On excelling at EXCEL!

I often wonder how many people no longer have a computer and simply use their tablet or iPad to connect with the world. Well, tablets seem to be merely a connection to the world, although they are changing and now have programs (excuse me - apps) that actually allow you to do things. Impressive things like a lite version of Photoshop and the Creativate embroidery software, to name two. 

But I am surrounded (almost) by people who use EXCEL to run their lives. Yep -- a bunch of EXCEL geeks!!! Who knew? Books read, budgets, and MANY other things. I'm kind of out of the loop since I only use EXCEL to prepare my expense reports, and now I have that list of QUILTsocial articles. I am way behind the times. And here's something else - did you know there are ESPORTS? Yep --- there was a tournament in Vegas (of course) for EXCEL!!!! I am not making this up!!! Here's an article about it. You won't get rich winning one of these tournaments, but you get some money and a BELT!!! Oh my --- I must up my game for sure! 

Plus, I learned about an app that I can use to track my books instead of the two I currently use. Hmmm -- that might allow me to get my books off that online one. They do NOT need to know which books I read. I'll see how that works, but guess what? It likely means I have to convert the data to an Excel spreadsheet and download it into the app. 

I guess I'll be adding learning EXCEL to my list of things to learn! The learning never ends. 

I learn so much from others when I'm at the retreat! Well, it's not just at retreat. It's also the 30 minutes before our Zoom session, virtual retreats, and whenever I have the opportunity to ask questions. But who knew so many people use EXCEL, or I'm just amongst a bunch of geeks! 

The other thing I learned is that I can edit my pictures on this silly computer. To do a quick edit, I can RIGHT CLICK, and that allows me to rotate the images. But there is a limit. Somewhere in the settings, I need to change the default photo editor. So that's a joyless job for later today!! 

We saw the moon the other day. What about the sun? This was sunrise yesterday. It was beautiful, and while the day was cold, we still went for a walk. 

Sunrise on the farm

It was more pleasant than the previous day because there was no wind!!! We always stop at the creek to see what's new!! I tell you - looking at the creek is fascinating, and we both have a similar curiosity about the world, so that is great. I spotted this set of tracks right down the middle of the creek. The ice wasn't thick, but thick enough for a fox or a coyote to walk down the middle. And there was a section of cracked ice, so he must have taken a quick exit! 

A set of tracks on the creek

Helen Anne spotted this one. The wind (afternoon) was moving this grass around like it was drawing in the snow. Sadly, many people are in too much of a hurry to observe anything these days. Pole Pole!!! Remember --- life will pass you by before you know - so slow down and enjoy!!

Grass sketching in the snow

Sadly, the right-click photo rotate did NOT save them that way, so they are wonky again today. 

What did I work on yesterday? Well, it was a day for ORANGE scraps. I had started a scrappy orange project a few years back. ONE block was completed, which you can see in the top-left corner. And the rest sat on a mini design board for a long time. A while back, when I was cleaning up, I grabbed all the loose bits and threw them into a bag. That bag went into the retreat bag, and it surfaced yesterday. 

The orange scraps

This is the type of thing that makes me happy. Playing with scraps. Yes - working with new yardage is fun, but scraps? Well, that excitement!!! 

I hope to schedule that scrap session in the new year on Zoom, so I can share some of the fun with anyone who wants to join. I'm home soon and won't be going anywhere until perhaps the end of March, so I will actually have some time to get myself organized. Here's a tip for working with scraps - divide and conquer!!!! 

Making scrap blocks

I went through a process; the strips in the back are the pieces I could add to the "blocks." The pieces in front are ready to sew. Because I'm making blocks that I'll trim down, I could rip through them with the sewing machine. It's so satisfying and fun!!

Preparing to sew

As I neared the end of the process, I realized I could finish this task in one day! And I wasn't going to bed until it was done. 

I put the blocks on a design wall as I sewed, and when I was having dinner, I got to see them from a distance. OH MY --- I'm loving them. Of course, the debate for me was how big would I make this? Would I use it as a background for some applique, and if so, what kind of applique could I use? Lots of questions. 

After the count, I was missing ONE block to achieve a 9-by-6 configuration. The blocks are 6 inches finished, and I was thinking of a wall hanging. No need to make a big project. 

I looked at the table and found these scraps that I was hoping I could eke out one more block form. 

Making a block from nothing!

And voila -- the last block. I had found several tiny triangles - well, small, not tiny. 

They were too small to go in the HST box, but one of them was perfect for the corner of this block. 

The final block

This is what was left. Some of the pieces didn't make the cut, primarily because of the color. I think I did pretty amazing with the bag of scraps. 

The leftovers

So what did it look like when I was finished? This is not the final configuration - it's just how big the design wall was. But I LOVE it!!!! I think it's busy enough and doesn't need anything else. 

My orange scrappy blocks

Here are the last two blocks that didn't fit on the design wall. 

The last two scrap blocks

And there's the bag of scraps that will become a pet mat. Before you attempt those, be sure you have a home for them. Not all places will accept that style of pet mat. 

A bag of scraps

I'm running into an issue, though. I have now emptied the two partial spools of thread I brought with me. The only thing I have left to sew with is that tray of partial bobbins. I think there are 17 of them, and some are fuller than others. Working with the scraps uses up the thread faster than sewing something you have to cut and sew. I have a different project for today, so that will slow me down a bit. 

My last spool of thread is done! 

I should be fine for one more day, and I will get those bobbins used up!!! But I must restock that retreat box with thread, or I'll be in big trouble at the next retreat. 

I also managed to sew a few half-square triangles. I doubt I'll finish that bag, but I might!!! No worries - there are still more bags of them. 

Half-square triangles

And for fun, I grabbed one of the house puzzles to have a diversion from the intense sewing of the scraps. The puzzle had only 350 pieces and was labeled "family." What does that mean? Oh my -- when I opened it, I got a laugh. There are three sizes of pieces—huge, medium, and regular!!! I only put the large and the small in this photo. Look at the size!!!!

Puzzle pieces from a family puzzle

With minimal effort, I got the big and medium pieces together. How does it work? The puzzle is split into thirds. One-third is giant pieces, the center is medium, and the right side is small. It's pretty clever how they go from big to small!!! My goal is to finish that later today. 

Two-thirds of the puzzle is done

And that's all the "mutterings" for today!!! I heard that from someone yesterday, and I got a chuckle over it!!!

The temperature is much warmer today, so we'll definitely be out walking. We actually went for a second walk in the afternoon, and it was glorious. I get it that walking isn't for everyone, but what a change in mindset it can be to get out in the fresh air!!! And it doesn't have to be for long. 

Have a wonderful day!!!

Ciao!!!