I am NOT a runner

 Although it seems that each day in my world is a marathon, I am NOT a runner. The kind that goes outside or on the treadmill and runs. Nope - not happening at my house. And yet - when I have to, I will, but good grief - it's hard work. 

All my presentations went off without a hitch. I even got two small ones prepped as sidebars for the main presentations. The pictures were all done, so it was a snap to load the photos and sort them. A good thing I prepped them because I used both of them. 

Some AMAZING show and tell, which I hope to get posted this coming week. I literally went from Zoom call to Zoom call from 9:45 until 3:45. I was supposed to pick up a book from the library at 2:30, but I was on a call, and the call went late. Finally, I had to excuse myself at 3:45 (I was not the host!), and by the time I did a pit stop and got my shoes on, I had NINE minutes to get to the library. 

It's not a far walk, but far enough. I flew out the door with my coat in my hand and put it on as I walked fast. Then I ran a wee bit, then I walked, then I ran. My heart rate got up there, but my legs felt like lead. Good grief - I've been doing a TON of walking, but it's not the same as running. I get a bit of congestion in my lungs when I start to exercise, so I was coughing a bit - I'm sure that looked good in these times. 

Oh my - getting close to the last light (OK - the only light between my house and the library). Will I make it? Normally, when the STOP hand starts to flash, I wait. This time, I did not. I ran across the street. Guess what? I made it!! I arrived right at 4 PM. The book was waiting, and I grabbed it and finished the rest of my normal afternoon walk. Phew!!!

It was such a glorious day; the sun was out, the temperature was warm, and the sun is out much longer these days. I had NOT walked the girls in the morning because of the rain and the lack of time, so I came back from that walk and took each one for a walk. I didn't quite make 10 KM for the day, but that's not bad considering that I spent most of the day in front of the computer either on Zoom or building presentations. 

Princess Lexi on her walk

And look what happened to my shoes. There are spots where the sidewalk is full of water, and I had to detour onto the grass. There were brand new at the beginning of January!

A wee bit of mud on the shoes

We had our virtual retreat last night, and some people we haven't seen in a while popped on; we got to meet some new people, although this morning when I think about it - Zelda and I have chatted via e-mail - I swear we have. But what fun and some great show and tell and great ideas - as always. I LOVE the virtual retreats - they are just so much fun!!! I love being able to peek into people's sewing rooms, and we saw some great organizing ideas!! Of course, I'm nosey and ask to see more if there's something that intrigues me. 

And today - it's Virtual Retreat day all day. Well, from 10 AM - 8 PM. I do have some work to get done this morning before I open up the call. I'll post the link at the end of this blog, so you can join us!! 

I'm happy to report that the living room is bad to normal. If there ever is a normal at our house. 

The living room is now free of quilts

The quilts have all been moved back upstairs. They are heaped in Studio U, and they'll stay like that for the moment. I closed all the blinds so no sun damage. Actually, some quilts are on the railing and more on the floor in a bedroom—no time to deal with them at the moment. 

But wait - what's that in the corner??? A blue dog kennel??

Princess Lexi's dog kennel

This is Lexi's kennel. Murphy does not have one. Lexi used to sleep in there all the time, and she still does spend a lot of time in the kennel, but she also loves the big dog bed that was Murphy's. Her kennel used to sit in the hallway, but I thought there was enough room beside the chair to tuck it out of the way. 

And now we have all this space in the hallway. 

A huge empty space in the hallway

So what have I been sewing lately? Besides all the homework for the ongoing projects, which so far, I'm almost up to date, I've been working on my UFO. This was an ongoing class several years ago, and I'd really like to get it done. 

I worked on it last night, and I now have THREE of FIVE borders done. There's a bit more applique to do in the quilt and on the borders - small bits, but still - applique!

Three borders of five are done!

Here's a close-up of one of the flowers. That was a big job to get all that applique done, but I'm happy; I've persevered to get this done according to the pattern. I rather like the borders, but they are a lot of work. 

