GRRRR --- the INTERNET!!!!!

I'm not even sure where to start. I was downstairs this morning, playing the radio through my speaker, and all was fine. I came upstairs to send two emails and start the blog, and POOF!! NOTHING! The internet is dead. I then tried to open the app to see what the problem was. Yep -- you guessed it --- password issues. I swear that passwords are going to be the death of me! 

One day, you'll find me holding my phone in my hand with a big sign flashing - PASSWORD INCORRECT!!!! I can't stand the madness. So I reset the password to what I thought it was, and it worked. Can you tell me why that is? I'm not even going there. 

Then I messed around in one of the files on the floor to kill time while waiting for the app to run a diagnostic, and then I decided to hotspot—POOF, the internet came back on. Sigh................

But it does go to show how dependent we are on the internet! 

So today's blog will be short. But in that one file, I found about 6 things that need to be done or followed up on. So that's a job for later today. And I need to make a label for that folder. I don't know why I've kept all my old passports -- there's no reason, but I like to go back and look at the pictures, which I posted on the blog one day. And I found M's birth certificate. I really don't think I need those, but I bet she could use them! There is the application and the certificate. I should tell you the story of the application one day!

Wills and POA that need to be updated, and a whole lot of other sorts of important things that have languished in that folder. Yeah, me -- for adding to my to-do list. 

We zipped up to The Hobby Horse yesterday, I picked up the fabric for the second quilt I need to make, and I got home and started working. I got 1/4 of the blocks done, so that is a good thing! But there is some paper piecing required, and I have no idea what was going through my head, but my brain couldn't deal with regular paper piecing, as opposed to paper piecing on freezer paper. 

And some of the angles are very wonky, and my brain just couldn't handle that as well. I think I must have resewed this seam 7 times before I gave up, added a massive whack of fabric, and cut it back. 

This is not right!

This morning was much better - I only had to rip out one seam so far. Today will be a better day! 

But if I can get the rest of the blocks done today and then figure out the next step, that will be a good day. When I got home from the store, I felt a bit lost. I felt like I should be prepping something for the weekend, but there is NOTHING on the calendar. So that means I get to sew and sew and quilt and nap and whatever I want, but keeping in mind what's on the deadline list! It just feels very foreign to me. 

While I was at The Hobby Horse, I discovered a new line of solids they had brought in. Here's the end of the bolt -- hmmmm - made in India. 

A new line of solids

I didn't get a chance to use this fabric, but it looks amazing! And while there is not the same range of colors as in some of the other brands, this has a textured look, and it's exciting, not the bland expanse of threads in the others. I'm anxious to try it, but I realized I should have bought another solid of the same brand to go with it. DUH!!!!! The even better news about this fabric is that it's only $14.98 a meter, which is pretty good. Don't forget that many (all????) of their blender fabrics are under $15 a meter. something that is extremely important these days. 

The new solid with a textured look

Well, if I keep having to whack on huge pieces for that project I'm working on, I may just have to go back to get more fabric!! 

There are days, and well, the worst is over - it's going to be a great day!!!!!

I also got something in the mail the other day. I do not need these, but I like to support local artists, and a friend of mine received one for Christmas. I tracked the artist down and POOF - they magically arrived in my mailbox. 

Yep -- THREE more jigsaw puzzles. There are 500 pieces - well, technically 504 and all are scenes of Brockville, where the artist lives. Her name is Carol O'Connell. I found her on Facebook. I believe she hand-paints the images. Check it out, and why not support a local (to me at least) artist? 

Quilt Fair in the Village by Carol O'Connell

Canada Day in the Village by Carol O'Connell

I Spy Brockville by Carol O'Connell

I have another friend, Cynthia Frenette, who lives in BC. She is a graphic artist and just had a new puzzle released. I should find out where to get that one. 

I stole this picture off her Facebook page. 

And here is the daily picture of our goofball. I swear Murphy is completely bothered by the rabbits and is trying to show them who is boss, but sadly, the amount of snow kind of limits where the girls can go in the backyard! She just went out there and plunked her butt in the snow! 

MOM -- there are rabbits!!!!

I have lots more I could say this morning, but the clock is ticking, and the girls are circling! I need to get moving, or they won't be happy. Then I'll be in my happy place (hopefully - it's going to be happy) for the rest of the day!!!

Have a super day, and let's hope your internet doesn't go down!

Ciao!!!!

And your excuse is?

Oh my goodness -- I love hearing your stories about decluttering! Yes --- it was great to take notes when you are learning, or find tips in magazines or patterns you wanted to make, but at some point, you get past the point of needing/wanting that stuff. When we accumulate so much of it, and it gets tucked away, it gets forgotten. 

KUDOS to any and all of you who are whittling away at that crap along with me. I just don't buy it when people say, "OH, my kids will take care of cleaning my mess." Why? Why would you say that? What if your mother said that to you! Besides that, it is a very immature thing to say. 

This is YOUR mess, and you alone should be responsible for cleaning it up! I totally get that you might no longer physically be able to, but then you need to hire someone, cajole your kids or friends into helping, or whatever, but to leave a mess of your stuff for someone else to deal with? In my mind, that is the most irresponsible thing that people can do. 

