Progress on the UFOs

I love how we are all working together to keep our houses neat and decluttered. YES—I have an older laptop and a desktop that both need cleaning up; it shouldn't take too much time (right?), and then we can donate them. There is no sense in keeping them. I also kept my desktop "just in case." Actually, the old desktop was needed to print things, but the new computer prints just fine now. So both can go. They are in the office and will have to wait until I can get there. 

Elle - you can continue to regale us with your decluttering stories! Somewhere along the line, you got it right from the start. The rest of us are playing catch-up! It's "nice" to know even you struggle to get rid of some things. You are human after all! Thanks for the stories -- no need to stop!

But here's the thing—once we let go, we don't regret it. We relish the new freedom, the new table and chairs, the new empty space, or whatever it is, and then we know how good that will feel next time, so getting rid of things becomes so much easier. 

I spent a good part of the day working on some homework for an October class. If I showed you, that group would eagerly jump in to start sewing. And well, the purpose of the class is to show them the trouble areas—oh yes—a seam ripper was required, along with a few other tips. So those homework pictures are safely stored in the appropriate folder for October.

I needed some show-and-tell for you, so I finished off the two winter quilts. Remember, these are relatively small - they are wall hangings. 

Quilt number one

Quilt number two

And so you don't think I cheated (LOL) and used the same picture twice, or the same quilt with two different pictures, here's a picture of both! 

YES -- there are two quilts!

I even made the binding for both. 

Binding for the two quilts and the pattern

But then, do you think I could find the backing I pulled the other day? Absolutely not! It was nowhere to be found. Then I opened the project box to find some 3D bells to put with this quilt, and VOILA - there was the backing - in the project box, where it was supposed to be. Funny, I didn't find the 3D bells in this box, but I found beads I can use instead. I will put them in a small bag and attach it to the quilts, but not stitch the beads on until they are quilted. 

The missing backing

I'll organize the backings later today. One pattern, the summer one, remains in this box, and I would like to make that (two of them to keep the sets) happen in 2027. In the meantime, I'll put away all the bits and bobs I won't use for the winter quilts, then keep the summer pattern and a few buttons in a smaller basket. I can reuse the project box for something else on that table. 

I started these quilts in 2004, so they definitely qualify as UFOs; I had one made (or parts of it), and I used the other to demo the parts while teaching them in person. I think I did that for two years (five quilts in total), and I never did that again! 

I didn't take a picture, but so far, the only things on those two extra tables are the current projects for classes - that are three of them. The scraps are on a different table. And on the second current-project table are the T-shirts for those quilts, plus a couple of tubs of things that could be easily accomplished in 60 minutes. Funny—since I set those out, I haven't had a spare 60 minutes to make one. 

There is still some stuff on the floor, and I won't have time to deal with it for a while. I'm OK with that. 

Murphy is often the one you get to see, but let's not forget our beautiful Lexi. She loves to sleep in her bed beside her DAD while he watches TV. I think she would still like to be on the sofa beside him, but it was looking pretty bad, so it's been gone for a couple of years. This works just fine! And yes, she is a cutie, and she knows it! 

MOM - no pictures, please - I don't want someone to steal me! 

Do you get Country Living? There was an article about quilting in the June/July 2026 issue. 

Country Living June/July 2026

The article is actually a bunch of snippets about various things related to quilting, celebrating the United States' 250th anniversary. Quilting came to America from Europe, but the US has definitely made a huge mark on quilting's success and progress. 

Quilts carry a lot of heritage and history, and here is one of the more famous quilts. 

Reconciliation Quilt

OMG—I went to find a link to that quilt, and the first thing that popped up was a 300-piece jigsaw puzzle. Do you think my search engine knows me or what? It's amazing how quickly those search engines (and even quicker if they have AI attached) learn your habits. So even though you are doing the searching, you are not really. And then are we only getting to see what the algorithms want us to see? That's the scary part. When we did manual searches in a library, we were 100% in control - we are no longer in control. 

