Be OPEN!!!!

I can breathe a huge sigh of relief this morning. There are two one-hour Zooms to do this morning, and everything is prepped - even the follow-up emails. Well, they are as prepped as they can be until after the class. My jacket is done - as much as is needed to wear it. We won't tell anyone! And there are 9 items left on my to-do list. I've been on fire this morning!! 

But let's start with yesterday. We started the day with the Color My World class. Here is my quilt so far. 

My version of Color My World

I still have a bit of appliqué in those center blocks along the edges, and there are two more blocks to stitch for the left-side corners. I made the Big Ben block in the top right as per the pattern, and can you believe I still have loads of millennium fabric, and I found a clock face there. That was suggested by Barbara Black when she ran this quilt as a Block of the Month for The Quilt Show. Otherwise, I'm not sure I would have remembered those fabrics. 

My Big Ben clock face

OK -- I confessed, and it's not the first time, that I was MAD to collect every piece of Y2K fabric I could get my hands on. I've used a very small portion for the backing of a quilt, and the rest sits in the basket. I may have an idea for that fabric! Oh yes --- I must dig it out and put it with the rest of the fabric I'm amassing for an upcoming project! 

However, it sure came in handy for this project!! But I could always have made a clock face, used a flower, or something else equally creative! No need to HOARD Y2K fabric just to have a clock face 26 years later! 

One of the blocks in the Color My World quilt was the One World Trade Center in New York. I have not seen the building in person, so it doesn't mean anything to me. I choose to substitute that block for the CN Tower. There is no pattern for the CN Tower, so I drafted my own. And I wasn't certain what color to make it, since the rest of the quilt is bright. We all know they light up the CN Tower, and I even took liberty with that color. 

The top of my CN Tower block

And yes, the right side looks a bit wonky as I think some of the lines weren't quite as straight as the left. Who cares --- it's done! I'm just darn proud of myself for "building" the pattern so I could paper piece it. 

Here are my two corner blocks. 

Big Ben

I just looked this up online because I thought it was called The Clock Tower with Big Ben being the bell inside the tower. Not so. Apparently, in 2012, Queen Elizabeth renamed the Clock Tower to Elizabeth Tower. 

My CN Tower block 

WOW --- I cannot believe how creative the participants have become with their quilts. Their corner blocks, which they have been working on for months, are so creative, and some blocks are so personalized to their lives. I'm blown away and can't wait to share their finished tops in June. Great job to everyone working on the Color My World quilt. 

Then it was on to the jacket class, and OH DEAR -- I had so much to say that I went over the hour. I rarely do that, but it happened. We had a lot to discuss, and there was a lot of show-and-tell. I've decided to run an extra (and free) class for the group. It will be open to anyone who wants and will be on Zoom. 

There is a series of videos for making the Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio. The videos are amazing, and I learned a ton. But there are some things in the videos that I would do differently, and I wanted to discuss those. So that will be the topic of probably TWO free sessions. If you are interested, hang tight - I'll be posting the information on how to get signed up when I'm back from vacation. 

The dates, if you want to see whether they work for you, are May 23 and June 27. 

Now is that darn jacket done? Well, yes, it is. There are no buttons on it, and the sleeve/shoulder seam isn't finished, but no one will know! It is a cropped jacket with long sleeves. I added embroidery to the sleeve ends and the back. Since this photo was taken, I have top-stitched around the edges, so it lies much flatter. 

The jacket front

OH GOSH—ignore my poor posture. I took this picture myself, and I keep forgetting to stand up straight. Is it any wonder that DH left an article from The Globe and Mail of one person's journey as they attempted to correct their posture? It will make me look like a million dollars if I can get it under control. I'm anxious to read the article. As we age, it's so important that we keep that posture under control. 

The jacket back

I'm very happy with the jacket, and it fits beautifully. It will look better when there isn't a T-shirt rolled up under it! 

The homework involving partially completed or finished jackets in class was amazing. It's crazy how many of us (yes—myself included) are deathly afraid of making garments. Why is that? We used to do it all the time. And then, when we make something, we don't think it's worthy enough to wear. That has to stop. I am encouraging everyone in that class, or even you --- make a jacket and wear it all the time! If you want a comfy jacket to wear in the house, then make a sweatshirt jacket. That is much nicer than wearing a plain sweatshirt!!! 

But the participants in the jacket class came through, and the homework just popped out of the woodwork. Great job to everyone who made a jacket, and we all learned so much from each other. I would not be nearly as smart as I am if I didn't teach. It's amazing what you can learn from others!!! 

I will admit there are times when I "resent" a comment or suggestion from a student. How dare they interrupt my class? But when push comes to shove, those comments and suggestions often turn into wonderful ideas, and all we need to do is keep our minds open and realize they are NOT criticizing but offering a different point of view. We all learn differently, and sometimes their suggestion hits home to another student, where my point of view may fall flat. 

Be open!!!!

I will have the potential list of classes ready for you tomorrow. 

And I want to remind you that there might be a blip in the blog posts while I settle into a new time zone, but since I'm going ahead of you by 5 or 6 hours, that shouldn't be a problem. I have NOT found that darn keyboard, although the minute I woke up this morning, an idea popped into my head. I looked, and it was not there. I've decided to take my iPad. 

I also did something yesterday that I typically do NOT do. But I'm packed! Why so early? That's what DH asked me! I had a few minutes to spare, so I dug out my clothes and threw them in the suitcase -- it's a small carry-on and doesn't weigh much. I don't need a lot—shorts, shoes, underwear, etc. I still have the toiletries to pack, but that won't take long, and I may have to zip to the drugstore as I don't think I have a travel-size toothpaste! 

Most of the remaining tasks for this afternoon involve the computer, so that shouldn't be too bad. I should be able to get everything done, and what doesn't get done can wait. 

I always lament that going on vacation is a pain because of all the prep work I need to do. However, if I look closely at the list of things to do, it all could have been done weeks/months ago, and now the crunch time is here. So I have no one to blame but myself. I'm getting better, and that's all that counts. I'm not stressed - I don't stress about things like this. Just keep moving! 

