A slight detour

Oh, so help me now! I took a wee detour yesterday, and it was fun! I was supposed to be quilting a quilt and continuing to work on putting Studio B back in order. But this happened instead. 

Today, we have two sessions: Machine Embroidery and our Many Blocks projects. As of yesterday morning, I had nothing to share with either group. And while I get it that we're all busy, I like to have some to share (it sets an excellent example for the group!) So, I was off!!! It was a total tangent, but it needed to be done. And I needed a new sample for Quilt Canada. 

The next thing I knew, a basket of Christmas fabric was on the floor and I was rifling through it to find just the right prints. 

Searching through the Christmas fabrics

Then, I needed some background fabric for the project, so I got out the whites. It never ceases to amaze me how different all the whites are. 

A variety of white prints

While you can't see it in that photo, those are all white, but varying shades of white. UNTIL I put the ULTRA white next to them below. Again, you can't really appreciate the color difference, but those two new ones I added are very white. 

The ultra-white makes the others look cream

I found one piece of fabric large enough for all the backgrounds, and everything else got put away. Some of the Christmas fabric is still sitting out, and I may just forge ahead and cut out all the bits I need (on the digital cutter—easy as pie!), and then I can put that all away. The bits of cutting I did yesterday restored my faith in using a digital cutter for applique. 

It's one thing to know how to do something and then try to push the limits and quite another to just cut for the fun of it. I need to do more of "just for fun" because I had zero issues and I learned something new! 

Then, I had to pull fabric for the sample for Quilt Canada. I've been tasked with making a reading pillow, so I changed it up a bit! Wait until you see what I did! I pushed the technology a bit to make the first part, and I learned something! I'll share it after I share it with the groups. 

Fabric for the reading pillow

I needed something else to help tidy up Studio B. Well, it wasn't really to tidy it up, but it concerns that big metal shelf I purchased a while back. I wanted some hooks. So I ordered them from Uline, which has a super large distribution center not far from me. It was cheaper (time and money) to pay the $9 to have it shipped to me. 

My package from Uline

When I grabbed the box, I was a bit surprised at how much it weighed. AH—that's because they put a PRINT CATALOGUE in there. 

A print catalogue

Why would they do that when they have a perfectly good website? What am I going to do with it? I feel like driving it back to them and saying - No, thank you!!! Plus, I will return one of the items I bought and get a second item of the first. I wonder how difficult that will be? 

Will you look at the size of that box? Here are the two items (very small) that came in it. 

A HUGE box to ship two small items

The pictures I took of the hooks didn't come out well, so I'm going to retake them today, and OH MY—this is super exciting. Those hooks are EXACTLY what I needed!!!! 

The packing process for Quilt Canada has started. The suitcase and some of the samples are out, but I need to make some labels, and I need to get to Staples before I can do that. I can't even start typing them out as I need a template and am not sure which template I need. Oh wait—I'm supposed to go through my office supply cabinet first. I had better do that today.

Packing for Quilt Canada

I dread going through there - I'll take a picture first. Let's say someone LOVES office supplies, and the cabinet is crammed. It's probably filled with TONS and TONS of journals and notebooks. I use them, but I'll never use as many as are in that cabinet. And interspersed are some office supplies. See -- all the office supply stuff is together, so now it'll be easy to eliminate what I won't need. I still have pockets like that in the house. I'm getting there. 

Last night, DH wanted to watch a movie. I am not good with movies at the best of times. I have a zero attention span, and what the heck am I supposed to do sitting down for THREE hours? GASP!!! I don't think I lasted an hour, and he was probably glad when I left. 

I invited Miss Murphy onto the sofa, so all four of us had a spot. She is such a goof, but she didn't last long because she gets hot and has to lie on the floor, where it's much cooler. 

Hanging out with Murphy on the sofa

And my embroidery machine was working, and I kept an eye on the progress from my phone. 

Stitching progress

Oh, how I wished I had a START button on that app, which would have just started the next color since I decided to do the design all in the same color! So, he was happy when I was gone! And so was I!!! I don't think I understood one word about the movie—Dune 2, I think it was. I'm sorry—if it's not high action, I have zero interest in it! And not at night. 

You can't really tell in this photo, but the place is a mess. There are boxes on the floor and a sewing machine. I'll get there. 

