Can I ask a question?

Oh, shoot! I set yesterday's post on a timer and realized I still needed to change the time when I hit Publish. So it got published late. Sorry about that!!

Today it's live from my hotel room in Rochester, NY, or actually, we're in a small town on the east side of Rochester. 

And there are no pictures today. Sorry -- I took a ton of pictures, not nothing to share with you. WAIT -- that's not true. I'll share many of these pictures with my embroidery club, but only as I make samples. OK -- I caved -- I added a couple of pictures later! 

Let's step back and tell you why I'm here. As you know, I'm an educator for PFAFF and Husqvarna Viking sewing and embroidery machines. I'm one of three Canadians, and we travel across Canada to get people inspired. We have a team in the US who do the same thing. And I had the opportunity to shadow Karen Charles, who is our BEST educator by far. Sorry to the other ladies, but Karen is an artist and isn't afraid to show it! She uses her sewing machine like a pencil and can make it do all sorts of things you wouldn't think possible with a sewing machine. 

As I mentioned yesterday, if you aren't watching her Facebook Lives -- you should! I've known Karen for four years, and she is a gem. Her personality in real life is - well -- it's larger than LIFE. I love her!!

So I got to shadow Karne for two days as her events were very close to me, and I'm so happy I have this chance. 

I'm also here today and going home after the end of the event. 

I've already been up early this morning and written tons of notes on how what I saw can improve how I do my events (do not want to copy), but I want to change up some of my stuff and making samples? I'll be heads down for months! That learning thing -- it never ends!!!

We're at Sew Creative, an amazing store with fantastic staff. There are so many fabulous samples around the store, and I NEED A sewing/embroidery machine right now! I want to create! And yes -- I did a little bit of shopping. I tried to restrain myself, and as someone in my Monday group said -- if you're going to use it, buy it! If you're not, then don't! 

I did not go crazy and mostly picked up some thread, one pattern, and some weird materials to work with! So all in all, I was very good. 

Did you ever realize that asking questions is the best way to learn anything? I don't like to talk about myself -- who cares about me? But I LOVE to ask questions because people want to talk, especially if they are passionate about something. That's something to think about next time you're in a conversation. No one likes to hear others talk about themselves or their problems unless it's that kind of a conversation. But in a group setting or Zoom? Nope -- ask questions -- you'll be amazed at what you can learn! I'm shocked at how fearful people are of asking questions --- ASK!!!!!

I asked a lot of questions during dinner. And along with my observations during the day, I wrote several pages of notes this morning! 

Are kids being taught to have proper conversations these days? With all their social media and short attention spans -- we shouldn't be taking what we are given -- we should learn to have others give to us by answering our questions. And you need OPEN-ENDED questions, not those that can be answered with a yes or a no!!

But I digress. 

Then Michelle and I went to Hobby Lobby, where we were pursuing the cutest little pie dish ever. It's individual pie sized, and I WANT one!

Cutest pie dish ever

Anyway -- we did some quick shopping as I knew what I wanted -- well, I didn't, but I managed to find something after the disappointment of not finding the pie plate. It was a Thanksgiving item, but we hoped to find a similar one for Christmas. 

I bought some yarn and beads on a string. All were on sale, and I spent less than $20, and it's all got a purpose! Some of the stuff I bought doesn't have an immediate need, but when I make samples, I'll need these supplies!

I could have bought a sewing machine cover -- but seriously??? If I need to buy something that I can make? That's not good! NO -- I want to use some techniques and fabric that I have available to me -- there is no need to buy one of those. Isn't that an oxymoron? Buying a cover for your sewing machine?

Sewing machine cover?

My roaming finally kicked in -- almost 24 hours after I arrived. Although I rebooted my phone and turned on the roaming, it didn't like that. So I shut off the roaming and turned it back on, which seemed to do the trick. I plan to get out this morning and do at least one geocache, and it's in the parking lot of the store. Now, how convenient is that? 

I have the best job in the world! I have access to some incredible toys and the time (OK -- so I'm lying about that) to make samples. I just need to put these samples on the priority list. This is the kind of job that works for the curious (that's me). Why does this thread work better than that? What does this tension dial do? I am amazed and likely will be until I die, but people are AFRAID of the tension dial on their sewing machine, and yet -- it's one of the machine's BEST features. It allows you to be so darn creative with so many products! I've known that for years!

