The books I read

I felt like a shut-in yesterday. I didn't leave the house. No that's not true - I took the girls for a walk a couple of times. I just didn't drive the car anywhere. That happens frequently at my house these days. I do drive to the gym - it's 4 KM away. I could walk, but then I'd just turn around and walk back so what's the point?

Yes - we had snow, but nothing like was reported. I wonder - when people go to school to learn how to report the weather, are they told to make it seem really, really bad outside to warn people? to cause great fears so they'll be careful? And have you noticed that we don't get snow anymore? We get snowstorms, storm warnings, weather advisories. Good grief - we're dumbing the world down so that every normal thing becomes something huge.

Let's just say that it was a GLORIOUS day for a walk. Keep in mind - you need a hat, scarf and the right mittens, along with boots to make it a glorious day. There were far fewer kids walking to school. Now, why is that? So the parents can drive them which is way more dangerous than walking on a snowy day. Oh well - I'll just keep quiet about it. Yes - there was a bit of a wind chill in the afternoon when we walked to the library, but it wasn't bad. I do have fleece-lined jeans for those very cold days, but yesterday wasn't one of them.

So I did a bad thing yesterday. I went to the library. I had two books that needed to be picked up. One is a novel (I know - I said I wasn't going to get more) and one was a reference book for a project that I'm researching. But then I saw this and I couldn't resist.

What's the book?

February is library-month and there are all kinds of activities. They have a drop-in session scheduled for tomorrow. I bet they'll have CAKE. I saw this book covered in brown paper. There's a description of the type of book it is. How could I resist? I plunked it on the signout plate and the name of the book did come up, but do you think I'm going to remember??? We chatted about this concept at dinner last night and DH wanted to open that package, but I wouldn't let him. It'll be a surprise.

I seem to be friends with a couple of Goodread followers. I get e-mails from Goodreads with their recommendations or reviews. That's totally deadly. I have a friend who spends a LOT of time reading. He has ALS and is unable to handle a physical book, but he's got all the technology for reading e-books and communicating. We had a chat yesterday about some of the choices he's been reading lately. We were talking about reading outside your normal genre and he mentioned WWI and WWII books. Yep - not my thing, but I'm enjoying reading them. Now I have another huge list of books that he recommended. One of them had already been recommended by Rose.

I need to explore the Goodreads website a bit more to see if it can help with my book series. I'm not getting a chance to read because I'm so busy with all these other books.

Thank god, the library is free! Well - it's included in our city taxes - I call it free. Now if I could find time to read more!!!  I'm working my way through The Warehouse by Rob Hart. Holy - it's such a spoof on our society - I love it!!

You may think that I'm obsessive, but I don't think I'm compulsive and there's a difference. I loaded some cutlery into the dishwasher in the morning. When I went to put my spoon in there from lunch, I noticed that the cutlery had been changed around. Yep - we have a culprit in our house who has to have the cutlery just perfect whether in the dishwasher or the drawer.

I put my spoon on the right and they all got moved to the left. Hmmmmm.................

Loading the dishwasher

If you're into learning how to use a serger, this is an EXCELLENT book. It's called First Time Sewing with a Serger by Becky Hanson and Beth Baumgartel. 

First time sewing with a serger

It does NOT replace your manual. You need the manual for the threading. This book goes over what a serger does and how it works. When to use it and when not to use it. The types of stitches that you can make depending on the kind of serger you have. Anyway - I did borrow it from the library and for learning the ins and outs, I've found it super. Now I feel like I can truly explain this crazy machine to someone else.

The second half of the book has some projects. Some of them I might try, just to try out a specific technique. Oh - to have the time to just sit and play with the serger. I should schedule two days and I bet I could run through everything and be done with it.

I was prepping the homework assignment for Christmas Fig and of course, I ran out of time. The walks come FIRST. The e-mail will go out later today as I have an errand to do this morning. But I did manage to get a quilt quilted.

Customer quilt - DONE

This is one of the quilts made in our North Star class last year. This particular one was done with the fabric in the kit. I get it that designers want to be creative, but a good chunk of this quilt was made using the yarn-dyed homespuns which have a very loose weave - Essex Yarn Dyed Homespun by Robert Kaufman.  Holy - it frays like crazy. The ladies that used this in their quilts were VERY BRAVE. I don't think I would touch it. For garments yes - but for a quilt with loads of seams? It just seems silly.

Loads of fraying with the linen fabric

I love this saying that I hear from my boss for my freelance job all the time - " just because you can, doesn't mean you should".  Amen!!!  Keep the linen for clothes, NOT quilts. It adds NOTHING but a headache.

