A successful road trip

What a fabulous day. Some time spent with friends - wearing masks and social distancing, of course. But hey - the pandemic does NOT mean you need to be confined to your house and does NOT mean you can't visit with friends. Let's get out there and accept the new normal. We should NOT and will NOT let this pandemic get us down. Get OUT of the house.

I know that some people are more cautious than others, due to health or family or whatever. And we each need to make our own decisions as to how we get used to the new normal. But if you look at the numbers, the percentage of people who are getting the virus is small. In Canada, we have a population of 37,742,154. We have had 121,652 cases of COVID. So if you do the math, that's .3 percent of the Canadian population that tested positive for COVID. That's a POINT three, not three. Now let's look at the number of deaths in Canada, which is 9,020. Of those that contracted the disease, the percent that has died is 7%. And something else to keep in mind, of those that got positive results - how sick were they? We only heard of those that had to go on the ventilator, but many just had flu symptoms. We hear very little about them.  A bit of fear-mongering to scare us??

As a country, we've done a fantastic job of keeping a lid on this virus, and unfortunately, many of those that died were lived in nursing homes. I'm not saying that we need to get out there and have wild parties, but the chance of us contracting the virus is very slim. If you are taking the precautions of the 3 W's - then you should be just fine.

What are the 3 W's???  Washing your hands, wearing a mask, and waiting 6 feet apart. So do your part - be sensible, have common sense, and get out and enjoy life.

So I went to see an art show yesterday at Homer Watson House & Gallery in Kitchener. I met three friends, and we had a great time looking at the fabulous art. This is the Colour with a "U" show by members of SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates). The pieces were amazing. Thankfully, we didn't have to pick a favorite, although I did gravitate to a couple of them. In case you're interested, SAQA hosts free Textile Talks on Wednesdays. The information is on that website.

Anyway, this was one of my favorite pieces. All those little letters, which, according to the card, was free motion embroidery??? Seriously??? - the letters were so perfect. And those leaves were a lot of work, but I'm betting that a digital cutter was involved. Who cares - the concept of the piece was brilliant. The artist is Anne Solomon. A lot of meaning in the piece as it's called Our Home ON Native Land—a great play on words.

A detail of my favorite piece

I think we all bought the catalog as well, which was great as there is a picture of each piece of art and the artist's statement. I hate when they just have the images of the art pieces. If you get a chance to go - get there. The show closes on September 7.  The catalog is $20 and a donation of $5 to get in. Call to book an appointment as they can have a maximum of 15 people in the building at any one time.

The catalog for Colour with a "U"

The sun was blazing when we got out of the gallery, and I noticed that my "red" car isn't really red. It's pretty orange in the sun. The color is called Paprika. I'm so frustrated with the navigation system in that car. I've been meaning to write a letter ever since I got the car and well - I can't take it any longer. I paid for that darn navigation system, and it's a total piece of junk. What crap - I can't believe Toyota even put out such garbage. And then ask me how I really feel about it!!!!

My "red" car

Since we were in a different town, I checked to see if they had a Value Village. Not that I need anything, but I keep my eye out for craft books, puzzles, and a few other things. So Katheleen, who did NOT need any persuasion, and I were off to Value Village.

One of the things that I look for are Scrabble games. It's very rare to find one. Can you believe we found TWO of them????  That was so odd. And she went to the other Value Village (I had to get home) and she found yet another one that was $1 cheaper than what we paid!!! That's hilarious.

Scrabble game

OK -- I bought it for the letters which I know we can buy in bulk, but I'd rather buy the game. I have a couple of others. I haven't used them yet, but I will!

My three Scrabble boards

I don't think I'll use the old game. But notice that the games are created by Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers. I'm not sure ho published the old one. 


I also found a couple of shirts, and I'll share what I'm going to do with those another day.

I found this, as well. I really wanted the tin postcard.

Bag of stuff at the thrift store

I removed the tin postcard, and this stuff will get donated back to them.

To be donated back

This I'll keep.

Tin postcard

I managed to get all 48 of the blue string pieced blocks completed. They are trimmed and ready to sew together.

