Never give up!!!!

So yesterday was a better day. NO - it wasn't exactly, but today is a super day and that's all that counts. Let's move forward and forget the bad things in the past.

I didn't even get to the long arm yesterday so if it's not working, I don't know about it. No - I had a few things to do yesterday and those got done and then it was back to this pattern that I'm writing. I didn't design it, and it wasn't done in EQ8. So there were a few challenges at the corners of one border. I swear I was almost ready to throw in the towel when I decided to brainstorm with the designer. He says - well just sew it "like this". AH NO - you can't just sew it "like this". It's one thing to design something and sew it yourself, but to write instructions so the general quilting population can understand it - that's an entirely different thing.

He doesn't like to break up quilt pieces. But I could see no option and I swear I had tried everything and nothing was working. After I chatted with him, I got a diagram of how to break it up. Of course, I had NOT tried the way he came back with. But all is good now. Let's just say that I'm becoming pretty decent in Photoshop (to illustrate the patterns). OK - that's a lie. I can get by but what a program - it can do lots. The pattern has been given the go-ahead and so I need to finish up the instructions for that silly corner this morning and then it's gone. Phew - that will be a huge weight off my shoulders. Never give up!! There's always a way and if you don't know how - ASK FOR HELP. It's OK.

I'm making good progress on the next quilt that has to be pieced. It's mostly cut and laid out on the design wall. Just a bit of measuring and sewing and it shouldn't take long to get together. You see - here's the issue - I'm away next week. YES - so that means that this urgent stuff has to be done before I leave. GRRRR!!!  No one to blame but myself so I'm not complaining.

And after cranking out an amazing 30 K on the bike this morning, NOTHING can faze me.

We need to make sure that we enjoy the good things and not just complain about the bad. So I'm playing a game of Scrabble with Neil. We've been playing for years and he's very good. Although I did win the last game. Our current game has been a bit of a one-sided affair and he was getting further and further ahead. I could have given up and played just to take a turn, but NO, I tried to maximize my points (strategically) throughout the first part of the game. Then BAM - I was able to get a BINGO (use all 7 letters) and use it on a triple word score. I'm one point behind. See - NEVER GIVE UP!!

Then there's this candle. I'm sure you're all like me. You have tons of candles, but never burn them? Well, Ronda has tons of candles (I won't tell you how many because it's a lot) but she actually burns them. Hm - what an interesting concept to actually use something that you have. So I started to burn one of my candles. It's now history and so onto the next one. BTW - I do burn them in the studio - the candle sits right by the ironing board and ONLY when I'm there. I'm EXTREMELY careful.

So this was what happened with this next candle. This is the saddest little flame I've ever seen. The darn thing was always going out and it was just sad. I didn't want to throw the candle away - it was brand new. That pioneer spirit in me.

What a wee flame

I even asked Ronda, the candle expert and she had no advice. Well - she's no expert. So I Googled what to do when the candle doesn't burn. I know - who knew that you could Google that.

I found out that some people will scoop out the wax and put it in a candle burning pot. God - that's way too much work. Someone else suggested that you ensure the melted wax is going all the way to the edge of the jar. You can see in the photo above that the wax is peeling away from the edge of the glass container. Hey - I'd rather do that than scoop out the wax so I tried it, not thinking it would work.

But LOOK!!!!!

The candle is burning bright now

I'm not sure if that was what made the difference or if the darn candle just decided to cooperate with me at last. But the candle is burning brightly and smells wonderful.

I don't know about where you live, but the heat and humidity are stupid here. Today is actually a very nice day and I have the window wide open. We still haven't turned on the A/C which I HATE. It's very comfortable in the basement studio. I think I emptied the dehumidifier at least FOUR times yesterday. Isn't that crazy????

So things are almost under control and I had an AMAZING ride on the bike this morning. Life is good. I just need to learn to get that frustration level under control and I'll be a happy camper.

Nothing quilt related that I can show you - it's all magazine work right now. There are four items that have deadlines before the end of the month. But I'm in good shape so I'll just keep plugging away. I have the entire day (well a class to teach tonight) to get these things done.

On that note, I'm out of here to get to the computer and finish off that pattern. Then the long arm.

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!!


Remember - NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!  Take a break, ask for help, but NEVER GIVE UP!!!