I've got a couple of things to share with you today. Have you seen this??  It's priceless. I think I know several people that this relates to. And I took a one year leave of absence many, many years ago because of this very reason. I never went back. Never looked back either!!!

And I was reading Bonnie Hunter's blog the other day and I saw this quote - "there are only two options - make progress or make excuses".   Now, how true is that one? I don't care how much progress I make in a day. Some days are way better than others. The bottom line is to make progress, however small. We shouldn't be discouraged because we only made a little progress. Anything is better than nothing.

Oh yes - I promised you a link about habits. Well, forming a habit or changing an existing habit takes work. I think for a habit to actually stick, you have to be committed to yourself that this is going to work. Case in point - the damn flossing thing. It doesn't matter how tired I am, I WILL floss before I go to bed. I've flossed every day since the beginning of December. I can't let MYSELF down. Yep - you heard me - if I don't floss, the only person I'm letting down is ME.

It's the same thing with Virtual Challenges. I'm now miles ahead on both challenges. I think I'm almost 30 miles ahead of my pace in the Route 66 challenge. I don't care how busy my day is, I will NOT let MYSELF down. I made a commitment and I will HONOR that commitment. Plus I love walking.

Here's a link to some tools that might help you to stick with your new habits. 

Keep in mind that you should ONLY change one thing at a time. If you try to do too much at the same time, you'll 100 percent fail at all of them. Pick one - could be organizing your house, organizing your life, develop better eating habits, get out and walk or whatever. But pick ONE thing that you want to change.

Remember I told you about that lady at the gym that wraps herself in saran wrap and then puts on a corset - a TIGHT corset. I see her EVERY DAY. Same deal - she does some cardio and then comes to the change room to remove the saran and corset. She lets out a HUGE sigh when all that comes off, then she's back upstairs to do more workout. I'm so tempted to tell that this fad from the '70s doesn't work, but it's none of my business. It just seems like a huge waste of time for her and the environment.

On that happy note, I'm out of here to get the day started. Don't forget to find ONE habit you want to start or one you want to change. But you have to REALLY want it.

Have a super day!!!!


Ciao!!!

Sample Making

While I don't have a lot to show for what I did yesterday, I did make great leaps and bounds in getting stuff done. A new pattern is written, the assembly diagram was created and now I just have to proofread the pattern this morning before it goes out the door.

There never seems to be any lack of computer work that needs to be done. Whether it's a quilt to be designed, a pattern to write, and now that I've added all this design work in PREMIER+ ECQ that I could potentially embroider - well, there's loads to be done on the computer.

But that's OK - I love the creative process which doesn't always mean making something with my hands. Designing is also a very creative process that I've now expanded beyond quilts. I want to try my hand at embroidery designs. Those will mostly be experiments.

I'm miles ahead on both of my virtual challenges so I slacked off this morning and didn't go to the gym. I can afford the day off and I was tired due to my sewing class which ends at 9:30 PM and then a 45-minute drive home. We had to compare the actual pattern measurements to our body measurements to see if any adjustments needed to be made.

This is the absolute worst part of garment making. And that's probably why people don't make as many clothes as they used to. Remember when we opened up the pattern, cut and sewed the garment together and prayed that it wasn't going to be too big or too small? OK - the Home Ec teachers out there probably never did that, but I did!

And it's a bit of a shock when you look at the pattern sizes. I had looked at the measurements and the sizes and I did buy the smaller of the two multi-sized patterns. Turns out, I'm at the top of the smaller multi-size and the bottom of the larger multi-size. As a result, I had to enlarge my pattern a wee bit. And what's with the sizes? I wear a fairly small size in ready wear clothing and yet, in the pattern making world, I'm a giant. Those clothing manufacturers are just trying to make us feel good that we can fit into a small size.

Messing with the pattern

Then I shortened the skirt - that was the easy part. Then I measured and remeasured and my brain had about stopped functioning at that point. I had to leave early (only 45 minutes). I'm going to measure it again today. Can anyone tell me why the front of the skirt is slightly larger than the back? Especially around the hips? I would have thought the back (to accommodate our butts) would be slightly larger than the front. Perhaps a fresh set of eyes this morning will discover what the heck is going on.

I'll recheck the measurements once again and then I'm making a muslin. Some of the girls were cutting away last night and I'm sure they are now ready to sew. I'm not and I'm OK with that. It'll never be perfect but I at least want the skirt to fit. And I wasn't as prepared as I should have been last night as I didn't have my shears to cut the fabric even if I would have wanted to. I have to say that the younger ones in the class are outshining the older ones so far. Well - of course - they are. They are likely night owls where the older crowd is fading by the time 8 PM rolls around.

