LOL --- take a break? The demos weren't supposed to go for an entire hour, but you know me! I also had something else on my mind that stressed me out on Sunday, but a day later, after saying it out loud a couple of times, I'm over it. I can't stress about things that happened in the past that I can't control.
I admit that I made a goof (no harm done, no one got hurt) and life goes on. In the past, I would dwell on that for days, but now? What's the point? So all is good in my world and life goes on! I'm well-rested and ready to tackle the rest of the week.
The final deer for the Show and Tell quilt is done! Yeah!!!!
 |
| The third deer block is complete. |
I decided to follow the pattern and use the narrower strip between the legs. Here are the other two.
 |
| My other two deer blocks |
My time is a wee bit tight this week. I wish things could be spread out more so that I have a bit of time to breathe between events. Some months, things are wide open; other months, everyone decides we need to do something. It's temporary, so I can survive. It's really just the next couple of days and trying to get everything organized for the weekend. Plus I have a trip to Montreal that got thrown in this week, PLUS a Facebook Live. More on that in a minute!
Look at my sweet girl. She wants to play ball, so I gently rolled it across the floor. I think she realized playing ball may not be the best thing, so she plunked herself down on the mat, and I rolled the ball to her. She was happy! What was hilarious, and I didn't get a picture, was that she lay there for a long time, trying to engage with the ball! It just sat there!
 |
| MOM -- Look at me - I'm playing ball!!! |
I will say that the support strap that we purchased to help her up the stairs is a godsend!! I could have made one, but that wasn't going to happen. It's wide and padded with long handles, so I slip it under her tummy, and when she slips/collapses, I've got her. She is getting quite used to it, and sometimes when I'm not quick enough to put it under her tummy, she looks back at me and says politely - HURRY UP, MOM - I need to get to bed!!!
I can't tell you how much a little prep work or organization can make a huge difference in your day. When I did my first Facebook Live a while back, the setup issues were incredible. I didn't know which cables to use, didn't have the right lengths, and had many, many other issues. Then I threw it all back in a bucket, and what a mess to do it all over again.
Now, everything is labeled in bags for each camera, and it's a snap. I have a Facebook Live tomorrow, and here's what happened this morning. My workout was fixing this area, not going to the gym.
This is where the current project stuff is sitting, so I quickly moved that out of the way. Now that there is a lot less on those tables, it was super easy. I will get to a point where there isn't a lot on those tables, but that is not today. The portal design boards are in the corner, to conceal those bookcases.
 |
| The start of setting up the film area |
As I mentioned, I was in a bit of a funk yesterday morning, and if someone had called me to pick up books, I think I was prepared to get rid of the entire lot! GASP!!! I NEVER thought I would say that. But you know what? The more I get rid of things, the more I want to get rid of things, including books!!! I'm stunned! Now don't worry—that is not going to happen, but there are many books I will never use. However, there are book categories that I want to keep!
Anyway, the next step in setting up the area was to bring out the cameras and the tripods. The cameras stay attached to the tripods, so it's easy to set up. I only have to attach the iPad or phone, depending on which device I'm using as the fourth camera.
 |
| The tripods are out |
I moved the sewing equipment into place and brought in an extra table to work on.
 |
| Sewing machine in place |
I love this tower power thing, but I've dropped it twice. The first time, one side of the base popped out, and the second time, the entire base popped off. It's super annoying now because it won't stand properly, and I've tried multiple times to snap it back in place. It might help if I unplug everything, set it on a table, and push from the bottom. I might try that later today. BUT - I've checked - the wires are still connected; it's just the plastic casing that came apart.
 |
| This is what happens when you drop the power tower - twice! |
And now it looks a bit more "organized!" It's always a challenge to get everything in place, then decide where the cameras should be so you can see what I'm trying to show and not all the behind-the-scenes stuff. And since some of this event uses computer software, I need an extra monitor (no problem - I've got one of those), and it's all in place.
 |
| The bags of cables are ready to install |
Today, I'll connect to the Livestream service to test out all the angles and equipment. We were chatting about tripping hazards in the sewing space yesterday on the Monday sewing call. How is this for a tripping hazard? I put the extension cord on a stool to remind me it's there and, hopefully, I won't need to go into that area anymore.
 |
| The tripping zone!! |
I still have some samples/demos to prep today, and I must get back to prepping for my classes on the weekend. People tell me NOT to say this, but after this weekend, I still have things to do, but not the craziness that is this week.
