Conquering GOALS one at a time!

I won't bore you with the details, but I LOVE cleaning up the digital mess. In a way, it's the same deal as with a physical mess. The task is daunting, and you have no idea where to start. But once you make a plan, then it starts to fall into place. I find I'm spending a little more time than I have at the moment on this task. It's therapeutic and FUN!!! OK - I must be mad!

I can see there's a lot more work ahead of me. Duplicate and triplicate files, stuff in randomly named folders, and well, it's going to take a long time to clean this up. But now that I'm MOVING, not copying, it's going to be easier, and I'm learning a whole lot about DELETE. OK - I already knew about that, but I'm being ruthless. Well, I haven't got to the big, ruthless part yet! I'm mostly still sorting. 

My first priority was to get the files somewhat organized into three spots. I have three external hard drives: one for sewing, one for photos, and the third, which I wasn't planning to use, will become the admin drive. That may change over time, but I think that's a good split. I managed to get all the unfiled items in that one folder taken care of - they are now in a folder. It may not be in the right spot, but they are all corralled. 

Here's an example of my previous file folder names --- Stuff from the USB drive, Things to deal with, and to be printed. Seriously? And if I print something, I never go back and delete it!! Oh my ---- what a mess an unfocused mind can make! 

Random file names

Next up: move the files from the photo hard disk that shouldn't be there. And I'm starting to deal with the stuff on OneDrive, too. 

I have almost accomplished one of my goals for this month: corral all the Machine Embroidery files in one spot. Mission is nearly completed. I still have to look at my old computer, then double-check through OneDrive. That task will be done unless I find a rogue file here and there. So that was HUGE, and it only happened because I have goals!!!!

I cleaned up the Admin Hard drive, but don't be fooled. Within each of those categories is a HUGE mess. Even though I have plenty of room, I think I'm going to delete the Fabric Downloads folder. That was mostly for when I was working at a fabric company and doing a lot of quilt designing. Now that I don't design much for magazines and such, there's really no need for that folder. And most of the stuff has been downloaded into specific EQ8 files. If I need something, I can always download it again! And I'm not touching the OneDrive folder, as that is the backup. I need to learn more about that. 

The Admin Hard Drive

OK -- I hear you --- ALL of those fabrics, except the blenders (and even then) are NO LONGER available, so what's the point of keeping a digital file to design a quilt? I will take a quick peek after walking the girls and then delete the entire folder! 

As for the pictures, that stuff will eventually all be moved to the other hard disk, so all the photos will be together. But there are folders and folders of pictures. As there are folders and folders of stuff in the MyDocuments. I'm getting there. And I'm doing it MY WAY!!!!

Speaking of goals, I can now share this with you. So not only did I pick a word for 2026, which was GOALS, but I wanted to have a visual reminder of the word, so I can hang it up and be reminded each day that I have a word for 2026. Check out this QUILTsocial blog post to see what I did. I LOVE it, and the whole thing just fell into place without much planning on my part. 

I often design with my gut, and for the most part, it serves me well!!!

And if you want to check out the edge-to-edge quilting with the new Husqvarna Viking Large Magnetic Hoop, check out this site!!! Oh my --- I will NEVER do machine embroidery quilting, edge-to-edge in a traditional hoop again! EVER!!!

Dede came over in the morning, and we completed a UFO. OH MY -- I can't share it with you yet, but it's stunning, and we are both thrilled with the result. But we did have an accident. This is what happens when you apply too much hammering to a small rotary cutting mat! The mat appeared to have a lot of cracks - was it cold? Was it old? Or did we do all that damage? 

The cutting mat split!

After she left, I consolidated items that needed attention and set them on one of the worktables. I put away the things that had been left out. 

Stuff to put away or deal with

And then I got to work on one of the projects that had been sitting on the current project table for a while. 

This is my Barn Star Sampler quilt that I taught a couple of years ago. It is a giant quilt at 80 by 100 inches. I had already made a quilt back and binding for it. You can see the yellow background in the photo above on the top left. 