I'm sure the teacher thinks I'm a loser. I don't think I've stayed until the end of any of the classes and I didn't have all my homework done. But I did get some of the samples made yesterday.

The samples were for seam finishes. Yikes - I haven't done this in years. I took my little pieces of fabric and sewed them together with contrasting thread and a 5/8" seam allowance.

Making the samples for the seam allowance finishes

Then I pressed those seams wide open. ACK! Open seams! But that's how it's done on garments unless you're serging.

Seams are being pressed open

Let's not forget all that backstitching at the beginning and the end of the seams. OK - how does the reverse work on the sewing machine?  The first one was a pinked edge. Holy - I had to dig out the pinking shears but I knew exactly where they were. That truly warmed my heart that I dug those out with no hunting. The beauty of an organized space. If only EVERYTHING was super organized like that.

A pinked seam finish

The next one was using the zigzag stitch. Hmm - I did my zigzag right on the edge of the fabric rather than just inside the raw edge. I wonder if that's OK? It does the job. Yikes - those ends are a wee bit messy. Do we get points off for that?

Zigzag edge seam finish

Next up was a turned under edge which we would probably never use as it adds bulk and I'm sure it would show on the right side of the garment after a good pressing. But good to know. The raw edges of the seam allowance were turned under ¼" and then stitched in place with a straight stitch.

Edges of the seam allowances turned under and secured

Then we used something that I've never used before. This is seam binding. I had no idea how to use it, but it's super easy. Just sew the binding to the edge of the seam - ¼" in from the edge. That's easy enough to do. For some reason, I have loads of it - no idea why. It was probably on sale somewhere.

Seam binding as the finish for the seam allowance

The last one was using a product called Seams Soft. It's a narrow very lightweight product like interfacing. You sew it around the edge of the seam allowance. I rather liked this one and I think it's quite neat, easy to use and stops all fraying as the edge is totally enclosed. Doesn't add any bulk as it's whisper-thin.

Seams Soft finish for the seam allowance

I still have my darts and pleats to do which I MUST get done for the next class. I'm going to be a superstar next class and have all my work done. Next week, we focus on inserting a zipper. I think I might take my own machine. I can't bear to work on the machines there. OK - so I'm a sewing machine snob. Obviously, I won't take the big one but I have a small one perfect for workshops.

I had something I wanted to share with you today, but I'm out of time. I'll share it tomorrow. It's all about habits and is quite interesting. Your homework for today - is to think of a habit that you want to change or a new habit you want to create. Don't forget!!!!

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!

The highs and the lows

Do you remember in some magazines way back when they would have set up two rooms? They were basically decorated the same, but one was filled with items that were high priced and the other was normal priced stuff? Could you always guess which was which? There were many times when I preferred the low-end room over the high-end room.

Well, yesterday was a bit like that. I was back at the training and I learned enough tips to make it worth my time to be there. It's one thing to be self-taught. Quite another to have an expert run through the same stuff and you get to see what you missed. That's why I LOVE hands-on classes. You can't beat them for learning everything and being able to ask those niggling little questions.

Yesterday, I showed you the front of the new sewing machine, but I didn't show you the back. Here it is.

The back of the Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER EPIC 2

Remember this colorway is called Vivid Sunset. I wonder why they mixed colors? The other two special colored sewing machines are either blue or green. And the backs of those two are white. This one is BRIGHT PINK. I can't wait to sew in front of Shelly!! She goes to love looking at that pink sewing machine all day.

It's a bit weird, but I love it.

I was doing some embroidery in the hoop. Not just any hoop - this is the Majestic Hoop which is the largest hoop on the market. It's a turnable hoop - so you do one half of the design and then rotate the hoop and do the other half. I have so MANY more samples to make and things to play with. I've got my work cut out for myself.

Embroidering a design in the Majestic Hoop

Here's what the design looks like on the screen.

Design that is being stitched out

After the class was over, I had just enough time to stop at home and grab a bit to eat and rescue the dogs from a day at home by themselves. They were NOT impressed.

Then it was off to teach the pillowcase class at Oh Look Fabric in Milton. Yep - from Markham to Milton. Thank goodness for the toll highway. I just wish it weren't so expensive. But then if it were cheaper, more people would drive on it and it would be congested. So I bite my tongue and pay the price. It's worth it. Thankfully, I don't have to do that every day. And our house is situated just about perfect to take the highway east or west. We lucked out on that.

A lot of beginner sewists end up in the pillowcase class. Most have never sewed before or sewn very little. I never know what they will bring for a sewing machine either. It's always fun to see what gets unearthed. This person was using her Mom's old Bernina. What a difference between the two machines. And this one reeked of sewing machine oil as we fired it up. I think it needs a new needle and a good cleaning.