I did a second search, and here is the information about the quilt. 

There was a brief timeline over the last 250 years, and this was the final entry. I'm hearing this over and over again from lots of different sources. I can only hope that this is happening, and I applaud the younger generation for stepping away from their screens. If you have ANYONE who even breathes the words, "I want to learn to sew," grab them and sit them down with fabric and a sewing machine! 

Can it be so? I sure hope!!!

Since I brought puzzling back into my life, I am scrolling less, and I'm loving it! I'd rather be an active participant in something (solving a logic puzzle or putting a jigsaw puzzle together) than mindlessly scrolling. 

Now here is something else that warms my heart and makes my head happy. Now that I'm seeing the cognitive issues in my family, I'm not worried, but it does give me pause to think. And this is certainly NOT a scientific test. There are five children in Mom's family - she is the eldest. Four girls and the last one is a boy. They are between the ages of 83 and 90 - I think that is right. 

All of them know how to use their hands, but only one of the girls became a quilter. A true and true quilter like myself needs to figure out patterns, cut small bits of fabric, and then sew them back together again. Of the five, she is in the best physical and mental shape, although I didn't get a chance to see her these past two trips. Life was not easy on our aging bodies in my family. Knees are the worst!

The moral of this story is: become a quilter, and you won't lose your marbles! OK -- so I love to generalize like that. BUT wait -- have a look at this that I spotted when I did take a few minutes to scroll through social media. I think you can click on the pictures to enlarge them. If you can't read that, there is a link here to the same kind of information. 

Seriously? If I were of any age and I spotted that, give me a rotary cutter and some fabric. I am quite happy to be a quilter, and if it's going to help prolong my mental health, I couldn't be happier. So the next time your family says, "Mom -- why do you keep making quilts? You tell them that not only is it your therapy for your peace, but it's your therapy to keep your marbles! And then offer to teach them to sew! I would hand out copies of the above so they get it! And then tell them, it's none of their business how you spend your time. 

One other thing I want to share this morning. I also spotted this on social media. There were many other pictures, but this is so true. What the heck is happening to our society? 

While I'm not sure I want green fixtures in the bathroom, you can add color with accessories. But this neutral business is a bit much for me. We have a red car, and as long as we can buy a NON-neutral car, we will. I really need to wear more bright colors, as I tend to wear black a lot, but I'm not afraid to wear color and can sometimes be seen in the summer with orange shorts and a pink top or vice versa. Why not? 

I typically wear my orange flowers in my hair. For the wedding, I wore pale green that matched my outfit, and I look like a washed-out old lady. I'm OK with it - it can't be changed, but I wish I had not changed the color of my hair band! It was for M that I did it, but I won't again. I'm OK with it - but drat -- the pale flowers in my mousey hair? Boring! Looking at the pictures, I see that pale green is not my friend! I need bright colors to make my hair and skin shine. We do things for our kids, but now that she is married, I can wear whatever I want, when I want! 

I must get myself organized for the day. I did NOT get to the gym - there is a good reason for that, and I'm not prepared to share with you this morning. I have a doctor's appointment today, and all will be revealed. It's ridiculous. 

Plus DH and I have a BIG adventure this afternoon. I can hardly wait to see what all the hype is about. We have Dillon (new SIL) to thank for that. I'll give you all the details tomorrow. 

It's going to be a wonderful day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Color inspiration for the next quilt

So it was a good day and a bad day! GRR! 

It drives me crazy when I can't find something. I become obsessed with finding it, and when I can't, it throws my day for a curve! That was yesterday. I'm missing TWO things -- I wanted to take a picture of part of a UFO project. Can I find it? Nope -- and I've looked everywhere. But obviously, not everywhere! I'll try later today. 

However, the good news is that I already have a picture of the piece (I remembered that later in the day) and found the pictures this morning. It's not perfect because the picture was cropped, but it'll do. 