YES - I totally get that those messes are embarrassing. So much so that some people won't let anyone into their house. I get it --- my kitchen table was completely full at one point, and we each had a small area to eat on. Stacks of newspapers used to fill the office. We get it and are willing to help! There's no need to be embarrassed - just say, "I need help, and move on."

YES -- I totally get that hoarding (let's face it - it's hoarding) is a mental illness. We struggle with it in our family -- both my Mom and Dad, as well as my two brothers, are hoarders. I get it -- but I also think we can stop using that as an excuse and get to it! I did! It's taken me years (over ten years) to get to where I am now. 

And YES --- if you need to read every receipt or piece of paper, then read it! I don't necessarily read everything, but I need to touch everything. At the beginning, I did need to read everything; now I can look at something, and my brain says, "Seriously, Elaine! If you think that a 15-year-old CAA magazine is worth your precious time, then go ahead and read it. But quite frankly, it's a waste of time." I can finally let my brain do some of the work for me! 

Decluttering is a personal journey. And YES - I would love to be spending time sewing or reading, but seriously? Do I want to? And what I have found is that the more I declutter, the more space and energy I have, and the less emotional baggage (guilt) I carry, so I actually have MORE time to read and sew - guilt-free! 

Anyway -- thanks for sharing your stories!! We WILL conquer our messes - it's just not going to happen overnight. And we need to celebrate EVERY SUCCESS—it's the little ones who count the most. It's the ones where we start learning to let go that count the most. It's those where we learn to stop procrastinating that count the most. Remember -- I CAN & I WILL - WATCH ME!!!! You got this!!!!

Oh my - speaking of the bunnies and the snow, look at this. 

Bunny tunnel

The clever little things have carved a tunnel under the trees in my neighbor's front yard. We had a lot of sun yesterday, and I'm happy to report that the driveway is looking pretty clear. It still has snow in some spots, but the main part is being cleared off and dried. The neighborhood streets are still snow-covered and likely will be for a while. It looks like we are going to have a very cold and sunny day, so that will help again! It's so nice to have the sun, so I don't mind the cold. Just dress appropriately, and you'll be just fine! 

Miss Murphy can't wait for the warmer temperatures, and neither can I. She just seems so agitated these days and even more needy than ever. She needs in, and then she needs out. She doesn't sleep in her bed by the front window any longer, and she won't go upstairs anymore. She has no problem going downstairs, and I often find her hanging out in the stash room. I have no idea what has gotten into her. And when she does get out, she will lie in the snow and yipe small barks. I've thought of taking her to the vet, but what do I say? My dog is needy and more neurotic than ever. So she just gets extra love, and we'll see what happens. 

MOM - I need someone to play with me!

Ten of the ladies in our Zoom sewing group went for lunch yesterday. What fun to see everyone, but OH MY -- what a noisy group! DH says that my voice projects loudly, and I hope I wasn't one of the loud ones. I did NOT attempt to overtalk, nor did I talk to those at the opposite end of the table! But we had a nice lunch, and I sure didn't need a snack in the afternoon. As far as the Pony Express goes, it was a madhouse. People were exchanging things - I think everyone had stuff to exchange. I took ONE envelope and an iPad to pass along. In return, I got two quilts to quilt, two EXIT Games, a bag of cars and trucks, a book, and a small bag of stabilizer. Some of that was for me, and some of it was to pass along. 

Then it was home to finish quilting a customer's quilt! 

Customer quilt - DONE

And I had to laugh because when I finish one, I set out the next quilt so it's ready for loading, which I'll do later today. This one is a GIANT of a quilt. So I'll load it today and quilt it on the weekend. But when I looked at the backing, which doesn't show well in this photo, my first thought was: this is exactly the fabric I need to find for one of the quilts I'm making. I wonder if the customer would mind if I took half of the backing!

The backing for the next quilt

But no - I'm off to shop for something today. I know I won't find exactly what I want, and that's OK. I just need a dark blue; any nice, darker shade will work. 

I also got some machine embroidery done. I had made one of these hot mats many years ago, and it was completely finished. It's a project in the hoop (except the binding), and that binding is a challenge: it's bias, narrow, has a nasty point to turn, and no straight edge to do the join! 

Finished hot mat

I was using it as a teaching aid in my machine embroidery workshop, and I had two others partially done. One was stitched entirely but needed trimming, and the other had only two pieces of fabric stitched in place. 

The next two hotmats - ready for binding

So last night, I finished all the stitching on the second one and trimmed both of them. I dug out some fabric to make the bias binding from. Good grief -- more binding. I have a lot of binding to do, but that means the last stages of completion! There are SIX projects now that need binding, but I'm still waiting for my little tags to come. I won't put tags on these small projects, but I will on the wall hangings and table runners. I have the tracking number, but the package is coming from France, and it must be on a slow boat! 

I also had an audiobook I needed to finish. I listened to the last of it with one hour to spare! That's a bit close, and I need to give myself a break from reading/listening for a while. But I have three books in my Libby App. I need to stop with the audio and e-books and focus on some of the physical books on the shelf!