Barn Star Sampler quilt

But then I found this fabric in my stash and decided I like it better. I don't think I have ever done that before - switch out a backing when it was already made. While it doesn't really show in the photos, the colors in the quilt are exactly like the new backing fabric, and there was JUST ENOUGH. So that quilt has a new backing, and it's off the current project table, and back in the "to be quilted" pile. 

The new quilt backing

From time to time, I receive random pieces of fabric. They magically appear along with other things I said I would take. I could pretty much tell by the feel of this one that it was NOT cotton. Then I ironed a small piece of it, and, yep —you can smell it's not cotton. But to be 100% sure, I did the burn test. My pie candle was burning, so I decided to burn a wee bit of it, and it didn't burn; it just melted and became a hard, lumpy mess in that spot. This piece of fabric is now in the bag of textiles that I'm saving to give to one of those places that recycle textiles. I must get cracking on finding out where that is, as that bag is getting full. 

The burn test resulted in melting!! Not ash --- this is not cotton

And look at the cartoon I found when sorting through files!! Most of the files I did not open, as I could tell by the folder or the file name where they belonged, but there were several that I had to open because they were randomly named. I got a chuckle. The file is now deleted! I would like to say that my junk drawer was cleaned out years ago, and it is exactly the same as it was after I cleaned it! That's a huge positive. I'm learning as I go, and not regressing into old habits!!

How appropriate

I did some other work, but I haven't gotten that binding on yet. The quilt is trimmed, and the binding will be a job for today. But now I must switch gears and get to work on that second quilt. The days are quickly zipping by, and before I know it, the deadline will be here, and I won't be done. I can't have that, so after binding that quilt, I need to focus on meeting another goal!! Meeting those goals is hard work! And no rest for the ambitious!

So far, I seem to be good at adding things to my digital To-Do list. And I love the fact that it's available to me on all platforms. What I need to be better at is scheduling the due dates and actually getting the stuff done! That will come, but I think I like it and will use it!! There's a learning curve to everything, and I'm perhaps biting off a bit more than I can chew at the moment. 

On that happy note, I'm out of here!! Lots to do, and I see we got some snow overnight, but not much, so it shouldn't take too long to shovel. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Focus is the word of the day!

I get that folks on Vancouver Island don't get as much snow as we do, but yesterday I saw a picture of someone MOWING their lush-looking green lawn, and that grass was LONG! 

For everyone who is missing snow, here are a few pictures. If only it were easy to ship to you!

This doesn't look too bad, but it gives you an idea of how deep the snow is in my residential area. That is at least 16 inches piled up on either side of the sidewalk. The sidewalk plow had gone past a second time the other night, and walking is now very doable on all the sidewalks in my area. Imagine the nightmare if they hadn't decided to bring in the sidewalk plows. It's much safer for everyone because pedestrians don't have to walk on the road. 

The sidewalks in my area

I had to go to the grocery store, so I cut through the forest on my way home. Oh my!!! A narrow path, but a path nonetheless. And of course, I was walking in my running shoes, with ankle-high socks. I didn't get one bit of snow in my shoes!!! But I had to lift the grocery bag high, or it would have been dragged through the snow. That was tiring! The forest is so pretty at this time, but when that snow starts to melt and refreeze, it will become a skating rink. But for now, it's fine!

The path through the snow

While the roads have all been plowed, they are still very snow-covered, and lots of snow is falling from the banks onto the road. So in some spots, the curb lane was very messy. I was off for my adventure in the morning, and it took me almost 50 minutes to drive 10 KM. Of course, I was late for my adventure, which is frustrating, but I had no one to blame but myself. I should have looked at Google Maps for timing BEFORE I got in the car. And as I sat at light after light, or slowed by snow clearing, or got stuck in school zones or behind city buses, the arrival time kept getting pushed back. 

But at last I arrived at the Paramount Fine Foods Arena to watch the Scotties Tournament! Thanks to a friend who invited me along. Her daughter plays on the Northern Ontario team, so we sat and watched the game and had a good chat. 

This was our view. 

