Down to the wire

 As usual, I'm down to the wire, but I made it!! 

Last year, I spotted an adorable project that I could make, so I started it. After a few sections were complete, the project was abandoned, like so many others. Recently, I decided to resurrect that project, and since I was making one, why not make two? OK - to be honest, I have one part of four done on one for myself! 

Then the goal was - let's get these things done in time for Christmas. But I struggled with travel and just time in general. With my SIL here, I was still able to work, but the timelines were getting tight!

I buckled down yesterday and got 99% of both projects done! WAIT -- I still have to make the final touches using a tool I've never used before. And my brain was about fried by that time, last night. I was tired, my back ached, and, well, I decided to mail the projects. You see, my SIL is leaving today, and I thought she could hand-deliver the items. Alas, that was not to be. 

WAIT --- at 3:30 AM, I'm wide awake and well, could I attempt to finish them off? I'm happy to report that both projects are sitting at the front door ready for delivery! Amazing what our brains will do. 

Yesterday was one of those days! I was having a snack by the embroidery machine, and I upset the container. This is why it's not a good idea to have open drinks by your embroidery machine!!! 

Great - I spilled the popcorn

Then, while helping my SIL, I was trimming threads on her machine embroidery project, and got too close to the needle, breaking it! I was tired and making silly mistakes, so it was time to pack it up! But everything that we needed to get done was accomplished. 

Last year, some of my friends mentioned that instead of using buttons to attach things, I could use KAM snaps. That was the box I was searching for the other night. I found it, but when I opened the box last night, it was overwhelming! All those snaps, some tools. Minimal instructions. Thankfully, I've done snaps before, and all was good. 

My KAM snap kit

I also needed to punch some holes, and where is that piece of wood I use for that? No idea, so I'm in the cold room (under the front steps) using my hammer and my punch and trying to be quiet. There is a plank on the floor, and I used that for the punch. It worked like a charm, but my feet got cold! 

A critical tool when searching for snap parts

There are tweezers in the KAM snap tool box. What do I need those for? AHA --- it's a challenge to dig out the appropriate snap part from the box. The tweezers are perfect for that! 

I had to run around and find an appropriate ribbon, punch holes, insert snaps, do a slight bit of seam ripping, and the cutting table is a shambles, but the projects are done. I'll deal with the aftermath later this morning. 

The aftermath of a crazy morning work session

I will likely have to buy more of the snaps at some point, as I see myself using some colors more than others. I see you can buy black and white in large quantities, but why not red? Or green? I'll have a better look another day. 

You never know what you'll find at the thrift store. I've been searching for a brilliant green chenille yarn. No luck in the regular stores, so when I spotted it at the thrift store, I didn't care what else came with it! I love yarn couching or yarn embroidery, and I didn't have this color! I know—why have one color when you can have them all!

My latest thrift store find

I threw the die this morning before shutting down the lights in Studio B. Guess what came up? 

My task for today!

Yes—there are a lot of things I want to focus on and put away. I have writing and quilts to quilt, so it's going to be a busy day, but I'm alone, and I'll be able to work much faster, which will help clear the backlog. 

I just had a look at my schedule for this week, and I do NOT have time to sort clothes tomorrow. That got pushed back to between Christmas and New Year's!

And I got a chuckle when my SIL was sewing. I gave her some scraps to use for enders and leaders, to make it easier to sew. She saw me using the little triangles in my tray and decided to help. I need to show her how to sew the triangles!! 

OOPS - not the way to use triangles!

I also spent the morning doing a ton of paperwork, sending out all the follow-ups, and a wee bit of prep work for next year - already! I want to add another category to my 2026 "to-do" list. I think I'm going to like having that list, so when I'm planning the week, I can focus on what needs to be done. 

There is more paperwork for this morning - banking, emails, and then dealing with physical crap that is strewn all over the floor. 

Murphy and I walked to the vet yesterday. She needed to get her annual shots. That girl is like a baby. She was excited to get outside in the afternoon, but thought she was going in the car. Nope -- our new vet is within walking distance! I don't think she was happy about that. She hasn't been in the car very often, but she remembers how much fun it is! Perhaps for her, but not for me!

She was weighed, and this vet didn't say anything about her weight, but she got a clean bill of health for her ears, eyes, and heart. Ooops - a bit of tartar on the teeth. YES - I know I should be brushing her teeth. But the poor thing cried like a baby when he gave her the shots. She cried a little on the first one, then more on the second, and even more on the third. She wasn't happy. 

But then she got a treat, and she was all happy, and we walked home. 

Remember, I mentioned the gas prices the other day and the fact that they no longer fluctuate. Well, that seems to be a constant now. They start lower in the morning than before and only drop a couple of cents throughout the day. I don't see why they need to drop at all. Something has changed - I'm not sure what. 

And what's with the weather? It's 3 degrees Celsius out there this morning. It appears to be crazy windy, but warm. I guess the wind and warm temperatures will take care of the last little bit of ice in the driveway and off the front step. I'd better not go out with the shovel to speed that along, or the neighbors will really think I'm losing my marbles. But today would be a good day to insert my driveway marker rods. 

On that note, I've been up for hours now, and I'm on my way to spin class. Then I get to come home and work to my heart's content on stuff, and I'm super excited! It's not like I don't like company, but I work so much better and faster on my own!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!