I finished one part (of nine) for that pattern, and the rest should be relatively easy. It's all the graphic placement of stuff that takes time. But since the main graphic is the same for all the parts, I just need to fill in the blanks, so to speak! I'm going to try to get most of that done this weekend, so I don't have to worry about it. I need/want to move on because I have one more pattern to write and a sidebar, and those need to be done ASAP. 

Thank goodness I love to write, and I'm good at it! 

Brooke is away again this week. They were in Mexico for an event, and their plane got canceled last week because of the snow, so they decided to stay an extra week. This morning is one of the coldest days of the year, and I'm on my own. I was tempted not to go. But seriously? Why do I need to take a break when there's no need? Going to the gym on my own is NOT new to me, and neither is the cold weather. So get those big girl panties on and get in the car. I'm half dressed and have eaten my energy bar, so I have to go now, or I just ate 230 calories that I wasn't supposed to eat today! 

Have a wonderful day, stay warm, and keep decluttering. I have faith in you!!!!!

Ciao!!!

The office decluttering continues

Oh my -- the day was filled with stories. I wasn't as productive as I would have liked, as there was a computer glitch along the way, but the issue got resolved; however, it took a LONG time. BUT I learned something new, and what used to be a two-part process is now a one-part process, so that is good! 

I futzed around with my Canva file until it was the way I wanted, then sent it to the printer, and it was ready to be picked up! I can't say enough about the folks at Sherwood Copy & Print (Village Centre - Mississauga) -- they provide excellent service and great prices! For anything large, they are my go-to printing company. I believe there are multiple locations in other cities in this area. 

While that was one pattern, I have a second one that also needed to be printed, but I can print this one on my printer. So BOTH patterns are ready to go. I have fabric for one of the projects, have sorted out the quantities and colors for the second, and I'll go shopping on Friday. Then it will be heads-down to make both projects ASAP!

My two patterns for my next two projects

I got my next writing assignment, so I'm planning in my head what I'll make. I have time, but I need to wrap my head around the machine, the available techniques, and so on. It can sit on the back burner in my head for a week or so. 

Since I was out picking up that pattern from the printer, I decided to go to the other Fabricland. Yes—we are fortunate to have TWO of them within a ten-minute drive of each other. I wonder how long that will last? Anyway, I went to check for those invisible zippers. And you believe they didn't have burgundy either? So I got a red and a yellow one. I think the yellow will work the best. I see they only make short and long invisible zippers, which is a good thing. Short for skirts and long for everything else. You can always cut it off, but you can't make it longer! 

Two NEW invisible zippers

While I was there, I had started to mull over some projects for my next assignment, and I thought I'd look at the denim. I couldn't find any in the main part of the store, so I went to the bargain bins in the back and found a huge hunk at $15 a meter. I brought it to the counter to be measured, and the lady serving me said, "Wait - I think we have a better deal on the denim." So she went to the back, and YES—there was denim at $7 a meter!! So I selected one of those instead. Slightly lighter weight, but 100% cotton, and it will work. Although it will need to be washed because that indigo dye is just screaming to come off on everything it touches. They even fold it on the bolt inside out! 

But what excellent service (AGAIN) at Fabricland. And too expensive? Where are you going to find 54-inch wide denim for $7? 

The other hilarious story happened to Murphy and me on our morning walk. I'm not ready to take her into the forest on that very narrow path, and besides, I needed to get to the bank to get some cash. I rarely use cash, but I needed some as I was low. 

Murphy is always excited when we go off in a new direction, and we get to cross some big streets. I tied her to a post outside the bank and went in, only to find that only one of the three ATMs was working while the other two were being loaded. There were two people ahead of me. Great! 

The first man had just arrived at the ATM, and he turned around and asked if the gentleman behind him wanted to go first. They had a short conversation, but seriously - just get your money and run - stop talking! And it wasn't just one transaction that he needed to do. So we waited and waited, and I looked out a couple of times to see Murphy sitting patiently at the post. 

Then the next guy got whatever he needed, and then it was my turn. All went well at the ATM, but the gentleman behind me said he was impressed at how patiently Murphy was waiting! WHAT? Well, she was. But I think when I got out, she was getting cold because she had been sitting for so long. 

So we are getting close to home, and I see the NEW big green truck that picks up our recycling. They were supposed to pick up the day before, but that didn't happen. Likely because they are still new, and with all the snow, they probably had issues. 

Our cart was JAMMED full, and it needed to be emptied this week, or I'll have no room to keep decluttering. But since the truck hadn't come the day before, I put it back in the garage. The last thing I needed was for it to topple and have paper strewn across the street. OH MY GOSH -- is this truck coming to our street? So Murphy and I picked up the pace to see if we could beat the truck to the house. 

Was he going to turn onto our street? YES -- he turned on our street. Murphy had no worries in the world and found some wonderful smells. NO -- there's no time for sniffing at this moment in time. Because of the SNAFU the day before, there were only FOUR carts between the corner and my house. We hustled, and I ran into the house - had to unlock the door. My mitts were off by this time, I threw Murphy's leash on the floor, and carefully went to the garage. It wouldn't have been pretty to slip on the ceramic tiles with wet shoes.  

I had to wait for the garage door to open and then push the heavy cart to the curb, just as the truck was getting to the last cart before our house! PHEW!!!!! I made it, and now the recycling cart is empty, and I have lots already to fill it back up again! I bet the guy driving the truck got a chuckle out of that! 

I have to laugh at the trails around our house. The bunnies need to get around, and they are creating their paths through the deep snow. Some of them are smart and stay on the sidewalks, but that doesn't always work! Not so good for stealth! 

Bunny trails

We had some sun yesterday, and now we have a few more bare patches in the driveway. I'm going to shovel the last bit of the driveway end and maybe try scraping it this morning to help with the drying process. I hate when it's messy!

I had to sit at the computer and wait for files to upload, which took forever, so I had "nothing" to do. I looked at the piles of crap on the floor and decided to tackle the files from the filing cabinet that I had removed the other day. 

Most of the stuff went into the recycling or the shredding box. There was one folder I thought was full of old dentist bills, but it turned out to be a giant mishmash of things, including bills from our old house. We moved 23 years ago! I found a few more medical things that I would like to keep - my Red Cross Card with my blood type on it, which I can never remember. And my immunization record. So all of that is now safely stored in a medical folder. I may go back another day and sort some more, but I think I'm doing a pretty good job of culling as I put things away. 

I haven't tackled the dental bills yet, but seriously—every last one can go. I had the contents of that folder spread out on the kitchen counter, sorting them into piles. 

More sorting!!

Oh my -- look at what else I found in that supposedly medical, but really was a miscellaneous folder. An invoice from Quilter's Fancy! Does anyone remember that store? 

An invoice from a long-since-closed quilt store in our area

It's gone! They used to have a physical store in Etobicoke, then they moved to their house, and then they just disappeared off the face of the map!!

Then I got really ambitious and cleared out the rest of the folders in the top drawer. I probably shouldn't have taken that many out, but I suspect that most of it is crap that can be recycled or shredded. 

The condition of the filing cabinet - top drawer

I got the label maker out and made a label for one of the folders, and so while it doesn't look all pretty with color-coded file folders, the stuff is sorted, culled, labeled, and in the drawer. That works for me. When I'm done, I'll probably sort the folders into categories—house stuff, personal, etc. I'll see how it goes—but first, let's just get rid of the junk and the garbage. 

I cannot imagine someone else having to do this for me. I can just hear them say, "They have lived at this house for over 30 years, and they still have bills from an old house! They must have been hoarders!" Nope -- I'm not going to let anyone say that about me! I'm on a tear, although a slow one, but we are going to make this happen! I CAN & I WILL - WATCH ME!!!! 

The one thing I will say is that the more I do, the easier it becomes. And what I had trouble throwing out before, now is a no-brainer! I even question my sanity with my need to keep so much crap! I swear it was easier to put it in a folder than to deal with it!

I also managed to get a lot of computer work done yesterday. I almost have my pattern from 2013 recreated, and the first part, if not the first three parts, will go out today. My new computer screen is large enough that I could have the old one on the left and the new one on the right and CLICK CLICK CLICK -- recreated!!! Super easy! Thank goodness for Helen Anne finding that for me! 

I had one document I was writing for my Machine Embroidery Group, and I finished it as well. I will say one thing about Google. I know a lot of people learn from YouTube, but Google has become my go-to for learning. If I need to know how to do something in a software program, I ask the question, and GOOGLE AI gives me the answer. And it's been right so far!! I love learning, and now my documents are looking way more professional than ever!! You should see the difference between the original pattern from 2013 and the one now! Night and day!!

I had my private class on Machine Embroidery Software. As we were working through the homework, I had a couple of questions. So I got out the Reference guide this morning and OH MY - I learned a few more things! I have decided to become super efficient with the parts I mostly use, rather than struggling for the sake of teaching. Now I'm learning at my own pace, and it's so much more relaxing and easier! 

I reread that particular section of the Reference Guide and added two tasks to my To-Do list to explore further. It's one thing to tell others to try it out; I need to do it myself. Because learning the basics really, really well goes a long way to understanding the more complicated parts later.  

I also spent a great deal of time in the kitchen, and it did not involve sorting paper! I had a bunch of veggies to chop for soup. So that is almost ready, and I'll finish it off for tomorrow since I'll be going out for lunch today. 

I have to say that things are going pretty well. Not because I'm lucky, but because I'm focused and I've made a decision to be that focused! 

I sure hope to get to work in Studio B today because not much happened yesterday. I was at the computer for almost the entire day!!

And on that note, I'm out of here! I've got a lunch date later, so I need to work around it. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Focus is the word of the day!

I get that folks on Vancouver Island don't get as much snow as we do, but yesterday I saw a picture of someone MOWING their lush-looking green lawn, and that grass was LONG! 

For everyone who is missing snow, here are a few pictures. If only it were easy to ship to you!

This doesn't look too bad, but it gives you an idea of how deep the snow is in my residential area. That is at least 16 inches piled up on either side of the sidewalk. The sidewalk plow had gone past a second time the other night, and walking is now very doable on all the sidewalks in my area. Imagine the nightmare if they hadn't decided to bring in the sidewalk plows. It's much safer for everyone because pedestrians don't have to walk on the road. 