Blue string pieced blocks are DONE

This is the bag of strings. Technically, it's only half full.

The bag of blue strings

But when you put in the smaller bits that I use near the corners, it's about three-quarters full!

All the blue bits are in the bag

I dug out the sheeting that I found, and I'm going to cut the next set of squares. I might as well keep going with this. I'd love to start taming the green or the red bag of scraps. It's a great feeling to get this under control.

And here are the cut off pieces. This is the kind of stuff that goes in the pet mats, not huge chunks of T-shirts, or god knows what else I got in those scrap bags from others. Sigh...............

The cut-off edges of the scrappy blue blocks

I have some half-square triangles that also needed to be trimmed, so I started on those this morning.

Trimming the half square triangles

I was sitting out in the backyard last night and look who I saw. Two finches. They were flitting around the bird feeder. I haven't had to fill it since I put it out, but I see it's going down very slowly!!!

Two finches at the birder feeder

 And look, I got my buckles for the straps on the backpack. I guess I have no more excuses for not getting that thing done!!!! Well - time - time is my excuse!!!

My buckles have arrived

I was going to go cycling this morning, but I had a rough night with my knees. Not the joints - oh no. It's the darn tendons in the back of the knees that are bothering me. I'm in denial, and it's not the first time. So I'll take it easy today. I'll still walk, and I know that I shouldn't - well, I can, just not as much. Maybe I should be cycling to give the knees a rest from walking? I've had issues way before I started all this walking. One of my menisci tore many years ago. It was repaired (trimmed off), but I bet more work needs to be done.

Well, I just got another good lead on how to get my cameras focused on my presentation, so I need to follow that one today. So much to learn and so little time!!!

I'm out of here as it'll soon be time to take the monsters for their walks. Between the three of them, it now takes me between 1 and 1 ½  hours to walk them. They need to sniff, they need to pee, and well, just hang out. It's a slow process to be sure, but they love it, and the temperatures are glorious these days.

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

Odds and ends day!

Today is just a day of odds and ends.  Let's start with Scrabble. 

I must confess that I haven't been playing on-line Scrabble like I should be!   It only works on one of my two tablets (I know - you aren't allowed to make a comment about that!).  It won't play on my Surface - the version of Scrabble available is different from the Acer - well one is Android - the other is Windows.  The Android tablet which is the one I travel with - well I must remember to turn the Wi-Fi off when I'm not using it as the battery drains pretty quickly as it attempts to keep the link open.  

Then for Christmas, I got a Scrabble page-a-day calendar.  Now in the past, I've been terrible with these calendars.  I get to Day TWO and then stop!!!!   Trust me - I have one at home from a few years back and it's pretty much intact after Day Two.   Here's the problem - I feel compelled to KNOW all the answers or memorize all the new words.  Why????   Cause I'm an obsessive idiot and can't let go.  Well - with my new calendar - that is NOT the case.   I am ripping the pages off daily.  I might not remember 10% of what information is contained, but that is OK.   If I learn 10% more than I knew - I'm good. 

Every Tuesday, there is a 7 letter Scramble.  You should be able to make a word (a bingo)  from the 7 letters.  I'm not always good at this.  And since I'm used to the shuffle button on the computer version - I like to move the letters around.  That's a bit hard to do with a piece of paper.  SO thanks to my little Scrabble magnets - I chose the appopriate letters and then during the day - I messed around with them.  Did I get the 7-letter word????   Nope - but I've moved on!!!!!!

Using Scrabble magnets to try and figure out the bingo. 

By the way - do you know the word?????


I have a couple of things to make for QuiltCon 2016 which happens next month.  Look at all the bright yummy strips that got trimmed off my projects.   I JUST LOVE this line and thankfully, I've had loads to play with!!!!!  It's from the ColorWorks concepts from Northcott.

Bright trimmings for the pet mats

Oh yes - if you want to see what Christine Baker did with ColorWorks concepts this week on QUILTsocial - check out this link from Monday and then go through the entire week. It's amazing what she did.    And check out her final quilt.  I'm in LOVE - I NEED to make one of these. And there is a giveaway - follow that link and get your name in the draw.   Gorgeous gorgeous fabric (I picked it by the way!!!)