The girls are going to be in a tizzy when we leave. They were already getting excited when KU and her friends left yesterday. We are on the same flight but one day later. 

Phew -- just took a few minutes and completed one more task. The more I can complete before the UFO group, the less I have to do after! All is good. I sure wish I could find that keyboard, but I'm not going to waste my time looking for it. I'm not hiking on this trip, so the weight isn't a big deal, but I sure hate to take that iPad with me. One expensive thing to lose. 

On that note -- have a wonderful day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

You have to be there to experience it!

I, like many of you, am consumed by the Artemis 2 mission to the dark side of the moon. I admit that I wasn't really aware of the mission until recently. Seriously?? They have been planning this event for years! Oh well! Listening to the very articulate and humble crew members, how can you not be fascinated by it all? 

I saw a comment yesterday from one of the crew members (Reid, I believe) that NO ONE else will ever understand all that happened on that mission. I totally get this, as that is how we felt when we completed our Tour du Canada. Ten weeks on bicycles with a ragtag group of people from around the world (mostly Canadians). 

If I were to talk about what it was like when we had days of rain, or a double fatality accident, or the elation of riding up Signal Hill, you would get it, but you wouldn't really. That is a feeling that can only be shared amongst the people involved. The bonding amongst the members was incredible. Of course, we didn't have the same level of publicity as Artemis 2!

But imagine being shut off from the world for 10 days, not realizing how much the world was watching their media interviews and cheering them on. Then to come home and realize? That would be very overwhelming to say the least. I think the crew members have handled themselves with exemplary behavior. 

Someone else mentioned that we need this kind of thing right now. Not AI-generated, not fighting, not half-baked ideas, but something very solid and very real that we can all attach some bit of hope! And how can you not love little Rise! What a cool idea, and that 8-year-old who designed it must be floating on air (pun intended)! Rise will likely go into the space museum, and replicas will be made. 

And then I got listening to Catherine, Jeremy's wife, and it was interesting to hear her side of the story, although she did a great job of keeping her worry inside. But she's a professional, and you do what you have to do. But it brought home the side that you don't typically see -- the talk that all families have before their loved ones get blasted into space. What must that feel like? 

But it was something she said last year that made me think twice. I'm paraphrasing here -- Not everyone is lucky enough to find passion in their job. There are the lucky ones who no longer have to work. Why? Because they are so passionate about their jobs that work is no longer work for them. One needs to be careful in those positions because you can do so much that you lose touch with reality and can burn out. 

But if you don't have the fortune to be passionate about your job, then be passionate about everything else in your life! 

That was the statement that made me think. Of course, if you hate your job, then you need something else to get you out of bed in the morning. Whether that is your loved ones, a hobby, volunteer work, or whatever-- we all need some PASSION in our lives. I hope you find something passionate in your life. 

I was very fortunate to have found TWO things in life that I'm passionate about—teaching and quilts. In my case, they are married. I will always be a teacher, but doing less, so I can enjoy the process more - avoid that burnout! And quilts and quilting will always be a part of my life as well.  

I will be posting the list of potential classes for the fall on the blog tomorrow. Actually, I might do that this afternoon, and that blog post can be shared with anyone you think might want to take a class from me. More on that in that post. 

Well, enough about the space guys -- let's talk about me. Well, not about me specifically, but about the darn jacket. I had a vent session with KU about how I wished I had told her sister that I don't do dress codes for things like weddings. And as I was venting, I realized I have a beautiful, deep purple/pink scarf I could wear, and everything would have been good from the get-go! 

It doesn't matter - the jacket is together. I still have to do some top stitching, but this fabric is a challenge to press, which is why it's casual, but it still looks dressy. I'll share the picture and the story (yes—there's always a story) with you tomorrow. It's perfect for travel because the fabric certainly will NOT wrinkle, even if it were run over by a truck! Even better - it fits, and I like it. 

I think I might throw that scarf in my suitcase. It's one that DH bought me 20+ years ago, and it's never been worn. One of those fancy brand-name scarves that cost a lot of money. Sheesh—I love scarves, but they don't need to cost a lot. It will work with the jacket! 

What was funny is that as I was sewing the jacket together, I realized I didn't need to look at the instructions. A jacket is a jacket - you start with the shoulder seams, then the side, add the collar, then the sleeves. Well, it's not quite as simple as that and depends on whether you are putting a lining in it - this one has a lining. I guess I've made enough clothing in my life that it comes naturally to me to assemble it. TRUST YOUR GUT!!!

Sorry -- there are no pictures this morning, as I was so focused on the jacket and want to share it with the group first. 

Last night, when DH and I were at dinner, we discussed things for the upcoming vacation, such as whether we had purchased our e-SIM cards yet. Yep -- by the time I got home, I was getting e-SIM ads from the very company that we typically buy from. Can you believe it? 

And this morning, while I was watching a YouTube video, an ad appeared in my feed (OK, one picture) from an embroidery design company, featuring a design I had purchased. Was that by chance? Probably not! 

I bought that embroidery design on the right! 

I am a dolt with technology. Everything is set for our Airbnb, where we are staying for the first couple of days. But I decided to prebook a car to get us from the airport to the Airbnb. That wasn't working so well because I couldn't get a notification from the bank when I put my credit card in. Then DH says, "Do you have notifications blocked for the bank app?" OH --- I guess I did! All is good, and we are all set for the first four days. After that? It's a crap shoot, as the four of us scatter in different directions. M and Dillon will be with us. As a matter of fact, they are on the same flight as us. How did that happen? That will be a very long day for them as they come from Vancouver and then onto the next flight. 

I had better take a look at my phone because I have turned everything off - notifications, ringtones, everything! But I'm slowly turning them back on (only notifications) as I need them. I hate having my phone dictate when a message comes in with a beep. I will look at it when I want to. But I do NOT need to be married to the phone. 

I decided I had better start digging out things for the trip --- good thing I did, because I couldn't find anything. It typically goes in the closet in the spare room, but since it is being used these days, I put things in different places. And oh my -- I had a mild panic when I couldn't find my travel clothes. BUT I found them and my backpack, and I think I'm good. 