Old Bernina sewing machine

She had no idea how to thread it, what a bobbin was - basically nothing. Her Mom had tried to teach her at some point, but well - we all know that's never a good idea.

With my vast knowledge of sewing machines, I was able to get the bobbin wound and the machine threaded. Most ALL sewing machines work the same way. They thread the same way - it's just a matter of following the thread path. Bobbins may be wound slightly different from each other, but there are basically two different styles of bobbin - the top load where the bobbin drops in on the bed of the sewing machine or the front load where the bobbin gets inserted into a removable bobbin case. Sewing machines have one system or the other and once you understand both - it's easy to make them work.

All machines have controls for the stitch length, tension dials, reverse - it's just a question of finding where. This one had a few oddities to it, but I got it figured out.

She did a couple of test runs on fabric and then she was off sewing.

And by the end of the class, both participants had finished their pillowcase. Yep - both of them had directional fabric! Directional fabric is always a bit more of a challenge to work with, but once you get it cut, then no big deal. What I love is how happy people are when they leave with that finished pillowcase. We should have a pillowcase wall with pictures of very happy people!!

Pillowcases!!!!

We missed our dressmaking class last week as the instructor was ill. I had better get my homework done today! I have to make my samples of the seam finishes and to prep my lining fabrics. Yes - I've had two weeks to do that! But I just seem to be a last-minute person on all this stuff. I've no idea why although I'm getting better.

I still haven't touched the postcard basket to see exactly what's in there. With M here for the weekend and then right into two days of training, that sort of ate into my time. I've got loads to get done and I hope that today might be the day that I get into that basket. Although I do have a bit of admin work to do, make a sample for the freelance classes, do the homework for the dressmaking class and well - I'd like to quilt a quilt as well.

It doesn't matter what gets done as long as progress is made and keeping all deadlines in mind.

So while I did lose some mileage over the last two days as I wasn't able to get out for my afternoon walk, I still managed to average 6 miles of walking on each of the two days. Not bad considering that I spent most of the day in a chair or in the car. I feel the urge to get out and move today! I've got dogs to walk and errands to do.

I have three audiobooks on hold at the library and I'm not requesting anything else until those come in which should be soon. You know how it is - you download a book and then BAM - the three audiobooks will come in at the same time. So I'm being patient. But here's something else to consider - make sure that you check out ALL the resources that your library has for you. Our library system used Libby by OverDrive which I love. But we can also access titles at FreeGal, Hoopla, RB Digital, and PressReader. I'm going to check those out and see what I can find in there for FREE entertainment. All that's required is a library card. I swear the library is the BEST thing in the entire world. If you don't have a library card - you should. There are movies, books, magazines and probably a whole lot of other stuff that you can get for free.

No need to buy the magazine and then wonder what to do with it - you can either get the hard copy or browse the digital version. It's not so much the money, it's the "what do you do with the material when you are done with it" that bugs me. Elle made a comment earlier this week that at one point, she was spending over $1,000 a YEAR on books. She now uses the resources at the library and has saved a ton of money and no worries about how to dispose of those books that are mostly read ONCE.

She started tracking how she spent her money. Oh boy - that would be an interesting exercise, but I think it's one that most of us should take on. How much do we spend on a certain thing? Once we know - then we can better evaluate whether we can afford to spend that much money. And I don't care if I don't read a book the minute it gets released. What's the fun in that? Anticipation and waiting is part of life. I still haven't read the last two Harry Potter books and I'm surviving just fine. I've got loads of releases to read in several series. I am never compelled to be first in the reading department. I read what I want when I want.

The other thing about books is that some people will reread the same book (sometimes more than once or twice). OK - I get it - you like the book, but I can't deal with that. As I read the book, the whole thing comes back to me. I'd rather be reading something new. There's so much new out there - why bother with the old.

Anyway - it's time to get moving on the day!!

Have a super day!!!!   Get working on your postcard or check out the resources at your library!

Ciao!!!

Can you keep a secret?

We've all been asked to keep secrets. Sometimes, I think people tell you that something that is supposed to be a secret because they know you won't be able to keep quiet and that's how things slip out. I think for the most part if someone has asked me to keep something a secret, I keep my lips sealed. It's not my business to pass along someone else's news. 

I do think I'm pretty good at keeping secrets. Matter of fact, I bought something last summer and didn't tell a soul. It arrived last week and well - now you get to know my secret.

I don't normally get sucked into promotions, but this one tugged a wee bit at my heartstrings (OK - my WANTS) and well, I caved. What did I buy???

An orange sewing machine!

