Update on Chatsworth

Dare I say that I'm out of the woods? Or that I can finally see the trees in the forest? I am almost finished with this crazy workload that overtook my February and March. 

I want to acknowledge your comments about that "opinion" I mentioned yesterday. This was not the only instance. I saw a different person post something similar to someone else. The gist was, "Why are you voicing an opinion about our country?" Well, I couldn't help myself - I had to respond. But seriously? Do people not realize what is happening? Some people seem to be in a vacuum and have no concept of what is happening outside their borders. That is very sad but also a perilous situation. 

You guys get it - let's hope we can continue to educate and spread the word. 

With an almost entire day in front of me yesterday, I could not focus and was lost for what to do! OK—not quite, but what a different feeling to have some flexibility in the schedule. I was practically giddy! I have one Zoom workshop this morning, but since it's the fourth of four and I haven't watched the others yet, I think I'll pass. And that means I get to sew! 

I got through a couple more magazines. This one was from 1999, so I was a newbie. It's surprising what I highlighted that I wanted to make. I was clueless then and had no idea that I would end up with many UFOs and still have so many items I want to make. It was like being a kid in a candy store. 

Looking back, there is NOTHING in here that I wish to make, so the magazine was tossed. 

My Post-It note for items to make! 

Our tastes and styles change, and I'm glad none of those ended up as UFOs. 

And there's more good news! I'm making significant progress on the Chatsworth quilt. As I finish the blocks, I'm putting them on my design wall. I gave up trying to keep pretty quilts up there for the presentations. I need the space and no time to keep switching things around. I had many questions about those blocks - what pattern are they? Well, it's Chatsworth by Doug Lecko! I taught it at the Hobby Horse Quilt Shoppe. Our final reveal is supposed to be on April 5, but I don't think I will make it. Some others won't either, so I gave them (and myself) an extension until May 3. I hope I don't need it, but we'll see how this week goes. 

I completed several blocks yesterday, which is good considering I had to cut the background for the outer section of each block. 

Blocks for the Chatsworth Quilt

And I got one more done this morning. 

One more block

That leaves three blocks to do. I could push for the weekend—let's see what happens. There are some classes next weekend, so technically, I'm supposed to work on the homework. I may go under the radar on this, and you'll have to wait to see what happens! There are other blocks to make as well. I only have one of the twelve completed. 

I also managed to get more of the pink and green quilt together. 

The pink and green quilt

The pieces for the remaining sections are cut and ready to sew. 

The next blocks are ready to sew

I'm going to leave it as two blocks by two blocks. Then, I think I'll custom quilt it with the embroidery machine. Making small samples for those projects is good. They are easy to carry in a suitcase, show on a camera, and don't take much time to make, so I'll have fun finishing this. Maybe I can start the embroidery this week? 

I'll look at my schedule and prioritize what needs to happen. 

I also need to get Studio B back in order. Someone mentioned that the machines should be on moveable tables. It's not going to happen, and it's only during this crazy time that they need to be in the demo area. I was moving them, but it got to be too crazy. So I put them on the floor when not needed. It's not a big deal, as I had little time to sew. But now that I'm ending with that, they can both be set up for sewing again. One will be set up for machine embroidery and the other for sewing. 

And YES—I usually keep those work tables clean, but when you need extra tables for filming, and samples must be made quickly, there is not much time to deal with the excess. So, my goal is to work on those two tables I shared yesterday. I don't just want to put things away; I want to finish them first! Wish me luck on that one! 

My ironing board became a flat surface to store a few extra samples. That needs to be tidied up, and the ironing board needs to be moved. Again, part of that came about because of the number of electrical plugs I required in that film area. So all my power bars are there! The good news is that I can do whatever I want on Tuesday morning and move things how I want. There will be no more restrictions for space and plugs until early June, when I have a Facebook Live! All the cameras, monitors, and extra stuff need to be plugged in, and it depends on the length of the cords. Before dismantling everything, I will take stock of what I could do differently. 

The ironing board needs to be cleared

And there's the cutting table. Yes, those are samples on the floor that need to be sorted and put away. I've started the process—it looked much worse than this. It's going to take a bit of time to make it all happen. I could stop everything and only focus on tidying, but I won't. I want to sew—I need to sew, as I'm far behind. 

More spaces to tidy!

Yesterday afternoon, I walked to the grocery store. It was raining a bit—more of a steady drizzle. Thankfully, it wasn't raining when I left, but it started up before I got to the store. As I was leaving, someone asked me if I wanted a ride home. It was one of my neighbors! "No, thank you," I said as I popped open my umbrella and walked home. I appreciated the offer, but there was no need. 

I remember many days riding in the rain on my bicycle trips. I had zero problems stopping to put rain gear on while out, but to start in the rain? That was depressing! 

After we returned from the restaurant last night, I decided it was the perfect night to snuggle under the bedcovers and read my book. Of course, Miss Murphy had to join me. And she was pretty bold and settled down in the middle of the bed instead of at the foot. What was hilarious was that DH was sending me pictures of Miss Lexi as she snuggled up to him on the sofa in the living room! Not only was she on the couch, but she had her head on his leg, which she NEVER does. Does she know that her sleeping arrangements might be disturbed in the future? 

DH will never understand that I'm not a good candidate for watching a movie at night. I'd be in bed before the darn thing was half over! And that book (The Sequel) is getting nasty! I can only hope that justice is served! And where do some of these authors come up with the storylines? This one is nasty! But intriguing! 

I see some ice on the trees this morning, but there are no issues like some of the areas just north of us, where there are power outages. I'm not sure how much ice is on the ground, but hopefully, it won't be an issue for walking today. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!