The sidewalks in my area

I had to go to the grocery store, so I cut through the forest on my way home. Oh my!!! A narrow path, but a path nonetheless. And of course, I was walking in my running shoes, with ankle-high socks. I didn't get one bit of snow in my shoes!!! But I had to lift the grocery bag high, or it would have been dragged through the snow. That was tiring! The forest is so pretty at this time, but when that snow starts to melt and refreeze, it will become a skating rink. But for now, it's fine!

The path through the snow

While the roads have all been plowed, they are still very snow-covered, and lots of snow is falling from the banks onto the road. So in some spots, the curb lane was very messy. I was off for my adventure in the morning, and it took me almost 50 minutes to drive 10 KM. Of course, I was late for my adventure, which is frustrating, but I had no one to blame but myself. I should have looked at Google Maps for timing BEFORE I got in the car. And as I sat at light after light, or slowed by snow clearing, or got stuck in school zones or behind city buses, the arrival time kept getting pushed back. 

But at last I arrived at the Paramount Fine Foods Arena to watch the Scotties Tournament! Thanks to a friend who invited me along. Her daughter plays on the Northern Ontario team, so we sat and watched the game and had a good chat. 

This was our view. 

Watching the Scotties Curling Tournament in person

Her particular game was televised as well, so we got to see the close-ups of the house on the big screen. We were cheering for Northern Ontario, while the man and his mother behind us were cheering for Nova Scotia, which eventually won. But he was very knowledgeable and kept saying, "OK - they are going to do this, or going to go for that!" It was pretty entertaining and informative, although my host was also telling me what was happening. 

At least, I remembered something about curling from my youth!

As I left the arena, this was the view from the other end. 

The other end of the arena

As I left the arena, I asked the navigation system (Google Maps) to give me directions to Fabricland on Dundas Street, as I needed to find that invisible zipper. It doesn't show you the end destination, but I started driving. Then I realized -- WAIT a minute, it's taking me to the CLOSEST Fabricland to my current location, which is NEAR Dundas Street, but not on it. It's on John Street. That was so weird because I asked specifically for the location on Dundas. It didn't matter, but I'm fortunate to have two stores to choose from, and I hadn't been to this location in a long, long time. 

The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and actually approached me THREE times if I needed anything. Not once, not twice, but THREE times. That was IMPRESSIVE. 

So while they did have 22" invisible zippers, they didn't have burgundy. I got peach instead and bought two different colors. 

The old and the new invisible zippers

When I got home and compared it to my project, I'm not sure I'll use either of them. I might go to the other Fabricland today and see if they have burgundy. I know - I know. The zipper is invisible, so it won't show, but the little tab will. And I have to go out today because I've accomplished another task on my list. I had designed an applique pattern that is too large to fit on my printer, and so I'm going to my favorite print shop to pick it up. 

Whenever I have oversized projects, I use a software called Canva. I'm new to it, but hey - a graphic program is a graphic program. I know what I should be able to do, and with a couple of well-asked questions to Google, I solved my problems. I sent the file via e-mail yesterday, and I will call the print shop today to make sure everything is OK. 

I actually sent it yesterday, then had a discussion with the owner (a very helpful person). She gave me the preferred extensions, and I was good! So that was one more thing on my list for Studio B this week, and technically, I can't cross it off until I get the pattern in my hands! 

Although I only needed that one zipper, it was hard NOT to come home with only one thing. I didn't have a bag with me, but the very friendly person who checked me out put my stuff in a clear plastic bag for no charge. 

My newly acquired supplies

I laughed when I looked at the receipt. My membership saved me over $30 (total cost was $50), so in just one inexpensive purchase, I recouped the cost of my annual membership ($25). It's even more critical to boycott that online store, and I want to support my Fabricland, or, in the case of my friends who live west of the city, they can visit Len's Mill. Fabricland is closer to me, so that's where I shop. Please think twice before you buy something online! I won't go into details, but your dollars spent there are funding some pretty nasty things! 

By the way, I found a 24" by 36", name-brand cutting mat at Fabricland for $100. I immediately sent a note to my friend who needs a new mat. She picked it up on her way home from watching the curling - she went at 2 PM, I was at the 9 AM event. 

I'm teaching a private machine embroidery software class, and I had some homework to get done. I actually should have had it done last week, but that didn't happen. It's done now, and I forwarded it to the person for review. As I got into bed, I thought of one more thing to add to the document I prepared, so I'll do that this morning. I'll be sharing that document with my machine embroidery club in February. They are going to LOVE IT!!!!

And I'm prepped for the class this morning. I love giving private lessons because I can focus on what they want to learn, and they do the homework and come back with questions. It works for me!!! And then I know that what I'm prepping will actually be used! 

I completed one more task on that to-do list for Studio B and advanced two others, so it was a good day despite the fact that I was away all morning. I've been adding a few things to my online to-do list, and I need to check it this morning. I have two major paperwork things that need to be done today, so I'll see how everything goes. But I'm actually enjoying sitting at the computer and working. Having a pattern work out the way you want, or a professionally completed document? That is as satisfying as a finished quilt!