Now here is a flash back to Misty Pines.

Misty Pines by Patti Carey

 I think I had mentioned that I was short of one fabric and there is NONE to be found in our warehouse. One of the people who attended my class happened to have purchased a kit from Keepsake.  I could beg, borrow or steal her leftovers from this particular fabric.  Mary agreed to sell it to me (well - we are still negotiating!) and then lo and behold, she was at Lens Mills and guess what?????    YES - she found more of it.   Bless her heart!!!!!!!!!!!!   I should be able to finish up that missing kit this weekend.  If anyone is interested - there are still TWO kits left.

Fabric number one from Misty Pines kit!!!!! 

And someone in the class mentioned doing the quilt in different colors.  Have a look at this picture that I found on the internet.

Misty Pines - recoloured  - love it!!!!!

One of the goals for the week was to make the backing for my Oh Canada quilt.

OH Canada designed by Elaine Theriault

  (If you want the pattern - here is the link to the free download)



No problem - I made the backing, but when I went to put it in the "to be quilted" pile, where or where was the binding?????   I knew I made the binding.  But it wasn't to be found.  I was tempted to make it again, but I knew that I had made it.

Then I was digging through a laundry basket right by the ironing board and guess what I found????   Yep - that would be the binding. I had put stuff in the laundry basket that needed attention.  The backing was in the basket, but when I pulled the bolt out, the binding had slipped down.

Laundry basket with stuff that needs attention

OH Canada - ready to be quilted

Last night at guild, Marilyn showed me this bag that was made and QUILTED by her Mom.  Now Mom has been a die hard hand quilter all her life.  She took my machine quilting class last year and she is doing a fabulous job on the machine quilting.   Awesome job Lois!!!!!!!  

Quilted tote bag

All that fabric came from my favourite quilt store in Warmin, Sask.  Prairie Chicks. But we need to talk about a bottom for that bag.  See the sag???   I have some election signage just waiting to jump inside that bag.

You can call me a dumb blonde for this next story.  But I was out in the country last week and my car was FILTHY with mud.  Peter kept bugging me (in a friendly way) that I needed to wash my car.  I told him I would the next time I filled up with gas.  And that happened to be last night.

I stopped at a Canadian Tire which I never do.  Bought gas and a car wash. When I drove up to the car wash - OH CRAP - it is one of those ones with the little track - I hate these ones.

I couldn't find the darn coupon number on my receipt and that was an omen for the rest of the experience.   I pulled up to the door - didn't see the flashing green light because of the edge of my windshield - you know the support bar.  Anyway - I tried driving into the car wash - I KNOW - I said it was a blonde moment.   Needless to say - my car did NOT get washed.

Inside the car wash

Next thing I know - the attendant is tapping on the window of the car wash - yup - we have a problem.  So I got to go through the car wash a SECOND time.  This time he directed me.  Let's just say the car got washed, but I will NEVER go through those track car washes again!!!!!!


On that note - I'm out of here - got a super busy day and I have loads of sewing to do.  I'm tired of cutting fabric for others - it's time to cut for me!!!!!


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


Ciao!!!!!!!!

Dragon Star - April reveal

Yesterday was a very deceptive day. the sun was out and the temperature was above zero. You had the impression it was a warm day, BUT the wind was biting cold and it was nippy.  I'm ready for those warm days anytime!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night was our Dragon Star class. Some of the ladies slipped a bit with the homework, but this quilt is a LOT of sewing. Don't let it become a UFO!!!!!    A little bit every day and it will get completed.

Here is what we saw last night..............  (and it might be a bit hard to tell from the photos since the quilts are lying flat, but everyone pretty much changed the values that went in the big star and the quilts are all going to be so different!!!!!!!!)  I can't wait to see the finished products!!!!

Angela

Lynn

Atty

Andrea

Joyce

A photo of Joyce's quilt so far

Sheila

Louise

Marnie

Marnie's flying geese

Teresa

Isn't that impressive!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome work ladies!  Keep it up. So close to the end!!

Here is a picture I took last night of how to sew those curved seams.

Start by removing the paper from the paper pieced unit. Then find the center of the corner flying geese unit and the pie shaped piece. Match the centers and pin. Then match up the end pieces and pin with two pins. Then match the other two ends (or edges of the blocks). Then sew that curved seam. Don't forget the stiletto will make quick work of that seam.  And sew with the RUFFLED piece on top!!!

I went back into my blog to see how I sewed the last part of my Dragon Star quilt together. I was at the retreat house in Bracebridge. The blog date is July 10, 2012 (if you want to check that out). I started at 10 AM on Sunday morning and this is what the quilt looked like.  I hadn't even finished paper piecing the flying geese or the border.

This is what the quilt looked like twenty four hours later. I did not sew all night, but just kept myself focused and the more I got done, the more I wanted to finish the quilt.   Hmmmmm - I wonder if it too late to change the colour of those flying geese units that touch the star tips.  Or maybe I change the star tips!!!!!!!!!!!!   I will have to look closely at it, but I might be able to slip in a piece of the green background (I have LOADS left) in between the four back geese and the point. It will shorten the geese slightly, but no one will know. I won't tell if you don't!!!!   Yes - I think that is what I will do. Shouldn't be that hard??????

The layout of the curves and while they look nice here

When you go to sew them together - it doesn't look so nice

So - make sure you use those registration marks. 

Good luck to those making Dragon Star. STOP - if you have any issues.



On that note - I am back to the long arm - making progress, but not quite as quick as I would like.


Have a great day


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




Update on Scrabble - those dreaded designers at EA GAMES decided to upgrade the online Scrabble interface. After removing the app from my iPad, and reinstalling it, I am finally able to play Scrabble once again on my iPad. HOWEVER, I can only play with random opponents. I cannot access Facebook. I can play Scrabble on my Android phone, BUT - as soon as I touch the link to one of my friends - it creates a brand new game with that person and then goes into the rest of my games. At this rate - I will have HUNDREDS of games on the go. And I don't like playing on my phone as it drains the battery rather quickly. And after MUCH digging on the support page which isn't very helpful, I managed to find a reference that EA GAMES knows that many people cannot access their Facebook friends through the iPad app. Hopefully they will get it fixed soon - I MISS my Scrabble games.



Catch you later.

Computers!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love computers and everything technical, but when things change - well I don't adapt easily to change!

I have the original iPad. Which I use to do many things including playing bridge (practicing bridge) and playing Scrabble. I play Scrabble a lot and have MANY games going  with my online friends. Well some YAHOO at EAGAMES decided that they would do an upgrade to Scrabble. Why do people insist on fixing things that do NOT need fixing. Now I can't play Scrabble on my iPad. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

I haven't played in a while - I'm protesting. Well I am up to date - I played on the computer this morning and I HATE HATE HATE the new interface. So do a lot of other people, but I doubt they will change it. I tried to find a way to get around this issue, but I can't seem to find anyone else with the problem. Well - maybe I need to update the IOS on my iPad. Going to try that this morning and hence - no pictures for you today.

On the other hand, my Dad - who is almost 80 bought himself a BRAND NEW COMPUTER this week including a 22 inch monitor. And he didn't even need a new one. All the others he has had have been made or hand me downs. There were a few small things going wrong with the old one and so he up and bought a new one. And how did I know that???  I was in Chapters when I looked at my phone and saw that I had received an e-mail on my "secret" email account. HOLY COW - It's from my Dad. How did that happen???  Seems when I was there last summer, I set him up with an account and put my other email address in there. And he sent me a message - it was pretty funny!!!!!


And the support for Scrabble SUCKS.

On that note - I am VERY FAR behind with  my quilting and need to get my butt in gear.


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


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

Day and Night - Night and Day!!!!

Another productive day!!!!   I just love those kind of days. On the days when I rent out the machine, I am tied to the house in the event there are problems. So I sew - it works out perfect. Kathleen was here and got TWO quilts done. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of either, but this is her second time here and she is getting pretty handy with the machine.