A close-up of an appliqued flower

Today, my goal is to clear up this little work surface. All the bits and pieces are cut, and the applique shapes are prepped, so I could finish it today, and then my UFO would be done for this month!!! Fingers crossed - no chatting - I've got to focus. 

The prepped pieces for the two remaining borders

Last night, I made miles and miles of binding. This is for the two Christmas Fig quilts that I made, so that is done. I still have one backing to make, and hopefully, that'll get done today as well. HEY - I'm optimistic!!!

Binding for two quilts

While prepping some of the presentations, it meant I had to dig through those tubs of the "to be quilted" pile, and well - it was getting a bit out of hand. 

The "to be quilted" area in disarray

So this morning, I took a few minutes, and now it looks like this. There is one quilt that needs to be put back, and I need to take a few more pictures, and then everything will go back. It's so nice to have this organized and cataloged, so I easily find the exact quilt I need. 

Now it's almost back to normal

It's getting brighter much earlier now. Yeah!!!! But it's very foggy this morning! I couldn't even see the end of the street - I could barely see across the street! 

That's it for me - I have some follow-up e-mail to write and one document that I'd like to get out before we start the Virtual Retreat today. Actually, the call is set up so that I don't even need to be there to open it up!!! I love that! 

Sunday, February 28  - 10 AM  - 8 PM   EST

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87246635892?pwd=VGY1cUUyLzRaRi9VUVV2ZWFINXc2dz09 Meeting ID: 872 4663 5892 Passcode: 440473

And no decluttering homework today!! Enjoy the day - better yet - come and see us on the retreat!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Urbanologie Show and Tell

 So - I'm in a bit of a bind this morning. I don't have a lot of time. I've got THREE presentations today, and two are ready to go - the third one - well, I'm still working on it! Hence the blog will be short and sweet this morning, and the girls will get shortchanged on their walk. I'm not telling them that. Thank goodness, they have no concept of time - well, I don't think they have a concept of time!

I don't know where you live, but around here? Things are looking up! The weather is getting warmer, the sun seems to be shining more and well - there's just a feeling of spring in the air. I know - we're supposed to get rain and snow all weekend, but even just one day with a bit warmer weather and sunshine can make you want to run through the streets and sing! OK - that won't be happening at my house anytime soon, but you get the idea. 

Hmm - I've noticed one thing on my walks this week. The kids are BACK TO SCHOOL, and school lets out about the same time that I go for my walk. The sidewalks are busy, and with the snow on them, it's hard to keep distances. I'll go back to walking along the busier streets - I'm OK with that and maybe try to walk a bit earlier in the day. It's not that I don't mind the kids, but there are so many of them. But that's a good thing to see them out walking. However, tons are still driven to school, and you can't tell me that the parents are then off to work!

The other place that is busier is the local Tim's. And people are NEVER going to figure out the drive-through system at this location, which I refuse to go to. There are two lanes, but god forbid that each person take their turn. Nope - they drive right down the middle, so the cars have to back out onto the street. SIGH.......

You'd think the pandemic and having people shut-in would make them less edgy, but nope - people are just the same. Perhaps even crazier!!!

I spent the day sewing and taking pictures yesterday. TONS of pictures, which are mostly edited and ready to go this morning. I can't share any of them with you today, but there's going to be lots of show and tell this week. 

That's what I love about the Zoom classes - I already have the show and tell!!! It's organized alphabetically in the presentations, so I know who is who, and then it's easy to put it on the blog. HEY -- speaking of which - I can share the show and tell that we did for Urbanologie last night. DUH!!!

So here's the book that we're making this quilt from. This class is hosted by OH Look, Fabric in Milton.

Urbanologie by Sew Kind of Wonderful

I was thrilled to see that most people got the chick blocks done. I usually go through the book and pick the easiest blocks first. However, this time - I think I chose the HARDEST one. I have no idea what I was thinking. 