There is only one thing I can't find, and I desperately need it, or the blogs are going to be very short: my small keyboard. Worst case, I can take my iPad, but it's a lot heavier than the keyboard! Wish me luck today as I try to find it. This is the problem with putting things away and not being able to put them in their regular home! 

The presentations are locked and loaded! We have a Virtual Retreat this afternoon, and I might be able to finish the few remaining things on my jacket. It's wearable - no one will know that the sleeve seams aren't finished inside and that it really should have buttons! 

Here is the link for the Virtual Retreat this afternoon. We start at 3 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89610782501?pwd=7dCrhiL5t8Xa4TVwZPvhL6cOymbcjK.1

Meeting ID: 896 1078 2501
Passcode: 148311

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

Fear of getting rid of things

The good news is that the jacket is cut out, and I'm ready to sew it together today. Even better news: both presentations are almost finished, and I really only have to add whatever pictures I get sent by 6 PM tonight. After that, I don't add the pictures. 

I laugh LOUDLY when someone sends me pictures while I'm giving the presentation or just before, expecting them to be in the presentation. I used to run around making that happen. I don't do that anymore. 

I have a personal morning routine and often have multiple classes, so when someone sends me a picture, I could already be on a call or walking the dogs. I try to remind people every month—6 PM the night before —but it takes time to train them! I just ignore the late pictures now. 

As for the weddings? No weddings for years! And then two this year, and BOTH of them wanted the guests to wear a specific color. I am so tempted to just say NO, but I should have said NO months ago, before I even started this jacket. It's kind of late at this point, and I can always use the jacket as a sample, so it won't go to waste. 

Both weddings are family members, and one of the brides is a close family member. There is a color theme. I drew the line when it was suggested that we all buy a dress from the same website (Bridemaid's dresses, no less! I don't think that is going to happen, since I'm not planning to wear a dress. If I were a bridesmaid—I'd be happy to accommodate the bride and wear the color she wants —but as the mother of the bride, or especially a guest, who the heck cares what color I wear? 

Trust me -- I've made it very public that I may end up going in pink bike shorts if the jacket doesn't get done! I think it's absolutely ridiculous and I'm really regretting that I didn't say that sooner. Sigh..............

BUT, on the bright side, I have learned a lot while making that jacket, so I can't totally discount the fact that I'm making it. I was going to make a matching skirt and even bought the fabric. That's when I thought - how cute. That thought has long gone, and I'll be wearing a color NOT normally worn to weddings. That's my protest!!! And if the jacket needs to come off? Guess what? I'll look like I'm going to a funeral, and I don't really care! But we won't tell anyone about my plans! I'm going on a wandering vacation after the wedding, and I don't want to be tied down by luggage. 

Darn—I could have worn a pink scarf—silly me. My brain wasn't thinking. 

I continued to put stuff away yesterday, and this is one of the fabrics I recently purchased. OK—so I did buy a couple of things just because. This was in the half-price sale bin, and while that picture looks very weird, it's because of the neutrality of the print and the color (lime green) that I bought it. 

Lime green fabric

This one was intriguing as it was a fabric made of selvages. I imagine that these are real selvages from over the years. 

Selvage fabric

Can you believe that the repeat was TWO METERS long? OK -- I confess that I bought two meters of it. 

The repeat of the selvage fabric

Then I got some scrappy hourglass blocks sewn, pressed, and trimmed. 

Scrappy hourglass blocks done!

And then they went into the container with all the trimmed ones, as well as some triangles that are waiting to be turned into hourglass blocks. More stuff cleared up in Studio B. 

The container with the scrappy hourglass blocks

This was a table runner (pulled from those bins in the "to be quilted" area) that I quilted for my Facebook Live using the Large Magnetic Hoop. I finished the final hooping of embroidery last week, and it was hanging around, so I trimmed it. 

Trimming the table runner

It's now ready for binding. And I have to tuck the thread ends in, which is a good job to do while on the Virtual Retreat call tomorrow. This was from a class at Ruti's Needlebed back in 2012 or thereabouts. 

The table runner is ready for binding.

I had one more wall hanging that needed to have the binding put on, but it also needed a quilt sleeve. That got made, and I'll attach the binding either later today or tomorrow. It depends on whether I need a break from sewing that jacket. 

The sleeve is on this wall hanging.

We are getting a ton of rain these days. Thankfully, no thunderstorms in the last couple of days, but the rain! 

Guess who got all gussied up yesterday? Miss Murphy, and look how pretty she looks. 

MOM - I HATE going to the groomer

And now you can see her white socks!!! 

Pretty white socks

She did come home very stressed and had leg spasms, which she had never had before. But I lay down with her for a while, and soon she was her own self again. She goes to the groomer every 6 months, but as she gets older, I guess the stress of standing for two hours is becoming too much for her. I will address that with the groomer for next time. Maybe she needs a break. 

She was super excited when she realized that she was going in the car. Ran around like an idiot, and when we got out at the groomer (right beside a vet), the smells were insane. BUT when I opened the door to the groomer? That was another story. She wasn't super excited to go in. They have treats you can buy -- I might have to buy her one once inside to show her this is not a scary place. 

I came across this article about decluttering when I was tidying up the desk. It's easy to believe that getting rid of the stuff isn't really the problem; it's the fear of doing so for various reasons that is the problem.

• What if I need that? 
• I should keep it - just in case!
• Someone gave that to me.
• I'm not sure, so I'll just keep it! 
• What if it's worth something? 

How many of those statements have gone through your mind as you hold something in your hand? It happens to me all the time. But here are a few things that I've learned: 

What if I need that? 

You need to evaluate what you are throwing out. Most information can easily be found on the internet or in your digital files. If it is a physical thing, unless it's something extremely rare, you can always buy it again if you need it. And do you need every scrap of wood or fabric around? You do not! And if you choose to keep it -- then get it organized so it's not clutter. Find a home for it! 

I should keep it - just in case! 

