If things aren't right - fix them now!

OK -- I agree -- darts on a Barbie shirt? Not for the faint of heart! Heck - darts can be a challenge on a full-size garment! 

Well, there's no time to even consider sewing Barbie clothes. This feast-or-famine thing that happens in what I do can drive me nuts sometimes, and this is one of those times! Just prepping for one of these trips is crazy, and it really doesn't have to be. I just decide I don't have enough stuff, and then I go into panic-sewing mode. I must do this, and I must do that, and I probably don't need to. Plus, there are five different events; the samples overlap, and it's hard to pack for all of them. 

However, I did get one of the two samples stitched out that I needed to make and everything worked as planned. Did it take longer than planned? I don't know -- I hadn't figured out how long it would take, but it worked. 

Well, except for this tiny SNAFU. I had a piece of fabric with a stabilizer on the back as I was stitching out some decorative stitches. Then I felt something underneath and checked. 

HMMM - paper as an added stabilizer? 

Good grief, I put my notepaper on the bed of the sewing machine, and it accidentally got stitched to the back of my stitchouts!! LOL. What a silly person I am. Thankfully, none of my notes were damaged, and I cut around it and left the paper in. Who is going to care? No one, and least of all me!!!!

Here's the thing about going away, it's not so much the time away and the prepping, but the little details you have to take care of before you go. The guest room sheets need to be washed and the bed remade, check with the dog sitter(s), arrange a couple of pickups along the route, and a few other things. That's the part I am not fond of!! While you are getting ready to go away, you still need to be in control of what's at home. 

But I'll get through this -- this is the last long trip of the year and hopefully the last "complicated" one. 

When I did get to sewing, I went to sew and NO FOOT PEDAL. That's because I mostly do embroidery on this machine, and the foot pedal was somewhere else. I had one on the table, but then I remembered for that most of the decorative stitching I do, I use the START/STOP button. I needed that little refresher as it's been a while since I've stitched out stuff like this!!

Where's the foot pedal?

Thank goodness for Perfect Circles. 

Perfect Circles

I was able to do the center of the Dresden Plate, and I'm getting "so good" that I didn't even stitch around it. I simply used the Mylar shape and starch. 

Then, with my glue now flowing nicely, I was able to glue the block to the background. 

The Dresden Plate block is ready to be stitched.

It is NOT stitched in place, but I would sure like to get that done today if possible. I'll see how the day goes - I still have a few things I would love to get ready to take with me. 

Plus, I had to prep tomorrow's homework. I'm almost finished sewing on that project and just have to load some pictures into the presentation. So all is good in that department. But not before I had to rip out a bit of what I did yesterday. Seriously? If you don't like the contrast - it will NOT get better after a good night's sleep. Just rip it out before you continue! That took 40 minutes to fix this morning. 

Here are some random photos that I found in my folders. AHA, two of the very slow spoons came home with me, and they are perfect for an afternoon snack of high-protein yogurt with sliced almonds! These were taken with permission -- no spoon stealers in our family! 

My two "new" very slow spoons

My Aunt has almost emptied her house of EVERYTHING but what she wants to take with her. She's a trooper and at 90 is very capable of doing pretty much anything. That's why, by keeping your body and mind in good shape, you can live a long and happy life. She didn't physically move the stuff; she had a young girl help her, but she had to make the decisions, and I couldn't be more proud of what she's accomplished!!!

A while back, I posted that the leaves hadn't started changing color in the forest. That is no longer the case, and many leaves have turned and are falling like rain. The squirrels are having a grand time frolicking through the trees. And there seem to be so many of them this year! 

Fall has definitely arrived in the forest.

I told DH I was going to buy a slingshot to attempt to keep the squirrels out of our backyard. This isn't new, but poor Murphy just isn't up to the task like she used to. I noticed she was favoring one back leg, so I better cut back on walking. I did increase to our typical walk since she seemed better, but I guess I pushed too far. I gave her a pain pill last night, so she is going to be woozy this morning. I need to find out if there is a pain medication that doesn't make her woozy. 