These are Dana's blocks. So cute!!!

Dana

Cathy did several iterations of her blocks, and I hope I got the right photo!!

Cathy

These ones are Gisele's. I LOVE the darker background. 

Gisele

These are Heather's chicks. They are currently nesting as they don't have legs yet—very funky fabric choices. 

Heather

The next grouping belongs to Lorraine. Love those colors - reminds me of baby chicks!

Lorraine

Susan also had her five blocks done. She sent me the two different colors that she made. 

Susan

Susan

A couple didn't get their blocks done, but overall, I was THRILLED with the results. They did a superb job. Taking on cutting and sewing curves and learning the Mini Quilt Curve Ruler and all via Zoom!!! I'm so impressed!!!! Way to go, everyone, and it just goes to show that anything is possible. 

Not only did they have multiple curves to deal with that beak was a fiddly thing to get inserted in just the right spot. 

These are the homework blocks for this month. Now, these look a whole lot easier than the chick blocks! These are the ones that were in the project box - already done!!!

Homework for next month

Homework block for next month

I just let the girls out, and it's pouring rain. Nope - I'm not going out with rain, possibly slippery sidewalks, and two crazy dogs. They can run in the backyard, and I'll go out later today by myself. SHHHH - don't tell them. 

I took some photos of my fridge (the topic of decluttering yesterday), but no time to share them today. I've got a video to shoot and photos to edit!!! 

I have a LOT of homework follow-up to do. I'm behind, and now I'm going to have even more to do after this weekend. BUT - it'll get done. I hope to do some of it this afternoon and on Monday. 

This week flew by - I don't even know where the time went, but that means that it's time for the Virtual Retreat. Yeah!!!! It starts tonight at 6 PM. And all day tomorrow. I hope to see you there. 

Here are the links. 

Saturday, February 27 -  6 PM - 9 PM   EST

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, February 28  - 10 AM  - 8 PM   EST

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87246635892?pwd=VGY1cUUyLzRaRi9VUVV2ZWFINXc2dz09 Meeting ID: 872 4663 5892 Passcode: 440473

On that note, I'm out of here. No - I didn't forget the decluttering assignment. It's the weekend. Take a break and come to the retreat!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

You've got mail!

The package arrived! I shipped a package to M on Feb 18, and I was told that it would likely be late because of the amount of stuff that's being shipped these days. The normal is five to six business days. Well, the package arrived yesterday!!! Kudos to Canada Post for the timely delivery of that box, and it was a very reasonable price to ship it - $34.62 for a large box weighing 8.65 KG. 

What I love is that she and her boyfriend walked to the Post Office to get the box! Yeah!!!!

As you can see, the darn thing is awkward to carry because of the size, and it's heavy. I don't think she carried it all the way home; this picture was just for show. 

M with her care package

You know what? It was a lot of fun to gather all the stuff in that box. I wonder what else she needs/wants? I shouldn't ask! But I have a couple of other things that I'm going to make for her, so those will get sent at some point as well. Hmmm - it looks COLD in Vancouver!! A hat and a big jacket? 

I had one presentation yesterday, a class on software, a fun session for me. So much going on - every day!! The next three days are going to be crazy, with several classes and the Virtual Retreat. But that's OK - I still make time every day to get out for the walk with the girls and then another walk in the afternoon. The prep work shouldn't take too long for this weekend. I'm getting very good at it!

And lately  - the afternoon walk has been beautiful. The sun has been out, the ice on the sidewalks has melted by then, and it's glorious!! I think today will be more of the same, and then we have a bit of rainy/snowy weather coming, but we'll be inside sewing, so who cares?

I need a Zoom lesson. I mean a lesson about ZOOM. I think there's a difference in the interface depending on if you have the Zoom client downloaded onto your laptop or you go through the web browser. When I had my issue earlier this week, I think I somehow got into the web browser app, not the program on my computer. I don't know! But I'm back to where I was, and that's good. I like to see the full screen of people, and I lost that earlier this week. 