Watching the Scotties Curling Tournament in person

Her particular game was televised as well, so we got to see the close-ups of the house on the big screen. We were cheering for Northern Ontario, while the man and his mother behind us were cheering for Nova Scotia, which eventually won. But he was very knowledgeable and kept saying, "OK - they are going to do this, or going to go for that!" It was pretty entertaining and informative, although my host was also telling me what was happening. 

At least, I remembered something about curling from my youth!

As I left the arena, this was the view from the other end. 

The other end of the arena

As I left the arena, I asked the navigation system (Google Maps) to give me directions to Fabricland on Dundas Street, as I needed to find that invisible zipper. It doesn't show you the end destination, but I started driving. Then I realized -- WAIT a minute, it's taking me to the CLOSEST Fabricland to my current location, which is NEAR Dundas Street, but not on it. It's on John Street. That was so weird because I asked specifically for the location on Dundas. It didn't matter, but I'm fortunate to have two stores to choose from, and I hadn't been to this location in a long, long time. 

The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and actually approached me THREE times if I needed anything. Not once, not twice, but THREE times. That was IMPRESSIVE. 

So while they did have 22" invisible zippers, they didn't have burgundy. I got peach instead and bought two different colors. 

The old and the new invisible zippers

When I got home and compared it to my project, I'm not sure I'll use either of them. I might go to the other Fabricland today and see if they have burgundy. I know - I know. The zipper is invisible, so it won't show, but the little tab will. And I have to go out today because I've accomplished another task on my list. I had designed an applique pattern that is too large to fit on my printer, and so I'm going to my favorite print shop to pick it up. 

Whenever I have oversized projects, I use a software called Canva. I'm new to it, but hey - a graphic program is a graphic program. I know what I should be able to do, and with a couple of well-asked questions to Google, I solved my problems. I sent the file via e-mail yesterday, and I will call the print shop today to make sure everything is OK. 

I actually sent it yesterday, then had a discussion with the owner (a very helpful person). She gave me the preferred extensions, and I was good! So that was one more thing on my list for Studio B this week, and technically, I can't cross it off until I get the pattern in my hands! 

Although I only needed that one zipper, it was hard NOT to come home with only one thing. I didn't have a bag with me, but the very friendly person who checked me out put my stuff in a clear plastic bag for no charge. 

My newly acquired supplies

I laughed when I looked at the receipt. My membership saved me over $30 (total cost was $50), so in just one inexpensive purchase, I recouped the cost of my annual membership ($25). It's even more critical to boycott that online store, and I want to support my Fabricland, or, in the case of my friends who live west of the city, they can visit Len's Mill. Fabricland is closer to me, so that's where I shop. Please think twice before you buy something online! I won't go into details, but your dollars spent there are funding some pretty nasty things! 

By the way, I found a 24" by 36", name-brand cutting mat at Fabricland for $100. I immediately sent a note to my friend who needs a new mat. She picked it up on her way home from watching the curling - she went at 2 PM, I was at the 9 AM event. 

I'm teaching a private machine embroidery software class, and I had some homework to get done. I actually should have had it done last week, but that didn't happen. It's done now, and I forwarded it to the person for review. As I got into bed, I thought of one more thing to add to the document I prepared, so I'll do that this morning. I'll be sharing that document with my machine embroidery club in February. They are going to LOVE IT!!!!

And I'm prepped for the class this morning. I love giving private lessons because I can focus on what they want to learn, and they do the homework and come back with questions. It works for me!!! And then I know that what I'm prepping will actually be used! 

I completed one more task on that to-do list for Studio B and advanced two others, so it was a good day despite the fact that I was away all morning. I've been adding a few things to my online to-do list, and I need to check it this morning. I have two major paperwork things that need to be done today, so I'll see how everything goes. But I'm actually enjoying sitting at the computer and working. Having a pattern work out the way you want, or a professionally completed document? That is as satisfying as a finished quilt!

To end off today, here are pictures of the backyard and the amount of snow we have. Even the dogs are very selective about where they go. They haven't ventured too far off the deck because the snow is very deep. But Murphy blazed a trail to the gazebo to check for rabbits. 