The only way to get that is to check with the vet and I won't get an appointment today. But she is a trooper, learning her limits, and still enjoying the view from her raised bed in the living room. 

I also need to call the groomer because she desperately needs grooming; I already told you that!

Speaking of protein, I also found this in my quest for higher-protein snacks. I had seen these before in the stores, but my experience with some of these drinks is that they taste horrible! When I was on Salt Spring Island, the grocery store was handing out small samples of this brand to taste. Hmm --- they are actually quite good. So I was off to the grocery store yesterday to see what I could find. And I found these three flavors. Why buy one when you can buy them all! I had tasted the chocolate and the vanilla, but not the strawberry. Fingers crossed on that one. 

High protein snack

OH MY GOODNESS - it's a Canadian company (yeah!) and I just checked their website and they have MANY flavors!!! I can also get 20% off the first order, and it's much cheaper online than in the grocery store. Hmmm --- I should have checked that first! That is buying it directly from the company. 

I won't say my body has turned back the clock to when I was younger, but all this stretching and weight training seems to be doing some good. I feel stronger - my legs feel strong when I'm out walking. Standing up and sitting down are a breeze (I never had much issue with that to begin with), but my knees, my back, and my sciatic nerve all seem to be feeling great. Even the massage therapist mentioned the other day that my shoulders (notorious for being tight) are much looser than usual. 

Yeah!!!! I can't turn back the clock, but I can certainly take charge and not let myself fall into total disrepair! I value my independence too much! The only people who can take control of our bodies and our lives are OURSELVES. Sadly, many people deny this. (Not delving into politics on this subject!) That is their choice and not my problem. I'm glad I did, and I will take pills if I need to, but I would never take pills if I could fix the problem by changing my diet or exercise routines. But so far, I don't need pills, except for that bone density one. I hope to get a new test in a couple of weeks and we'll see what the results are. Maybe I could stop taking it!

I totally get that some people are not into yard work. Yep, I get it, but this is the second house (townhouse) where I've seen them rip up the grass and put in artificial turf. I really don't care, but if you are going to do it, could you not do a better job than this? There is a NAP to that grass, so take the middle piece and turn it around!!! 

There's a nap in the grass!

The weeds can still grow through this; I spotted some at the other house, but they at least removed one weed, though not before it got huge! I wonder what they did in the backyard? 

I had plans to work on some stuff in the office and even pulled out the lamp box so I could make that. But alas, it is still sitting in the middle of the floor and will have to wait until the middle of November to focus on that. 

The lamp is still waiting to be assembled.

OK, in case you are feeling sorry for me and my time crunch, don't be! My problem is that I started reading a mystery novel, and I can't stop! It's a physical book, so I have to be physically present to read it! And so I take a few minutes here and there throughout the day to read a couple of chapters. So no --- don't feel sorry for me! I'm my own worst enemy!!

You're going to love this -- the novel is all about jigsaw puzzlers, with a murder thrown in!

As I mentioned, I have enough stuff to take with me; I just want more! 

Well, it's time to get moving!!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Progress On Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

Oh wow -- Barbie clothes from stretch fabric! That's a cool idea, and I have a whole bunch of leftovers from making T-shirts. Brand new, it would be an excellent way to get rid of that basket of scraps! Love the idea. 

So I didn't quite finish what I planned yesterday, but I did sit down and PLAN the two samples I need to make, and the fabric is ready, so all I have to do today is stitch them out. It should NOT take long. OK -- you can stop laughing now. 

I have two classes this weekend; one is ready to go, and the other needs one block sewn. Plus making those two samples. I have two days. It should be fine, since nothing is complicated. 

But what I did work on turned out amazing! But first - I needed to pack for the upcoming trip. Thankfully, it's by car, so I can manage as many suitcases as I need. 

I had been "hoarding" samples on this table, which was tucked in the back of Studio B. Rather than take them upstairs after Salon Quebec, I separated them when I unpacked from that trip. It was time to get serious about packing, so I brought the table out. 

Samples hidden in the back of Studio B

I moved the samples to the kitchen. 