I think I've also solved my problem with screen sharing and software classes. I found this setting. 

A setting for sharing the screen

AHA  - that could make a big difference in my software presentations. I think I'm good!! Oh boy -- so much to learn, and it's all trial and error. 

Murphy is having a lot of trouble these days. She's always been a hyper dog, and despite that fact, she's so darn clingy. She's just like Little Sammy, who we called the Velcro dog. Murphy is no exception - she NEEDS to be right beside me in the morning. She NEEDS to watch TV with DH in the evening and has gotten quite vocal when her favorite commercials come on. She now recognizes the music and will come running. And she jumps at the TV, trying to get at the animals. Oh boy! I think we're going to have to teach her how to use the remote. We'll need to get a big button that she can push, and then she can watch whenever she wants. 

Often, when I'm on a Zoom call, she is right beside me with her tail wagging like mad, which shows up on the camera. She knows that I can't walk away, and so she has a captive audience in me. Last night? Well, she was in a weird mood. She wanted to play ball. We had played ball before I had to start my call, and she was NOT done. 

I'm on the call, and I can hear her - whining. I looked beneath the table, and there she was - at the far end of the room, WAITING. You can't see the ball in the picture, but trust me - it's there. Since I didn't get up, she came closer and was literally dropping the ball on my foot to try and get me to play with her. And she was getting quite vocal about it! Silly girl! Eventually, she went upstairs to watch TV. 

Come play ball with ME

She's also hyper-sensitive to ANYTHING that moves. That could be a leaf, an animal, a toy - you name it - if it moves, it's her business. 

So when she started freaking out yesterday (she was in the house), I went to check and saw someone using the animal superhighway along the top of our fence. She was beside herself. I knew that squirrels use the superhighway but didn't realize that raccoons use it as well. 

A raccoon on the superhighway

You cannot fault her for being lazy or unenthusiastic. Holy!!!

I might have mentioned this article that appeared in the current issue of A Needle Pulling Thread (Issue 54). The inspiration for this issue was Faces. 

Issue 54 of A Needle Pulling Thread

I wrote an article for this issue using the embroidery software to create some line art portraits of M. These took a LONG time to stitch out, but so worth it. You'll have to get the magazine to get the tips!

Line Art portraits created with embroidery software

Make sure you mark your calendar for June 16 - 19  -  the Virtual Quilt Canada 2021 conference dates. I can hardly wait - there'll be lectures, classes, a virtual vendor market, and quilt shows!!!! It's amazing how adaptive we have become with the pandemic, and I foresee hybrid events in the future to allow access to those that physically cannot attend a show. I'm very excited about it, and it allows learning opportunities in smaller chunks. 

I think some classes, like software, are easier to digest in small increments of time, like one hour. But who would want to drive a distance to attend a one-hour class. Plus, if you're working, you can log on (during your lunch hour, of course) and attend the class and then get back to work! No travel time is needed. 

I'm embracing Zoom wholeheartedly, and I know that my life has definitely changed positively because of it. I haven't been able to listen to the Author talks lately because of commitments on Friday evening, but I hope to get back to it next week. 

Here are the Zoom links for the Virtual Retreat this weekend. Be sure to stop by and say HI!!! I'm going to try and plow through that stack of prepped work on my sewing table. Then I get to start the prep all over again for next month!!

Saturday, February 27 -  6 PM - 9 PM   EST

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, February 28  - 10 AM  - 8 PM   EST

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87246635892?pwd=VGY1cUUyLzRaRi9VUVV2ZWFINXc2dz09 Meeting ID: 872 4663 5892 Passcode: 440473

By the way, did you notice that I've been lax in giving you a homework assignment!! Oh my -- OK - here's a good one. How about the FRONT of your fridge? You know - all those magnets and whatnot. If you're like me, there are a few things that could go. I'll try to follow this one today because we have a few funny items on our fridge that we don't even see any longer.

