Quilting in space

I'm glad to know I'm not the only space nerd who also enjoys quilting. We live in an amazing world. People like my parents went to school in horse-drawn cutters (like a sleigh) and wagons, or they walked several miles. No electricity for my parents when they got married in 1954. No TV, no running water! And now, from the comfort of their Lazy-Boy chairs, they are watching the Artemis 2 circle the Earth while we hear everything they are saying in crystal clear voice communication. 

The last 100 years have been amazing. 

Not to disappoint my students, both presentations are done. And, my curiosity got the better of me for one of them, and they may regret asking me questions! BUT --- if you don't ask questions, you don't learn. I ask questions, then I try experiments to test the theories. I want to understand the WHY of how most things work. Some of it is over my head, but for the most part - I'm good. 

Oh my --- I finished reading a book yesterday—well, listening to an audiobook —and OH MY --- this sounds familiar. Then I chalked it up to the narrator's voice and the same physical scenario as the one I listened to recently (same author in a series). I realized after I listened to it that it was a series, so I decided to go back to the first book. 

Imagine my surprise when I went to log it and found it was already in my database. WHAT? How could that be? Yep—apparently I read it in February, 2021. Well, that's a long time ago, and I must have had COVID fog!! It doesn't matter - it was a good reminder of how the series started! But sheesh—you would think I would remember this. Maybe I do, and I'm just blocking it. In his favor, DH said, that 2021 was a long time ago! Thanks, DH!!!!

More drama on the parent front. I had a discussion last night, and they confessed to the issue up front. Mom just doesn't listen, tries to do things she shouldn't, and runs into trouble. I explained how she should progress to get stronger, but NO! Two falls this week since I left. She thinks she can manage on her own rather than have a physiotherapist come into the house, as I suggested, to help her regain her strength. Dad is home with her to help with washroom duty (the man is a saint!), and not a single complaint about him not being able to go to work. And he is chatting with a doctor on Monday to arrange for in-house physio. She just needs some guidance as to how to address this situation. Instead of asking, they just let it slide. Sigh...............

I said I would be on a plane tomorrow if they needed me. Let's see what happens. But let this situation be a lesson to everyone. If you lose strength in your legs and can no longer get to the washroom on your own, that is a massive issue for staying in your home! Stand up/sit down and do it many times in a day. It's important! And even if you end up in a care home, and you can't do the washroom on your own, you are at the mercy of the overworked care workers! Stand up/sit down! Preferably not using your hands! 

Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind day! I did a wee bit of sewing until I realized I had to switch the stitch plate to the single-hole one, and I was getting tired by then. No worries -- I have show-and-tell this morning. Then I watched some videos on YouTube (I have so much to learn!) and, while I was doing that, I did some handwork. This table, where my serger typically sits? No room, as I spread stuff out to take pictures today or to get ready for my presentations tomorrow. 

A very busy and messy work area

I learned a ton of stuff yesterday. And yes—there were many frustrations, and the air was a bit blue when YouTube asked for a password. Well, it was Google, but still. Passwords and I do not get along - at all! 

And with the upcoming vacation, two classes, and UFO Club next weekend, plus making a jacket, I envision that next week will be a bit silly. Not over the top because I have started on all the stuff - it just doesn't allow for much downtime! But that's OK. 

Technically, things won't get back to order until I'm back in May. Oh well --- it's life, and there isn't much planned for the rest of the year, but we all know that can change in a heartbeat. 

When I met that old boyfriedn before leaving Saskatoon, he gave me some well-watered plant clippings. ACK!!!! I'm not good with plant clippings! Anyway, they are sitting in water at the moment, and I think the small ones could be planted directly into soil, while the Christmas cactus needs to sprout roots. 

My plant clippings

Let's see what happens. 

Since we are all quilters and space nerds, here's a video from 12 years ago featuring Karen Nyberg as she attempts to sew a quilt block in space (on the International Space Station). I wonder if she got those scissors preapproved? LOL. I love seeing the female astronaut's long hair in space. Christine from Artemis 2 had curly hair, and it was all over and looked amazing!! Imagine if all of us had hair like that! I mean, how it reacts in zero gravity. 

And here's another video of Karen after she retired. What a fascinating story, and there are lots of other videos you can watch as well. 

My computer desk looks like a tornado hit it, and it's likely not going to get better until May. I'll just have to live with that. At this point, May looks pretty empty, and barring any unforeseen things, I should be good to get caught up and get everything tidied up! 

OH -- I'm reading a very fun book at the moment. I think this one came from The Globe and Mail lists. It's called The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery. It's supposedly the first in a series, and oh my --- what fun!! A locked room mystery and an unlikely cast of characters. I'm whizzing right through it, which I shouldn't be because I have stuff to do!!

On that note, I'd better get myself organized and walk the girls before the presentations. 

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

If you live near Ottawa and have a free day tomorrow, April 13, why not come to Quilty Pleasures to see me? From 9 AM to noon, I'll be chatting about the Creativate ecosystem and sharing some cool things I've created using the apps, the embroidery software, and how it all ties together. Super fun. This is appropriate for anyone with a Wi-Fi-enabled (SVP brand) sewing and/or embroidery machine. 

Then from 2 to 5, I'll be chatting about the Singer Momento - 24" digital cutter. How to make SVGs from paper templates, cutting fabric, and a whole lot of other things. This is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn digital cutting, and it will be specific to the Singer Momento, but anyone is welcome to come. 

Click the appropriate event (or both) in the calendar to register. See you there!!!!