I know - a totally frivolous purchase, but when the opportunity came along, I couldn't say no. This was part of the prelaunch campaign for the new Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER EPIC 2 when it was announced last summer. There were three special order colors that you could buy. One of them was called Vivid Sunset. When else would you get this opportunity?

It finally arrived last week and I had no time to unpack it. I'm also lucky enough to be sitting in on a training course for the DESIGNER EPIC 2 sewing machine (yesterday and today) so I unpacked the new machine in the class. How cool is that?

While I do know a lot about this machine already, it doesn't hurt to go through it again. And now I'm getting ALL those little questions answered. I learned a few things yesterday and building a relationship with a new dealer so it's all good.

It's just hard (very hard) to sit still all day. It didn't help matters that I had been up way before the crack of dawn to get M to the airport. I was tired and I had no snacks!  But I survived and today is another day.

I had to do the latest update when we were in the class and get logged in and all is good. It likes me! I've never named my sewing machines. I can change the name in the sewing machine instead of it being called the DESIGNER EPIC 2. What the heck would I call it??  I might just leave it as is.

Signed into my new sewing machine

There are so many great things inside the mySewnet Blog. I wish I could stitch all the projects out. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to do everything I want.

Speaking of that, when I arrived home, look what I found in my mailbox. Ronda and I had so much fun making the small backpack that we decided we wanted to make the larger size. We are suckers for punishment. While I'm sure that you can make these with a regular sewing machine, the incredible piercing power of the DESIGNER EPIC 2 made quick work of going through all the layers. In some cases, we were going through three layers of foam and about 6 layers of fabric. The EPIC 2 (the loaner one I had) had no issues going through the layers.

I even took Nina's advice and bought the Out and About pattern. All arrived from Emmaline Bags in Alberta with cheap postage and within days. Highly recommend buying from Emmaline Bags.

New backpack pattern

The pattern is from ByAnnie.com. The only thing that irks me a wee bit with these patterns is that with both the small and the large backpack, that she's redone the pattern several times. There are now three versions of EACH. And NO - you won't' receive the latest one if you show them you have the earlier version. I sent an e-mail and while I didn't directly ask, I wasn't offered either. And I had to WRITE TWICE before I got an answer.

I get it that things need to be updated or changed, but the pattern NEVER should have gone out in the first place the way the original small backpack pattern was written. Then it was changed and changed yet again. To me, that isn't right. However, that's what happened. It mostly seems to be these backpack patterns.  I wonder why?  Ronda and I had to make changes as we made the small backpack with the original version of the pattern. There were places where we had to read and reread the pattern to figure out exactly what was supposed to happen.

I sure hope I won't encounter that in this pattern which is the latest.

Here's an article about decluttering. We all need to be paying attention to the advice in this column. Every single day!!  It's a really good article and if you're in that situation, then get RUTHLESS. Why do we think that someone is going to want this stuff?? Get rid of it now so your kids don't have to deal with it. I mean  - GET RID OF IT NOW. I'm working on it - I'm getting close, but not quite there. I still have eleven months to finish the office!

On that happy note, I'm out of here.

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

That's a silly saying when you think about it. How can any part of parting be sweet??  I had a good cry when I dropped M off at the airport at a ridiculous hour this morning so she could catch a 6:15 AM flight. I miss her already. I especially miss Little Bear. He did NOT want to sleep with M last night and instead was quite happy to sleep with me. He's so darn cute! But he's a naughty boy in the house.

The weekend brought back memories of driving your kid to and from all kinds of activities as I drove her to and from friend's houses. OH  - I'm so happy those days are over. Love the kid - hate the driving. However, it was a good time to catch up so that worked out OK. 

I managed to get a bit of work done yesterday so that was a good thing. I still don't feel like I'm making major headway, but the fact that headway is being made is the only thing that matters.

There are a lot of projects that need binding so that's what I focused on. I managed to get the binding on this table topper. The binding is only sewn to the back of the project and will need to be brought to the front another day.

Binding is partially sewn on this project

I was back on the long arm as well and got the Quilts of Valour quilt done.  Yeah!!!! I've committed to quilting one quilt a month for that organization.

Quilts of Valour quilt - DONE

That quilt is trimmed and ready to be dropped off. The binding was with the quilt, but given the fact that I'll also be donating three completed quilts, I didn't feel guilty about not putting that binding on. I know the group has a team that helps them with bindings so I'll leave that to them.

While the other three quilts were quilted, they still needed to have the binding put on. I managed to get the binding completely finished on this quilt. The kit for this quilt was pulled from the donation pile of fabric at my house. Diane sewed the quilt top and the backing came from my stash. I think Diane donated the binding. The bottom line, this quilt is ready to be delivered.