But that didn't stop me from doing some puzzling last night! Not a jigsaw puzzle - there is a bit too much on that table at the moment. Not only am I having to get ready for this event, but I'm also trying to unpack and set aside what I need tomorrow, what I might need for a couple more online events before the end of the month, and what can be put away. Yikes!!!!
My mom had a green thumb and could probably grow anything in cement! I love plants, but I seem incapable of making them grow. Yep—it's total neglect, and I'm not afraid to admit it!
Earlier this year, someone gave me some plant clippings. They were well wrapped and survived a plane trip. Since then, I've been meaning to plant the darn things in a pot. I even bought the pot and the soil.
In the meantime, the clippings have been sitting in a small glass bowl on my kitchen windowsill. OH MY --- look at this!!! The Christmas cactus is going to bloom!!! Even with extreme neglect, I'm growing things!
 |
| Christmas cactus is going to bloom under very adverse conditions. |
I guess I had better replant those darn things. I'm surprised because those roots have stood in water for months. And this window never gets sun. Is this telling me something? But if I repot that plant, where the heck am I going to put it?
WAIT --- I have two metal stands in the living room that I used to put plants on, so they were in the hot sunny window. There is nothing on them, yet they still sit in the living room. If I move at least one of them to the back and put it in front of a window in the eating area, that is the equivalent of the kitchen window. OK -- I don't think I have time to do that today, but I need to get that thing out of the water!!!!
Yesterday, we were chatting about Christmas presents, and this popped up in my feed. OH MY!!!!!
 |
| Good suggestions for Christmas gift-giving |
It's been years since we last exchanged gifts with each other, or with anyone. In fact, I don't give gifts at all at Christmas. If we're blessed with grandchildren one day, I will find a nice, sensible gift for the kids, but adults? We don't need more crap!!! At least I don't!
I think it would be amazing if every family that wants to give gifts does the following: Pick a price point (that's good for the giver and the receiver), then go to your favorite bookstore, hobby store, hardware store, clothing store, online, or in person. Be specific about what you want and make a list. Distribute the list to the members who want to give you something. It's up to them to not get duplicates.
Then on Christmas Day, they get the chance to give you something, and you get what you want! That makes so much sense.
OH MY GOSH --- that's just what we did as kids with the Wish Book from Eaton's and Sears. Except, we may not have paid attention to the price!
And parents NEED to stop catering to their kids who demand the latest trend, and it's out of stock. That's been true since the start of time, I'm sure. But seriously—this is a great place to teach your kid some rules of life! And we all need to throw in a bit of charity or community giving, too. Another good life lesson for the kids.
Trust me—I didn't do that in the past, but I sure wish I had. I don't give, and I don't expect gifts, and I'm OK with that. I'd rather the gift of TIME with someone than a gift from them. Just like the gift of time I had the other night with the two people I met with for dinner. That provided some great laughs, good memories, and my friendship with both grew!
And here's the other thing to think about with gift-giving. Let's say you have a $50 limit per gift. Someone decides that they want to throw in a few extra things, so now what you give them is worth $50 and what you get is worth $75. I know they are being generous, but you don't have to be. The person who gets the $75 will feel bad because they only gave $50, but $50 was the limit!!!
Here are some dates to keep in mind:
Virtual Retreat -- November 28 and 29
BUT - the most important date is my Facebook Live tomorrow:
I'm working with the Creativate Embroidery Software AND the Momento, so regardless of what sewing/embroidery machine you have, there is something for you in this presentation. Hence, I'm giving you two links - one from Husqvarna Viking and one from PFAFF. Both will take you to the SAME spot.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1475580608011503
If you want to see the Facebook event page, here are the two links: Not sure why I can't make them hyperlinks this morning, but just copy and paste.
https://www.facebook.com/HusqvarnaVikingUSA/events
https://www.facebook.com/PfaffUSA/events
Instead of just showing you a bunch of samples, I'll do a TUTORIAL. Yes—from start to finish, how you can make these amazing little quilts, all done in the hoop, except for the binding!!!
It's so much fun, and I can't wait to share!!!!
No time to share magazine stuff today, but you'll get more tomorrow! Maybe—depends on how today goes, but since most of the setup is done, I have the rest of the day to finish prepping for the weekend.
Have a wonderful day!!!!
Ciao!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment