The visual to-do list

Tick tock -- the end of the year is creeping closer and closer. Am I ready? Yep - pretty much. I have my schedule more or less organized for the first 6 months. WAIT --- that's at least as far as the things that I can control go. I have a couple of lectures to add and am just waiting on a response from someone before I schedule them. That's the sessions on scrap quilts. There will be one in February and one in March, so that's not an overly onerous addition to the schedule, and the prep time should be relatively minimal. OK—who am I kidding—that will likely be a one-day prep for each lecture. 

The only thing missing is what happens with my "day" job. That's a free-for-all, and I'm at the mercy of those who book as to what happens. I'm going to be pretty adamant that I don't want the same chaos as last year, as that almost killed me! While it was fun, it was a considerable task to prep and present up to three Zoom lectures in one day!

And my visual to-do list is prepped and ready! Doesn't it remind you of "caged" projects, and once they are done, they will be released from the cage! I can't wait to release the first one! Which one will it be?

My visual to-do list

There is a small title at the top or side of each category, followed by a picture of the things I want to accomplish in that category. Yes—it appears to be a lot, but it's all doable. Nothing on that list is a super large task, and it would be amazing to get them all done. I believe that most of that, if not all, is sitting on that current project table. Imagine how empty it will be if all that can be accomplished? I would like to thank M for leaving this amazing wall art behind when she moved out! 

So I'm going to keep my eye on the prize: a totally blank to-do list, except for the titles! I've already started on some of the things, and I'll hit the list with a vengeance on January 1! Getting that completed was a big task. 

I have a bit of paperwork to clear up before the end of the year that relates to the few clubs I'm running in 2026, and I must get that done as well! For anyone in those clubs, and you know who you are - I'll be sending out guidelines and dates before the end of 2025. 

I'm trying to burn those pie candles out! And I use books of matches to light the candles. Do they even make these anymore? Remember when they were a thing? My brother used to collect matchbooks, but this one goes in the recycling. It is VERY OLD - I would have got it in 1979. OK - that's not that old, but still! It was from a vacation I took to Cancun! WAIT --- I must dig it out of the recycling. This would be perfect for my junk journal! OH GOD -- it's small, it must have fallen to the bottom of the container. Now I have this massive mess of paper on the floor as a reminder to find that thing!

A matchbook from Cancun

I had to make some pet mat bags because there was a paper bag of fabric bits that needed to be dealt with. I'm trying to get the "bones" of Studio B back in order before the new year. So I had the serger out to make the bags. I use pillow cases and simply cut them in half, while sewing a bottom into the top half with the serger. One seam, and the pillowcase is cut, and the top half has a bottom! Does that make sense? It's so easy! 

Husqvarna Viking Amber Air S600

I didn't even notice that I had run out of upper looper thread. You can see the empty purple spool in the picture and the lines of needle stitching, but no looper thread around the edge of the seam allowance. I see my right needle is going to run out of thread soon, too!

Oops - running low on thread!

Now, usually, this would be a big ordeal, and it would take hours (OK - maybe not that long) to rethread the machine. Actually, there was a white thread on the serger when I turned it on. Notice - I just had to turn it on - it was ready to go, not tucked into a closet! I keep a small quilt on top of the serger to keep it somewhat clean. The amount of dust and lint in Studio B is crazy! But I need to vacuum it out later today. 

However, because it is an air threader serger (Husqvarna Viking Amber Air S600), it was easy as pie to get back up and running. You do NOT have to rethread all the needles and loopers, only the one that has run out! That is just beautiful! And I went from three-thread overlock to four-thread overlock, which isn't a big deal - simply had to add an extra needle! 

Air threaders!!! LOVE!!!!

I love the fact that I am pretty knowledgeable about what a serger does and how to make it do what it's supposed to. Did I take a class? Of course not, I simply sat down and experimented. I am not an expert by any means, but I know how to make it work, use all 26 stitches, and why! Just want to remind you that, as an educator for a sewing machine company, we get very little training. We get the tools and the machines and total free rein to see what we can do with them. I will forever be learning something new! And I LOVE it! 

Here are some tips if you have a serger and you have no clue what it does or how it works. First, try to find a home for it somewhere in your space. If you have to haul it out of the closet each time you want to use it, that's not good. But the real tip (for me) in learning what all those threads were is to buy FOUR different colors of serger thread in the same colors on the threading paths. Thread each path with the appropriate color thread. Then when something doesn't look right, guess what? You now know which thread you need to deal with! It's a brilliant idea (not mine), and it helped me enormously to figure out what was what! The four-thread overlock is pretty straightforward, but some of the others are less obvious! And I found a fantastic book at the library, which I later purchased because it helped me enormously on my learning journey. 

And then the BIG tip would be: get an air threader with auto-tension, and all your problems will disappear!!

Then I had another project basket that had been pulled from the closet with those little ornaments in it. There are a few ornaments that are almost completed, and some that are in progress. I took a few things out of the basket, put them in the right place, and then put the basket back into the closet. I'm not sure where the basket came from, but I found a spot in the closet. 

Sorting another basket

There is also a massive pile of small squares that I cut because I was going to make kits for these small ornaments. What was I thinking? Now the question is what to do with a bunch of black, white, and other-colored squares? Anyway, it's not on my radar list at this time. Maybe as a bonus UFO, if I finish the four projects on my list, I can bring this out and truly deal with it. 

The Designer EPIC 3 requires a hoop adapter for legacy hoops, since there is now a very nice clip mechanism for the new hoops. I LOVE the new connection! But I was forever putting a hoop away with the adapter attached, and then I couldn't find it. I'm happy to report that I'm now in the habit of returning that adapter to the accessory box, and no danger of misplacing it! It's all about things becoming a habit! 

The hoop adapter on the accessory box

The Globe and Mail publishes a diversions section just before the holidays. Every year, there is a giant crossword, and it's gone untouched. That section is for DH to unwind over the holidays, and this year, he tackled the crossword with a vengeance. Every time I come upstairs, he's back at the puzzle! I LOVE crosswords, and that used to be a big pastime of mine, but there is no time at the moment. I'll get back to it when I give up sewing, which might be never! What you see is one quarter of the puzzle.

The giant crossword

For the moment, the jigsaw puzzles are for me. I made a bit of progress before bed last night. But I might just sit down and have a go at it this afternoon. As with all Dowdle puzzles, this one is busy, which can be good or bad! 

Progress on the current jigsaw puzzle

And Miss Murphy is on the hunt again, while Lexi couldn't care less. There is definitely another rabbit in the backyard. Look at how intent she is. 

MOM -- there is a rabbit on our property again! 

And look at her face when I tapped on the window! 

MOOM - nothing to see here! 

It was funny on the Virtual Retreat last night. Lots of people on the call, but very quiet! I was distracted by getting things done and didn't have much to say. WHEN has that ever happened? 

And we have another one scheduled for New Year's Eve starting at 3 PM. I will NOT be staying up to ring in the new year -- but if anyone else wants to, I'll leave the call open. 

Here is the link for that Zoom. 

Wednesday, December 31 - Starts at 3 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86965821331?pwd=QwdKXQA5i2iuYHkVZbtjQ5tboL7dGG.1

Meeting ID: 869 6582 1331
Passcode: 423224




On the writing front, progress is being made. One more is out the door, all the pictures are ready for the next one, meaning I got another project completed yesterday. That one was a total experiment, and well, it turned out pretty darn good considering I had no clue what I was doing! Actually, two projects were completed, and most of it was new stuff. You'll get to see the results in a couple of weeks. I'm going to make a big push today and tomorrow to try to get it completely done. I need to move on to other things. 

What about that weather yesterday? It rained like mad. I don't think we've ever had such a rainfall in a very long time, and certainly not in winter. The pond is quite full this morning. Last night, the rain was coming down so hard that, with snow still on the roof, the eavestroughs couldn't handle it, and it just spilled out on all sides of the house. I could hear the rain coming down hard at the window in the stash room, which was a little disconcerting, but all seems to be OK this morning. 

 It was a bit slippery when I went out for a short walk at lunch. Why tempt fate? 

It's warm this morning, so I'm off to spin class, but when the temperature drops, it's going to be a nightmare out there! Stay safe!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!