A tad messy!

It's funny about Lexi and her food. When Bear was here, and he'd help himself to her food, she didn't care. But ever since those ants got in there? Oh boy -- she doesn't let it sit!! Thanks for the tips and comments on the ants. I haven't seen them since, but I watch for them. I wonder why they were attracted to her food? I do have much sweeter stuff in the cupboard, but not really, come to think of it. 

MOM - I'm not letting those ants back in my dish!

I have to say that I'm in love with my new utensil drawer. While I threw stuff in before, I now put the things back in the appropriate spot. And it's so much fun when I need a spatula to pull open the drawer, and all of them are right there - no more shuffling to find one. Yep -- being organized takes some work, but afterward. I LOVE IT!!!

The utensil drawer is FABULOUS

This small task didn't take long, but it was so worth it. And the rest of the house is getting there. I'm so excited - I just wish I had the mindset to do this years ago, but I didn't, so let's move on and enjoy the organization now!

I'm unsure if I shared this with you, I had been looking for the post with the corner template for making cushions. Here's the link where you can see the template. As soon as the laser cutters at the library are cutting acrylic (no ventilation system yet), I'll be making an acrylic one of these. You have to scroll down to see it. 

And on that note, I'm out of here!! 

It's going to be a busy afternoon, and I can't waste a minute!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

The "to be quilted" pile

Yesterday was the complete opposite of the previous day. I accomplished lots, and I went to bed, exhausted but happy, after walking over 20,000 steps.

Quite a bit still needed to be put away, so I got out my audiobook and got to work. I also had to start packing for Quilt Canada in one week, so as I was sorting and putting away, I pulled out the samples I needed for that show. 

Stuff to put away

Of course, my faithful companion was right there with me, lying in the middle of the floor space. It doesn't matter how wide the opening is; she knows to plunk herself right in the middle, so I can't miss her! That table on the left needs to go once I get it and the cutting table clear, so we won't have this issue going forward!

MOM -- can you see me? 

Although this was NOT on my priority list, I tackled the "to be quilted" tubs. Some quilts needed to be put away in the correct tub, others were not necessarily in the correct tub, and a couple of tubs needed to be inventoried. 

A mess in the "to be quilted" area

So, with the help of my inventory list, I tackled the tubs. I went through every tub (21) and checked off the quilts. Almost everything was in the correct spot, so that was good. The ones I removed for the last filming were returned to the proper place. The final two tubs were inventoried. I'm happy to note that at least five quilts were removed from the list because they were quilted, given away, or sold. 

I have removed SIX quilts from the tubs I want to quilt in the next few weeks. I must also type up the new inventory lists and update several other pages so my book is up-to-date. Making that inventory list was one of the best time-savers I've done in Studio B. 

The "to be quilted" area finished

I seem to be very good at producing quilts but not so good at quilting them. My purpose is to make the top, as I don't really need another quilt. I already have a huge inventory of finished quilts. However, I did a quick tally. OH! Should I even tell you how many quilt tops there are? Let's just say that if, on average, it costs $100 per quilt, it would cost over $30,000 to have them all quilted! 

I know -- that number sounds totally incomprehensible, but it's right! I need to get myself together and try to get them quilted. That will be a slow process, but it can happen if I can focus. Let's not forget the 300 (totally random guess) that Diane made for community projects. It would take almost two years to clear the backlog if I did one a day! I need to take advantage of the long arm NOW, as I may not have one when I need to downsize! And then what will I do with them all? There are quite a few in my pile that I could donate, so I may focus on those. I'm not sure how I'll tackle the piles. 

Wait—what about those underneath the customer quilts? That's probably another 40, at least. Sigh.  However, the backing and binding are made for all of mine, so worst case, someone could just pay to have them quilted. 

Speaking of quilting, here is the latest customer quilt. I was working on the inventory while working on this quilt, and it's done!

Customer quilt - DONE

So today, I'll be quilting a community project quilt and I needed to make the backing. Hmm -- this backing took almost as long to make as the quilt top! 

The backing

But the back is loaded, and I'll load the top later today. It's tricky because the backing is not much wider than the top, and I suspect the batting will be the same. So, I'll be watching that one like a hawk. 