To end off today, here are pictures of the backyard and the amount of snow we have. Even the dogs are very selective about where they go. They haven't ventured too far off the deck because the snow is very deep. But Murphy blazed a trail to the gazebo to check for rabbits. 

Trail blazing in the backyard

She then plunked herself down to cool off!

MOM - I made it to the gazebo! 

No decluttering got done - that's off the radar probably for the next two weeks, as I have two major sewing projects that are both due by the middle of February, and neither of them has been started. The patterns are created, and I have the fabric for one, but I need to go shopping for the second one. 

Oh well, there are only two clubs between now and those due dates, and all my work is prepped for those! I'm in good shape, but I have no more time to shovel snow, and I will need to set aside some of my other projects! I'm going fabric shopping on Friday! Both of those projects are on the visual To-Do list, and I will remove one more project from it later today! Notice how focused I am!

And on that happy note, I'm out of here! I'm off to spin class. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

What constitutes expensive?

 LOL --- I have entered a couple of things into my electronic to-do list, but it's going to take some work to get started to make it truly useful. Baby steps. Meanwhile, I had made a paper list of 12 things I wanted to accomplish in Studio B this week, and I crossed two off yesterday and almost completed 3 more! These are all small things - not actually piecing a quilt, but finishing off bags, or other small items. But all is good!

I get a daily email from the to-do app listing my tasks. I'll have to check it out later as I'm away this morning. Yep -- finally off to the adventure that I thought was last week! 

Yes - more shoveling yesterday, but the driveway is clear, and I heard the plow and the sidewalk plow in the night, so all should be good. Even though the sidewalk plow had done most of the sidewalks right after the storm, there was so much snow, and the banks were higher than the plow could reach, so the sidewalks were not in great shape, and we ended up walking on the road. Hopefully, today will be better. 

But seriously, I am shocked by what people in this neighborhood do. This house is right on the corner, near a high school, and this sidewalk is very frequently used. What? You can see the sidewalk behind that huge mound of snow. They literally shoveled the snow from their driveway onto the sidewalk, and not just a little pile - that is about four feet high! Seriously? 

There is a sidewalk under that snowbank!

Are they so car-centric that they don't even realize there is a sidewalk there? Do they not care? I'd love for the city to hire me, and I'll walk around and slap everyone with a fine that does something stupid like this. It's annoying and just shows how entitled people are! These are drivers who probably don't even watch out for pedestrians. 

I see the girls are making their trails in the backyard, but the snow is so deep that they haven't made many! But Lexi had fun romping around and hopping through the snow. The Husky side of her is finally showing in the snow. Look at her face - she is positively beaming in the snow!

MOM - I LOVE the snow - sometimes! 

Although Murphy is truly the one who is spending the most time in the snow. She is in and out of the house many times in a day. Not because she needs to go, but just to plop in the snowbank on the deck!

MOM- I LOVE the snow - it cools me down!

We had a pretty sunny day yesterday, and there are actually bare patches in the driveway!

Here is one of two tote bags that needed finishing. I mean, why do we let this stuff just sit around and never get done? The second one is almost finished. They are a bit narrow for the depth, but they would be great as a shoe bag! I made the bottom a bit too square, but it's OK. 

Completed tote bag

And I finally got the second sleeve of my sweatshirt done! Again - how long did that take? Not long to finish. Most of the tasks on that list for this week are finishing up small projects, so I hope to get through them and add more! Remember - I CAN, and I WILL -- WATCH ME!!!!

The sleeve for my sweatshirt

And there's one more spool of thread that bites the dust!! I have zero qualms about using up thread -- that's why we buy it! 

One more spool of thread gone!

Speaking of buying things, here's something to contemplate. Remember, I mentioned buying the expensive bras the other day and how much they cost per year? Someone on our Monday call lamented the high cost of purchasing a new rotary cutting mat to replace her THIRTY-YEAR-old one. 

Let's just contemplate that for a second. This existing mat has lasted 30 years -- and yes, so has mine, although mine should be replaced. It still works, even though it looks terrible. 

Here are some properties of the mat that I'd look for: 

• Minimum size (provided I have room): 24" by 36".
• Folding mat - NO!!!!!!
• Mat larger than 24" by 36"? Unless I'm cutting garments, I do NOT need a larger mat than 24" by 36". When have you cut a piece of fabric larger than that for a quilt? Bigger does not always mean better! 

Now let's do the math. Let's say that the mat (24" by 36") costs $150 CDN. WOW -- that's a lot of money. But is it? If you keep that mat for thirty years, and probably the last one you'll buy at our age, then that mat costs you $5 PER YEAR to own. Is that a lot of money? Heck - that's the price of two coffees! STOP looking at the cost of the item and look at the cost per year, per usage, per whatever --- then the cost is not huge at all. It's all about how you look at it --- glass half full, or glass half empty! 

$150 CDN for a 24" by 36" mat is CHEAP, and I'd be rushing out to buy a new one if I needed it. I have three pretty much brand-new mats in my house, so I will never have to buy another one. I need to just move the new one to where the old one is! You can't just look at the cost—you need to consider the price over the projected use period. If you buy a cheaper mat because it's cheaper and then you have to replace it - that isn't a bargain. Buy QUALITY. Buy something that was made for this purpose - not a cheap substitute!

