Visit with friends and family while they are still here!

Progress happened on many fronts yesterday. I did go for a walk yesterday, but I debated long and hard because there was snow in the morning, and not the deep snow that you know for certain isn't slippery, but just a thin amount that covers any ice, so you can't see it. Then I decided that I needed to get out, and I had walked that path the day before, and all seemed to be good. So I went out, and it was just fine. 

I needed to get out and let my mind wonder and wander --- both words apply. I spotted something funny, so I'm glad I went. You have to remember, sometimes I have the mind of a curious child, and the very simplest of things amuse me or catch my eye. 

As I walked, I spotted this on the ground. I have no idea what it is, but it reminded me of those strawberry candies, yet it looked like a large crystal for melting snow. Whatever it was, it was "hot" enough to melt the snow around it. I spotted three of them in the same location and one more a bit further down the path. 

Something to melt the snow

I didn't go as far as I had done the day before - there is one section of the path that runs along the back alley -- I know --- back alleys!!!! It wasn't that I was afraid to walk down it; well, it made me nervous, but it was from the danger of slipping since the back alley still had snow and ice on it, which I knew from the day before, so I did a little detour on the street. But I circled back onto the path to cross this same spot on my way to the hotel. 

Imagine my surprise when those red things were gone!!!!! And look what is around each empty dot. 

Someone likes colorful objects!

Yep --- it appears that some large bird spotted those things and walked over - not even swooped in to pick up two of the three that were in the same location. I had spotted magpies and crows the day before along the path, so it must have been one or the other. Likely the magpie, since I think they love picking up things. 

So I don't know if it was a sweet, but how would that force the snow to melt? Anyway -- it was an interesting thing to spot on my walk. It's that kind of thing that amuses me on my walk and not an audiobook or music. 

I am not a big sports watcher, but I know my parents always watch curling, regardless of the event. So the Men's World Championship is on right now, and I'm watching curling along with them. Well, the last three games have been on the edge, nail-biting events, and I think all of them pretty much came down to the last rock to determine who would win. 

That's too much excitement for an old heart --- should they allow the more experienced of us in life to watch such thrilling events? So today, my parents (mostly my Mom) will be glued to the TV, and I suppose I will be as well, as Canada and Sweden battle it out for the gold. 

There was one shot yesterday, when Canada was playing Italy, and Canada had the hammer (last rock), and Canada needed to get a rock out of the way that had many guards in front of it. And that skip did exactly that -- it was beautiful to watch, but I'm still stunned that he made that shot.

I wasn't sure why my parents were so enamored with curling, but it turns out that my grandfathers, especially my maternal grandfather, were the ones who instigated building a curling rink in the little hamlet near the farm. It was right beside the community hall, and that corner of the hamlet was a hot spot for community activity. I never knew that!!!! 

So everyone in the community curled in the old days, but I'm not sure I ever curled in that small single-sheet rink. It was probably colder than the Antarctic to play in there, but those very resourceful pioneers would have found a solution. No running water anywhere near, so they would have had to haul in water to flood the ice. Or maybe they ended up with a well there. I'll have to ask. 

Anyway -- it's been fun watching that together, and today, there are two games, so we'll all be glued to the TV for that. Although Dad is off to the Museum today. Since he couldn't go yesterday (a holiday), he is chomping at the bit to get some work done. The man is 93!!!! But it is amazing to see how his brain functions. 

Although the situation is starting to get a bit worrisome. I had purchased a puzzle at the Museum that I spotted on one of their Facebook posts. This was back in February. I asked Dad to pick it up and hold on to it for me, and he vaguely remembers doing so but has no idea where the puzzle is. He may have brought it back and donated it to the common room!!!! Mom doesn't remember either, which is unusual, but he may not have told her. Oh well -- it's just a puzzle, I'm not going to sweat it, but how much other stuff does he forget? 

But ask him for information on an engine built in 1901, and you get reams of information!! I'm not worried yet, but a small niggle is starting in the back of my mind. 

And now for the update you've all been waiting for!!!!! I didn't think I'd get that quilting stitch completed around the perimeter of the quilt. BUT I was so focused on listening to the curling that last night, just before dinner, I was able to put in the final stitch. 

The hexagon quilt is complete! 

Finishing the edge on this quilt isn't my best work, but it's done!!! And you can see my stitches on the back. 