I moved the samples to the kitchen.

Suitcases were brought down from upstairs, and voilà, the samples were packed. The kitchen is neat as a pin, although DH seems to like leaving a few things on his box on the kitchen table! I must move that stuff back to his office! 

The kitchen is neat as a pin!

I have one more table in Studio B with some samples that need finishing. They are perfectly good as-is, but it would look prettier if some samples were bound; others need their edges serged, and so on. I planned to work on one a day, but that thought quickly slipped my mind, so I had to rifle through the pile and pull what I needed. 

I transferred the rest to the table I had just emptied (minus the green bucket) and put the empty table away. 

One table less in Studio B

I still have a bucket of things for the Momento to sort through, and I might do a quick sample or two. I decided to pack early (two days) so that, if I'm walking and remember something, I still have time to pack it. If not, I have more than enough to keep the groups entertained. 

This is the bucket with Momento projects, and I also need to go through it and get some more samples done, but only if I have a chance. I already have loads of samples. 

The bucket with things for the Momento

Now that the table holding the samples is out, the rest of the crap that I had put on the floor was exposed. 

Well, it was, but I quickly found homes for some of the things in the stash room. 

This space is now clear.

And the rest went under this table.

More stuff to deal with another day

OK -- so some of it went on the table as well. I'm not a fan, but I wanted it off the floor. I know I have a serious problem with the quantity of things, and I'm trying to clear it up, but it's a serious situation. Only more time will help me. Of course, not starting anything new will also help, and little by little, I'm whittling those things away. Believe it or not, I'm making progress, and that's all I'll say about that. 

I think rearranging the "current" project tables will help. One table contains the projects for the classes I am currently teaching or the UFOs I'm working on for the Visual To-Do list. The table beside it has items on the Visual To-Do list that I likely won't get to this year, so they will be ready for next year. I plan to complete most of the things on that one table before the end of the year. Then I'll shuffle things around for next year. I know you are saying that will never happen, but they are for classes and UFOs that are on my list to complete this year, so it HAS to happen. 

It's a constant battle. Don't worry - I have a system. 

Speaking of battles in Studio B, have a look at this one. I swear it still boggles my mind why this block never got completed. 

I decided to take a detour and work on this Desdren Plate block. I used my little freezer paper template to turn under the curved top edge. Then I sewed FIVE blades together to make a quarter circle (what a concept!).

Next, I measured it to see if it made a quarter circle. And guess what? A perfect 90-degree angle on that corner!!! It couldn't have been more perfect!! What a dolt I can be sometimes, but we have no time to berate ourselves for being silly; let's get the block together. 

A perfect 90-degree corner

See how pretty the block is, and it was a snap to sew those exposed side seams together without touching the turned-under edge. 

Looks amazing to me!

I used the freezer paper template TWENTY times, so that was a bonus. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Freezer paper stickiness lasts much longer than most people think. Now, if I were doing paper piecing with freezer paper, it may not last twenty times, but for appliqué? I've used it at least twenty times for the same shape in other projects. The template is gone, by the way. 

The freezer paper template

I was going to stop because I had other work to do, but I was on a roll, and I made the next quarter and sewed it into a half. And yes --- the next quarter was perfect as well. I was getting excited and did the next quarter, which I also added. The remaining opening looked too small to accept the final quarter, but I forged ahead, and before I knew it, the entire circle was together. And it was PERFECTLY flat. What are the chances of that? 

The back of the Dresden Plate

I quickly got the background square and laid it on. I was ready to glue it and then stitch it last night, but of course, the tip of my glue bottle was clogged, badly. I was lazy and tried boiling water only. But that didn't work, so I took my Manitoba friend's advice, boiled more water, and added some vinegar; it took some convincing, but the glue finally dissolved. By then, it was late, so I left the gluing and stitching until later today. 

The front of the Dresden Plate block

I have one more prepped block (EPP), and I'm deciding whether to stitch it by hand or by machine. Hmmm --- I might do it by machine. 