The day before I managed to get TWO customer quilts done as well. OK - so both of them were small.

Customer quilt

Customer quilt

Before I get to my productive day - I have to tell you about yoga class. I went to yoga at 6:30 AM. Adam is the teacher and I am not sure he is my favourite. He started off by talking to us while he is lying down. I couldn't hear him very well - the other instructors tend to walk around the room. Then he would go through the motions, but not TALK us through the motions. I prefer the talking!!!   I could never figure out what I was supposed to be doing, although he did spend a lot more time than the others do trying to help you get into the right position. Then at the end when we are all lying on our mats having a peaceful moment, I am wondering why people are packing up and leaving. OOOPS - Adam has left the room and we were on our own time to get up. I could have stayed there all day - it was so peaceful!!!!    Of course the lady beside me was MISS YOGA queen and could do everything he said and didn't say with no hesitations. I liked the man on my other side, although for an old guy - he was pretty good as well.


Then I got back home and once Kathleen got set up - I got down to work. Marian even popped over, but I still got work done. And what did I do????????

Well I am FINALLY putting this book to bed. And why????

I am DONE - yes I am DONE DONE DONE with all those Day and Night projects. HORRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

I had TEN of these blocks so I used nine and made this wall hanging (Marian calls it a Baby Einstein play mat)

Backing and binding DONE!!!!!!   I am writing these on my BBB list because there is NO other place in my ACCOMPLISHED list to write them. I'm OK with that. 

Then I had 1 1/2 blocks left. I could have put them in the orphan block box, but NO - I had some scraps left over - so I made 1 1/2 blocks and sewed them together to get this.

The three left over blocks

Then I made this table runner from the leftovers

And the backing and the binding.

So in addition to the main quilt, I got THREE additional projects out of that fabric. Let's just say I am DONE with Day and Night.



OH OH - here comes trouble.....................A customer dropped off a quilt the other night - guess what the pattern is???????

YEP - that would be the original Day and Night!!!!!!!    OK - so it is NOT in black/white and red. 

And I managed to get this many more diamonds sewn

Still this many to go

My winnings from Roll Up the Rim. Now that the contest is over - I will use them up. Only three donuts and 14 coffees. I do NOT think this is a true representation of 1 in 6 winnings. If that were the case - I would have MANY MANY more of those tabs and some of these belonged to DH. And WHERE is my car????????

OK - so here is something that irks me. Do you recognize this quilt?????

PLEASE do NOT say "Oh that is the Twister quilt"  Why - because it is NOT the Twister quilt

This quilt was made from a book that was published in 2005 and in fact is a revised copy of a book that was published in 1995!!!!!!!!   Oh yes - this is called SQUARE DANCE.

Here is MY copy of this book 

And look what we used as a template!!!!!!!    

So someone decided to take this technique and make a ruler out of it, sell patterns and make a lot of money. HOWEVER - the rulers dictate the size of squares you use and cut. As a result there is a HUGE amount of waste with the Twister ruler. With the Square Dance method - there is a small square of each colour you use as waste and you can make your pieces ANY SIZE - WITH LITTLE waste.


The marketing people have gone NUTS in the quilting world and the quilters are GADGET CRAZY. I used to be a gadget person and I would have bought the Twister ruler, but I got smart (OK - you can ignore that comment) along the way and I am VERY VERY careful what I buy for new tools and rulers. Gimmick or a true product??????

I also have a huge collection of books and am pretty familiar with them - lots of time what is new - isn't new at all. I also buy older books because they are cheap - no one wants them and they have great techniques like Square Dance.


But have a look at these Square Dance books on Amazon.com - look at the price of the original book!!!!!!!

Square Dance on Amazon



And thanks to my Aunt who sent me this link to an AMAZING article on ORANGE!!!!!!  This article is so cool - orange is ENERGETIC - just like me!!!!!!

ORANGE!!!!!!


One last fun thing - you know I love Scrabble - well have a look at this board!!!!!   I want to win the lottery so I can order one.


Scrabble Board


On that note - I have a very bizarre errand to do today. Can't tell you about it yet, but it will be an adventure I am sure.


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


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