Donation quilt for Quilts of Valour

I got the binding sewn on the other two quilts that are to be donated to Quilts of Valour, but the binding is only sewn to the back and needs to be sewn to the front of the quilt. That's for later this week.

I pulled three more tops from the "to be quilted" pile. I'll see if Quilts of Valour wants them and if they do, they'll go in the "to be quilted" pile for February. I've got a plan. I figure I can "donate" my time - one community project quilt a week. I'll focus on the quilting and the binding part.  If I don't stay on track, I'm OK with that and we may just run out of quilts in the "to be quilted" pile. Actually, there might be enough for this year. That's a good thing/bad thing.

I'm on a training class today and tomorrow so after dropping M off at the airport, I headed to the gym where I did a bit of extra walking. I should clarify the issue with my toe. That did NOT start because of the extra miles. The callus has been there for a long time - the extra walking has just caused it to be an issue. I'm wearing my big white running shoes today. I don't care. Some shoes work and some shoes don't. I'm not sure why. I think I'm going to start trying to scrub away at the callus every day until it's gone. 

So now, I'm sitting in the lobby of the hotel where the class is being held. If you have an office in a backpack, you can go anywhere and do anything.

I had to pack up the Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER EPIC 2 last night so I could bring it with me today. It took a wee bit of searching to find all the bits that go with it. The lesson here is when unpacking a machine, keep all the bits together. I succeeded in finding everything, but where or where were the manuals? And the Accessory Tray? I finally located them.

I thought it would be fun to compare the DESIGNER EPIC 2 to the very first DESIGNER 1 that was was released in 1996 or thereabouts. I bought my machine in 1998.  It was the top of the line at the time and I know that I was shocked that I spent that kind of money on a sewing machine that also did embroidery. Little did I know how much the machines would cost in the future. But it's actually not that bad considering the changes that have occurred. Look at the size of the two.

DESIGNER 1 beside a DESIGNER EPIC 2

I still use the DESIGNER 1 sewing machine from time to time. For sewing only - I couldn't imagine going back to a FLOPPY DISK to load a design into the embroidery module.

Shoot - I forgot to bring snacks with me and I like a snack in the morning. Hopefully, we have snacks. I hate being without my snacks, but there was so much to remember to pack at the ungodly hour that I left the house.

I finished my audiobook yesterday. I cried at the end even though I knew that one of the characters was going to die. It was a very good book about relationships (mostly mother-daughter), but it was also about making decisions. Is it OK to make a decision based on what is the "perceived" right thing to do or should you fight tradition and go with your heart? your passion? Lots of food for thought. I will confess that parts of the book are very sad to read and very sad to realize that many people went through their lives making decisions because it was the "right thing to do".

I think that's it for me today. It's going to be a long day - not just because it's a training day, but because of the early hour and well - it's going to be OK. Just long. But I managed to sneak in some extra steps this morning to compensate for the fact that I'm going to be sitting for a good part of the day. That's so hard for me.

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

A progress report

I'm happy to report that loads of progress happened yesterday. I'm not sure why yesterday was different from other days, but that's OK - I took advantage of the situation.

It started off with Ronda coming over to do some embroidery. Not because she needed an embroidery machine, but she needed a specific hoop size. I say call up the shop and order one of each Please!!  You never seem to have the right hoop unless you have them all. I swear she bought that embroidery machine just to do sports logos. She's been having a blast and doing experiments and that warms my heart.

You can't learn if you don't experiment and if you don't experiment, you won't make mistakes and you won't learn. I think she's pretty competent embroidering on T-shirts. This is a pretty dense design and there's no puckering. The water-soluble stabilizer that she used on top hasn't been dissolved yet. There are tricks to stitching on T-shirts and the quality of the T-shirt needs to be taken into account as well. Not only has she done T-shirts, but she's embroidered towels as well. Let's not start with cotton,  which is much easier to work with.

Ronda's T-shirt

This was made for the Super Bowl which happens today. I guess we all know which team she rooting for. Me? I have no idea which teams are playing.

Here's a mystery for you. Anyone know what this is?? I found it on the floor in Studio B so I'm guessing it's something sewing related. It's not very big and has an eye.

View from the top side

View from the back

It's a needle of some kind, but what the heck does it attach to???

As a freelance educator, we have to make samples. Lots and lots of samples. And sometimes we have to make more than one of the same thing. This is a journal cover for one of the events I'll be teaching later this year.

This is a journal cover that was made entirely in the hoop (except for the top-stitching around the edge). The design is created on the Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER EPIC 2. This version is made of vinyl with the darker bit made of cork.

The journal cover

The inside is decorated with some of the decorative stitches that you'll find on the DESIGNER EPIC 2. You can't really see them in this picture and I wasn't happy with the way the sleeves were assembled. They are NOT equal on both sides.