There was good news as I was searching for that project; I found something I wanted to find when I was teaching the One Block Wonder class.  I need a MAJOR sort of all my UFOs. They need to go in tubs/shelves or wherever, and there needs to be a darn good list generated. This is nuts and a waste of time! They also need to be culled- those I will never work on and those I want to keep. 

Leftover bits from a One Block Wonder quilt

I'll arrange those pieces in a better photo and send it to the group. After I've taken the photos, this project NEEDS to go in the boxes with the other projects concerning One Block Wonder. It had a home, and I did not put it there, and that's a problem. 

And the reason the other project is missing is that I moved things around, and I'm not sure where I put the project. I thought I knew, but I don't. However, I found lots of other stuff that I can send to Diane for her to sew up! As long as she keeps sewing, I may not even have to touch my stash. I have these random bundles of fabric that I'll never use, so it goes to her! I wanted to make something, but just because. Now -- those "just because" projects will likely get donated. 

It would also help me if I sort the UFOs by type or style? I'm unsure how to make that happen, but I need to clear off a table or two and start getting this mess sorted out. I told you that cleaning up would never end! 

OK -- so I managed to save the day by finding that picture, but I can't really fudge the fact that I'm missing a library book. Not just any library book, but an OVERDUE one. If I don't find it soon, my account will get frozen, which is never good. I can't do anything until the account gets unfrozen, and if I can't find the book, I'll have to pay for it. 

The worst part is that I had the book recently, and where did I put it? Obviously, in THAT safe place. Now, where is that safe place? 

I'm stealing a couple more photos from someone tidying up their sewing space. 

I'm terribly jealous - OK -- not to the point I can't live, but look at this view! I wish I had a view when I sew. And this is a very interesting sewing table, and I wonder where she got it? It would easily fit any sewing machine. 

A neat and tidy sewing space

And did you notice part of ethe view? Can you spot the quilt block? Anyway --- it looks like a fun place to sew. 

I want this, but I have a lip under the edge of my table, so this won't work. I need a different style, which I saw online a while back, and I should investigate to see if it works. Although my tin on the table is working just fine for me. Oh crap -- I have under-the-table drawer envy. I just looked the drawer up again, and I might order it today! 

Under the table storage

Now if you want a laugh, I found these pictures this morning. Remember how I'm always saying how messy Studio B used to be, but I don't have proof. Well, how's this for proof. 

These were taken in 2017, as far as I can tell, and there's a lot of stuff on the floor (it was even worse than this at one point), and every surface is covered with stuff. How did I ever work? 

Studio B in 2017

The other side of Studio B in 2017

The only place with a little room is beside my sewing machine. 

I've come a long way and am quite happy about it!

Let's take about inspiration. I'm always on the hunt for new colorways for quilts, and now that we're going to tackle the Barn Star Sampler, it's time to decide on the color. There's nothing wrong with following what the designer did, but it's also a good opportunity to step outside the box. 

I was browsing through a quilt book from the library that needed to go back. This one was also overdue, so time to finish it. 

A book on modern quilts

And the coloring of this quilt caught my eye. I think the quilt was called Slice of Lemon or something like that. 

The color of this quilt caught my eye.

As I was leaving the house the other day, I spotted this bag filled with fabric that will go to Diane. Oh my --- those colors are cheery. 

Bag of fabric to be donated

And in one of the recent classes, one of the participants made these. 

And those colors make me happy. So -- I decided it was time to use this coloring. And within a short period, I went through those boxes of batiks and found this. 

My initial pull of batiks for the Barn Star Sampler

I sorted them by color. 

Now they are grouped by color

What is very scary is that these are unusual colors of batiks and I have PLENTY of the usual colors. Why or why did I feel I needed so much? 

I need some white for the background, and I was hasty and ordered some BEFORE I went into the boxes. 

