OK -- I'm up for trying new things. And there was something that I have wanted to do for a long time, and last night, I decided it was a perfect job for AI. However, I'm sad to report that the job it did was dismal. A total failure, and it was an easy job.
What's the job? I have written MANY posts for QUILTsocial.com over the last 11 years. By my count, there are close to 400 posts. Yep -- that's a lot of posts. I use many of them in my teachings, and I sometimes struggle to find the correct one, although many posts are listed by various topics, which I can use as a handout. Wouldn't it be nice if that list were complete and indexed? I can do it, but it will take a while.
Sounds like a good job for AI. NOT!! I don't know how many times I had to retell and clarify what I wanted, and then it said, "I will do a thorough search and create a PDF." Sounds like a perfect job, right? WRONG! I got a PDF with 32 posts! That's less than 10%. Hmmmmmm --- so far, I'm not impressed, and I think I'll stick with using AI for editing! I suppose I could try again, but seriously, how hard is it to do a complete job? It knows what I want because it provided me with 32 posts containing the exact information. It just missed a whole bunch. Perhaps I need a paid account to access the entire list.
On a much happier note, I'm making significant progress on the writing. While I had hoped to be done by now, I got a little verbose, which put me behind. No worries. I've got a system and a plan.
I also made significant progress on the project that I need to hand-deliver to the editor tomorrow. The last piece is being stitched out on the embroidery machine as I write. So everything will be ready to assemble after I walk the girls. All I can say is that it's something I've wanted to make for a while, and this turned out to be the perfect opportunity. It's absolutely stinking cute! I'm not even finished with the preparation, and I'm already loving it!
I must say that I'm spending way more time with my embroidery machines these days, instead of sewing, but I've had numerous events related to embroidery. Four more projects on the table need to be finished - all embroidery. I guess I know what I'll be doing next week while I get some quilts quilted!
I get a chuckle, though, when I hear of other people stitching out embroidery, and everything has to be perfectly colored and the exact color of thread chosen before they start. Not me! I just grab a handful of pretty colors and figure it out as I go! Mind you, this particular design lends itself to whimsical choices, but still.
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| My random thread selection |
The designs are ones that I created in the Creativate Machine Embroidery software - no digitizing involved, but basic editing, and I'm happy with them.
As I was writing, I had to take pictures - I thought I was done, but I took a different direction, which required pictures. That resulted in mayhem! I found everything I was looking for, though!
And whatever I do, or wherever I go, look who is there to keep me company.
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| MOM - I'm here for you! |
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| MOM - I'm kind of sleepy - wake me if you need anything |
And if she gets bored and needs to be outside, she can watch over me from out there.
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| MOM - I've got your back - I'm close by |
Instead of Studio B looking better, it looks worse, even though I've been home for a week now. But after this round of embroidery and writing, the serious clean-up can begin.
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| Drawers are open everywhere |
I have to laugh because so many drawers are open - there are many more drawers open this morning. But the best part is that all the things I'm looking for are exactly where they should be. That is the critical factor to organizing. It's not enough to find a home for something; you also need to return it to its original spot, which is why things sometimes get a bit out of control. There are a few things that came home with me that need to find a place to live. Once I start tackling it with focus, the tidy up will go quickly.
And there are TWO things that I need to find. Do I know where they are? Obviously not, since they are still on the lost list.
Additionally, there are a few machines that need to be picked up, hopefully sometime next week, which will help alleviate the situation.
The tray of random embroidery thread got put away, as did the threads I was using for this current project. As I finished, I returned the threads to their respective box, and the boxes were returned to the shelf. Now that this project is complete, I can move on to the next machine embroidery project and get started on that. As I work, I need to put things back when I'm done. I have a little bit of that to do from yesterday's photo-taking session.
The best part is that while the machine worked, I was writing. I don't usually write on my laptop, but with the shared drive, I could move between computers as needed and get the work done. That is helping a huge amount!
Here is the next tray of goodies that needs to be put away. Loads of prewound bobbins for the embroidery machine, yarn, and roving. I want to use all of that with the embroidery machine, but I need to put it away first. Then, when I'm ready, it's good to go! Oh yes - my embroidery machine works with all kinds of cool stuff, and wait until you see what I have in mind! Now that I have more downtime, I hope to come up with all kinds of neat things.
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| Today's tray of stuff to put away |
I realized yesterday that I NEED to make things. I was feeling somewhat off, and while I was happy writing, it wasn't enough to satisfy me. The moment that project was started, I was a happy camper! I don't need to start new things; I just need to make something.
Speaking of yarns, look what I found at the thrift store. I popped in on my walk. Oh my goodness — this is a bit dated. I brought it home, along with a couple of other treasures that I want to experiment with on my embroidery machine.
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| An OLD skein of yarn |
When I'm in the grocery store, I always check to see if my protein bars are on sale. They were not - well, the individual ones were on sale, but still cheaper to buy the box of 12. But look what I spotted - they have a new LOW SUGAR version. BUT look at the difference -- 4 grams less of protein!
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| Low in sugar versus regular sugar |
I bet that was in reaction to one of those apps that rate various foods. A friend of mine showed me the app, and we scanned these bars. They didn't receive a good rating due to the sugar content. Well, I'm OK with a bit of sugar, but I really need to curb my intake. I'm not out of control, but getting a bit careless. The buck stops here - no excess sugar. I dropped 10 lbs easily and quickly when I completely eliminated all unnecessary sugar from my diet some years ago. Some of that weight has crept back, so I must not let it get out of control. It requires a lot of willpower.
And for the record, I want to say that just because you are not visibly obese, it doesn't mean that you don't have food issues. I've been accused of this several times - "You are skinny, therefore you don't need to worry about what you eat!" That is so far from the truth. If I choose to eat whatever I want, I would be obese. I might as well just tape sugar to my hips and stomach because it immediately goes there when I eat. I struggle just as much as others do - I just have more willpower to stop or say NO. But trust me, I am probably more regimented on my diet than you think. I MUST eat at my scheduled times, and I constantly think about my next meal or snack. EXCEPT - if I'm away, I'm not like that. Now, why is that? There must be some trigger in the house!
I also choose healthier (most of the time) snacks than most. But trust me - I'd have pop and chips every day if I could get away with it.
Anyway - enough about that nonsense. Most of us have some kind of eating issue - some of us are better at coping with it than others.
The girls were happy when I got back. At that grocery store, they have nice treats for dogs, and I always pick up two apple-flavoured bars for them. They are soft, so I can break them apart, and each one gets a small bite. They were eagerly waiting when I closed the cupboard door.
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| MOM - Where's our treats? Where are our treats? |
I have to laugh at Murphy. She loves to get that ball out of the blankets, but seriously? She needs the entire length of the room in which to do so!
And Miss Lexi is now up to her old tricks. I could hear something this morning, but I had no idea what it was. I guess DH let her out before he went to bed, and of course, she didn't want to come in. So she was scratching at the door. Yep - she slept outside all night and probably loved it. She didn't want to come in, though; she wanted Murphy to go and play with her! Why doesn't he put her on a leash to do her business? It's beyond me.