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

Do NOT panic!

 

Things have been going smoothly. It's a little bit hectic, but that's OK - it's a pace of life that I seem to thrive on. I grew up on a farm - where did this need for chaos come from? 

My presentations got prepped; the last one slid in at the last minute (not entirely my fault), so that was good. And let's just say that I'm becoming an EXPERT (OK - that might be stretching the truth a wee bit), but I'm learning a ton, and well, that's a good thing. I've learned that the more you know, the faster and more efficient you can work!

Accept that you don't know everything and either avoid that or learn it! I found this quote in the magazine from our local gym, which is so appropriate for me. "We should never stop learning because life never stops teaching." Bahram Akradi - he's the founder, chairman, and CEO of Life Time. I see the other two Life Time gyms in Ontario are going to open. Meanwhile, in our LOCKED down region, we're not able to get to the gym yet. But it's coming!!

There was no need to panic with all the prep - the timing was on, things were working fine. I like to start my presentations 30 minutes early to allow people to get logged in. I chat with them; they chat with the store owner and each other. I was 10 minutes into that preamble when Zoom decided to update! WAIT A MINUTE!! I'm on a call here, and you can't update, but update it did! 

It booted me out of the call, but the call didn't drop, so that was good. When I got logged back in, the interface had changed! WAIT!! What is this?? My screen looks different, the icons are in different spots, screen sharing is different, and I literally had to learn it as I went through the presentation. I didn't have time to investigate yesterday, but I think I need to go in and make a few changes to the settings. 

Thank goodness, I think quick on my feet and have the technological know-how to fudge the issue. I have a relaxed group this morning, so I'll test the screen sharing and other settings on that call.  

Needless to say, I didn't get any sewing done yesterday. Well, that's not true - I did, but it's all samples for the presentations. 

And Studio B? Oh my - it looks like a tornado went through there. The cutting table was heaped with an embroidery arm, sewing machine accessories, feet, some fabric, and gosh knows what else got tossed there. I'll confess that Studio U looks pretty much in the same shape as I opened a couple of boxes of samples and winger things around the room. 

The cutting table

I cleared most of it off this morning, so I could cut some fabric. But amazing how quickly the mess can accumulate. Of course, when you are whipping around the house, pulling bits and pieces from here and there and no time to put them back - well, you can see what happens. 

The ironing board and my sewing table were a total disaster! Happily, most of that is all back in its right spot. Just in time to make another mess today! I only have ONE presentation to prep for today, although I have three Zoom sessions. 

Studio B - after the tornado

And look what I found! I finally discovered this mini design board! Those scrap blocks have been sitting on this for MONTHS. And now - I can use it for another project. Don't worry - it's already got something on it. 

The design board is finally clear

Here are the final two blocks for the scrap quilt. DONE!!!!  I do not even remember how long ago I cut these blocks, but I'm going to say 15 years?? Yep - it's been a while. Now that the blocks are done, I can work on sewing them together. But first, I have to get that Summer Moon quilt off the wall. 

The last two scrap blocks

That is so exciting! 

I have a class to teach tomorrow night, and I was a bit worried as I hadn't started to cut and prep the blocks, and why wasn't that done? I opened the box this morning and had a good laugh. Oh, that prep was done weeks ago. The completed blocks are in the box. Now I remember! I just have to find the pictures on my phone and make the presentation. I love when I'm ahead of the game!!!

I hope the weather where you live was as glorious as it was here yesterday. The sun was out, the temperature was the highest it's been for a while. I didn't get to walk my normal distance because of the prep work and the fact that it was treacherous in the morning with ice, so I shortened the walks with the girls, but I still walked over 10 KM - I'm not complaining. 

I ended up with a lump on my leg from that fall. Not sure what I hit - my other leg? But it's gone today, and there's only slight bruising. 