When I started curating the fabric, I found this huge bundle. But it's light blue rather than white. So I'm glad I ordered the white. Let's hope it doesn't take too long to get here. I ordered it from Lindley General Store in Meaford. I've never ordered from them, so let's hope all goes well. I'll hang onto that large piece of neutral fabric and one day I'll dig out the blue batiks, and make a quilt. 

A large chunk of neutral

I also placed an order from Mad About Patchwork yesterday, and it's going to arrive TODAY. I'm so excited, but I have homework to do when that arrives. 

I'll need to go through those batiks with more care to eliminate what I don't want. But nothing stands out as out of place. Perhaps I'll keep it all -- use each one once and then put it away. I'll decide what to do when I get started. I've got many e-mails for signing up and will try to get the confirmation out today. But you can start "shopping" your stash if you have the book. We are GOING to do it!

OH my --- I opened the microwave to find this when I went to make my oatmeal yesterday. It was my tea that I attempted to heat up the day before and then promptly forgot it! 

My tea was abandoned in the microwave

So that little Lexi is getting pretty saucy! She used to be the calm quiet one. I was getting ready to go out for the morning walk, and the next thing I know, she was tucked between my legs! Am I supposed to protect her from Murphy? 

MOM -- save me from my sister! 

And the cleaning lady was here, and Murphy and Lexi both love her. And whenever she touches the dog beds, they go crazy. I think Lexi was laying claim to the dog bed and the blanket. But man, does she look happy! I don't think she's missing Ddd too much. 

MINE -- this bed and blanket are MINE! 

But what is this all about? 

MOM -- I moved the table leg to make room for me

But she doesn't look too happy. 

MOM -- when's Dad coming home - I'm bored without him

The fish seem to have no concept of the time of year. One of them was swimming around the surface yesterday morning. The pond looks a little different this morning, but the heater and the aerator are doing their job, so the fish are happy. 

The fish swimming at the surface

In searching for the library book, I needed to deal with some of this stuff from when I went to college. It's been sitting on the table, and I've ignored it. I made yards and yards of fabric with butterflies on it. This all needs to go. It's on the kitchen counter, and when I do my chores this morning, I'll walk it to the garbage bin. 

The design for my butterfly fabric

I have two presentations today and a ton of work. I got waylaid yesterday with searching for those lost items. I do NOT have that luxury today. I MUST get some of this stuff done. 

The snowstorm was very weird. After my Zoom call ended at about 8:15 PM, I looked out the window, and it was snowing like crazy. Hmm -- do I leave it for the morning or go and shovel? I decided to shovel because it if kept snowing like that, it would be a challenge in the morning. 

The snowstorm

While I was out, it stopped snowing (more or less) and turned into freezing rain. The snow wasn't too deep, but it was thick, clinging snow, so not fun to shovel. I did most of the driveway -- did not do the step, but now that I have a package arriving today, I'd better get out there and clean that off. 

The plow passed in the night, which is unusual for it to pass that quickly. However, it left a nice windrow at the end of my driveway. Being on a dead-end street is nice, and I LOVE being on the curve. The only downfall is this snow issue. Oh well  - it doesn't happen often. 

And on that note -- it's time to get ready to walk the girls. I'm sure it's going to be fun this morning. But no major ice or snow accumulation - at least not where I live. 

Oh -- I got batteries yesterday -- I'll share that story tomorrow. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

It's all about COLOR

 Oh my - so much happened yesterday, and I don't think I'm going to get to it all. As promised, though, let's talk about those Cloth Paper Scissors Studios magazines. 

The magazines came out quarterly, and I seem to have purchased them all. The time frame is 2010 - 2014 or something like that. Here's the cover of the one that I'm just finishing. 

Cloth Paper Scissors Studios magazine

Yep -- do you remember Ty Pennington of Move that Bus (Extreme Home Makeover) fame? I wonder if he's still around? Yep --- with a much more grizzled look. 

