been around for many years as an artist - should we say a quilt artist? or that her medium is quilting? I just had a quick peek at her website. She teaches workshops at her studio. The deposit is listed at $250 for a five-day workshop. I wonder what the price is? I couldn't find it. But the studio space looks amazing!

Anyway, she's done lots of stuff in the art quilt world. She's taught many students around the world and the quilts in this exhibition were made specifically for this exhibit. All of them were the same size which is LARGE. Some had touches of handwork in them, many were done by machine, many had facings instead of bindings (actually now that I think of it, most of them had facings - maybe all of them).

I thoroughly enjoyed the show and loved the solids (or hand-dyed) fabrics in the quilts. Lots of beautiful quilting on most, others not so much. But that's OK. 

There is a catalog of the show but it was sold out so I put my name on the list. 

The show catalog (well - it's a book!)

The book is nicely done (not cheap - $45 which I guess isn't that bad) and shows all the quilts in the exhibit as well as others and a nice bio of the artists. None whose name I recognized. Remember - these are ARTISTS, not quilters. So I think if I had to peg Nancy - she is NOT a quilter. She's an artist. OK - so she's an art quilter!

So here's the confusion and we have this discussion each time we meet for the West End Modern Quilt Guild. What is the difference between MODERN and CONTEMPORARY quilts? Yes - can anyone answer that question?  Because there were many quilts in this display that I would peg as modern and there are many quilts in our guild or at Quiltcon that are contemporary. 

So I googled it. WHOA!!!!   Now I'm totally confused. Did you know that MODERN in the art world essentially is more related to a period when Modern art was created starting in 1860!!!!  Here's a link, but I think this topic needs a whole blog post on its own. Interesting..............

I did check out the second show at the Textile Museum which is called Crosscurrents: Canada in the making. This show had a variety of quilts and other beautiful handcrafted textiles from beading to embroidery and quillwork (made with porcupine quills). It was an interesting show as well. 

There was a beautiful embroidery quilt that was obviously a fundraiser. You can catch a snippet of the quilt at the main page of the Textile Museum.  

Actually, there are sales coming up. I know in the past that I've found some amazing stuff at these "garage sales". Essentially people donate stuff to the museum and they turn around and sell it to raise funds. I'm sure those volunteers always get first pick at what comes in! A good reason to become a volunteer!!!  

But they have classes and lectures as well. There is an interesting lecture coming up next week. In my next life, I would love to delve more into the history of quilts and this would be interesting to attend. But I don't think I'm going to have the time and getting downtown for 6 PM would not be fun. I could take the train. It's just that this week, I've been out EVERY EVENING except one and next week is almost as bad. I think I'll stay home on Wednesday. 

There was a quote on the wall which I thought was most interesting. "Who is worthy of memory?" by Desmond Miller (he's the one doing the lecture). It's very thought-provoking. Which is why we want to label our quilts and leave something behind so that people will remember who we are. 

Let's not forget the gift shop. I always make time to browse through the items for sale and the books. They have used books for sale and that's what I ended up with - ONE used book for $8. See what they wrapped the book in? Old pattern tissue! I love that. 

Pattern tissue used to protect my book

And if someone buys a postcard or a card, they will use old pattern envelopes as the packaging. I love that!. I know - technically I did not need a bag (or I should have taken my own). I felt bad about that.

All in all, I'm glad that I took the time to visit the show. It helps to solidify my stance on what is a contemporary quilt and what is a modern quilt. I'll be sharing that at some point with you all.

Speaking of museums, I thought I'd share this with you as well. Mark Dunn is the owner of Moda and what I like about him is that he is interested in what he sells. He may not be a quilter, but he has an extensive quilt collection. There's a show currently at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum at the University of Nebraska. Hmm - I wonder if DH has business in Lincoln???  Anyway, check out this story about his show.

I had some time to kill before meeting up with DH (we even had lunch together downtown!) so I took a walk around City Hall. WHOA!! Did you know that the gardens around the City Hall look like a wild field???  Right in the middle of the city. I've never been up on that elevated part. That was a shocker, but it looks great. It's a shame that people don't feel comfortable with that look. Like my neighbors who are still watering their grass at 5 AM in the morning. It would appear that MOST of the people on my street are watering their grass. What a total waste of resources. We need to STOP that and the lawns of those that water and those that don't? They look the same! People - the grass is very hardy! But I digress. Here's the picture.

Wild garden at City Hall

It's amazing what you discover when you start looking around.