You just wait --- I'm trying to put together a class that deals with tension and thread!! My biggest issue is how to deliver it, as I need to get a kit to the students, as I'm working with a thread company. I might try a small group on Zoom. 

Did I learn anything new yesterday? Although I wasn't here to learn anything (because I would hope that I know how the PFAFF creative icon 2 works, I did learn one thing that I needed to be made aware of! I am mostly here to observe and to get inspired. My brain about exploded yesterday and today's a new day! But I got confirmation that I know my stuff, which was equally important. I may have learned that a different delivery of the material I know might benefit me when I teach! 

Well, enough of me rambling on. It's time to get moving!!

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

Make do with what you have

 

Another successful Zoom presentation last night. It was all about finishing off quilts, and one of the things I wanted to showcase was the Binding Attachment. Do I actually do a live demo? Why not - let's do it. 

The binding attachment on the PFAFF creative icon

Actually, the demo went very well. It's hard to do a live demo. Not only do you want to do it reasonably quickly when you might take a little more time if you're on your own. You have the pressure of people watching you. Let's not forget the camera in the way! 

The camera in front of the sewing machine

But it worked very well, and I was quite pleased with the final result. I have a bunch more small samples that need to be bound. I should be using the Binding Attachment, so that's something to add to the list of things that need to be done. 

FYI -- If you are interested in participating in these lecture series - there are three of them - quilting, embroidery and embroidery software. They are brand specific to either PFAFF or Husqvarna. Call your local dealer to see if they are going to run any of the series. If not, call around for other dealers and get on their class list. 

While I would love to show live samples of my quilts or binding or stitching or whatever, I've realized that it's just too complicated and takes too long. So I need pictures. Yesterday, I was putting together the binding presentation. I needed pictures of different ways of finishing quilts and stitching for bindings. Oh god - look what happened. 

Quilts and more quilts everywhere

That room that had all the quilts nicely laid out on the bed? It's not so neat any longer. Holy - I never realized how much weight is on that bed! I'm surprised the frame hasn't collapsed. Those quilts are heavy to move. 

Now that they are in total disarray, I need to sort them. If I take an overall photo of the quilt and a couple of detailed pictures, I'll have easy access to all the quilts. I need to measure them as well. Then they need to be sorted on the bed. The ones that I'm least likely to want will be on the bottom, and the other ones will be grouped by categories. 

NO time like the present to get started! 

At some point, I realized that I had taken my shoes off when I was in that room so I could walk on the quilts. ACK! Where did my shoes go??? 

There's a shoe among the quilts

AHA -- there's one shoe, and the other one wasn't too far from that one. I did have to laugh! When I get busy prepping, watch out! Things fly!

As I was walking the dogs in the morning, I noticed this lawn. Hmm - I wonder what they going to do here. All the grass has been stripped off. Are they putting new grass down or making it an environmentally friendly front yard? We'll just have to watch and see what happens. 

Grass stripped off a front yard

One article got written and sent off. Four more to do for that project and four for another project need to be written and a quilt pattern. Most of the photos are taken for all of them, but I like to edit the heck out of my documents, so hopefully, the editors have very little work to do on their end. 

I'll be working on one of those articles today and hope to get to the long arm as well. I've got another presentation this evening, but it's the second time around, so the prep work will be minimal. Set the cameras, double-check the presentations, and I'm good!

I need to get working on my UFO projects as the date is fast approaching. I've made good progress during the month. No waiting until the last day this month. There was too much to do in one day anyway. 

I'm working on the snail's trail quilt. 

The snail's trail blocks are together

All the blocks are now together. And it's a far cry from what the original pattern looked like. 

The original pattern

Thankfully, I'm so past having to make things EXACTLY like the pattern. I'd be fussing about fabric quantities, techniques, and not getting the project done. This is about getting things DONE!!!

Of course, all the seams on the back are twirled. There's so much bulk between the blocks (well - at those points), and the quilt top just looks better when the seams are twirled. 

