Smooth sailing

 I passed! I had two curbside pickups to do, and I aced both of them. The issue is that there are four different kinds of curbside arrangements. Maybe more. One is easy - you knock on the door - the owner knows you, opens the door, and discreetly hands you your bag of stuff. Another is that your bag of stuff is on the front step with your name on it. Those works for small stores, and I've seen both options at quilt stores. 

Then you get to the curbside, where you drive up and stop in front of the store. You give the store a call and ask for your order. You pop the trunk, and they bring the products out and load them in the trunk. That's easy - I got that one down from the start. 

It's the fourth one that threw me for a loop. This is where you drive into a spot in the parking lot and call the store and ask for your order. They bring it out to you - this time lowering my back window so they could drop it in the car. 

Some stores have apps, some have a number to call, but all in all, I think that the stores have done a great job at doing curbside, and there always seems to be someone waiting to get their stuff. 

And then I went through the drive-thru to get a treat for lunch. That was easy. 

It's super easy, and I got everything I wanted. Lexi was happy because she desperately needed dog food, and now she has a brand new bag. Well, she wasn't that desperate; she finished the other bag the night before and normally doesn't eat in the morning. Since I gave her some of Murphy's food, Murphy was very suspicious that the food routine was changing! But all is good. 

I do have one more thing to order today that will require a pick-up. There's no rush, but I really want those orange threads! 

So what did I order? I got my three folders with pockets from Staples. Now that I think about it - I could have used one or two more, BUT I will work with what I have. And if I find that I need more, I may order two more. Let's just clutter up the newly gained space with products that I may not need.  

And look, one of the folders is ORANGE!!!  They are all different colors from my other folder, so that's good. 

My new pocket folders

And I'm happy to report that I've started to fill them with the relevant information. I might make some pretty covers to help with identification or use my label maker and label them. But they are the best!!! 

Pocket folders already in use

My day got totally derailed. I was in a meeting that was supposed to last 2 hours. I think it went for at least 4, if not longer. Yikes! That just killed my schedule of things planned. And even worse, the meeting resulted in a job that had to be done YESTERDAY!! So that involved a lot of work, and it was well after dinner before I hit SEND on the last e-mail that was needed. But it was all for my benefit, so I didn't mind. 

Remember how I said that we need to put similar things together? Well, my sewing machine feet are together. They may not be well-organized, but they are together. Currently, they are stored in these three plastic containers. 

Sewing machine feet in three containers

And more are in this container. 

More sewing machine feet

I might add that these are just my Husqvarna Viking feet. I have two more boxes with feet for the PFAFF machines. I know - it's insane. 

I'm now trying to rethink how to further organize those feet. A lot of them are for my original sewing/embroidery machine, and while they still work, they are too narrow to be used properly for the new machines I'm using. 

Hmm - what to do? Well, I've got a couple of ideas in mind, and then I'll try to sort them and see how it goes. 

And LOOK - I even worked at the table in the office!!! Oh my - that was exciting. Yes  - half of the table is clear, and I had my iPad out with the Accessory Catalogue installed, and everything fit. Yep - it was a good day! But loads more work to do in this area. The nice thing is that all the feet are together - it's just a question of taking the organization one step further. That's the same with many areas in my house. All the products are together - I just need to figure out how to further refine the organization. 

Working at the table in the office

As I went for a walk yesterday (and I did call my Mom for her birthday), I spotted this fountain. How cool that they leave their fountain running all year. The ice buildup is very cool. I must remember to walk past that more often. I believe the water is coming out of the mouths of two fish. 

A fountain still working in the winter

There have been all kinds of porch pick-ups and drop-offs at my house as well. Diane, who is sewing up a storm during the lock-down, is my BEST friend. She's been madly sewing quilt tops and backings for the community projects. And there is no danger of running out of stuff for her to sew. This first one is a quilt backing that she put together. Notice how she labels everything. I LOVE her!!!  This backing was made with rayon samples! Yep - what do you do with a bunch of samples? And in rayon? You make quilt backings - that's what. I've used rayon for the back of a quilt before, and it's super soft!