The inside of the journal cover

I had made a couple more samples and they needed to be tidied up and topstitched. I did that while Ronda used the embroidery machine. This second version, made with red and black vinyl, looks pretty sharp.

The second version of the journal cover

Here are the stitches on the inside - again, you can't really see them well in this photo, but the sleeves are now the same size on both ends.

The inside of the second version of the journal cover

And I made ONE more. This time I user black thread for the design on the cover by MISTAKE - that was supposed to be red. But I had black in the machine and hit START and by the time, I realized, it was too late. This is vinyl - not a very forgiving fabric for embroidery. The insert is navy blue cork - all I had. I need to find black cork and keep some on hand.

The cover of the THIRD journal cover 

Here's the inside and now you can see the decorative stitches. They are so easy to do and nice and straight - all those stitches are built-in to the DESIGNER EPIC 2 and the two on the outer sides are exclusive to the DESIGNER EPIC 2.

The inside of the third journal cover

Now you know why we don't get much done when we have to remake some items to test out the pattern, make notes or whatever. It's all for a good cause and that is teach a seamless class.

The events we teach at Husqvarna Viking or PFAFF retail shops across the country and are for potential buyers to kick the tires (so to speak). IF you are interested in taking the PFAFF Creative icon or the Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER EPIC 2 for a test drive - talk to your local dealer and encourage them to schedule an event.

I'll be at The Sewing Machine in Saskatoon on the weekend of March 13, 14. We have some great events planned, including one on software so be sure to get booked for that if you're interested in test driving the latest and greatest. We're making a quilted table runner, a tote bag and the software event. Call the store for more details.

I managed to get some quilting done! This is one of the quilt tops that was a kit that we prepped during one of our community project days. One person took it home and sewed up the kit. We found backing for it and now it's quilted. It's destined for Quilts of Valour once it's finished. It's been trimmed and I hope to work on the binding later today.

Community projects quilt

I managed to get a second one done and while it looks like the one above, it is different. We had enough fabric to make two kits. The binding is made and I need to trim it later this morning. Hopefully, I'll get the binding on it as well. It also will be donated to Quilts of Valour.

Community Projects quilt

I have one more quilt to quilt for Quilts of Valour (was supposed to be done last month), and then get these bindings on and I'll make a delivery. The work schedule will then be replenished by more from our community projects stash that will be donated to Quilts of Valour and one more that they will provide for me to quilt. I have to reduce the "to be quilted" pile. I don't have any room for more quilts until I get a few more done. All in good time.

For those who are working on the community project day - don't worry - there are still projects that need to be bound so if anyone wants to bind a quilt on our next workday - there's probably one for each of you who are coming that day.

Speaking of binding quilts - I also got one bound that belongs to me. This is the back of the quilt. Yes - it has bicycles on it. The fabric collection is called Ride-On by Banyan Batiks. It's going to appear in a magazine so you can see it then.

Binding on a quilt

I did some visiting with M and persuaded her to come to the grocery store with me (on foot with the two big girls). The little guy stayed home. I don't think he was happy. So I got a lot of miles in yesterday. I'm having a wee problem with one of my little toes. If you remember, I had to buy new shoes because my big toe will pop through the mesh on the toes of the shoe. Well, at the same time, I must use my littlest toe (on my right foot) to put a death grip on the ground. As a result, there's a hard callus right at the tip. Somehow, I got a blister in there as well. It's a mess and well - I won't go into details, but it was throbbing like no tomorrow in the middle of the night. I took some drugs and tried to clean it up. I think it needs medical attention - I've no idea what to get rid of and it's so darn awkward as it's on the bottom of that little toe.

I didn't go to the gym this morning, and the toe is feeling much better this morning. But I do need to get the issue addressed. I hate to go to a walk-in clinic, but I might have no choice.

I had a good chuckle this morning as I looked at the "street view" of my virtual cross Canada trip. Oh boy - I just passed Merritt and I see this sign this morning. This was NOT a welcome sign when I was cycling across Canada. It says "chain up area" which meant BIG hills ahead. This walking and using Google Maps is such a fun way to relive that trip. I can't wait to see some of the other sites I'll pass as I virtually walk my way across Canada. And because I've been back and forth many times, it's just a fun trip down memory lane.

Chain up Area - ACK - that means BIG hills

I'm way ahead of my pace on both trips and that's OK because there'll be days when I won't get as much walking in so I have a wee bit of a buffer zone. I like buffer zones.

On that note, I'm out of here. Got a busy day - got some computer work that I can't put off, binding, and quilting. All in a fun day!!

Have a great day!

Ciao!!!!