Seams are twirled on the back

When I got the top together, I measured it, and it's just a wee bit too narrow for Quilts of Valour. I knew that, so I grabbed one of the two pieces of brown fabric left from making the blocks. This is all I have for the border. I figured out how many strips I needed, divided the length of fabric by that number, and made the border. Easy and no worries about running out. Make do with what you have and move on!!

The fabric for the border

This is what I had leftover. That can go into the brown bag of strings for string pieced quilts. 

Leftover brown after cutting the border

There's one piece of brown fabric left, and I was going to use it for the binding, but I don't think it's large enough. So I'll dig through the stash to find something that'll work and then go through the backing material to find something brown. 

That fabric that I used for the border is in the quilt, and as luck would have it - that fabric was in one of the blocks along the side. 

The borer fabric is in the blocks as well

The borders along the sides are on. Yeah!!!!!

Side borders are on

And the top and bottom borders are pinned and waiting to be sewn on later today. 

Top and bottom borders are pinned in place

There's no stopping me! I can get anything done that I set my mind to. I just wish I had more hours in a day. I get so motivated and just not enough time to do everything my brain wants to do that day. 

But I'm OK. I'm excited to get up each day and look forward to getting more stuff sewn or cleaned up. I'm making such great progress, and that's all that counts. 

While I have access to some fantastic sewing machines, I'm not a sewing machine snob. I'm sewing on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby deLuxe. Even though the Designer EPIC 2 is sitting idle in the background. It's set up for embroidery, and I can't be bothered to take the embroidery arm off as I have more that I want to do. I'm OK with it - I LOVE the Designer Ruby deLuxe. It sews like a dream, and it was set up and ready to go!!! 

Sewing on the Designer Ruby deLuxe

OK -- It's official. The VIRTUAL Class for LONG TIME GONE is up. You can sign up NOW. 

I'll be teaching that quilt as a Virtual class at Thimbles and Things in Orillia. Here's the link to the page at the store with the instructions for signing up.   I pulled my fabric the other day, and I'm getting ready to get the first assignment together. 

I'm so excited - I've wanted to make this quilt for a long time. It looks very BUSY, but I've got ideas. Get yourself signed up and book that first date in your calendar, where we're going to chat about fabric and a whole lot more. It's going to be a jam-packed class. The books are available from Thimbles and Things. I would NOT WAIT to sign up - I'm not sure how many books are available. 

I walked to the grocery store again. I love walking around the neighborhood. I get to check out things like how my neighbors seem to have no concept of how the garbage system works in our area. If you have a large appliance, you have to get rid of it yourself. We now have a stove and a fridge outside. At least the stove is hanging out at their garage door, but still. The fridge? The city doesn't pick it up - you have to pay to have it removed by a private company if you don't do it yourself. I see myself knocking on their door soon. It's ridiculous that people just put out stuff they don't want and don't seem to care whether it gets picked up or not. The same neighbor with the stove also has parts of a big desk on the curb. Our street looks like a junkyard!

Here's the link to the SATURDAY, September 19, Virtual Retreat. Remember, this retreat starts at 2:30 PM as I have several presentations and classes in the morning. 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87628087473?pwd=QjE0Q1Ntc2o2anpvVEl5Y2Z2dFArQT09 Meeting ID: 876 2808 7473 Passcode: 072178

I have loads more to say, but it's time to go!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Inspiration

Yesterday was a fabulous day! The weather was perfect for driving however, I did run into some pretty heavy fog on my way to Orillia. But soon I was out of that and on my way through the gorgeous sunlight.

I was listening to an audiobook. At first, I couldn't get it to work. Well, it was working, but I couldn't hear a thing. Then I remembered that I have to plug the phone into the car to get audio. I'm not sure why that is - it sounds very weird. Then I'm not a fan of the navigation system in that car so it doesn't surprise me. Then I was able to listen to the book. I'm attending a book reading by the author next week and was hoping to have the book finished by then, however, the audiobook expires today. Can I get my hands on the hard copy????  The audiobook is on hold for someone else so I can't renew it. The book is The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman.

I presented two lectures yesterday. The first was Inspiration for embroidery and embellishment, the second was on the Premier +2 Software (machine embroidery). Both events were very well received by the attendees. I always get so much from the group while I give to them. It's a very rewarding experience.