A rayon quilt back made with samples

And there's one of the John Deere quilts. I think there was enough fabric in the bag for three of them. 

A John Deere quilt

A HUGE thank you to Diane for diminishing the stash of fabric that was "donated" by me to the community projects pile. I need to get to work quilting as those rolls of batting that some of you donated money for are sitting here waiting. I hope once I get past the first classes that things should settle down. No laughing is allowed!!! 

As for the e-mail? It's dangerously close to 1,000! I hope to have a bit of time today to tackle it, but I've got a new class starting tonight and two more new ones starting tomorrow. Then two clubs on Sunday. Then, well - I guess I start getting ready for next month! 

But all in a day's work. I love what I do, and I'd be cranky if I wasn't busy, so I'm not complaining. 

Well, I'm off to figure out to unclog a can of starch. I tried soaking the cap in hot water. But I didn't let it dry. Sigh........

Did you clean up the kitchen table? I didn't. I have a couple of quilts sitting there, and I NEED to attach a temporary sleeve to take pictures. There just hasn't been time for that. Perhaps on Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, I'll wait until Tuesday next week and take the entire day to take pictures. I have to confess that all those quilts are still stacked in the living room, and I need to move them. 

So - I have a new job for you today. Where are all your sewing machine feet? Get them together in ONE box or several boxes. This includes accessories and embroidery hoops if you have them. Put them all together, and we're going to sort them. I have some ideas of how I'm going to sort mine, but first, you need to assemble them. 

The other thing you can do is download the catalog for feet and accessories, which will help you take inventory. Here's the link to the PFAFF Accessory Catalogue.   I would suggest that you download this to your computer or tablet. DO NOT print it - it's huge. And here's the link to the Husqvarna Viking Accessory User's Guide. If you have a different brand of machine, check out the web page for your brand, I'm sure they have such a thing. Again - I would NOT print this book. Here's an opportunity for you to start to learn to keep your manuals in one spot - ONE a tablet or computer. 

Once you do that, I'm going to give you more direction. 

I thought you'd get a kick out of this video. This is what the stash room looked like when it was in terrible shape. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

Hidden in plain sight!

My head is exploding and I don't have a headache. So much exciting stuff going on and well - I can barely handle it all. Technology is my friend when it works and lately (knock on wood) things have been going very well.

It appears that everyone is ZOOMING these days and I need to be a part of that. So I had a test ZOOM chat with Elaine yesterday. It went very well, except for ONE THING. Look at the picture and see if you can tell me what that is.

Picture from my Zoom chat

Yep - look at that mess in the background!! OK - that has to go. I have a plan on how to deal with that since I do not have time to clean it up. I tried the virtual backgrounds - I'm not a fan, but they are cool.

Then I watched a live presentation (via Zoom) on the Glowforge laser cutter. OH MY GOD - I want one, but they are NOT cheap. I think I'm going to have to wait a bit on that. But it's amazing to see what this thing can do.

Glowforge demo on ZOOM

It was pretty cool because four people were presenting - each from their homes in Seattle and the video switched back and forth between them. Almost 400 people were watching the presentation. It just blows my mind what we can do with technology these days.

The President of Glowforge

Hmm - look at his hair or lack thereof. Perhaps he was bald when the lockdown started or perhaps he has a set of clippers at home.

After those calls and a bit more research, I set up several Zoom meetings. A couple of them are test calls to make sure that the participants can get connected. Then the real ones are scheduled for the weekend. I have a couple more to schedule today. It's pretty simple to do.


As I was lying in bed this morning, I remembered that I have a boom tripod so I can do overhead shots of cutting or sewing or whatever. Hmm - now to get the software to connect my phone camera to the computer. Oh yes -- we are going to have fun with this technology. I may never teach a live class again!!! I will - but you know what I mean. It could be a while before people feel comfortable being in a group setting so this is the way to go for now.


I'll take you to Studio B for a quick tour to see what's happened there. OH -- the last inspiration board is now hung up. Yeah!!! It doesn't look quite so empty now.