The stitches on the back of the quilt

I took it out into the hallway so I could get a good picture of the quilt. OH— I have no idea how to crop out my feet in Windows 11!!! The quilt is very pretty, but it's made with lining fabric. But it doesn't matter, the quilt is done!!!! The only thing I'm going to do today is get some details from Mom about the quilt and I"ll write out the story and then just type it on a piece of paper and keep it with the quilt. I will need to search my blog for dates on when she handed it to me as I've had it in my possession for a "few" years. 

The hexagon quilt is complete!

Actually, I could do that on Dad's computer, and then, when I get home, I'm going to run downstairs to my Visual To-Do list and whip this one off the list. That will make TWO items that I promised to other people that are dealt with for this year. 

I mentioned the other day that I have to add two projects to the list, and both are for others, so I haven't made any headway on the quantity of items yet. That is the longest list, and I would love to clear that one this year. There are a couple of doozy stories on that list, and when I feel the need to be totally embarrassed by the projects, I'll share them with you because I'm going to need some help to finish them.

I was hoping to finish the quilt while I was here, and I was certainly not taking it home again. That feels so good, but I had brought a couple of other small projects with me in case I did finish the quilt. One of them is this little bag of hexagons I started making from scraps of solid fabric. I think the scraps came from when I worked at Northcott; they were the cutoff ends from a project. 

The bag is filled with fabric, glue, hexagons in several sizes, thread, needles, scissors, cardboard templates, and such. 

My hexagon project

Should I tell you that I started to work on this when my parents still lived on the farm, and they have lived in their apartment for 10 years!!! GASP!!!!! 

More hexagons

I know -- it's absolutely ridiculous, but that is going to be my new travel project. Once I remove all the excess from that pouch, it could easily be tucked into a backpack. I'll see how it goes. The scissors would be the only stumbling block for carry-on since not all TSA people enforce the scissor rule equally. BUT, I could prep a bunch of the fabric bits, and then I would just need a needle and a thread cutter. HMMMM --- if I were really smart, I'd cut them on the digital cutter, and it would be super easy!!!

I have another hexagon project with me, and I'm going to focus on that one since I can use it as a sample for work, so that one takes priority for the next two days. 

I probably mentioned this last time I was here, but our family is very atypical in its makeup. My Mom has four siblings, and they are all still alive! Mom is the eldest at 90, and I think my uncle turned 80 last year. Something like that. Two of the five spouses have passed away, but everyone else is alive. There are some health issues, but nothing too severe. My Dad's sibling is still alive as well, and she has outlived two husbands. 

So, the genes are there to live a long life, and it's my job to ensure it's a healthy one! I know that we have no control over that, but I can try!!

Anyway, I gathered up my Aunt Norma and her walker, and we were off to visit my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Sammy, who both live in a nearby care facility. My aunt has dementia, but talking to her, you would never know. We had a wonderful visit reminiscing about the old days and sewing (all of the aunts sew, crochet, or knit). I guess that is in our blood as well. And we chatted about the curling rink that their Dad was instrumental in making happen. Lots of good memories and laughs, and before we knew it, it was their supper time! Oh my, where did the afternoon go? 

I have one more aunt to visit, and I'll be doing that tomorrow. It takes time to make all the rounds, but you never know when they won't be around, and it's fun to get the scoop on everything and remember the good old days, even though they're from a different generation than I am. 

Then the visiting continued. When I got back to the apartment, my parents were watching the second game of curling. Actually, the curling was on in one of the dining rooms at the care facility, and I wanted to see the score, but couldn't see from the door. So I poked my head in, and the staff let me know. 

Anyway, supper was late - you can't have dinner while curling is on! When we finished, we sat around the table for a couple of hours and chatted about the good old days. Just me, Mom, and Dad. We had a very good visit, and I hate to say it, but I'll miss those chats when they are gone!!!

We aren't going to get any Swedish Death Cleaning done while I'm here - perhaps I need to buy the book and give it to Mom to read, but I'm going to focus on that for the next visit later this year. 

Because of the holiday, I won't be able to help Dad with his banking transfer, but now that the bank person knows, I'm sure she will follow up with him and make it happen. I think her email was just making a point that she wasn't going to take orders from me, but I'm sure she'll make the transfer. She knows my Dad too well about his lack of interest in these matters. 

Well, it's time to get moving. I might need a nap later today, as I had trouble falling asleep. I have to close the blinds in the room for some privacy since I'm facing the parking lot, but it's amazing how many little lights show in the room when you do that - the TV, outlets, the clock, etc. So I had to get up and cover the ones directly in front of me. 

Oh my -- I just heard the train go through town and opened the blinds to see outside. The parking is filled with CARS and regular trucks. I only see one white service truck - some poor fellow who didn't make it home for the long weekend. Come Monday, the people who stay here will switch back to road and mine workers, and the people will be somewhere else! 

Have a super day, and if you have someone you've been meaning to visit, get yourself in gear, call them, and make arrangements. They won't be here forever, and let's face it --- if the person was important in your life, you can pick up the conversation at any time. I have THREE people on my list --- one of them lives relatively close to me in Toronto, and the other two I plan to visit on my travels this year. 

I actually have a plan to meet someone from my past on Monday, but it's a big secret! Some I knew from the end of my high school days. Yikes!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Working on a UFO

It's kind of nice to have some "spare" time to do nothing. LOL -- that never happens in my life, but I'm technically on vacation, even though I have loads of stuff that needs to be done and there's stuff that I should be doing now, like ordering a couple of things I need for my upcoming vacation. I'm going to try to make that happen this morning. 

My 2019 Corolla had a safety feature that prevented the car from moving without the seatbelt being fastened, and I thought it was a strange feature. Our new vehicle doesn't have that restriction. However, this Equinox will not let you shift gears without the seatbelt on. Yep -- even if you want to drive one foot forward, you need your seatbelt on! 

And it even tells you that! It's crazy!!!! I am NOT a fan of this shifting system on the car, and I would definitely NOT buy this car because of that. 

Seatbelts on, please!

Even while away, it's time to work on some UFOs. I brought some handwork to keep me busy while visiting. My Dad is working at the Museum - it's what makes him happy, I'm not going to detract him from that. Imagine trying to tie down a 92-year-old who can't stay away from work! 

Let's say there is some hope for my Mom and getting rid of stuff. I went through a lot of old papers and now have a huge box slated for shredding, which I'll take care of this morning. I very tentatively gave her a pile of envelopes stuffed with receipts, and I was surprised to see that all of them went into the shredding pile. WOW!!!!  It has taken years for that to happen, but she is finally realizing that one does not need to keep all that stuff. 

We went through bank documents, taxes, and a few other things, and everything is in order. I'm sure there is more, but this is good. 

Then we went through some of the craft stuff. YES -- she sorted what she wanted and didn't want. Remember, I'm pulling items from a closet that has been there for ten years. None of it has been used in that time because it's not easy for either of them to access. It's just crazy. So about 3/4 of what she went through is up for grabs! Yes -- imagine that. I would never have thought that would happen, but all is well. I'm going to try to sell some of it while I'm here and then figure out how to get rid of the rest. I wish I could load it in the car and remove it from the apartment, but I don't have a place to store it while I contemplate what to do with it. 

Here's one thing that I'm not happy about, but it's too late to do anything about it now. There were some people in my Mom's past who I know took advantage of her. There are two people in particular, and both are long gone, so nothing can be done about them. But they knew she had hoarding tendencies, but it was probably not easily identified at the time. Whenever they had stuff they didn't want, it ended up on my mom's doorstep. And one lady intentionally went to garage sales and bought things for Mom. And let's not forget about a third person, who took advantage of Mom's hoarding and sold her tons of scrapbooking supplies that she never needed. GRRRRRR 

This is why I try to ask and ensure that the person who gets something from me, will actually use the items. Granted, the one lady purchased odd lots of yarns, which my Mom made into afghans and she has made her fair share of them over the years. In fact, she is still madly crocheting afghans. It gives her something to do, and it's similar to what we do with our quilts. Why do we keep making? Because it gives us something to do! 

Anyway, this "friend" had made a number of costumes for his class or something like that, and there was a lot of lining material left over. Knowing my Mom sewed, although she was never a big seamstress, he gave her all the leftovers. She had admired a grandmother's flower garden quilt that my grandmother owned (I have no idea where it is), and Mom decided to make this quilt with the leftover lining.  