The art of journaling

The apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree at our house. I've probably said this before, but we've likely all forgotten! My Mom has written a diary for years. And I bet she still has them from when she was a kid. Now that I think of it, she probably doesn't as I doubt they would have had access to the paper to write one. But when she got married, I think that's when she started. You know - that's a good question to ask her next time I chat with her and where the heck they all are.

My Dad also kept a daily diary with short entries and I wonder if he still does? I know those are back at the farm and I should nab those next time I'm out there. I don't think he wrote anything earth-shattering in his. What do parents write about their children in their diaries?? I'm not sure I want to know some of the stuff they've thought about me as I went through some of my younger years.

I've got diaries myself - in a box downstairs that I need to do something with. Not sure yet. And of course, for years now, I've written my blog which is, in fact, a form of writing in a diary or journaling. Mine just happens to be electronic and I can share it with you all. M, who is home (should I say home or here? since this technically isn't her home anymore), for the weekend, is an obsessive journaler. She writes every day and lists her goals for the month, week, amongst other things. I don't know - it's not my business.

But it would appear that we are a family of list makers and like to write down our thoughts. I'm trying to move away from paper and now keep some of my lists (like grocery lists) on my phone. A neat little app called Samsung Notes. It works for me - it's super easy.

All that preamble to say bear with me as I document my Virtual Challenge for January. Can you believe that I've walked 230 miles in January? Some of that was outside and some on the treadmill at the gym. I'd say that 2/3 was outside and 1/3 inside. Which is pretty darn good considering that I live in a climate where we have cold weather in January. Although it hasn't been that bad and the sidewalks have for the most part been decent to walk on. Only one or two days of bad ice which is NOT my friend.

For those of you who understand KM - that's about 370 KM. That's pretty much the distance from my house to Brockville, Ontario. I'm one-tenth of the way from Chicago to Los Angeles on Route 66. I'm actually enjoying the challenge a lot and I use my time at the gym listening to audiobooks which is great. All around, this is a win-win situation for me. I get to listen uninterrupted to the audiobook, I get some miles in, I use my gym membership - it works for me. And there was NO ONE in the ladies' change room when I was in there this morning. It's like having a HUGE bathroom all to yourself.

When I picked M up from the subway station yesterday, we stopped on the way home so she could pick up a few things from the grocery store. I refused to go inside and said I would walk to the grocery store later in the day. Which I did. And with my full backpack of food and two dogs on their leashes, we did a lot of steps. I LOVE not driving the car everywhere. It's so freeing.

The ladies who signed up for the Vintage Christmas Sew Along and The Christmas Fig Sew Along are pretty darn lucky - well I think they are lucky. I don't think I promised that the homework would be out first thing in the morning, but it goes out on the due date. And they are getting my BEST sewing tips ever!!  These classes are not just about making a particular block because these ongoing classes have never really been about making the blocks - they have been about becoming a better sewist. The participants get feedback, we get to see what the others are making (colors, choice of fabrics, etc) and well - I think it's an awesome deal.

Here are the two blocks that were assigned yesterday.

Block from Vintage Christmas by Lori Holt

Second block from Vintage Christmas by Lori Holt

I'm making the 6" blocks and they are adorable. I love small!!!

I made this small video for the group, but I thought I'd share it with you as well since its technically sitting on my YouTube channel and anyone can access it. It's all about pressing and how to press ANYTHING flat. Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY5uskFcH4A&t=5s


Speaking of small, I had a helper when I was sewing yesterday. I later got him his blanket and put it on the table and he snuggled right up and went to sleep. Some helper!!!!

Helper with the sewing

I can't help it - I've already taken a ton of pictures of him. He's just the cutest thing. I have tons of pictures of my own girls. How could you not? They do the silliest of things. I know I should post more pictures. Maybe those girls need an Instagram account, not a blog?

Did I get to the other things that I wanted to do? No. I had to help someone out yesterday with their long arm computer and I learned a thing about my serger in return. I'll have to share that story another day. But that's OK - I'm on track so I'm not going to worry too much about getting things done. If they get done slowly, they get done slowly.

The next quilt is loaded and ready to be quilted today. And I'm going to try and get through the stuff in the postcard basket. There's nothing on the agenda for today. Nothing serious so that's good.

I found this quote in my M.C. Escher calendar which I thought was appropriate for the fabric acquirers amongst us. "That remarkable urge to obtain multiple images (fabric), for which I have no rational explanation, probably goes back to a primeval instinct. It has something to do with "Go forth and multiply.....""   Do you think this acquiring thing has to do with creative minds???  I don't know, but I thought it was good for a laugh.

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a super day!!!


Ciao!!!