Seriously? Do you really need to be the one to produce every single item that someone (including you) will need for the future? How much room is that taking up in your house? That's like keeping your child's toys so you can pass them along to the grandchildren. It's NOT going to happen. There will be new characters and colors that the grandchildren will want, not the ones from years ago. If someone can use the item now, get rid of it and let someone else use it. Many items become dated, and sadly, our world today doesn't do dated. Now, if that item is special for whatever reason, keep it, but don't keep it just because—make sure you have a specific reason for keeping it. I could never understand the people with massive purses filled with items - just in case!! My shoulders tremble at the thought of carrying that around. 

Someone gave that to me. 

Oh boy—just because some gave you something is no reason to keep it. If you don't like the item, you are finished with it, or it doesn't fit - find a way to exchange it or give it away. There is a very good chance that after one year (or less), they will NOT remember giving you that item. Unless it's something they made or have a family connection to. But a store-bought item? They won't remember. Think back to that memory quilt that I was supposed to make for that woman. When I asked her about it, she didn't even remember it!!! I have a couple of jigsaw puzzles that I was going to keep because of who gave them to me. You know what? When I'm back from my vacation, the current one on the table, which is complete (and related to the vacation), will be packed up and passed along. It's nice, but I will likely never do it again, so there's no reason to keep it. I'll have the memories, and that's all that counts. 

I'm not sure, so I'll just keep it. 

Come on!!! That is NOT an excuse - that is being lazy and not wanting to make the actual decision. Do you want it, need it? If the answer is no -- then just get rid of it!!!

What if it's worth something someday? 

You can easily do some research NOW to see the trend in the value of things. Most old things, especially toys and games, are only worth a lot of money if they are in their original boxes. Which means they were never played with, and therefore don't have memories. Google almost anything, and you can get an idea, but most things? They will not be worth what you think they are. Electronics and other tools? Newer models come out all the time, so if you think you are going to make a ton of money reselling them, think again. I recently sold a Cricut machine. Do you know that you can buy a refurbished one for under $180? So I certainly couldn't sell mine for more than what the market will bear! 

Take each item that you are struggling with and put it in a place of honor in your house - maybe the kitchen counter or the kitchen table. Live with it for a day and visualize what will happen to that item. I think it's easier to get rid of something if you see it every day than if it's hidden in a box, where you can ignore it. Now, it's easy to ask the questions—why am I keeping this, and what will I do with it? 

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

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Here is the link for the Virtual Retreat. Remember—there is ONLY a retreat on SATURDAY. There won't be anything on Sunday, as I scramble to pack my few items for my vacation. 

Saturday, April 18 - Starts at 3 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89610782501?pwd=7dCrhiL5t8Xa4TVwZPvhL6cOymbcjK.1

Meeting ID: 896 1078 2501
Passcode: 148311

It's tidy up time!

There was no lightning or thunder last night, but I have a Velcro dog with me this morning. And it's NOT Murphy. Miss Lexi heard me get up, and she's attached to my leg! It's only foggy outside, so I'm not sure what the problem is! 

I MUST get some of this crap off my desk today. It looks like a tornado hit, which is typical, but why can't I keep it clear? I'm working on it, and I spend time at the desk each and every day, but getting rid of this paper? It just doesn't seem to happen. 

I just had a quick peek at what's there, and OK—so it won't take that long to tidy up! 

I'm happy to report that I've completed a lot of work on the weekend presentations, which is a bonus. And most of the sewing is done as well, so I'm well on my way to completing those tasks. Now I need to get to work on that jacket. It's weighing on my mind, and I need to get to work on it, or I'll be wearing a pink T-shirt to the wedding. 

Frankly, I don't get why brides need to dictate what color the guests wear to a wedding. Seriously? I think that is why my mind is blocked about the jacket. I'm paying big bucks to attend the wedding in another country, and I have to pack clothes in specific colors as well? My brain just doesn't compute unnecessary things! Sigh................  I'll do what I can. 

Since I can't share what I'm sewing yet, I have to revert to the girls and the stuff around the neighborhood. WAIT -- I did manage to clear up the cutting table. It wasn't good - I simply shifted the stuff to another table - at least until I'm back. 

I found this panel and some metallic rickrack that I purchased at Fabricland in North Battleford! It's super cute, and I only bought the rick rack after I saw another customer getting it cut so she could add to her stash. I think that color goes very nicely with the panels I bought!

Metallic rickrack and fabric panels

When I was at Quilty Pleasures earlier this week, I noticed small quilts throughout the store, some with sayings and some without. It was great to happen upon these small quilts, and I love the idea of inspirational sayings on them. So I have to get myself in gear and make some of these. They are small and only require quilting, which can easily be done using the embroidery machine, plus some rickrack and binding, and it's done!

Speaking of inspirational sayings, you just never know where you're going to find something that puts a smile on your face. I was on my way to the grocery store to get oatmeal, and I spotted this box along the side of the sidewalk. 

A quote along the sidewalk!

I'm guessing that it's from a shoebox, but who cares! I love the quote, and it's so true. The only thing that should matter to us is the things that are important to us. I think that is all about being passionate about something. Of course, there are lots of things that matter to us, but we can't affect what happens to them. I'm sure the people driving past had a chuckle as I took a picture of something on the side of the road. I think a lot of people haven't found what matters to them. 

I'm past the point of caring!! 

So Murphy can be equated to a bull in a china shop. She is happy to get into everything and has no issues with tight corners, as she likes to squeeze under a table top or a corner to get comfy. But what about the backdoor? This is NOT wide enough for her, and she stood outside for a very long time, wanting to come in, and wouldn't touch the door until I opened it further. Now, why is that? 

MOM - the door isn't wide enough!

And then last night, while I was watching a video, she wanted to get cozy, and there wasn't enough room in the chair for both of us. So we switched places, and I let her cozy up in the chair while I sat on the footstool and watched my videos! What a spoiled girl!

MOM - I can't see the video! 

And these blooms just popped out of the blue. OK -- they were probably there for a couple of days, and I only spotted them yesterday. The weather has been inclement in the morning, and I may have had my hood up or the umbrella over my head! 

Daffodils

But spring is definitely here, and that's all that counts. It's 12 degrees right now, but very foggy, and it's very early in the morning. 

Instead of focusing on the blog, I've been putting away papers that were sitting on the desk. It looks a wee bit better. At least the section where my keyboard sits is now clear. Although I need to find a new mousepad. The one I have doesn't work so well with my new mouse. 