Look who was watching me yesterday when I was blogging. I swear the little guy was watching me as he twitched his tail. He doesn't look like he's starving!

A peeping tom

"Hey, lady - WAIT - this is my best side because you can see the brown fur on my tummy. Take a picture of me NOW!!" I swear those squirrels intentionally taunt my girls! This is probably the ring leader!!

My better side - you can see the brown fur on my tummy

I keep a heater in the pond over the winter. I'm supposed to have a bubbler as well, but ours died, and with the shut-down, I didn't have a chance to get a new one, so I took my chances. Well, those darn fish were up yesterday. I swear, everyone thought that spring is right around the corner. I guess they are attracted by the warm water, but they should still be sleeping. 

I saw two dead fish, and by the time I could get back to the pond with the fishnet, I only saw one. The other one probably went under the ice. Thankfully, they were not my big fish - these ones were the small-medium guys. My pond is overpopulated, so a few less is actually a good thing. 

The fish at the surface

I hope they all went to the bottom last night when the sun went down. It will be warm over the next couple of weeks but not warm enough for them to be at the surface. Silly fish. 

I've got a bunch of e-mail to send out this morning, quilts to design, a presentation to prep, and well - it's going to be a busy day. But the good news is that I have two more crazy weeks, and then most of the prep work is DONE for a long, long time. I'll probably tweak the presentations and add a few things, but the schedule will be much more relaxed! Yeah!!!!

Don't forget the VIRTUAL RETREAT this weekend. Here are the Zoom links and the times. If you get a chance to stop in and say HI, that would be awesome. Or you can stay and chat, stay and sew, whatever you like!! Stay all day or just five minutes—your choice. A great way to meet new people, catch up on quilting news and just stay connected as most of us stay home. 

Saturday, February 27 -  6 PM - 9 PM   EST

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, February 28  - 10 AM  - 8 PM   EST

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87246635892?pwd=VGY1cUUyLzRaRi9VUVV2ZWFINXc2dz09 Meeting ID: 872 4663 5892 Passcode: 440473

On that note, I'm out of here! 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

The retreat MUST go on

 I have to say that I was a bit distracted yesterday. Thanks to everyone who scrambled to do some research, and we have TWO retreats booked. I had planned on four retreats for this coming year, and I need to book at least one more later in the year, but with all the prep that I had to do yesterday, I could only manage to deal with two of them. A lot of e-mails went back and forth. 

I'm happy to report that I'm EXCITED about the new places and well, I can't wait to get there. 

Here are the two that I've booked space at. The first one is called Retreat at the Farm. It looks like a beautiful property - a large sewing room with loads of windows! We're going for a weekend, not our extended weekend, but thankfully, the same weekend we had scheduled was free. PHEW!!!!

The second space is in Muskoka, and the house looks huge and beautiful, with HUGE verandas on the outside. Let's hope it's not black fly season, but there's a beautiful glassed-in porch, so we're good either way. This one is called Seams Appropriate. 

Thanks to everyone who helped out with the research, and have a look at those sites. If you are interested in a quilting retreat but don't know of one, send me an e-mail. I have a few other people, and if we can get eight together, we can go!!! 

I feel better today, knowing that that is organized, but I'm still going to miss Fireside Retreat. This is the second quilting retreat that has closed down. The first being Quilter's Misbehavin in Bracebridge. It doesn't matter - as long as there is a retreat to go to - I'm in. Perhaps we should just pool our resources and buy the retreat house?? That would be fun! Where's my winning lottery ticket? 

And for those of us that can't make a retreat at this moment, don't forget that there's the Virtual Retreat this weekend. From the comfort of your home and from wherever you live, you can have fun with a group of quilters. I'll post the links tomorrow, but it's Saturday evening from 6 to 9 PM and Sunday, from 10 AM to 8 PM. It's loads of fun - I get lots done, and I get to visit with friends, and we get to meet new people as well. Stop by and say HI!!!