That will complete the unfinished blocks on two of the four pages in the index. Going forward, I decided to start at the top of page three and work through the unfinished blocks in order. I looked at the block -- OH -- I see why some of these got left to the end! Curved pieces and Y-seams. I'm so excited, I can hardly wait! 

But a little bit each day and these blocks WILL get done! 

I decided to work on a small embroidery project last night. That just seemed to go wrong from the get-go. I put the stabilizer and the fabric in the hoop and popped it on the machine. I had skimmed the instructions, but didn't really pay attention. The first fabric I placed for appliqué was cotton with raw edges, so I probably should've changed that, and I did. 

The second time, I used felt so the edges wouldn't fray and stitched it again, but I didn't realize the far end of the fabric got caught, so I just cut around it. 

The top fabric got caught in the embroidery.

Then I reread the instructions and OH CRAP, the first heart was supposed to be encased in plastic, with some sparkly things under the plastic (and on top of the first heart), so I was right the first time. Sigh......

That's why you should NOT listen to an audiobook and try to do something new. It is NOT a big deal as it's just a fun little project. 

I went ahead with it as-is, and this is the result. 

My embroidery

I might just remake this - I'm not a fan of the thread colors. This time, I'll do the heart correctly, and this small project can become a mini pillow or something else. These small embroideries are on my visual To-Do list, so I must get them done this year. 

I don't know what's happened to the girls, but they sniff so much on walks that it feels like we are out twice as long. Even Murphy is sniffing like mad. It must be all the squirrels. 

MOM -- these smells are important!

I took them for a walk together to the drug store in the afternoon. I swear they never walked side by side. 

Where are the dogs?

Wait -- they did walk together enough for me to grab one picture. We have to cross a major street to get to the drug store, and I'm sure people get a laugh watching these two lunatics pull me across. 

MOM - we can walk side by side when we want to!

They were NOT happy to be left outside the drugstore, but it was only for a minute. Then I had to wait for DH's prescription to be filled, so we had some good discussions while we waited together outside. The weather here could not be more beautiful. It's warm, sunny, and just glorious days!!!

Hanging out at the drugstore

And what can I say, the girls love the sun in the front room. Murphy is back to hanging out in her bed, which is nice to see. Although she still has trouble with her hind legs, she can jump up and down. We don't encourage it, but we don't say no either. This is her favorite spot in the house.  

MOM - I'm back on guard duty!!!

Lexi, the cautious one, doesn't like the bed, but she will sleep on the mat in front of it. But never at the same time. They just don't like to sleep close together, which is very unusual for two dogs. Well, our two dogs. 

MOM - I like the floor!

The dogs get a daily supplement that goes into their food dishes. That darn Lexi will eat the supplement and leave her food until later. She is such a picky eater, and that's from DH's training and food scraps from the table. Then when she bugs him, he swats her away. Well, you did this!!! 

Lexi will eat her supplement and leave the food until later.

I had a great workout at the gym on my own yesterday. I'm getting back into the swing of things there and not afraid to make myself work hard. And I felt like a million bucks when I left. I am even trying to find another day to get back there. In total, it takes two hours from the time I leave until I get back home, and I'd love to go Saturday morning, but I don't really have time every week if I have to teach in the morning. 

I'm back today to work out with Brooke. The weight is where I want it, and hopefully we'll see some change in the fat content now that I've eliminated most refined sugar from my diet. It didn't happen overnight, and it will take time to get rid of it. But I'm determined!!!

Well, it's going to be another exciting day, and let's see what I can get done on those Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks. WAIT -- I must get the homework block and the sample done first!!! 

Have a super day!!!!!

Ciao!!!!

A trip to the bookstore

I LOVE the idea of the electoral candidate getting his kids involved in making posters! We need to teach kids from an early age (well, old enough to know) about elections and why they matter. Your signs stand out, and kids learn something. What a smart idea! 

That was in response to a comment on the blog about all the AI-generated signs having the same look and feel. Zero creativity in that exercise, and those posters were way too wordy. 