Sigh—this is what happens when people don't communicate well. As I was clearing up the paper, I happened upon a note. What's the note? OH --- it's a note my mom wrote me, and it was attached to that jigsaw puzzle that they couldn't find. 

I had written Dad an email saying that I wanted him to pick up a jigsaw puzzle on my behalf at the Museum. That was in early February. He did so, but when he got it home, he had NO CLUE what he was to do with the puzzle. Even though I wrote in the email that he was to hang on to it for me. When I asked about the puzzle when I got there, neither of them remembered it. He remembered picking it up, but had no clue what happened to it. 

Well, the note from Mom was somewhat nasty, and she had taped it to the box and stuck it in the box at the door. She got her knickers in a knot for something that had nothing to do with her. It was MY puzzle. Sigh..................   Even writing things out doesn't help them. And why couldn't he just ask in an email what he was supposed to do with it? 

While I can handle the nasty note (it was about the picture on the front - ribbon skirts that are popular among Indigenous peoples), it's the fact that she wrote the note and taped it to the puzzle, and she didn't remember that? That is very worrisome. 

Mom has a habit of writing nasty notes to people and then wondering why they no longer write to her. Sigh..................

I reached out to Joseph, the spin instructor. I feel so bad for him, and I also have on my list to send some feedback to the gym. I am very disappointed, and I can only imagine it's some ridiculous, politically correct reason that he was let go. And that's a shame because their people are their assets, and to get rid of someone who cared so much about his class is terrible. 

Well, I'm off to see Brooke this morning, and I'd better get myself organized for that. There is a ton of stuff to do today, and I'd better get moving. I may or may not make a list of everything that needs to be done before I leave on Sunday. That might be too scary. While I like going on vacation, the prep work to get everything ready is not my favorite! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Let's play ball!!!

I had several cat naps yesterday and slept in a bit this morning, so I think I'm all caught up and good to get back to serious business today! 

I don't know about you, but this Artemis 2 space mission is just amazing. I know it's over, but hearing all the back stories about the astronauts and what it took to get them there is incredible. It should also teach us, our children, and their children that if you want something, it doesn't come easily. Those four people are the most humble people I've seen in a long time. They are also amazing spokespeople, and show that you don't need a privileged background to succeed - you need hard work, and persistence!! Go Artemis 2 team go!!! Where will the next mission take us? 

I spent the morning at the computer and made huge progress on both presentations for Saturday. Today, I must get myself in gear and get some sewing done. I did a smidgen of sewing yesterday, and that's OK. 

I still had a suitcase of modern quilts that needed to be sorted and taken upstairs. That task is almost complete. Then I had the suitcase from the Monday events, as well as a couple of bags of stuff to put away. 

I brought all the stuff that goes back in Studio B and threw it on the table. I'm happy to report that almost all this stuff is put away. All that remains are the few items that I need to work on this week. Everything else is gone. This packing and unpacking is a challenge, and one must be on their toes to put things back where they belong, or it's a disaster the next time you attempt to find something. 

The table of stuff to put away

It's a slow and methodical process, and you put on some good music or an audiobook, and all is good! 

There are a few things on the cutting table that need to be addressed because I now need the space. I managed to get this pillow out of the packaging. A cup came with it!!! That's from the Pony Express from the Saskatchewan trip. Oh yes -- the Pony Express was working on this trip as well. I dropped off something and picked up other things!

A new bicycle cushion for the living room

I now have a new cushion for the living room and a new mug for tea! 

We had more lightning and thunder around 3:30 this morning, but I was already awake, and so I came down to do some computer work, and I had two velcro dogs surrounding me. Once it stopped, I went back for more sleep. 

These are pictures from yesterday's walk with the girls. The creek in the forest behind the house is rather high. It's a dry creek in the summer.  

The creek in the forest is running high.

And the water is running swiftly through the culverts. At one point, several years ago, this path was flooded. I was traveling when it happened, so I never got pictures, but there were signs that the entire area was shut down. Thankfully, there is a hill between our house and this area. 

The creek has a lot of water.

It was the strangest day -- it was quite warm, low 20 degrees, and the sun came out in the afternoon, and I went for a walk in shorts! I also sat in the backyard for a bit, and Murphy is pretty persistent. 

While I just wanted some downtime, she was insistent on playing with her ball! She's so calculating in dropping the ball in the water. She knows what will happen, and her actions are fully intentional. Lucky for me, there was a slight breeze, and the ball would come back to the edge. She was so careful, and here she's trying to use the log as a brace to reach for the ball. But she knows she will crash into the pond, so that didn't work. 

Maybe this log will hold me!

I tried to show her how to use the net to fetch the ball, so I wouldn't have to get up and use it. That didn't work either!

MOM -- I can't use the net!!!

Then she got miffed and went to lie behind these bushes next to the house. I tried very hard to get her face in the picture, and if you look closely, you can see her eyes. She is quite the pouter when she wants to be!

MOM - I just want to play ball with you!

But we did play ball later, and she was one happy camper. I notice she doesn't play as long as she used to, and that makes me sad. It just means we have to play more often, but for shorter times to keep her little brain occupied! She is one big goofball! 

MOM - can you see me? 

I have several videos to watch in preparation for the weekend classes, and I need to get myself organized to finish watching them. I am not one to speed things up, but I may have to to watch all that needs to be watched. I'm a patient person, I'll just sit back and take the time. Really, there is no need for speed. 

I finished the audiobook yesterday (My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing) and OH MY GOSH. All I can say is this plot is TWISTED!!!! And I finished the ebook (The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery), and it's a fun, light read, and I loved it! I can't wait for a sequel!

I did not go to spin class this morning. I'm still upset by what happened to Joseph, and I really need to send a feedback email. I'm not happy about what happened, and I'm not going to spin in protest. I will have to evaluate that situation when I'm back from holidays. Will I do something other than spin? I'm not sure. I am even considering changing gyms, and maybe this week I'll check it out. 