This publication is filled with many different studios from people worldwide with different hobbies—lots of jewelry makers, mixed media artists, sculptors, and some quilters. I've seen lots of amazing studios that I would LOVE to work in and others that are a bit too artsy for my taste. But there are little tidbits to be gleaned in it all. And they are entertaining and mindless to read. 

Great storage for fabric

One of my favorite fabric storage systems came from Brandy Maslowski - a fellow Canadian. This is the same issue with Ty on the cover. Long gone as the date is 2011, I think. 

I believe this drawer system is from IKEA. Isn't that awesome? And while it takes up some space, it seems like a very efficient use of space. 

And here's a shot of her entire studio with those cabinets on the left. Yep - I like that idea. And if I were starting over, I might consider that option. 

But here's something hilarious. In my sorting process, I found an old copy of This Old House. Why was it with the quilt magazines? No idea. But it's from 2003, so it's been around for a while. 

This Old House

Now let's have a look at one of the headlines on the cover. 

Choosing Color with Confidence

And then, 8 years later, look at the headline on one of the Studios magazines. 

Here's the issue where the headline came from. 

I know they are not called headlines, but what the heck are they called? The enticing verbiage on the front makes you covet the magazine only to find that the article doesn't really give you any meat. That drives me crazy, yet the promise of something good hooks us into buying. 

Anyway, it seems that whether you're a crafter, quilter, or decorating or anything, that people are afraid of color. And how many times have I heard that people have no idea how to pull colors together. People are NOT afraid of color; they seem to be afraid of committing to a particular color or fabric. 

I don't know how many times I've helped people, and I pull something, and they go - "I don't like that". How about this? "No - I don't like that." So people know what they don't like - then go and search for what you do like!! 

And if you see a particular color combination that you love - it could be from an ad in a magazine, a flyer that comes to your door, a photo that you took, or someone else's quilt. Save those pictures in an inspiration book and next time you need to pick colors for a quilt, go to the inspiration book first. You'll find just what you're looking for. 

Sometimes people also get into a rut when they buy fabric. They buy the SAME thing over and over again. And fabric designers make it super easy to do that. A couple of designers come to mind - Bonnie and Camille (different prints, but the coloring of all their collections are pretty much the same), Me and My Sister (same thing - probably 30 different collections, yet they all look the same except the print changes), and there are WAY more out there. So if you get hooked on one of those, don't be afraid every once in a while to step outside your comfort zone. 

These are two different Bonnie and Camille collections. Seriously? They look very similar. The formula is the same. And we keep buying MORE of this same stuff! Why??? 

The other thing I'll say about fabric designers - just because they made 40 beautiful fabrics - it doesn't mean that they all work together. I've seen MANY collections that just don't work together. There's usually some odd thing in there that just sticks out. Why??? Particularly the lights and darks. They don't know how to make the very light and the very dark work in the collection. 

As I flipped through This Old House, I saw this ad for a refrigerator with an entertainment center in it. I think this has died with the popularity of the tablet that can be taken anywhere. Or am I missing something??? I never really pay attention to this stuff. 

A fridge with an entertainment center in it from 2003

On my afternoon walk, I decided to take a shortcut through the forest to see the condition of the path. It is NOT maintained in the winter, and that is clearly stated at all entrances. It's a disaster still with lots of ice. I was happy when I reached the end of the path. I will NOT be taking the girls through the forest for a couple of days. We have some HOT temperatures coming this week,  so it might be good by the weekend, but then it's going to be muddy. 

The forest path is a sheet of ice

You do NOT want to know my thoughts on that interview last night. They remind me of a couple of spoiled children, and I do not have one iota of sympathy for either of them. While the couple did not get paid for the interview, the network paid a LOT of money to air the story, so someone profited from this. They are as far away from living like normal people as they can be. That's all I'm going to say. I am very disappointed that that interview came out the night before National Woman's Day. 

Well, that's it for today - it's Monday sewing, and we've got a great show and tell from many people. 

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!!!