Inspiration board hung up

There was some stuff still hanging out on the cutting table and I saw this stuff in the corner. You know what? All that stuff needs to find a home.

More stuff to put away

So - I took everything from the cutting table, the little cabinet in the corner (above), and anything that was on the floor (a basket and a blue bag for pet mats) and put it on the tables. So this is it! This is the last of the stuff that needs to find a home. OK - there is still stuff under the longarm and a few other bags, but they are NOT in the main part of the studio and for the most part, are contained. They will need to be sorted and repacked at some point.

The worktables with the last of the miscellaneous stuff to sort

Did you notice that there's still a LOT of empty space? This is very exciting. The front two tables have stuff that needs to be put away. The back two are things that need to be done and they might just sit there until I have space in the weekly laundry basket to deal with them. And the stuff on the middle two tables is a combination of both.

It doesn't matter - there is a light at the end of this tunnel and it's so bright, I may need sunglasses soon. I'm jumping up and down happy about the situation. It's taken a LONG, LONG time to get to this point. There are TONS of UFOs to finish and things that I want to start, but all the clutter is almost gone. That's HUGE.

That leaves me with a clean ironing surface.

The ironing surface is clean

The sewing station is very neat and tidy.

The sewing station

And the cutting table is wide open.

The cutting table is empty

And there you have it - a super neat and very exciting space to work in. There's NOTHING on the floor, the main workspaces are empty and only some stuff left to put away on the worktables. Perhaps, by the time, we can actually meet in person, there'll be absolutely NOTHING on those tables to move which has been the point of this exercise for years.

Studio B

I spent almost the entire day on the computer. When I wasn't on conference calls - I had a total of three, I was prepping the written homework assignment that will go out before the calls set up for the weekend. I've got one done, three more to go. The good news - the worst (the longest) is done. The other three shouldn't be that long.

OH MY GOD   - I just found out that my favorite quilt store in Orillia (Thimbles and Things will be getting the Princess and the Pea panel!) I've requested one. Thanks so much, Sue!!!!

Now let's pop upstairs to see what happened there yesterday. OK - what happened this morning. I swear that I'm totally blind. I was sewing away very early this morning when I happened to look down and THROUGH the clear plastic sewing table. OH - what's this?? An accessory box? To a sewing machine? It can't be for the sewing machine in the cabinet since I found that one the other day.

Another accessory box

I opened it up and it has an assortment of feet.

Presser feet for a sewing machine

Tools as well.

Extra tools 

OH MY GOD -- this is the accessory box for the Ruby that is downstairs in the small portable sewing table. I have wondered where the heck this accessory box has been hiding!! Well - hiding in plain sight!!!!  I also died laughing when I realized what it was. And the best part - I sit at that sewing machine almost every day and never noticed that accessory box. It's not like you can't see it.

So that one is going downstairs to find a home on the table with the other bits of sewing machines or maybe there is room on the shelf in that small sewing table. I took the accessory box for the Opal that is in the big seeing cabinet and put it on the shelf. Surely, I'll see that if ever I pack up the sewing machine!!!

The accessory box for the machine that's in the cabinet

As DH would say - I have too much stuff.  And I can't even say, I know where everything is. But I'm getting better. When I wanted to find the boom stand for my camera - I knew exactly where that is located!!!

Back to working on that pieced border for the mini quilt. Those Thangles!!!!  It's a fast way to sew the half-square triangles, especially when you chain piece them.

Chain piecing the half-square triangles

But what's with the weather? That room is over the garage and the heat wasn't on at that crazy hour yet - that's how early I was up. So I found a pair of WOOL slippers on the dresser where they have sat since I purchased them in Nova Scotia about 5 years ago. I paid a lot of money for them and they still had the tag attached. I'm keeping them upstairs in that room for cold days. They are very toasty warm.

Toasty warm 100% WOOL slippers

The first border is now on the mini-quilt and it looks awesome.