Thanks to the people who have sent in suggestions for a fall sew-along class. I now have ten ideas!!! Yikes!!!!! Which one will be the lucky winner? I'll be sharing them with my groups this weekend, and then I'll post the ideas online for feedback. The feedback is not a commitment to the pattern or the class; it's just to see what people think. Of course, I'm excited, and I will NOT under any circumstances be persuaded to do more than one. Don't even ask - it's not going to happen. 

I will also be teaching a multi-part session on scrap quilts, which will make two classes. But anything else? Not going to happen unless it's a short one- or two-session class, or maybe the occasional in-person. 

I love being able to spend the necessary time prepping for the class and having the homework completed!

Well, on that note, I'd better get moving as there is a lot to get done today - I have a jacket to make! As for the Virtual Retreat, I will do one on Saturday night only. There won't be time on Sunday, as I'll likely be packing, which only takes a few minutes, but I may be doing the final stitches on that jacket, and I'll need focus!!!!

I'll post the link later this week. We will start EARLIER on Saturday since it's the only day of the virtual retreat. Likely at 3 PM. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Much ado about sleep!

If this post doesn't make sense this morning - it's not my fault!!! As I sit here writing, I'm sandwiched between a Husky and a Retriever who are NOT very happy! They are literally glued to my legs. I'll tell you why in a second. 

I didn't make it outside for a walk before heading down to Quilty Pleasures, which was just a few blocks from the hotel. All was good. The people who attended the events went home with their brains overloaded, but they had the opportunity to ask tons of questions, and we had a great time with lots of laughs. 

And you have to love it when all the technology goes as planned, like the computer connecting directly to the TV for the presentation. The Singer Momento connected to the computer without issue, and it cut like a hot knife through butter! That's how everything is supposed to work, but you know me and technology - there are some days when technology doesn't work as it's supposed to. It was a great day! 

I had a look around the store between presentations and a few things found their way home with me --- YES -- including some fabric which I typically do not purchase. I haven't unpacked yet, so I'll share later. 

I met up with a friend for dinner - a simple affair at Tim's and we had a grand chat, and I decided to hit the road about 7 PM. It was a five-hour drive, which should get me home around midnight. 

The GPS took me on a bit of a tour through the countryside. I was listening intently to my audiobook and didn't pay attention to the road signs, and, well, I got myself back onto the 401, but not nearly as soon as I had planned. The GPS must have been looking for the shortest distance. I will say that when I went there, I had about 15 km left showing on the gas tank. this time? I had over 100 Km. Now, why is that? Oh --- speed plays a big factor! It wasn't a big deal, and despite driving some of the country roads, the time to get home was the same. 

You drive faster but cover more KMs, or drive slower and go as the crow flies! It was the same thing. All I can say is that at that time of night, there wasn't much traffic. I saw several signs indicating that ALL LANES were closed as I neared Toronto, so I took matters into my own hands and took the toll road to bypass the closures. I didn't want to get stuck in traffic. There was NO traffic on the toll highway. It was very weird. 

The trip home was pretty uneventful, except when I was on the phone chatting with M. I wasn't driving super fast, and I spotted a deer on the side of the road. YIKES!!! It wasn't going anywhere, but it scared me -- you hear so many stories of deer running out into the road. This one was smart! 

I stopped once and had a nap. Could I have made it home without? Maybe, but I wanted a washroom break anyway, and since I fell asleep right away until my 30-minute alarm woke me up, I think the nap was warranted. I had no need to get home by a certain time. 

I got home and unpacked the car, and all was good. As I neared my neighborhood, the book took an unexpected turn. So when I was thinking I could easily fall asleep when I get home, maybe that's not going to happen. I sat in the driveway and listened to the end of that chapter and decided I could finish the book this morning. 

I did read one chapter in my ebook before falling asleep. It was 1:30 PM. 

I had not looked at the weather, but woke up to find Murphy standing by the bed, and the lightning and thunder were wild. It was crazy, and it was raining like mad. She tried tucking her head between the bed and the nightstand. I don't know why she doesn't stay in the stairs room since it's probably the darkest place in the house. 

She doesn't like cuddling, and she no longer jumps on the bed. She just needed to be close. 

 The lightning lasted about 30 minutes. I heard Murphy go downstairs, then went back to sleep. That was about 3 AM. Phew!

I had barely fallen asleep when I heard her at the back door barking her head off! I came downstairs, but couldn't see a thing. I got her calmed down, showed her there was nothing outside, and went back to bed. That was about 3:30 AM. 

My alarm went off at 4:30 AM. I shut it off and went back to sleep. 

The second alarm went off at 5:00 AM. I shut it off and went back to sleep. 

At 6:00 AM, I heard Murphy back in the room, and the lightning and thunder were incredible. The entire sky was lit up from end to end, and the thunder was booming. At one point, you could feel the thunder. I know that sounds weird, but you could feel it. And it sounded like a torrential downpour. I finally got up at 6:30 so I could write the blog. 

In case you don't believe me about feeling the thunder, here's what AI has to say about that. 

And I'm going to go back to bed the second I publish this blog. Of course, that won't happen because the girls will want their walk, and then I'll go back to bed.

I spent the first part of the evening trying NOT to fall asleep and the second part trying to fall asleep, which wasn't a problem, but I couldn't stay asleep!

I have a lot of work to get done this week before we leave, and OH MY -- we leave on SUNDAY, not Monday, so I'm going to lose a day here! How the heck could I make that mistake when it's very clearly marked in my calendar! 

So we'll have a Virtual Retreat on Saturday night, and I'll be around for part of Sunday. I'll post the links later this week. I may just have the virtual retreat on Saturday night since I won't be around. Good grief—well, since I'm now losing a day, I'd better get myself organized, but not before I get more sleep! 

It's always interesting to walk around stores, and I didn't think I had ever been to Quilty Pleasures, but after being there, I have a distinct memory of my bicycle parked in front of the store. Hmmm --- I need to go back and find that. 

OMG --- as quick as that, I found it. August 13, 2014.   Amazing what information you can find on the blog. This was the second time I did a cross-Canada trip on my bicycle, except it wasn't really cross-Canada. I joined the tour in Tottenham, north of Toronto. 