And here's the other thing that drives me mad. We are among the fortunate people who still have a Fabricland (somewhat similar to Joann's) in our city, which sells home decor, garments, and quilting fabrics. It sells yarn and lots and lots of notions. Many do not like to shop there because they feel the items are overpriced. And yes, they have a funky pricing system that really tries to get you to buy a membership, so you save on all the prices. I believe a one-year membership costs $25. I usually save that $25 on the first trip after renewal. 

Here's the thing -- if you do NOT shop at Fabricland, it will close, like MANY of their other stores in Ontario have over the last couple of years, and they are NOT reopening. If there is no Fabricland, then where the heck am I going to buy a 22" burgundy invisible zipper when I want it? 

I can't go to my local quilt shop—they don't stock that kind of thing. Where will I buy those random notions? Again, the local quilt shop doesn't sell that kind of stuff. It's like everything else - buyer beware. Don't just run in and buy willy-nilly. Check things out -- I have never felt price-gouged buying at Fabricland because I look first. 

I do NOT even consider buying many of these things at that online store. As I've mentioned many times, Jeff does not need my money, which is most likely supporting things that I disagree with - NUFF SAID!!! Personally, I think we need to boycott that online store for 24 hours to show that the power is in the consumer - NOT the owner! And while Wal-Mart tries to have basic notions, it wouldn't have a 22" burgundy invisible zipper. 

Do you not find that there is an annoying habit going around these days? People do NOT LISTEN when you are talking. Twice, if not three times, yesterday, I asked questions on our Monday Zoom call, and every time, the person I was asking responded with an answer that did NOT answer my particular question. The answer was related, but it did not answer my question. And one of them was somewhat snarky about it. I rudely interrupted their snarkiness and said -- MY QUESTION IS THIS!!! Sheesh --- what is wrong with people? 

And I know that everyone wants to be helpful, but people -- on a ZOOM call, do NOT take over a conversation because you think you know better than the person who is being asked the question! I target specific people to get them talking!!!!!! 

The other day, I was chatting about the 150 Canadian Women quilt, and Judy sent me pictures of what she has done with hers. She gave the quilt a modern twist and even made it reversible to accommodate all the blocks. 

A modern version of the 150 Canadian Women quilt

The second side to accommodate all the blocks

And she put this dedication to the most important Canadian woman in her life, her mother, on the quilt! That is a very touching addition! 

A dedication to a mother!

Well, there you have it -- another crazy day at my house. No decluttering got done, but that's OK. OH - I did have a long nap. I had lunch and then realized it was one of those "I need a nap, and I need it NOW" moments, so I went to bed. I typically set the timer, which I did, but I was still exhausted, so I went back to sleep for a double nap. I got up and felt so much better. All that shoveling did me in! I had zero trouble sleeping last night, except for when I heard the backup beeper on the front-end loader! 

Have a fabulous day!!!

Ciao!!

Snowmageddon!!

WOW -- that's all I can say about the snow! Where the heck did it all come from? I don't even know when it started, but it was early in the morning, and the girls and I had a lovely walk in the snow. And then it kept snowing and snowing and snowing and snowing. 

The wild and long snowstorm

I went out to shovel at 2 PM and shoveled for about 40 minutes. I cleared half the driveway. I had put the car in the garage in the morning because it would make it easier to clear the driveway. This was the end of the driveway -- that's how much snow was in the street! Only once before did we have that much snow in the street. Our street didn't get plowed within 24 hours, and we were supposed to go to a quilt retreat on Monday morning. We had to postpone the retreat by a day because my car had very low clearance and I couldn't get out of the driveway!

The amount of snow in the street at 2 PM

It almost seemed that as fast as I was shoveling, it was being filled in again! Last night, when I shoveled, I did one swipe with the shovel where I had started! Look how much had reaccumulated! 

I could barely keep up with the falling snow

KU went out and did some shoveling in the afternoon. I went out again at 7 PM and shoveled for another half hour or so, and there was as much snow in the driveway as there had been at 2 PM. How is that possible? What does one do with the snow? Get a shovel, bend, and lift! Those snowbanks along the side of the driveway are a tad tall now. 

Oh my gosh -- look at the depth of snow on the house! When this stuff finally starts to melt, we're going to have icicles on the front of our home. GRRRRR! We do need to resolve that insulation issue. 

The snow on the roof

So at 3 AM or thereabouts, the plow came by. Actually, it's a massive backhoe loader. The sidewalk plow had already been by, so that is a huge bonus! My tax dollars are going to an excellent cause! But there was a massive windrow at the bottom of the drive. I know it doesn't look too big in that photo, but it was substantial. 

After the plow passed

Shortly after, the backhoe loader came back to take care of the windrow. And it's not always the windrow's height, but its width! Because we're on a curve, it can be a crazy situation. I happened to catch him cleaning the windrow, which is another new thing for this year and well worth every penny of tax dollars I paid for that service. 