So even with the best-laid plans, the day didn't go quite as I had envisioned. I got lots done, and yet I didn't. My morning, like I'm sure yours is, was busy. By the time I got the blog written, DH off to the train, the house a wee bit tidier because the cleaning service was coming (I know, we have to discuss that topic one day), and the girls walked, it was well after 9 AM. The dishwasher didn't get unloaded until much later. 

I was off to my massage, and I did explain what happened with the physio and my ribs. But all was good. Misty mentioned that I seem much looser than I have been in the past, though she still found some tight spots; of course she did! That's what I pay her for! But it felt really good. One day I should just have a relaxing massage, maybe with hot stones and super relaxing music, and fall asleep. That will never happen with these ones, and I'm OK with that. 

Then it was lunchtime, and I had a few errands to run after that. The traffic in the area I went to was HIDEOUS. One or two lanes were closed for road construction, and traffic backed up everywhere! If I had known, I would have taken a side street to get to my destination, but all was good. 

I wanted to check out Indigo and spent a long time browsing the books and magazines. I took lots of pictures (why not) of things that I found curious or fun! Of course I did - who else takes pictures in the bookstore? 

For the Bob Ross fans, he is never going to die. He died on July 4, 1995 - and was only 52!!! But he lives on everywhere. I spotted a coloring book. 

Bob Ross coloring book

As I was looking at the quilting magazines (I didn't buy any), I looked at the section next to me. OH GOSH, tell me AI redid the covers of all those magazines. Seriously??? The front page design is the SAME for all of them. Even the coloring on the front cover picture is similar. Boring!!!!! 

Similar style magazine front covers

If you are into puzzles and want something with loads of variety, here are two brands I recommend. Game (World of Puzzles) has a huge variety of puzzles, lots of logic, some Sudoku, crosswords, and a whole raft of other types. This magazine has been around for YEARS (I'm guessing 50+ years) in various formats, but it's an excellent variety of puzzles. 

Games World of Puzzles

This is the other brand I highly recommend - Dell. It's been around for years, and while they have many magazines, I love Math & Logic Puzzles best. I've never had a problem with any of the puzzles. Well, except that some of them might be tough, but they all made sense! 

Dell Math & Logic Puzzles

They also have lots of new game types, which I noticed on the online puzzle site I now have a year-long membership to. OK, I caved and bought both magazines so I could learn some of the new puzzle styles. 

Then I spotted 3D puzzles and these miniature rooms. They are adorable!!! I have one, and I should dig it out and make that my puzzle for the week. 

Miniature rooms - 3D puzzles

Seriously? I thought this book was fun!!! I didn't buy it - I was tempted, but it was somewhat expensive; however, there is a sale coming up! Imagine if we got back into the habit of writing mail. But this was more - just create a small piece of art, decorate the envelope, and send it! I really, really like this idea, and I know the perfect person to receive my snail mail! 

The Art of Snail Mail

I just Googled it - the book is brand new and created by an Australian (?). Here's a short video about the book. I think the concept is brilliant, and it's a chance to put the screens down and do something with our hands. Since we all have amazing craft supplies at home, imagine making mini pieces of art and sending them to someone. 

Then I found this book about quilting. I told you -- I explored the entire store, something I haven't done in a very long time, but it was fun! I found this book, "School of Quilting," in the craft section. There aren't many quilting books left at the bookstore. I wish that had been the case when I was learning - I wouldn't have so many books!!! 

Anyway, this book is very expensive and wrapped in plastic. Who wants to buy an expensive book you can't look at? You know what they say, "you can't judge a book by its cover!"

Expensive book wrapped in plastic

Then I spotted a book: sewing clothes for Barbie!! Barbie never dies!!! I was very excited about this book because these sewing crafts and skills are back in vogue. Let's hope they stay forever!!! I was tempted, but I don't need more patterns for sewing Barbie clothes, but imagine some young person getting their first sewing machine and this book!

Sewing Clothes for Barbie

In the checkout line, there are a HUGE number of impulse-buy items. Of course there is. I wonder how many people buy things from here. It must be loads because there is always tons of stuff there. I spotted small handwork kits; these were cross-stitch. 