I rode my bike to Quilty Pleasures in 2014

Shoot --- I should have checked the blog BEFORE I went to that store. I would have taken a picture of my car parked in the space to the left of the bike. That would have been hilarious!!!! 

OH -- it gets even better. I was at Quilty Pleasures on August 23, 2015. This time I had the car and the bike! It looks like I was riding the Waterfront Trail, but I'd have to figure out why I had the bike and the car. I think this year was the year of the Row by Row. I must find the license plate. 

I'm back at Quilty Pleasures.

Well, duh—I'm an idiot for not taking a picture of my car at the store yesterday, and who knew when I was there in 2014/15 that I'd be back 10+ years later for an SVP event!! I think that's hilarious! And I was going to take my row-by-row quilt with me. CRAP!!!!

I knew the store looked familiar when I arrived. 

I did find a pattern that might be interesting to teach in the fall. I need to put them all in one spot and start making some evaluations. 

As for the Christmas cactus? It was given to me with a bloom on it, and well, I'm not the best with plants. And the fact that I'm going away for two weeks - I don't give the plants much hope. Hey - it's already been sitting in the fridge, wrapped in soaking-wet paper towels for a week. Let's see -- it might be a Christmas miracle!!!

On that note, I'm a bit more awake, and I'll take the girls out for a walk since it's stopped raining, and then I can go back to bed. I need to get to work so I can put my headphones on and finish that book (1 hour 32 minutes). Where do women get such twisted tales? Even without the twist, this book (My Lovely Wife) is twisted! 

And maybe not -- it's raining again, and there is still lightning and thunder. Probably best to not walk in the forest, although the storm isn't as close. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Patience is a virtue!!!

I am glad to hear I'm not the only one who lived through "hardships" as a kid. Life was certainly different if you lived in the country or a small town, and probably also the geographical location. I think it developed a certain resiliency in us!!! 

Also, I do not expect everyone to be able to stand up and sit down without using their hands at this point in time. Maybe you are recovering, maybe you are building your strength, so you have to start small and build up your strength in your legs, your core, and your upper body. But do NOT for a minute think that just because you are "old" that you are excused from keeping that strength up! The strength thing is probably MORE important now that you are older than when you were younger. 

If you don't believe me, imagine this, and it won't be pretty. You walk to the washroom. Phew --- that's step number one. Then you need to get undressed for your task. You then need to sit down, and some places don't have handholds. You could use the seat itself to lower yourself, but that could be yucky. OK -- so you have maneuvered yourself down, now you have to get up. Imagine you are all alone!!! Imagine your body weight. There are many factors involved here. 

The issue is that if you cannot go to the washroom on your own, you have lost your independence for a very important bodily function. Please do NOT be one of those people. My Mom is now entirely dependent on my Dad, and that means he is no longer able to do the one thing in his life that he loves. That is a HUGE issue!!! And for the moment, Mom is lucky to have Dad around. He has his own issues and could easily become less capable than she is. What if he gets hurt or sick? 

I think we put the fear of god in her, but perhaps a bit too much, which is why she thought she could just get up and try to walk on her own. Not if you have let your leg muscles atrophy! But she doesn't get it! Sigh....................

I'm not trying to use this scenario to scare you, but just to face reality. And as the clock ticks, our bodies are happy to not listen. I just don't want to see any of you in that same position. It's not pleasant. 

As I dug out my laptop this morning in yet another hotel, I had to find a plug to plug it in. You would think that all hotels would have learned by now to put a plug on the desk so we don't have to search under the table for one. That takes me back to all those days so long ago when we had to hardwire our laptops to the internet in the hotel. And that plug-in was usually UNDER the table, not on top. 

While I might be a big traveler to some of you, DH does a lot more than I do. But if I were to think back on all the business trips over the years, there were lots and of course, loads of stories to share! And crap - I packed everything, but forgot to bring the charger for my Fitbit, so that battery is going to die today, but I certainly won't be getting any steps in today, so it's not a big deal. 

We had two great sessions in the morning yesterday. My current project for Many Blocks is Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt. This was assembled by Jennifer Chiaverini, who is the author of the Elm Creek Series. If you click that link, you'll see MANY quilts made by other people. The blocks have very different construction methods as they were compiled from 72 different people. 

There are 140 blocks in the quilt, and I taught this back in 2012 at Ruti's Needlebed. I know I recently mentioned that. After doing my recap a while back, I found I had made 100 blocks, leaving 40 blocks still to make. The blocks are 6," and altogether, they will make a very large quilt. I don't want another large quilt, so I'm going to make three quilts -- two of them will require 56 blocks each, and with sashing and borders, the quilts will be lap size. The third quilt will use 30 blocks and will be slightly smaller. It means I will have to make 2 blocks for that to happen. 

The big question is, will I make all the blocks in the book? Some of them are pretty complicated and require a lot of work. The answer is YES!!! I want to say that I have made all the blocks, and there is something to learn from the ones remaining. 

What I don't understand is how some of the blocks got abandoned. This block was all cut out and just needed to be assembled. YES -- there are a lot of Y-seams. 

The pieces were cut for this block.

A little bit of patience, and it was together and pretty square. You just take one small seam at a time. 

The bridal bouquet block is together.

Then the next one had the fabrics selected in a bag, but not cut. That was easy enough to cut out. I have all the skills for these blocks!

The next block is ready to sew.

And there was the bow tie block, which also required Y seams. I must have left all those Y-seam blocks for the end. And before I knew it, those two blocks were complete as well. 

Two more blocks

This hunter's star block needed a bit of repair work, as I had put one of the fabrics in the incorrect place. It is paper pieced. The first part of the paper piecing (the thin lines in the middle that form the stars) was done, but the larger triangles still needed to be put on. I made a mistake with the fabric colors and had to fix it. 

Another block is complete.

So with very little effort, four blocks were made. And that completed the first page of the blocks listed in the book. 

I decided to forge ahead because there is very little free time between now and the next class. OK -- I have no idea what was going through my head. This next block is also paper-pieced, and all the components were done!! All that remained was to trim the components and sew them together. Seriously????

One more block

Why --- can you tell me why that block didn't get completed? And I've looked at the next one, and it's the same scenario. It's paper pieced, and all the components are together!!! It just needs to be trimmed and sewn. My brain obviously works in mysterious ways!!!