My list of quilts to quilt is set up, and I've got a plan! It includes customer quilts, community projects, and some of my own. Slow and steady, although the days when I quilt mean there isn't much time to do anything but putter. Thankfully, I have a lot of puttering to do, so I'll keep at that. That cutting table needs to be cleared!

While searching for some samples to pack, I came across a Trend Tex challenge piece from several years ago. This was when Quilt Canada was in Newfoundland, so that's about 10 years ago. The date on the back of the piece is 2008.

Quilting on the Edge!

It's adorable and called Quilting on the Edge! by Judy Morningstar. I had someone bid by proxy for me, and I had to pay a lot to get that one. So I should be enjoying it!!

I walked to the mall in the afternoon as I had some things to look for. I found part of what I needed but I will have to drive to Staples later today or tomorrow. 

There was a really nice view of the center of Mississauga, but part of that is gone now, as new buildings take over. 

The view from the mall

That's progress, I suppose! Housing for more people. The biggest problem with housing is the distribution of the rooms. If we were to count the number of bedrooms in this city, I bet it outstrips the number of people. The problem is that many people, such as myself, live in a four-bedroom house, and we use only some of those bedrooms. Or we use them for other things. So the rooms are there, although they are not available for those in need. 

The weather is pretty sketchy these days—will it rain or not? I took an umbrella with me, but I didn't need it, and the sky looked ominous—although there seems to be a more blue sky than I remember! 

Storm clouds

I see that Murphy has murdered another animal in the backyard. She has two bears out there, and one of them is probably a lot skinnier than he used to be! I wonder why she does that. Well, it's common for dogs to rip out the stuffing, but Lexi couldn't care less. She won't even touch a toy. That's beneath her! 

Murder by unstuffing

I have one software presentation this morning, so there's not too much to prepare. Then, the rest of the day is mine! But I have that quilt to quilt, bindings to put on, quilts to trim, some applique, and more puttering to clean up. It's a never-ending circle, and that's not even piecing anything. Yep—it's all this before-and-after prep work that takes so much time. 

And if I didn't have to manage my crap, I'd have a lot more time. So it's important that everything is dealt with, and once that's done, I suspect I'll have more time. But I also suspect that I'm my own worst enemy. I think as I see an empty space, I anticipate the next project so that it gets put out on display! 

I haven't really done that, but one or two pieces may have slipped through the cracks! Then, if I don't deal with it, it becomes clutter! So I must put a stop to that. I should only bring out something when I actually have the time to work on it. 

I must also finish off the spice drawer, and I brought out the label maker, so that can happen today as well. How many hours are there in the day? Not enough!!!

I marvel at people who can watch TV or video stream when they sew. I am never in the same place long enough to make that happen. I couldn't even listen to a radio or audiobook if it wasn't through headphones because I'm here and there all day. As a result, I can walk up to 5,000 steps a day or more in the studio alone.  

I have some drawers in Studio B that I could tackle, but before that happens, I have another area I should deal with. I won't go there yet, as it's going to make a big mess, and I can wait until I have a bit more time. 

On that note, I'm out of here! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

The aftermath of filming

YES—that is a flowering dogwood, thanks to some green thumbs. The bizarre thing is I do not remember seeing it bloom in the 20+ years we've lived here. Or perhaps my nose was buried in a book and I didn't see it. How could you not see that? It's quite pretty - I wonder how long the blooms will last? 

My flowering dogwood

Anyway, there is lots of neat stuff in the backyard—always something new—but it'll quiet down for a while—except for those lilies, which are going to explode soon. I see many buds, so I will watch and try to get a picture when many of them are open. 

I got everything set up for the Facebook Live and then the waiting game. They like us to be online 30 minutes prior, and there is not much to do, so you just sit and practice smiling at the camera! 

The film studio

And this is what I saw. It's a challenge because, with Zoom, I'm so used to looking at the camera on the laptop. With the live streaming, I'm looking at a camera beside that blue board. So that's a challenge, but hopefully, it didn't look too bad. That blue board had my agenda on it, but I sort of veered a bit in places. 

What I saw

Here's the link to the video if you want to watch it. I confess I had WAY too much to share. I should have shortened the topic by half, but hopefully, people learned a few things from it! 

