One more shovel!

So what happened yesterday? Two of the three links in yesterday's post were incorrect. I fixed them, but rather than you having to go back, here they are again. 

Here are the 2025 QuiltCon winners and the Dignity sculpture in South Dakota. 

Some days, things just happen! 

Yesterday was a better day, but it was still one of those days. I was in Studio B doing some embroidery. I knock a box of fabric on the floor. GRR. My thread breaks. GRR. I can't find the screwdriver to change the needle. GRR. Well, you see what it was like. So, I simply reset my expectations. You can't cram hours and hours of work into one hour. So prioritize, do that sample, and leave the rest for another day. 

POOF - problem solved. 

Then, the day improved, and we had a fabulous Zoom session last night on wing and twin needles for sewing and embroidery machines. There were lots of people, and there were lots of questions. We had to shut it down after 20 minutes of overtime! Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks to Hamilton Sewing for hosting. 

I'm done with online events for this week - a quiet week with only four. But next week, I'm back to many more in one week, and I'll worry about that next week. Today, I'm leaving for a hands-on retreat for machine embroidery. It's going to be loads of fun and exhausting! I'll probably be excited to get back to Zoom next week!

Several times next week, I'm chatting about the mySewnet ecosystem. If you want to learn more about it, and it's constantly evolving - I am continually getting myself up to speed. Let me know, and I'll direct you to some stores hosting that particular event. Only the software component costs - the rest of it is free. It is best to have a Wi-Fi-enabled sewing machine/digital cutter (Husqvarna Viking, PFAFF, Singer, Momento) to take advantage of all the components. 

There was a bit of panic-packing, and I sure hope I can cram it all into the car! I'm sure I will, but there seems to be a lot. Extra supplies for the group, meals for two nights for ten, lots of samples, and supplies. But all is good, and I even spent some time this morning going through more bags of Diane's. 

I found ten quilt tops, which went into the "to be quilted" pile. One quilt back didn't seem to be for any of those quilts. It's measured and sitting in the storage room, waiting for the appropriate quilt top. 

Tops and backing from Diane

I found some projects, which I'll deal with another day. Scraps of batting, which are sorted and in their appropriate spots. 

Batting bits from Diane

I aim to deal with all the non-fabric items, such as tools, supplies, projects, etc. Once those are dealt with, I'll continue with the remainder of the fabric—slowly and steadily. It's safely tucked out of the way on that shelf in the garage. 

Once I had "calmed" down yesterday, I had some prepping to do for the retreat, so while the embroidery machine worked, I stuffed packages for the retreat. 

Stuffing packages for the workshop

If I have forgotten anything, we'll just make it up! 

It's interesting because the other day, someone was trying to explain a technique they use when embroidering. I could not understand what they were saying, so I watched a video, and OMG, it was so easy. Was it my brain or their words? 

As I was walking the dogs, it started to snow. Seriously? Have we not had enough snow for a while? Thankfully, it was big fluffy flakes, but with the bit of drifting earlier in the week, I needed to get out there and deal with it. Can you believe it took almost 30 minutes to clear the driveway and the sidewalks on either side of our house? 

Only one round was necessary

We do not usually have ice on our drive, but ice had built up in certain spots due to the lack of sun. So, I chipped away some of it and the ice on one of the front steps. Surprise, surprise—we had some sun yesterday, which helped immensely. Guess who was back outside with a shovel to tidy things up?? 

I even shoveled the space between the end of our driveway and the snow in the street. OK - I'm obsessed with removing the snow in the driveway. And I'm sure I'll be out there as it melts if anything needs to be tidied up. 

The driveway this morning

I think I can safely say that we have one of the most photographed driveways around here! I don't expect everyone to be anal as I am, but imagine if people cared to just get rid of some of the snow in their driveway. It would take no time - leave your driveway, I don't care about that. But walking is exhausting these days, and what would typically take 20 minutes takes double the time because of all the snow. As I mentioned the other day, it's like walking on sand! 

It blows my mind that people are OK to tramp over the snow to their car in their driveway. What do their houses look like inside? But then my driveway is clearer than the floors in the house! I have dog hair in my home. Perhaps I need to start shoveling it rather than using a broom! 

The girls are slowly getting more adventuresome in the backyard. The snow is so deep they must leap through it, and Lexi certainly isn't doing that. Murphy finally ventured off their beaten track, and I spotted her favorite spot beside the pond and the gazebo! The snow is deeper than her legs! 

MOM - it's just like summertime! 

Then she spotted me and came leaping through the snow! What a girl! 

MOM - I'm coming, but it's slow

And then there's lazy Lexi! She was curled up in a ball and quite happy to sleep there. I quietly tapped on the window and only got a raised eyebrow. I think she trying to convey that she was asleep and not to be disturbed. And then Murphy went outside! Sigh............

Mom - A little quiet, please! 

Well, that's it for me. I'm going to start loading the car, walk the dogs, and then be ready to leave! I can tell by the emails that everyone is pumped for this retreat, but I have a feeling I might need to crack the whip as I think a few of them are "wild." But we'll all have fun, and hopefully, we'll all learn something. 

There is another retreat at the end of May for hands-on machine embroidery. I think there might be a spot or two open. So, you may want to come after you hear about the shenanigans at this one. Heck - you may want to buy an embroidery machine to be part of the fun! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!