I can't say enough about how Zoom has brought quilters together during the pandemic. Guild meetings, quilt shows, sewing days, you name it - quilters have embraced this technology, and we're getting together. A pandemic is NOT going to get us down!!!

Between the research and phone calls, I madly prepped for two presentations. I have three today, so it's going to be a crazy day again! Each time I tweak the presentation to make it better! I'm getting very good at whipping up a video and inserting it into the presentation, editing photos, and I'm darn quick about it, which is very helpful!

Speaking of photos, this is what I've done in the last couple of days when I've had a few moments. I will say that NONE of this is urgent or has a deadline. Of course, when I think I'm going to be ahead, I work on stuff that I shouldn't be, so I have to sew like mad to get the homework done!! My own worse enemy - Yep!!! Guilty as charged. 

I got all the arcs for that Double Wedding Ring quilt trimmed!!! That was a lot of trimming, but I had a couple of Zoom calls, and while I sat and visited, it was the perfect thing to do. 

The trimmings from the Double Wedding Ring arcs

And here they are!!! All trimmed, so it's onto the next step now, but that'll have to wait until next week. 

The units are trimmed

I was on a roll, so I dug out my version of this same quilt and saw that both Unit A and Unit B needed to be trimmed. 

Unit A before trimming

I'm happy to report that ALL the arcs are now trimmed and ready for the next step. In case you are wondering, I'm making a much smaller version of the quilt for myself. 

Unit A is now trimmed for my version of the same quilt

And I dug out this basket of color-sorted supplies. It's for a reason, and you'll have to wait to see it. I'll be working on this little project tomorrow morning. Everything is cut and ready to sew - by HAND!

 A basket of color-sorted odds and ends

Hey Sheila!!!!  I got this note when I picked up a book from the library earlier this week!!!! That put a smile on my face! What I love is that a simple little note like this can brighten up an otherwise bland day. So don't be afraid to say HI to a stranger or write a note for someone. It can make their day!!!

A note from Sheila at the library

And I had a few adventures during my walks the last couple of days. I think people in the neighborhood must be reading my blog. Do you know how many people STOPPED for me at an intersection or a driveway? It was getting creepy!!!  But I truly appreciated the gesture (the law) and gave them a flat palm which is a thank-you sign. But it was unnerving, to say the least. However, I won't be letting my guard down any time soon. 

I fell yesterday morning when walking the dogs. It was a BRUTALLY slippery morning, so the walk moved to the forest and was shorter than usual. I was fine - I landed on my butt and my wrist, but all is fine. I don't think I even got a bruise from the fall. But just goes to show - that you must be on your guard ALWAYS. While I love the warmer weather, the above-zero temperature causes the snow and ice to melt and freeze - the sidewalks are not fun!! Stay safe!!! Wait until later in the day when it warms up, and the ice has melted. 

I have also been working on these blocks - when I shouldn't be!!! 

Look - there are four more blocks done!!!

Four more scrap blocks

And another four!!

More scrap blocks

Wait - there are four more!!

And more scrap blocks

And even two more!!!!

And two more!

There is ONE set of two blocks left to sew together. I didn't have time this morning as I had to get a homework assignment written and sent out. Maybe tomorrow. I'm happy to report that even with the fiasco that occurred to these blocks (totally waterlogged when we had the last leak in the basement), I never lost ONE piece!!!!

The last set of scrap blocks

Here's the stack of finished blocks. I'll have to get Summer Moon sewn together so I can put these on the design wall. That might be a good job for the Virtual Retreat - finish Summer Moon. 

All the scrappy blocks so far

Here's the stack of prepped stuff sitting on the cutting table. I have to laugh when people say, "how many projects do you work on at one time?" Well, in this stack alone, there are probably TEN projects, never mind the one on the ironing board and the other projects that are done for this month, and so they are put away. Why work on one when you can work on many??