The first border on the mini-quilt

I was merrily sewing and cutting and trimming and OOOPS - this happened. OK - so I said a bad word and then made a new one. This is what happens when you're not paying attention. Thankfully, it was the fabric that took the cut, not my finger.

A wrong cut

 I'm happy to report that all the bits for 35 blocks are cut and ready to sew together. I may need to make one more block - not sure yet. I can't do math first thing in the morning.

The components for all 35 blocks are cut and ready to sew

Here's the top with the dark border and one of the half star blocks sewn together. Then I'll add one wider and darker border to the outside of the pieced blocks.

Progress on the mini-quilt

It's a slow and steady process. I have to put that aside for the moment as I continue to work on the last two projects that are due this weekend. Then I'll be back to this one. I'm not sure why I'm so much more focused. I know that I scoffed at people that were this focused, but it's working. Now - I do get to work on other things - like binding or quilting or designing, so technically, I'm not working on one project at a time. But much more focused than before and I'm loving it.

I have to get some of those darn windows closed so I can reboot my computer. I'm so bad at doing that. This link has a tip on how to mark your quilt with soap. That might become a necessity if you run out of chalk during our time of staying home. Anyway -it's a good tip. My favorite marking device is CHALK - especially the Chaco-liners. I hardly use anything else. BUT - I only use the white ones.

Here's another great link. If you like looking at quilt magazines or art quilt magazines, but don't want to buy them, you can download a bunch of older SAQA (Studio Art Quilting Association) magazines at this link.   I like to download stuff like this on my iPad so when I'm bored (as if) I have something to look at. Trouble is - I forget the stuff is there.

On that note - I'm out of here. There is so much rolling around in my brain right now - things to design, meetings to organize, classes to prepare and then there's the quilting and sewing. It's going to be a busy day!!!!

Have a super day!!!!


Ciao!!!

It's all relative!

How do you handle a task that you dread doing? You procrastinate, you learn about it, you procrastinate, you talk to friends about it, you procrastinate, and then finally months later, you attempt the task. You hate it. The next time that task comes around, you still procrastinate, but you're not so leery. You may still need to get the instructions out. But here's the good news - there will come a day when you don't think twice about that task.

My task, believe it or not, was binding a quilt. Now I've bound a lot of quilts in my time, but at the beginning, it was an ordeal. And if the binding had to be hand-stitched? Well, I'd have a stack of quilts a mile high sitting here. I learned to do binding by sewing machine and I won't look back unless it's a super special quilt - then I'll break down and do it by hand.

These days, I could almost bind a quilt blindfolded!

Going for a walk was the same thing. I love to walk, but I would never consider walking the distances that I'm currently walking. That's too far! I used to think I was giving the girls a good walk by going to the library and back (maybe a 20-minute walk total). Then I started to expand that a little bit to get that stretch goal of mine. And now? I have no issues going for more than one hour at a time.

I used to think that I could walk the girls to the dog park (we haven't been in a long, long time), but that's far away. Well, yesterday, we walked to a major street, then turned left, walked down to the next major street, turned left, walked to the next major street (walked past the mall and then walked past the dog park on the far side from my house), turned left and up to the next major street and back home. Over 7000 steps. I think even Murphy was feeling a wee bit tired when we got home - just a wee bit.

Here are some observations from that walk. Oh - and this is what I'm grateful for today. The ability to WALK. Walking is a skill that one needs to do every day to keep up that skill. Yep -- some people can't walk for whatever reason, and many people can walk, yet choose to walk very little. And as we get older and it's comfier to stay inside and we walk less, we can lose the ability to walk. I know - that's darn scary.

As I get older, and walking further, I'm not a fan of walking when the sidewalks are the slight bit slippery so when I'm stuck in an apartment or wherever I end up, I'll be walking those halls! Do I care what people think of me? Not in the least.

So the world is experiencing a pandemic at the moment. In the beginning, people were desperate to get gloves and masks, although gloves don't seem to be as important anymore. But why or why do people who are freaked out by the germs enough to get gloves, feel it's OK to just toss them on the sidewalks???