If you're in my neighborhood, I'll be doing two presentations on Friday at Brampton Sew n Serge. One is called Inspiration for quilting and the second is Inspiration for embroidery and embellishment. Even if you don't own the brand of machine that they sell (Husqvarna Viking), it'll be exciting and inspirational to attend.

The event yesterday was at Thimbles and Things which is my ALL-TIME favorite quilt store. Sue, the owner, is just the best shop owner around. She's friendly, she remembers everything and well - I don't know a single person who doesn't love her. Jen runs the PFAFF dealership in the shop. I love her too! They are both super friendly and well - you just want to buy everything in the shop. However, I refrained. I'll be back for our sewing retreat in a couple of weeks and I'll shop then - if I need anything. Oh - I need SOMETHING!

If you're ever in the Orillia area, you MUST stop at this quilt shop. If you're looking for something different, Sue is assembling The Town and Country Quilt as a fundraiser for their local hospice which is just being built. She's sold most of the 365 blocks but there's still a few for sale. Check it out - it's all for a good cause. Just scroll down on the Thimbles and Things web page - the information is near the bottom.

Then I packed my stuff up and I was off. But wait - where's my phone so I can plug it in to listen to the audiobook? Good grief - I couldn't find it and I had been using it all day showing off the sewing apps. Oh well - no audiobook on the way home. I knew the phone was in the car because when I turned the car on, I saw my phone contacts pop up on the navigation screen. So the phone is in the car. That's all I cared about!

I was tired when I home, but I did putter around with the Premier + 2 software a bit as I tried to get some stuff done for Ronda that I was supposed to have done a few months back. The font is converted, the words are set - I just need to shape them. Don't worry - I'll show you so you can understand what the heck we are doing. That Ronda is pretty demanding!!!  (:   And it keeps me on my toes, learning new stuff. That's a good thing.

I did manage to get the third border on the Tonga Rhapsody. Yeah!!!! This one went much smoother than the previous one did.

The third border is on Tonga Rhapsody

That leaves ONE more border to go. It's a plain border so the strips just have to be joined, measured and sewn on. ONE MORE HOUR. The binding is cut and I have to find some backing for it. Good thing as I have a couple more pieces to add to the backing shelves and not sure I'm going to find room.

The last border for Tonga Rhapsody

I have a Sit n Sew tomorrow so I need to do a wee bit of tidying. I had emptied this nice orange bucket and it now houses all the current things I have to work on. It's mostly borders, bindings, and backings. I'll work my way through that tomorrow. Who am I kidding?  I'll work on it, but I won't get to the bottom! Once it's empty, I'll fill it with the next lot of projects. The goal here is to FOCUS so it gets done.

Bucket of work

I have to deal with those 8 items still on my "to do" list. Some of them NEED to be done today and others, I just want to get finished. I'm going to aim for getting a lot done today.

My problem is that I have so much I want/need to do. There's so much I want to learn. I just can't believe there are people aren't there who don't have hobbies or are bored. How can you be bored in this day and age with so much around us to learn and play with???

Yesterday, I did a little demo on the current state of technology in the sewing machine world. I used my cell phone as a hotspot for WiFi. Then I connected the PFAFF Creative Icon to the WiFi. I also connected my laptop to the hotspot so it was also connected to WiFi. Then I was able to transfer embroidery files from the Creative Icon to the Premier +2 software on my computer. I would then be able to make modifications and send it back to the Creative Icon so I could stitch them out. Now isn't that just crazy???  I have more stuff to share with you about the technology, but NOT before I show the group on Friday.

While there are days when technology is not my friend, I totally embrace it and try to max it out which is why I think I end up in trouble sometimes. However, I'm learning so much and I'm not going to let any of this defeat me!!!!!

If you're in the Oakville area, there's a fiber art show that I think will be wonderful. Here's the information. Last time, I went to this Cultural Centre, I was pleasantly surprised by other displays that I found in the gallery and along the halls. This time, it won't be teeming with summer camps.

Here's a link to the center so you can get the address. I'm not a big fan of their web site as it provides information on the center, but never on what's happening there or am I missing something??