Then I decided to start wandering back to our meeting place and I spotted this lady wearing the coolest dress ever. I got a picture of it. That's a great inspiration for something. Not sure what yet, but great inspiration. See - there is inspiration EVERYWHERE.

Great inspiration in that dress

Too bad - I missed an opportunity to experience virtual reality. The National Film Board had a 7-minute video that you could watch through the virtual reality glasses. It's right in Nathan Phillps Square. If I had my wits about me, I could have booked a viewing right when I arrived and would have had time to view the film before I left. But I didn't so I didn't get to see the movie. DRAT.  But it'll be shown at some upcoming festival. It looked very interesting. Toronto in the future and it was flooded!!!  Oh - I found the link to the exhibit.  Watch the video clip - it's pretty cool.  I wish I'd been smarter with my time so I could have watched the film.

I have to make mention of where I was last night. I was the speaker at the Kempenfelt Quilter's Guild in Barrie. What a great group of quilters!!  And what a surprise for me - I ran into some people that I haven't seen in a long time. It was so great to touch base again with them. A HUGE thanks to Brenda and Liz who took me out for a DELICIOUS dinner at Casa Mia. We had a great chat about quilting and what they've been up to. Thanks again ladies - it was loads of fun! 

The trunk show last night was GROUP quilts. So much fun and so many stories and so many memories. I'll be speaking next week at the Barrie Modern Quilt Guild. Only one or possibly two quilts will be the same as last night. If you're in the area - stop by. It's on Thursday, September 27 in the evening. The topic is MODERN quilts and I'd need to do a wee bit more research on that contemporary versus modern situation.

I should mention that I have my finish number 55 for the year. It's done and I have to pack it up and get it to the courier today. Sorry - you can't see it - not yet. There are a few more that are an hour or so away from being finished but I don't think that's going to happen this weekend. It's a totally insane weekend. I have TWO classes today, THREE tomorrow and a sit n sew on Sunday. Maybe during Sit n Sew, I'd better finish something. I know Diane is ahead of me and I can't let that happen.

On that note, I've got some prep work to do this morning and some writing.

Have a super day!!!!!

Ciao!!

INSPIRATION!

My brain is about to EXPLODE!!!!!!!


Marian, Flo and I went to Ailsa Craig to see the Quilts of DENMARK. What can I say - they totally blew me away - the quilts that is - not Marian and Flo. I took TONS of pictures and I came home with ideas and inspiration SPILLING out of my brain.

Quilts of Denmark - the show runs from May 1 -5 - you MUST go if you can.

Flo - stitching binding on in the car. EVERY TIME Flo travels with me - she is sewing binding. 

Quilts of Denmark

I don't have time to post any pictures, but there were WORDS on so many of the quilts. I was in HEAVEN.   The show was INSPIRING, it was FABULOUS, it was a MUST SEE show.


I have a project that I want to work on (FOR ME) and I got a brilliant idea (well I think it is) from the show. Didn't copy anything, but inspired by lots. So yesterday morning, I was digging through my stash to find what I was looking for and then BINGO - the last couple of elements fell into place. I've got it all loosely sketched out and ready to cut today. WAIT - that means a new project. HEY - I think I am entitled - I have been very good all year.


Plus I have been keeping my quilting diary - what I have accomplished this year. If I keep up this pace - I will exceed all expectations of what I could accomplish in the year. I am very pleased with my progress - just wish I had more days to sew.


Yesterday I got another customer quilt done. Yeah - it was a BIG one so I was happy to take it off the machine.

Customer quilt

And I hope to NOT see any more of Night and Day by Eleanor Burns for a while!!!!!



Yes  - I got a LOT of thinking done while quilting this quilt yesterday and that helped to solidify some of the points of my project.
.

Then off to the Mississauga Guild last night to hear a talk on INSPIRATION. WOW - some of the pieces that Sandra Reford showed us were COMPLETELY different when you looked at them up close. That blew me away. And gets the wheels running yet AGAIN.

It is going to be time soon to set aside so many of the class stuff and have some time for WHAT I WANT to do. But then I want to do it ALL so I will still have issues!!!!!!

Anyway - my BRAIN is in overdrive right now.

Here is my biggest issue - I am GREAT at coming up with ideas - I am NOT so good at executing them. Or getting the time to complete them for the deadline. That will be a good challenge for me - get something done ON TIME.


Got to run - a "FREE" sewing day while someone uses the long arm. I have so many things that need to be sewn - I'm not sure where to start.

Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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