Mini cross-stitch kits

And there was a punchneedle kit as well. 

A punch needle kit

And finally, when I reached the cash register (not because of a line, but because I'd spent so much time in the store), I was happy to see a Canadian author's (Louse Penny) books plastered at every cash register. I didn't buy the book because I am far down the list of books I want to read by her, and I will get it from the library. 

Louise Penny's new book at the cash register!

Thanks to a friend, I acquired another jigsaw puzzle. OK, it seems I'm hooked on the Villager puzzle brand. How can you not, when this is their slogan? 

Love this slogan

The artwork is by my online friend, Cynthia Frenette. She won the artwork competition for a puzzle sold exclusively on BC Ferries. The puzzle was recently released, and a friend of mine happened to be taking the ferry, so she bought it there. It arrived at my doorstep yesterday. Thank you for that. I also think the puzzle went on a bit of a tour before it reached my house. 

NEW Villager jigsaw puzzle

Cynthia made the artwork for M's wedding puzzle. Yeah Cynthia!!!!

Villager is a fairly new Canadian company, and they only use Canadian women's artwork. They are hand drawn/painted. The puzzles all have a similar feel, and many depict scenes from across the country. I'm OK with that, and I'm certainly OK with supporting our artists and this small (but fast-growing) Canadian puzzle company. I also got their advent calendar, which is new this year, and it sold out on her website in 98 minutes!! I missed that sale by 30 minutes because I don't know how to properly set alarms on my phone! But I managed to find it somewhere else, and it arrived while I was away last week. 

Now let me tell you about the quilting in my day. I decided to work on another block for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. Yes, it finally dawned on me that I can't just leave these blocks out and expect the quilting fairy to work on them for me. I actually have to do the work myself. Hmm -- that was a revelation!! (LOL)

So the next block was half-prepared, and as a group (when I taught the class), we discussed it a lot. Many people didn't want to include it in their quilt. Hmm, I'm not sure why so many of these fabric photos are turning out this way. I must pay better attention to that. 

The block is prepared for the satin stitching.

Anyway, after dinner, because that seems like the only time I get to sew these days, I started the satin stitching. And guess what? The block is done!!!! Yeah!!!

One more block is done!

I did a count, and yes -- there are still 29 blocks to make. With this one finished, that's 28 left. 

Then I thought I'd mess around with the Dresden plate block. I cut the missing four blades. That still boggles my mind, and I had quite the chuckle about it. All these years, the big issue was that I can't count! It's a wonder I can work on any kind of logic puzzle and be successful!!!!

Four more blades cut

I also made a small template of two layers of freezer paper to attempt to turn the top edge under. I experimented with that, and it looks fine from the front. 

Top edge turned under.

And the back. 

It looks fine from the back.

So I prepped two of the blades, and then I called it quits for the day. Finishing off the blades will be a task for today, BUT only after I get some sample work done! Let me tell you, I am very happy with my progress; it's slow, but that's OK. Slow is better than not doing anything. 

Two blades prepped

Here is the next block, also prepped, and I'll work on that next. 

The next block

To be honest, I think these two are the last ones that are technically prepped. For the rest, I sorted some fabric scraps. Once these two are complete, I'll sit down, look at the remaining blocks, and start with those that need paper piecing, or perhaps finish the applique blocks. I'll see how it goes and figure out a plan of attack for the rest of the year. I MUST get these blocks done, and hopefully the quilt tops BEFORE the end of the year. 

Here's my current, and I mean current, project table. All of these projects are on the Visual To-Do list, and all of them are for a class or a club. I need to work on all of them this year! Several of them are taking up a lot of space, and it would be amazing to put some in the "to be quilted" pile before the end of the year. I'm working on it!!!

My VERY current work table

Well, that's it for this morning. I'm running a wee bit late (I get so wordy when I write), and I still need to edit the blog, and then I'm off to the gym. While I can be a few minutes late, it's just me working out for me; I don't want to wait at that traffic light, so I have until 6 AM to get through it. What a silly deadline, but it works!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!