On that note, I'm out of here. Got a crazy day again - but I love it. It wouldn't be a fun day if something wasn't happening! I can only deal with calm for so long. Imagine what it's going to be like for me when I hit the retirement home. I might get evicted!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

I SLEPT IN

OK - I'm late with the blog. Why? Because I slept in! I was wide awake in the middle of the night thinking about my projects so I got up to check some stuff. Went back to bed and now it's late - really late!

The girls will not get a walk this morning and they are NOT going to be happy. I should be leaving for Monday sewing right now!

Oh well - I'm going to be late. It's not like I need to be there to open the door. I'll get there when I get there. Life goes on!

I'm glad I got up as I had a few things to "learn" and my brain was in such an active mode that is needed to learn them at 3 AM!!!  I'm prepping for some events this week. I totally kept forgetting to mention them to you in case you'd like to attend.

One is being held at Thimble and Things TOMORROW. Sorry for the late notice. There are two events. The first one is on the embroidery software for PFAFF. Premiere +2 Embroidery Software. That starts at 9 AM. Even if you're a Husqvarna customer, you would learn something as the software is the same - branded differently. But don't tell anyone I said that.

The second class is on Embroidery and Embellishment where I'm going to provide inspiration for you - the embroiderer!! I've been working on some super creative stuff that blew my socks off when I stitched it out last night. I'll show you next week. It's so adorable!

The event on Friday is at Brampton Sew and Serge. One of the topics is on Inspiration for Quilting and the other is Embroidery and Embellishment. This time both slots are for Husqvarna Viking. Next time, I'd better give you more notice.

I did virtually nothing in the mass cleanup that's happening. I had other things to do. I had to trim all those quilts that I had quilted as they are being delivered today. They are all done including this customer quilt.

Customer quilt

I got one more border on the Tonga Rhapsody. Holy - it's being pretty temperamental. Almost like it doesn't want to be finished. But I persevered and now that border is done. Two more borders to go.

The second border is one

See all those checkerboards in that border? Well, they are done in mirror images of each other. That should say something as to what happened! But that's done and only two more borders to put on, then make the binding and find some backing. I can't wait until the backing part as it's so easy to find them now with the new filing system.

The remaining two borders and the binding are cut

Then I'll have to deal with the scraps. That's easy - I have a batik scrap bin and these bits will go in there. It's all about putting things away when I'm finished with them and to not let this remain a UFO for too much longer.

The scraps to be put away

I have a Sit n Sew later this week and I hope to be done by then (NOT going to happen) because it's taking up a lot of space on the tables and I need the space to lay it out to put on the borders. This is how I get so many steps in a day. My sewing machine is one on side of the tables and the quilt is laid out on the other. Works for me!!!

The quilt is on the opposite side of the table as the sewing machine

I did get a few more things put away in Studio B. I'm going to need the space in good shape for Thursday. Now how did that day creep up so fast? It's going to be a totally crazy week. But that's OK.

I hung up my magnetic board over the cutting table. I missed having access to my pens and paper which are attached in a metal holder. I washed it down and got rid of some of the stuff that had been hanging on it for years! I didn't get a picture of the new set up. That's a photo for tomorrow.

The magnetic message board is clean!

I'll leave you with this morning. Some eye candy. These are quilts that have been made by SAQA (Studio Arts Quilts Associates). The quilts are for sale as a fundraiser for the organization. There are some amazing pieces!!!!

And now I'm out of here!

Have a great day!!!!


Ciao!!!

A busy day

A super busy day! I finished the stitching on the fall wall hanging for Mom including the label and dropped it off in the morning. I had enough time to stitch the label on the winter wall hanging which was made years ago and never got a label. That means three of the four wall hangings are DONE and there's one left that hasn't been started. It's the summer one and I have 10 months to get it done before summer comes next year. It's on my list of projects to work on over the next couple of months.

I spent the day at The Sewing Machine Store with two events. The first was a demonstration of sewing machine feet for both brands - Husqvarna Viking and PFAFF. I had a suitcase packed with samples and sewing machine feet and a couple of quilts. This brings back so many memories of when I first started to teach quilting. You would go to class prepared or so you thought, but when you are presenting you come up with all kinds of other ideas that would be better representations for the stitches or the feet or whatever.

I need to make a few notes on how I could make a few improvements for some of the feet samples. I'll be working on that when I get back home. I'm excited because there are so many different feet to play with and I've got some great ideas. Not enough time!!!!