Prepped sewing for the retreat

Let's hope that today is a bit calmer and quieter - HA - I already know that's not going to happen as with those three presentations that have to be prepped and some homework assignments that still need to be written, time is of the essence. 

OH - the audiobook? It disappeared with 14 minutes left!!!!  I know - I was like, WHAT????  So I have to get the book back so I can listen to the last 14 minutes. I might even reread it as it was very complicated, and I know I missed some key points. That's what happens when you listen to an audiobook without paying close attention to the plotline - I missed some stuff. 

So I must get myself organized and off to start the day. I don't even have time to think of something for you to clean today! You're on your own. Honor system, or just have a day off!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

Long Time Gone - Part Two

 With a very HEAVY heart, I let you know that Fireside Retreat House will be sold this year. I received the bad news last night. NO!!!!!!!  I know they took a beating last year with so many cancellations because of COVID. Well, we did our best to keep them afloat and rented the house FIVE times at four nights each time. 

BUT - it wasn't enough, and with the sketchy year ahead of us, I'm sure they are anticipating a very sketchy year this coming year. Oh - this is terrible news. My heart goes out to Emma, who put a lot of time, effort, and thought into making Fireside Retreat a wonderful place to spend with friends. We don't even get a chance to say good-bye to the house. 

However, we must move on as our next scheduled retreat was SIX weeks away. I was looking forward to getting away. Now - we weren't sure that we were going to get together at that time, but there was hope. 

Now we're on a tear to find another place and FAST. Unless the place has good Wi-Fi, I'm married to my schedule. But if there's Wi-Fi, I can do my presentations from anywhere! 

I'm asking HELP from all of you. If you know of a retreat house or even a property that would be good for rental - I need to know. 

I've found Farmer's Wife, Farmer's Daughter, Seams Appropriate - but if you know of any others, let me know. Or a house that we can rent - I prefer a quilt retreat, so there are tables, etc., set up, but at this point? We might take anything!

Holy - that threw me for a curveball last night. I'm not surprised, but I'm terribly disappointed, but I completely understand. 

And now for something a bit more uplifting - the rest of a Long Time Gone homework. Sorry -- I don't have time to make comments on the blocks, but they are all WONDERFUL!!!!  Do you see how organized I am? I've got all the names and in alphabetical order! I had no choice to do that to keep everyone organized. 

Linda

Lois

Lois

Larraine

Laura

Leslie

Lynn

Lynn

Lynne

Margaret

Maria

Maria

Maryke

Nancy

Sandra

Sandy

Sharon

Sheila

Sonya

Susan

Susan

Suzanne

Theresa

Theresa

Val

Wendy

WOW --- that's an amazing show and tell, and I may have missed one or two, and I know that there's about 1/3 of the class who didn't submit homework this month! YES -- we are a big class. I don't have time this morning to make comments on all the blocks, but have a close look at them - they are fabulous, and I can't wait to see all the quilts when they are completed. 

Here are all my blocks for Long Time Gone, including the new blocks we had for homework this month. Oh boy -- I keep trying to add in a different value of orange, and it keeps failing miserably. I need to swap out those light oranges in that plus block. 

My Long Time Gone blocks

Whew -- so many emotions today. Shock at my favorite place going up for sale. Anyone want to buy it to continue it as a retreat house? And looking at the wonderful Long Time Gone blocks and trying to finish an audiobook before it disappears at 9 AM this morning. That's why I HATE having too many books on loan at one time - too much pressure. 

The next book is due in nine days which is loads of time to listen to the book. 

So - what do you want to clean today?  I've got a good one that was suggested by Helen Anne. What about all the USELESS apps on your hone. If you're like me, you have pages and pages of apps, and I never use them. I think all the ones I use are on the front screen and placed in GROUPS. So get out your smartphone (and your iPad) and continue to delete those text messages - they do take up storage!! And get rid of the apps. 

If anyone else has an area of their life that needs to be cleaned up, let me know, and I'll add it to the list. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!