Trail blazing in the backyard

She then plunked herself down to cool off!

MOM - I made it to the gazebo! 

No decluttering got done - that's off the radar probably for the next two weeks, as I have two major sewing projects that are both due by the middle of February, and neither of them has been started. The patterns are created, and I have the fabric for one, but I need to go shopping for the second one. 

Oh well, there are only two clubs between now and those due dates, and all my work is prepped for those! I'm in good shape, but I have no more time to shovel snow, and I will need to set aside some of my other projects! I'm going fabric shopping on Friday! Both of those projects are on the visual To-Do list, and I will remove one more project from it later today! Notice how focused I am!

And on that happy note, I'm out of here! I'm off to spin class. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

What constitutes expensive?

 LOL --- I have entered a couple of things into my electronic to-do list, but it's going to take some work to get started to make it truly useful. Baby steps. Meanwhile, I had made a paper list of 12 things I wanted to accomplish in Studio B this week, and I crossed two off yesterday and almost completed 3 more! These are all small things - not actually piecing a quilt, but finishing off bags, or other small items. But all is good!

I get a daily email from the to-do app listing my tasks. I'll have to check it out later as I'm away this morning. Yep -- finally off to the adventure that I thought was last week! 

Yes - more shoveling yesterday, but the driveway is clear, and I heard the plow and the sidewalk plow in the night, so all should be good. Even though the sidewalk plow had done most of the sidewalks right after the storm, there was so much snow, and the banks were higher than the plow could reach, so the sidewalks were not in great shape, and we ended up walking on the road. Hopefully, today will be better. 

But seriously, I am shocked by what people in this neighborhood do. This house is right on the corner, near a high school, and this sidewalk is very frequently used. What? You can see the sidewalk behind that huge mound of snow. They literally shoveled the snow from their driveway onto the sidewalk, and not just a little pile - that is about four feet high! Seriously? 

There is a sidewalk under that snowbank!

Are they so car-centric that they don't even realize there is a sidewalk there? Do they not care? I'd love for the city to hire me, and I'll walk around and slap everyone with a fine that does something stupid like this. It's annoying and just shows how entitled people are! These are drivers who probably don't even watch out for pedestrians. 

I see the girls are making their trails in the backyard, but the snow is so deep that they haven't made many! But Lexi had fun romping around and hopping through the snow. The Husky side of her is finally showing in the snow. Look at her face - she is positively beaming in the snow!

MOM - I LOVE the snow - sometimes! 

Although Murphy is truly the one who is spending the most time in the snow. She is in and out of the house many times in a day. Not because she needs to go, but just to plop in the snowbank on the deck!

MOM- I LOVE the snow - it cools me down!

We had a pretty sunny day yesterday, and there are actually bare patches in the driveway!

Here is one of two tote bags that needed finishing. I mean, why do we let this stuff just sit around and never get done? The second one is almost finished. They are a bit narrow for the depth, but they would be great as a shoe bag! I made the bottom a bit too square, but it's OK. 

Completed tote bag

And I finally got the second sleeve of my sweatshirt done! Again - how long did that take? Not long to finish. Most of the tasks on that list for this week are finishing up small projects, so I hope to get through them and add more! Remember - I CAN, and I WILL -- WATCH ME!!!!

The sleeve for my sweatshirt

And there's one more spool of thread that bites the dust!! I have zero qualms about using up thread -- that's why we buy it! 

One more spool of thread gone!

Speaking of buying things, here's something to contemplate. Remember, I mentioned buying the expensive bras the other day and how much they cost per year? Someone on our Monday call lamented the high cost of purchasing a new rotary cutting mat to replace her THIRTY-YEAR-old one. 

Let's just contemplate that for a second. This existing mat has lasted 30 years -- and yes, so has mine, although mine should be replaced. It still works, even though it looks terrible. 