I had been experimenting with the various binding feet including the new Quilt Binder. I was a wee bit hesitant about that foot because I haven't had a whole lot of time to play with it. Thanks to Emily and our quick Facetime lesson at the airport, my demonstration was pretty near perfect! I wasn't sure that I was going to like the darn thing, but it's pretty slick when you learn the few tricks and it even makes mitered corners!!!  I know! and mitered corners that I'd be happy with.

After my visit with Susan, I see a lot more binding that I want to experiment with. I need to get home NOW!!!!!  That'll have to wait for a couple of weeks when I'm back home and have cleared up some stuff. And of course, there are a couple of things that need immediate attention when I get back home.

The ladies were all quite happy with the information passed along and we had loads of fun.

There was an event on the fabric frame in the event. That was my first time demoing the frame and again, there were learning moments!  Oh boy - the learning just never ends. It would be nice to get my hands on a frame so I could really test it out because there's so much that one can do with it and boy oh boy - it's slick to whip that machine around the frame and not have to move the project.

I think the biggest thing to remember about a fabric frame is that it is NOT a long arm. Think of these frames as giant hoops where you hoop your fabric, do your stitching, then rehoop it. And it's not just for quilting - anything you can hoop - you can put on the frame. Again, the possibilities are endless and I need to make myself a list of samples I'd like to make, then find me a frame to borrow and get them made up!

So much to demonstrate and so little time to make samples!

I did manage to get something to eat between those two events. We had a full house for both which was very exciting. At the end of the day, my suitcase was a disaster. I literally just threw everything back in - that was after I had straightened everything out before I went off in the morning. I need to straighten the suitcase out before I head off to class this morning.

I stayed in Saskatoon last night so I wouldn't have to make the trek all the way to North Battleford last night and then back out early this morning. I was tired and needed a good sleep which I got. So I'm all fired up for the two events that we have today.

And I have to get my computer ready for the presentations for today and the files ready for embroidery, etc.

On that note, I'd better get myself organized and get ready for today.

Have a super day!

Ciao!!!

Event Day

As much as you think you know something, there's always room to learn more. I had an interesting day yesterday. It was an easy drive out to Surrey to visit Castle Sewing Center. M lives close to the highway so it was a snap to get on the way once I got out of the garage! Of course, it's the weekend and there wasn't much traffic. Let's just say that while I appreciate the car I'm driving, it's huge and a wee bit of a pain to park in the visitor parking at M's apartment building. I'm happy to get on the wide open roads!

I got set up and was ready for the day - doing an event on the Premier +2 software. I had lots of samples to show and well, I also have more samples to make and more things to learn to take it beyond the basics. I'm a quick study and I've got the manuals - I should be OK. Perhaps that'll be my reading material on the way home. I would bet that I'll have to read the manual several times before I would consider myself an expert.

Let's just say that teaching has always been the best way to learn. You must stay ahead of the students and the students always ask the tough questions. I was stumped a time or two yesterday so must make sure that I get that fixed for next time.

The afternoon presentation on new things in the market and quilting techniques was fun and even got to see an old friend. That was a nice surprise as I didn't know she was coming. It was also a bit nerve-wracking since she used to be in education for SVP! But it's all in the presentation.

The bottom line? Everyone went home with a bit more knowledge and most importantly, they went home inspired. Some people bought the software or upgraded and a machine or two went out the door. So that was exciting.

The two events today are hands-on and at a different store. This one is downtown Vancouver. I'm sure that I'm going to learn some stuff at those classes as well. Constant learning!

Got back to M's apartment after I packed up my stuff. I was exhausted. Not just because of the time difference, the lack of sleep the night before, but from the day's events. I must confess that I lounged on the sofa for most of the evening and then got into my pj's and went to bed. And you know what? I'm OK with that.

I'm a morning person anyway!

Little Bear was quite happy to entertain us all evening. He's such a cute little dog - well when he has hair. Right now, he's not so cute, but he makes up for that with his personality. I see he ended up sleeping with me last night and likes to cuddle under the blankets. My girls will not be happy to know that.

Time to get the day rolling.

Have a super day!!!


Ciao!!!!