During it all, my trusty companion never left my side. She lay there for the entire time and was quiet as a mouse. I'm sure she was thinking, "Mom said to be quiet; Mom said to be quiet!"

MOM -- I'm being quiet - I'm a good girl!!

This is the MAGIC box that drives the entire show. Look at all those cables allowing me to switch between cameras and have the microphone included, as my laptop is just the connection to the internet. I don't get the technology, but I'm getting more comfortable with the process. At least, it takes only a few minutes to connect everything rather than the days it took the first time. 

My control panel

It gives you an appreciation for those who film in a studio where there are people to move the cameras, fix the lighting, switch between cameras, etc. We don't have that luxury when we do this by ourselves. I'm actually quite amazed at how easy it is to do. 

It's just as easy to edit photos and remove things from the design wall that I don't want you to see. 

Mom - is it over? Can I come out of hiding now?

But once I got up, Murphy got up and had a big yawn and a stretch. What a good girl!!!!

The samples all got put on the floor from their neatly stacked positions on those folding tables. The one thing I MUST remember next time is to spend a bit more time on the sewing machine and arrange it so I can sew a bit better. I didn't do the best job, but it's a challenge with a video camera in the way. I have to find a tabletop tripod for that camera so I can sit in front of the sewing machine and not to the side. 

I see another trip to the camera store! I should do it now while my goals are fresh in my mind. 

I had been reading a book about the yoga store murders from 13 years ago. It was slow to start, but the deadline to return the book was fast approaching, and I wasn't even halfway through. Then I caught the bug yesterday and finished it last night. Let's just say that not much was accomplished after the event. So I'm going to be super busy today trying to catch up. 

I didn't clean up yesterday; I closed the lights and walked out. But I was down there this morning to try and get things back in order. 

All the cords were neatly coiled, secured, and put in this container, along with my switch box and document camera. I won't need these things for a while, so they can be put out of the way. I need to label some of those cords, but I think I can remember how it all goes back together. 

A precious box of cables, cameras, and switch box

And this corner is now neat and tidy and back to its usual self. Although the sewing machine needs to be boxed up, it can sit there for a day or two. I've moved my ironing board from where it was tucked in the corner. There's much better lighting here, and I'm happy with this spot. The one thing I don't have and wish I did was outlets on the floor. I could have outlets in the ceiling, but I would hate the untidy look of cords hanging from the ceiling. So I'll keep my extensions along the floor, but keep those power bars on the table! 

The film area is gone

Some stuff on the digital cutter tables needs to be addressed this morning. It's mostly my smaller applique samples, and those should be easy to put back in the box. But - they need to go in the appropriate sleeves within the box so they are easy to find next time. 

One area to tidy up today

The cutting table and that extra work table are piled high with samples that need to be put away and I'll deal with those later. All the threads, tools, and supplies are back in their places. What I love is that it takes little time to tidy up when everything has a home. It's those things without a home that are the significant cluttering factors. 

I still can't believe that this entire drawer is devoted to bobbins and bobbin thread—not even my colored bobbin weight threads—just the black-and-white stuff. There isn't room for anything else to fit in there. And I'm not getting rid of any of that, as I have a use for all of it. I'd better get working faster to use more of it! 

The bobbin supply drawer

So, we had a minor incident in the kitchen yesterday. Miss Lexi is a grazer and eats when she wants. I've seen a few ants around the house and used my trusty spray to kill them and create a chemical barrier at the backdoor. That was done last week. 

Imagine my surprise when I spotted a pretty intense trail of ants from the backdoor to her dish, about 10 feet away from the backdoor. YIKES!!!!!!!! 

Ants on their way to a picnic

The food dish got tossed—well, the food in the dish—and I got out my trusty spray can again. I liberally sprayed the area, and soon, those ants were history. Then I had to sweep them up. This is the first time this has happened, so I'll have to keep an eye on that. Perhaps Lexi won't have the luxury of grazing in the future. 

It's time for me to get back to work. NO MORE READING today. I have some reading to do, but it's not for pleasure, and I'll allow myself to do that, but I will not read for a while. I confess that I finished five books in the last week. Two were audiobooks, so I could putter and listen, but one of the five was an e-book (the yoga murder), and two were physical books. 

Have a super day. There are no plants to discover today!  I think I've run the gamut of what's in my backyard.

Now, how is the drawer cleaning situation coming along? I've got five jars of spices to switch over. I need to dig out my labeler—you'll see why before I move on—and I hope to get that accomplished today. Then I'll tackle one more drawer in that area. No one said you need to move fast, but you need to move! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Pulling samples is loads of fun!

The saga of the jelly roll race quilt continues. I checked out the video, and YES, she has you join all the strips together (jelly roll race technique)and then cut the first length (non-jelly roll race technique). The next step makes me shudder: To make this quick, like the jelly roll race, she takes the remainder of the long strip and sews it onto the first cut length. And you continue to do so until you run out of fabric. 

That is a wonky quilt waiting to happen!

That first video was released five years ago and has 500,000 views. 

In her favor and probably due to feedback from people, she released a SECOND video about two months ago. In it, she suggests measuring the strip lengths, cutting them to a specific size, and pinning them. So, not so fast now! She also sewed it in sections of six rows and then sewed those sections together. 

So yes - she designed a very cool pattern using jelly roll strips, but it's not the jelly roll race quilt, although she still calls it that and uses the same pattern.

As I mentioned, just because you can doesn't mean you should, but I'm surprised it took so long to release a second video and that there is no reference to what she did in the first one. Now, she is only sewing 24 strips together, so there isn't too much room for wonky. My friend had many more than 24, and it went bad! 

There were a couple of other things I didn't like about the videos - I mentioned that she didn't chain-piece when sewing those strips together, she didn't clip the threads (GASP), and she mentioned using a shortened stitch length. Since she uses an industrial machine, she said to use 15 stitches per inch. Many people sew with a newer machine where the stitch length is measured by the length of the stitch in mm - i.e. 2.0 and she didn't address that. 

Notice that I'm not mentioning who this person is. I don't think it's fair for me to do that. But I hope you will gain some knowledge that just because someone puts a video on YouTube, it's not always the right or correct way to do things. While I always say there is no right or wrong way to make anything, there are some guidelines that one should follow. And randomly sewing strips together is something I would never do. I won't even sew a border on a quilt without measuring and pinning. ONE border, never mind multiple strips. 

OK—enough of that for now. Does anyone know who created the jelly roll race quilt? I know—I tried to Google it, and well, I'm still looking. Everyone has a video on how to make a jelly roll race quilt. Another day, I'll share what I know about resizing these quilts.  

I had to rearrange the morning walks as I had to stop at the bank, so Miss Murphy had to go in a new direction. While this is exciting for her, it's not always the best. She works well with routine, and new things require many more stops. 

Several years ago, I would take her through the park, and we would play with obstacles. She would jump up on this bench, walk the length of the bench, and turn when asked. We rarely do that. By rarely, I mean we might go past that bench once or twice a year, and every time she sees it, she gets excited and jumps up! She would have fun with agility, but getting her to a class was too hard, and I didn't like the instructor. Wait, that's not true. I did like the instructor a lot, but Murphy needed more than what she was giving her to do. She's like the gifted child who is made to endure things they already know. 

MOM -- this is child's play! 

I'm standing in the bank lobby waiting for an ATM. There are three, but only one was working, of course. I can hear her barking her head off outside. Someone was trying to pet her, and she went crazy with delight. When I went out, that person was still standing there - he did not want to take her; he was killing time while his mother was in the bank. But she started to bark when I got near, and I turned my back. On the third attempt, she was quiet. She learns so quickly, even if she doesn't always retain it. 

At one point, I looked out the back door and spotted her sitting at attention. 

The guard dog

Good grief -- what is she doing? 

MOM -- I'm on guard duty!

She's just hanging out! Without going into details, let's just say that rodents or small animals of any kind should know by now NOT to camp out or shop in my backyard. That could be their last adventure. Between the two girls, they keep us rodent-free. 

Speaking of rodents, even after I scrubbed out the pantry, we are still getting the occasional pantry moth. I noticed some "cocoons" along the top of the wall, so those are all gone now. Let's hope that is the last of the little devils! 

A cocoon for the pantry moths

I spent most of the day pulling samples for the Facebook Live later today. This is what the area looks like—a sewing machine in the back and cameras on tripods. We tried the new solution for that mic, and while it worked, we went with another option. Thankfully, I have loads of equipment to experiment with. And all the while, Miss Murphy is keeping me company. 

Mom -- you're doing a good job - keep it up

I think everything is collected now, and I need to make a couple of small samples that I can stitch on camera. I'll do a run-through this morning, giving me time to collect or make anything that I don't already have. I've pulled some older samples out to help today. 

I'll be glad to put everything back. Thankfully, I have a list of which quilts are in each tub - otherwise, this area would look a lot worse than it does. Oh my - I found so many quilts that can be donated. I so want this mess to be dealt with. I want to get TEN quilts quilted and donated to Quilts of Valour. There are 6 in the current basket I'm working on, so I pulled another one that was made years ago. Even the batting was with the quilt. So that will free up some space. But I need to get working as those tubs are getting full. And I do NOT have room to expand. Let's not forget the 300+ quilts in the storage room, all slated for community projects. 

The "to be quilted" pile

There is a small stand in that area that I put the customer quilts on. Right now, it is covered with batting I pulled for the Quilts of Valour quilts. But beneath that stand are two huge tubs filled with quilt tops and backing that need to be quilted for community projects. 

More community project quilts 

Oh yes—we may be organized in this house, but the excess is mind-blowing. Looking for good homes is fun, but I need to work faster! I see my package to the US is scheduled to be delivered on Monday. I love being able to track what you send. 

I read a book about a lady's journey on the Camino in Spain. There were lots of things about her trip that I would NEVER consider doing, but that's why it's our Camino, and no one should be bothered by how or why you walk! The book was fun to read, and now I can give it back to its owner. 

A book about one person's Camino journey

The one peony bush I have is in full bloom these days, and it looks magnificent. I don't cut the blooms, but I leave them outside where I can enjoy them in the gazebo. My Mom had MANY of these plants, as well as dahlias, and we had loads of blooms in the house. 

The peony in bloom

Magnificent colors!!! 

While admiring the peony, I noticed the rose bush blooming as well. I had to take several pictures before I got this one, as Murphy was photobombing in the background with her business, which we all did not need to see! 

The rose bush is also in bloom 

The dogwood is doing well. It never blooms, though —perhaps it is one of those that needs a tree of each gender to bloom. I see those creeping vines are starting to grow up it—time for some intervention!

The dogwood shrub

Does anyone know what this is? This is the first time I have seen "blooms" on it. I can't get closer because it is hanging over the pond, but there are flowers on the shrub. Other than weeding and mulching, my backyard is pretty self-sufficient. We don't water it, and it doesn't get a lot of TLC, except pruning in the spring and fall. Most of the vegetation has been there since we moved in. 

What is this tree? 

I got two of the class follow-ups out the door, so that was good. One of them required finding samples and taking pictures, which takes time. When I look back at my day, I didn't seem to get much done, but digging out samples is a time-consuming job. I need to find a better way to arrange them or, once and for all, get all the pictures and store them so I can find them. That would be ideal! 

If you have some spare time this afternoon, be sure to pop over to Facebook and watch my Facebook Live on machine applique. It's going to be loads of fun!! If you can't catch it live, the video should be available next week. Just cut and paste this link below. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/971964474506082

On that note, I'm out of here. I have lots to get done today, and I have another quilt on the long arm, but I'm not sure I'll have time to finish it—it's a big one. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!1

This is why I like to shop local

I haven't had a chance to check out that video on the wonky quilt yet. I hope to do that today. 

I had a Zoom in the morning and also had to check the equipment for my upcoming Facebook Live tomorrow. It's on Applique and on the PFAFF page. The microphone I want to use isn't working, and this story is why I LOVE to shop locally and in person. I seem to be missing a cable. I've used this configuration in the past, but used earbuds instead and I have to say I'm not thrilled with these new earbuds. I need to test to determine whether they need to be returned. I love their battery life, but they don't always work as headphones and a mic. 

I had a quick glance online at new mics (just in case I needed a new one), and then I hopped in the car and went to Henry's, a camera shop. I have bought many things at Henry's, and they are close by. I always start there when I need something specific. I go to the Oakville store, which is near to my home. 