Clearing the windrow

And this is what we are left with. The guarantee was to have a 10-foot opening at the end of the driveway. I assume that is the width of the blade. I know I can't live with that bit on the right-hand side, so I'll be out later to get rid of it. That'll be easy - just push it out in the pile at the side of the curb. No lifting required - or not much. 

The end of our driveway is clear (ish!)

I've already been out shoveling again for 40 minutes and cleared almost all of the top part of the driveway above the sidewalk. And the front step. At least when I was done, NO MORE snow had fallen, so it was much more satisfying. I figure it'll take me another 40 minutes to clear the bottom part of the driveway, and that's OK. I rather enjoy being outdoors, and again, if you dress appropriately, you are warm. No need to overdress with all the exertion, but my hands were cold at one point, and I had to get a warmer pair of gloves. 

I will say that they were super fast with the plowing. We are one of the last streets to be plowed because we are a cul-de-sac. They showed up at 3 AM, but the sidewalk plow had already passed, and then they came back to clear the windrows. It was very efficient! 

I know there's going to be a ton of people complaining to the city about the amount of snow. The last time I checked, the city isn't responsible for the amount of snow, and there are only so many places to put it. Get over it -- this is CANADA! 

It makes me think of one winter in Montreal. There was a brutal snowstorm, and the city couldn't keep up. I was on my way home, almost at the condo, when I got stuck. People were just abandoning their cars in the middle of the street, as did I. It was a residential street, and with the help of others, I got it out the next day. 

Speaking of snow - look at this girl! She is super happy to be outside, and I don't know how many times she has gone out and plunked herself in the snow. The Husky? Oh - she was asleep in her warm bed in the house!

MOM - I love the snow

The next quilt waiting to be quilted on the long arm was a big one with a Minky backing, which I wasn't too keen on loading, so I loaded a small wallhanging of mine instead. And got it quilted before we started the Virtual Retreat. 

One of my quilts - DONE

That quilt got trimmed, and now I have a stack of FOUR small projects that are trimmed and waiting for the binding to be stitched on. I ran out of the small tags I use for my projects, so these are on hold. The tags are in the mail, but where? They gave me a tracking number, but I don't know how they were sent. I'll see if I can figure it out today. Of the four projects, three have been hanging around for a very long time. It's good that they are now quilted. Think PROGRESS!!

Projects waiting to be bound

As someone mentioned in the comments, small successes are actually ENORMOUS successes because you get into the habit of finishing. You can see progress, and it all counts!!!

I was getting tired towards the end of the Virtual Retreat, so I tidied up all the threads, fabric, and other bits and pieces from the recently finished projects. That included rolling up this partial ball of yarn that I had been using. 

Rolling up leftover yarn

I had a great discussion with someone about to-do lists, and I'm going to try using an app. It's going to take me time to ease myself into it, but I do like the fact that the list will be with me always. But that didn't stop me from creating a written list on a small clipboard I found while decuttering the office. 

My week's goals in Studio B

I am a very visual person, and the fact of handwriting those items on the list is almost enough for me to mentally commit to them. It's like if I write it down, I'll remember it. If I don't write it down, I'm not committed. I also love my bigger visual to-do list with the main projects I want to complete this year. 

Of the 21 items on the list last week, I think 6 were not completed. But that's OK. I rolled them over to this week, and there are only 12 items on the list. 

By the way, that big quilt with the double-wide Minky backing? It's now loaded on the long arm, and I'll get to it today or tomorrow. 

I have to laugh because I started to burn my Christmas pie candle, and I can definitely say that yesterday I was burning the candle at three ends as I attempted to use the long arm, the embroidery machine, and the sewing machine at the same time! 

My Christmas Pie candle

That is always a challenge because one or the other needs attention, like a new bobbin, trim fabric, or whatever. 

Once I had finished tidying up, I put some items on the cutting table to work on today. My Scan n Cut fabric cutting mat needed to be cleaned. After cutting all that foam, it wasn't very sticky. I had attempted to clean it with non-alcoholic baby wipes, but it was still unusable. I was going to use a glue stick to restick it, but the girls suggested I get the LA Totally Awesome out and use that instead. OH MY GOSH -- with mere minutes that mat was super sticky again! There was so much lint and fuzz from the foam! What a TOTALY AWESOME product. You can only buy it at Dollar Tree. And so that mat lives to see another cutting session!

Using LA Totally Awesome to clean my digital cutting mat

Spin class was canceled this morning because the gym didn't open until 6 AM. That would allow the equipment to clear the parking lot. And I don't mind, I got my exercise from shoveling. Now that all the sidewalks are also clear, it's going to be easy to walk the dogs. I think we might bypass the forest this morning - the snow is DEEP. We had record snowfall, with 40-50 cm. For those who understand inches better, like me, that is 15 to 20 inches! Yikes! At least it was light and fluffy, but it was a challenge to shovel because it was also very granular, so unless you threw it OVER the snow bank, it had a tendency to fall back down into the driveway. Not very productive shoveling at times!

I did a little bit of decluttering, but there were other things on my plate, so the decluttering will have to wait another day. No big deal! I got this! 

Today is Monday sewing, and I have a bunch of small projects I'd love to clear up, so that's on the agenda. 

On that note, I'm out of here! 

Have a super day and be safe!!!

Ciao!!!