A used glove

Another used glove

 There are dozens of used gloves just tossed aside. I don't get it. Do these people think the glove fairy is going to come along and pick up their germ-filled glove? Seriously???

I've seen masks in the past, but I only saw one yesterday so I'm not sure what has happened to the other ones that were tossed. But the same thing - if it was important enough for you to get a mask to protect yourself or to protect others, why toss the used mask on the sidewalk?

Used mask

I'm fascinated by some of the buildings near me. This one in particular and it's so hard to really look at it when you're in the car so I stopped to snap a couple of pictures. I know I've posted before, but it's just a beautiful building.

The Arc

And here's my favorite view of it.

The end of The Arc

Other than an hour very early in the morning, I didn't turn on a single sewing machine yesterday. Not the long arm, not the serger, not a sewing machine. I had a couple of calls that went on for a wee bit of time in both cases. But that's OK - both calls were with friends and we talked for a LONG, LONG time to catch up. I managed to solve two problems that they were having. One with EQ8 and the other was with QuiltPath which is the software that drives the long arm.

I just sat in front of my computers and was able to run them through their questions and a lesson or two. It was great.

But once that was over, I decided it was time to do something that I was supposed to do before Christmas. My QuiltPath computer needs to be updated. I have put it off and put it off and I decided that since the computer was NOT on the long arm (having removed it for the phone call) that this was as good a time as any.

The computer is a very simple thing. It's just a tablet. Yep - a Windows-based tablet. Hard to believe that something so small is so powerful.

The tablet that runs the long arm

I had received the documentation which looked daunting which is why I put it off. So I bit the bullet and got started. I had to back up all my digital quilting patterns onto a USB - just in case something went wrong. Then I had to download and install the latest upgrade for Windows 10. Now here's the thing about APQS (American Professional Quilting Systems). The document to do this upgrade and get all the settings back to normal BEFORE I start upgrading the actual software to run the long arm is FIFTEEN pages long. See what I mean about daunting?

Well, most of that was pictures - very clear and explicit pictures on what the screen should look like, etc. It really wasn't that big of a deal. But I love how you get these big messages on the screen - I'm guessing that's because people are impatient and then really screw things up!!!!

Waiting for the tablet to restart

I'm on page 10 of the Windows upgrade instructions. Only five pages to go, but I ran out of time last night and I'm sure that most of this is just checking the settings so it shouldn't take too long to finish off those instructions. And then I'm going to tackle the second upgrade. Hopefully, it'll all be done today and I'll be good to go.

Speaking of computers - I'm doing it again. You can't really see in this picture (oh yes you can), but I have a LOT of windows open along the top of that screen. I can't help it - I find something that I want to investigate further and it sits there for a day or two. It's just hard to get to all of them. There's so much to see and read and check out.

My computer screen

 I will say that if you're looking for something to do and you have some Creative Grids rulers, you should check out their YouTube videos. They have a TON of very good information about how to get the most use out of their specialty rulers. I was very impressed when I was reviewing a video for the Wonky Triangle Ruler.

So what else did I find in those two cabinets beneath the sewing table? The User's Guide for the H|Class 100Q that I sent to M. Of course, I couldn't find the book when the sewing machine went, but I have it now and I'll be sending it to her.

User's Guide to the H|Class 100Q

That machine doesn't have all the bells and whistles of my big ones, but it's a great little sewing machine.

I found some practice quilt sandwiches which I think are totally used up. Time to let this one go.

A practice quilt sandwich

A sewing machine cover for my Husqvarna Mega Quilter. Oh boy - I don't think this cover has ever been used. The sewing machine is in the Stash Room so I took the cover down and put it on the machine. 

Sewing machine cover

 There was a cover on the machine, but it didn't fit as nicely as the one that is supposed to be on it. I'm just amazed at myself at how I didn't want to use the proper things? Like why hasn't this cover been on that machine from Day One to keep the dust and lint out?