I hit the mother lode as I pulled out my equipment, and the staff person knew exactly what I had and how to use it! We had a great conversation about my setup, and all I needed was a microphone cable to hook the microphone to the switch box. AHA—that switch box I use is pretty tricky. That visit cost me $12. I would never have gotten that kind of service from any online store or general big-box store. 

Then we discussed options if I wanted a new mic. The boom mic I'm using is big, and technically, I gave it to DH for use at his computer desk. So I have an option for the future. I didn't buy it yesterday, but I may go back because my mic on those earbuds isn't always reliable. 

So this is why I'll continue to buy local rather than online! 

Besides the equipment check, I had one Zoom, and then the day was mine, but I didn't accomplish much. I puttered but didn't get any serious work done. Today I have to assemble all the things for my Facebook Live tomorrow; I also need to get some of those niggling little things out of the way. 

I managed to quilt another quilt for Quilts of Valour. I'll trim that, and then I have TWO bindings to do. I do not want to leave that until the pile becomes unmanageable, so I must stay on top of that. 

Quilts of Valour quilt - DONE

I have a few more customer quilts to work on, alternating between theirs and mine. That's my focus for June, and then I hope to spend some time in July working on quilts for community projects. It's time to make a dent in that pile. 

I have three pouches—call them fanny packs, waist pouches, or whatever you want, but here are two of them. While I have my nice Michael Kors purse, I never use it. It stores all the things I potentially want in a purse, but I never use it. 

The orange one is my driving pouch and carries the car key and insurance. I throw my cards in there when I use it. The other one is the walking pouch, and I use it when I walk the dogs since I don't have pockets these days with no jacket. It's large enough for my phone, and if I go shopping on foot, I can throw my cards in there. 

Pouches to carry things

I have a third one that I use when hiking. It's similar to the black one but a bit larger, so my passport fits in. I LOVE these pouches. They're super handy when shopping or walking, and I certainly do NOT need to carry a purse. I could never understand the concept of carrying a whole bunch of stuff in a bag wherever I go. Why do I need all that? 

Finding the right pouches took a long time, but now that I have found a solution, I wouldn't part with them for a million dollars! None of them are huge, and I have them under a sweatshirt/jacket, and no one would even know it's there. 

So here are some pictures of my girls that show how silly they can be. While I was having a quick nap and a good read in the gazebo yesterday, Miss Lexi was tucked UNDER the gazebo and happy as could be. 

MOM -- I need a little quiet time! 

I don't understand how she gets in and out from there, and I used to be afraid she would get stuck, but she seems to have no issues. 

On the other hand, Murphy is like a bull in a china shop. This is why I wonder how our backyard flowers find time to grow. 

Mom - just pretending I'm out in the meadow!

Yep -- that's smack in the middle of a bed of irises. At least she's not lying down, which she loves to do when the plants aren't quite so big. Oh, Murphy!!

I was sitting outside last night, and a few bugs started to come out, so I came into the house. I left the screen door open by about 6 inches so the girls could still come and go. I just sat down in the living room when I could hear Lexi whining at the door. You have to be kidding me!!!!

Someone help me - I've been locked outside!! 

That girl is such a princess! She can't open the door a smidgen wider and come in. Oh no -- someone has to do that for her!

Murphy would barge right in and push the door aside. One of our other "smart" dogs learned a two-step process to open the door. If the screen was completely shut, she would touch the opposite edge of the door to nudge open a crack on the other side. Then she got her hose in the crack and widened the opening. Smart dog! 

When they were repairing the water in the backyard, the screen door was completely open at one point, which wasn't good enough for Murphy. She sat at the door and whined. Not because the opening wasn't large enough, but because she wanted someone to play with her, and she didn't like that someone was outside and not paying her attention! 

MOM -- come out and play!!

Oh, Murphy!!!

OK -- I have a list of things to get done today and I'd better get some focus happening here. I still haven't sent any class follow-ups for weeks and that must be done! 

I'm off to the gym, but I think I'll do my own thing. I seem to have a pulled muscle in my leg, so I will take it easy. I have a feeling that my issues with my leg and lower back are related to very tight muscles. So, I'm making an effort to stretch very often, and perhaps I overdid one of those stretches! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!