But then I looked at the next couple of blocks, and fabrics had been selected, but the pieces were not cut out. Well, I'm doing a presentation today on the Singer Momento, which is the 24" digital cutter, and guess what? I needed some samples. So I fussed around, and YEP—I cut the next block with the digital cutter. OK -- so it took a bit of time to figure out how to make that happen, but it took mere seconds (no kidding) to do the cutting. 

I don't have the block together, but it will be easy when I get to it later this week. I have prepped several other blocks that are fussy to cut (appliqué), and it will be good practice to cut them on the Momento. 

Like everything, there is a learning curve, and once you get that under your belt, the rest is easy. Yes --- I am cutting fabric without any stabilizer (fusible) on it, and it's cutting like a hot knife through butter. If you are in the Ottawa area, you should come and see what I'm doing this afternoon!!!! I'll be at Quilty Pleasures in Orleans, and that demo will be from 2 to 5. In the morning (9 - Noon), I'm talking about the Creativate ecosystem and what you can do with it, as well as the Creativate embroidery software. So much fun!!!

For those in the Creativate embroidery software world, here's something new!!! You now have access to this embroidery software on your tablet or iPad. yep --- you are no longer married to your laptop for that. You cannot make modifications, but can you combine and design? Yep -- you have that ability. When I was at my parents' one day, I only had the iPad with me, and I played around with designs from the online Design Catalog and created what would go on the back of my jacket, which I need to finish this coming week for the wedding. 

You just need to select the EMBROIDERY tab from this menu, and you are in!!!

The Creativate app on the iPad

My brain will never (and never wants to) stop learning. There is always something new, and I admit that sometimes it's hard to keep on top of everything, but you just go with the flow. What you don't know, you ask, you find out what resources are available for learning, and then you experiment. Trust me, I have never been so frustrated in my life as I have slogged through some of the learning stuff. But the minute I get it figured out? That is better than winning the lottery. And sometimes we are so impatient because we want it now. I totally get that, but teaching ourselves patience and practicing it is such a useful skill. 

The current generation has not learned that! OK—some have, but not everyone. We all need to learn to MAKE things with our hands! 

I don't know about you, but I am watching tons of videos about the four Artemis 2 astronauts, and wouldn't it be fun to think about going back and redoing your life path? WAIT --- I'm very happy with my life path, and I don't regret it, but can you imagine what life would have been like if we were encouraged from day one to do anything we wanted? As I was growing up in a small town, my path was to become a teacher, a secretary, or a nurse. Those were about the only jobs I had been exposed to. Seriously??? I could have done so many other things, but I had no clue!! 

I eventually became a teacher—who knew that would happen? I'm happy, but if I come back to this world in another life, I'm going far! I guess the important thing in all this is that I found my passion, and I can't complain one bit!

It's unbelievable what you can do in this world. I've been messing around with learning how to create files for 3-D printing, and well, I'm not really at liberty to show you what I did. Well, I can show you, but not in the context. I'll do it another day, when I've got it perfected. But it's been a learning experience, and I'm in love with more opportunities to learn. I'm using the program Tinkercad, and it's so easy to learn. 

During our machine embroidery club yesterday, one of the ladies showed us this, which was printed on a 3D printer for her sewing machine. 

A 3-D printed thread stand

It's a 3-D printed thread stand to keep your thread from falling off the table and to keep it lined up by color. The stand snugs around the handle and is brilliantly designed. 

When you start investigating the world of 3D printing, you will find all kinds of stuff that have already been designed, and you can buy or use for free. Take those files to your local makerspace (I went to the library), and they will print for a nominal charge. The item above would take a fair bit of time, and I'm not sure it could be printed on a public printer. It was printed on someone's home 3D printer. 

My Dad and I were having great discussions about it, of course, and it was because of him and his work that I was inspired to create my own file. It's super simple, and I'm still making a couple of prototypes. Remember --- patience is important!!! You can find tons of already-made files on Thingiverse.com.

The drive to Ottawa was fine. I'm not a fan of long drives, but it worked out OK. I stopped twice along the way - once to drop off my Cricut cutter since I no longer need it, and it's one more thing out of my house. It sat on one of my tables, and now it's gone! Then a second time for a potty break. It rained the entire way!!! Yeah!!!

I had a few snacks with me - I love snacking when I drive. Thank goodness I'm not a truck driver because I'd weigh 400 lbs before the end of the first week! But with a very twisted audiobook (My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing) and access to hands-free texting and calling, I made good time. Where do these authors get these twisted plot lines? I swear it is the women who have the most twisted minds. Most male authors used guns and gore -- the women? Not so much. 

If you are going to be kidnapped by someone, I want it to be a man. The women have too many creepy ideas! Just kidding -- I don't want to be kidnapped by anyone! 

When I arrived, I was down to fumes in the gas tank. Well, not really, but my low fuel indicator was on. So I gassed up last night, so I don't have to do it today when I'm finished and heading home. 

But seriously--- I think this is silly. When you fill up, be sure not to put diesel in the car. Some pumps have gas and diesel options on the same pump. And usually, the diesel is highlighted in yellow and is off to the left. I had to look twice before I realized that this was a gas-only pump. It was only the price that alerted me that the left-most one was gas. 

An all-gas pump

And I made it to the hotel in Ottawa (Orleans) and am just down the street from Quilty Pleasures, where I'll be today. 

Oh -- the joys of travel, and even though it was a long drive (5 and a half hours), it was probably faster and more reliable than air travel. By the time you get to the airport early, land, wait for luggage, get a car, and drive to the hotel, I thought it would be just as efficient to drive. I'm glad I drove. I'll likely need a nap on the way home, but that's OK. Plus, I didn't need to worry about how I packed. I literally threw stuff in the car in open bags. And I got to drop off the Cricut as well. 

I think it's going to rain all day today, but it's supposed to be warmer. It was cold yesterday, and with the rain? That went right through you! 

On that happy note, if you are in the Ottawa area, be sure to come and see me today!!! We don't get out and about super often, and we have great stuff to share. 

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!!