The cover is now on the sewing machine

The cover that was on the Mega Quilter, is very pretty, but it's NOT huge. I tried it on the Husqvarna Viking Ruby deLuxe that is sitting in my small cabinet in Studio B. It barely fits.

The sewing machine cover barely fits this machine

Hmm - I also found a stash of plastic pellets and some crushed walnut shells that you use for filling a pin cushion. Funny, I had found two other packs of pellets somewhere and didn't know what to do with them. They are all together now in the drawer. The trick is going to be remembering that that stuff is in that drawer. I'm not sure that it's the best place for it, but for now - it's all together.

Plastic pellets and crushed walnut shells

 I guess I'm going to have to make some stuffies or something to use up those pellets. I've got a LOT of them. Again - seemed like a good idea at the time and cheap - so why not buy MORE.

Let's see - I also found all this. What the heck???  Oh yes - this is for the Featherweight sewing machine. Oh boy - I had completely forgotten I had this stuff. It's all now in a box and I put it in one of the drawers in one of those cabinets.

Supplies for the Featherweight sewing machine

And I found this stuff in a drawer. Oh boy - I wouldn't have remembered that it was there.

Bits and pieces that belong to several sewing machines

This is the foot pedal and power cord to several other sewing machines. The Mega Quilter and the Embellisher (for felting). Yikes - I'm not sure this is the best place for this. I'm thinking I have some room in a set of drawers by the long arm and that might be a better place to store all extra things for the machines. I'll check that out later today and maybe move the stuff and then I can use the drawer for something else. What? I don't know but I'm sure I"ll find something.


I have four drawer units in Studio U and none in Studio B. I might empty one of the units upstairs and then take it downstairs with some basic supplies so I don't need to run up and down, although that's amazing exercise!!! I'll see how it goes - for the moment, things are neat and tidy and together so I'm not worried about it.

I got another inspiration board hung up the other day. I really need to go through all the stuff hanging on it and see what can be tossed. For the moment, it's hanging up and stays as is!

One more inspiration board hung up

Here are some bindings that I finished off the day before. The binding is now on this quilt.

The binding is now on this quilt

I made the binding for this scrappy flannel quilt that I quilted the other day. It's now completely sewn on the quilt and in the pile of quilts to be donated to Project Linus. Oh - I didn't post the picture of this quilt. I'll find it and post it. Just a bunch of scrappy blocks made with flannel bits.

One more quilt - DONE

Here's the picture of the quilt.

Community projects quilt - DONE

As I've been cleaning up, I've come across several quilts that needed a sleeve attached. This one had a temporary sleeve pinned on. It now has a permanent sleeve that is hand-stitched in place.

Prepping the hanging sleeve 

I couldn't find any of that backing fabric, but I found something that works just fine. I watched another episode of The Quilt Show while I stitched that in place.


Here's one more quilt on the Princess bed. I think I have most of the lap-sized quilts on the bed now and starting to put some of the small ones on. You would NOT believe how high that bed is.

More quilts on the princess and the pea bed

I don't think the Princess panel is out yet, but I want one!!!

As I was messing around with the computer yesterday, I came across this photo which I have to share with you. What is this? OH MY GOD - it's STUDIO B. I don't know when the picture was taken, but look at that mess!!!!!  We've come a LONG WAY from that mess.

What Studio B used to look like

I just laugh and shake my head that I could even work in there. If only I could find some of the very early pictures of the heaping cutting tables. It's shocking that I put up with it and that I even allowed it to happen in the first place. NO MORE.

If you're looking for something to do, here's a virtual art show from a gallery. There are loads of these virtual shows out there so we can never be wanting for something to look at.

Now - I've got a question for you - has anyone participated in an online class using Zoom technology or other technology?? If so, can you send me the link or e-mail me?? I'm going to do some more investigation about this as I really think that many of the classes and venues I teach at, will NOT be hosting group classes for a while.

On that note, I'm out of here. More admin work regarding upcoming quilts, more computer work and hopefully some sewing time.

But first, it's a walk with the girls. What's with this weather??? I'm a patient person, but even I'm getting tired of this cold, windy weather.

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!!