Here are some properties of the mat that I'd look for: 

• Minimum size (provided I have room): 24" by 36".
• Folding mat - NO!!!!!!
• Mat larger than 24" by 36"? Unless I'm cutting garments, I do NOT need a larger mat than 24" by 36". When have you cut a piece of fabric larger than that for a quilt? Bigger does not always mean better! 

Now let's do the math. Let's say that the mat (24" by 36") costs $150 CDN. WOW -- that's a lot of money. But is it? If you keep that mat for thirty years, and probably the last one you'll buy at our age, then that mat costs you $5 PER YEAR to own. Is that a lot of money? Heck - that's the price of two coffees! STOP looking at the cost of the item and look at the cost per year, per usage, per whatever --- then the cost is not huge at all. It's all about how you look at it --- glass half full, or glass half empty! 

$150 CDN for a 24" by 36" mat is CHEAP, and I'd be rushing out to buy a new one if I needed it. I have three pretty much brand-new mats in my house, so I will never have to buy another one. I need to just move the new one to where the old one is! You can't just look at the cost—you need to consider the price over the projected use period. If you buy a cheaper mat because it's cheaper and then you have to replace it - that isn't a bargain. Buy QUALITY. Buy something that was made for this purpose - not a cheap substitute!

And here's the other thing that drives me mad. We are among the fortunate people who still have a Fabricland (somewhat similar to Joann's) in our city, which sells home decor, garments, and quilting fabrics. It sells yarn and lots and lots of notions. Many do not like to shop there because they feel the items are overpriced. And yes, they have a funky pricing system that really tries to get you to buy a membership, so you save on all the prices. I believe a one-year membership costs $25. I usually save that $25 on the first trip after renewal. 

Here's the thing -- if you do NOT shop at Fabricland, it will close, like MANY of their other stores in Ontario have over the last couple of years, and they are NOT reopening. If there is no Fabricland, then where the heck am I going to buy a 22" burgundy invisible zipper when I want it? 

I can't go to my local quilt shop—they don't stock that kind of thing. Where will I buy those random notions? Again, the local quilt shop doesn't sell that kind of stuff. It's like everything else - buyer beware. Don't just run in and buy willy-nilly. Check things out -- I have never felt price-gouged buying at Fabricland because I look first. 

I do NOT even consider buying many of these things at that online store. As I've mentioned many times, Jeff does not need my money, which is most likely supporting things that I disagree with - NUFF SAID!!! Personally, I think we need to boycott that online store for 24 hours to show that the power is in the consumer - NOT the owner! And while Wal-Mart tries to have basic notions, it wouldn't have a 22" burgundy invisible zipper. 

Do you not find that there is an annoying habit going around these days? People do NOT LISTEN when you are talking. Twice, if not three times, yesterday, I asked questions on our Monday Zoom call, and every time, the person I was asking responded with an answer that did NOT answer my particular question. The answer was related, but it did not answer my question. And one of them was somewhat snarky about it. I rudely interrupted their snarkiness and said -- MY QUESTION IS THIS!!! Sheesh --- what is wrong with people? 

And I know that everyone wants to be helpful, but people -- on a ZOOM call, do NOT take over a conversation because you think you know better than the person who is being asked the question! I target specific people to get them talking!!!!!! 

The other day, I was chatting about the 150 Canadian Women quilt, and Judy sent me pictures of what she has done with hers. She gave the quilt a modern twist and even made it reversible to accommodate all the blocks. 

A modern version of the 150 Canadian Women quilt

The second side to accommodate all the blocks

And she put this dedication to the most important Canadian woman in her life, her mother, on the quilt! That is a very touching addition! 

A dedication to a mother!

Well, there you have it -- another crazy day at my house. No decluttering got done, but that's OK. OH - I did have a long nap. I had lunch and then realized it was one of those "I need a nap, and I need it NOW" moments, so I went to bed. I typically set the timer, which I did, but I was still exhausted, so I went back to sleep for a double nap. I got up and felt so much better. All that shoveling did me in! I had zero trouble sleeping last night, except for when I heard the backup beeper on the front-end loader! 

Have a fabulous day!!!

Ciao!!