She cut the papers from the shiny pages of catalogues. The fabric hexie shapes were giant, and the excess got folded under as the seam allowance. It was whip-stitched together. It sat for many years as a quilt top. Then, about ten years ago, she asked me to quilt it for her. I was terrified of quilting through that lining material, not knowing how it would hold up under a machine needle. I believe she said she made the quilt around 1979. 

Several years ago, we got in touch with the local church group here, and they hand-quilted it for her. I brought it home earlier this year so I could finish the edge. I never touched it, although I meant to get started and use it in my binding class as an example. Totally forgot about it. It's been sitting on one of those tables for a while. 

I had room in my suitcases, so I brought it along. And that is what I'm working on. 

The outer ring of green still has the basting stitches in, with the paper intact. I wasn't even sure where to start, and although I had an idea of how to finish the edge, I wasn't sure how it would work. 

The quilt top with the unfinished edge

I just dove in and started at a corner, removing the basting stitches and the paper hexie. Then I carefully trimmed the batting and backing away for ONE hexagon. 

Removing the paper template

Using my binding clips, I turned under the batting and the backing, which required snipping at each indentation between the hexies. 

Trimming the batting and backing

Here are the binding clips. Then it's a simple matter of hand-stitching the two edges together. 

The edges are turned under and clipped

And this is what it looks like. 

The finished edge

It's a long process, but I was almost able to complete one side yesterday, which is a miracle for me! I hope to complete at least two sides while I'm here. Although I'm tempted to leave it here and work on it whenever I'm available, I have room in the suitcase, so I'll take it home and finish it there. This was a good place and time to start. Plus, Mom will see how much work it is. Now that I know what I'm doing, I can keep it out at home, and when I'm watching a YouTube video or whatever, I can work on it. It'll also be good to do while on Zoom, and I believe there is a Virtual Retreat next weekend. Perfect!!!

Once the hand stitching is done, I'll run a line of quilting (running stitch) along the edge, well 1/4" inside the outer edge to secure the edge and make it look like the rest of the quilting. 

It's all working out rather well, and I'm quite pleased with the results. So there I am - someone who no longer does bindings by hand, yet I'm doing a lot of handwork on this quilt that will be used for what? Anyway, it'll make Mom happy, and that's all that counts. And it'll be one more UFO done on my end. 

I had  great visit with one of my aunts yesterday who lives close to my parents and it's always good to catch up and see what's happening. It's hard to believe that my Mom (the eldest of five children, born in 1936) and my Dad (the eldest of two children, born in 1933) are still alive, as are all their siblings. What does that mean for me? If I don't kill myself on some silly adventure, we're all going to live a very long life!! 

Good genes - we've got good genes! 

And on that happy note, I'm out of here. I have more handwork and will be visiting some more people later today. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Speaking of UFOs

There are some mornings when I look at this blank screen, and I think to myself - what witty thing are you going to say today to encourage people to read on! You know - it's like the first impression - you have 30 seconds to make a first impression. Thankfully, I NEVER freeze when I see a blank screen, or if I do - I just start to babble on! 

I just like to write, and that never used to be the case! That comes from my Mom. It's amazing where we pick up our traits and how they eventually influence us. 

Speaking of my Mom, I realized that I had brought home some treasures from my last visit. Look at the cool pins I found. That airplane looks pretty old. These will get put to good use in some projects. You know, in all the time that we've been to that house to clean up (going on 8 years now), I've NEVER been in the house alone. That's probably a good thing, as I'm sure I'd never leave. These are the tiny treasures that would escape most people, and yet, these are the ones that I want. OK -- next time, schedule a day for me to search the house from top to bottom to find more of this. I don't even remember where I found these either! 

Treasures from Mom

And speaking of English Paper Piecing, well, it's been around for eons. What kills me is the naivety of people who believe that modern quilters "made" this technique. I won't mention any particular designer, but you can probably figure it out. I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but EPP was "invented" in the 1770s. Yep --- goes back a long way. Here's a link to the history of EPP. I think the quilt designers recognize its history - it's some of the quilters who do not! 

I remember a SCATHING e-mail I received from a magazine reader who accused me of STEALING a pattern from Jenny Doan and using it as my own. Yep - Jenny maybe did a tutorial on that block, but that does NOT make it hers as the block was very common. People just don't get it, and I'm really tired of hearing that that pattern is by the famous Quilter X when, in fact, they've just regurgitated a standard block. 

Anyway, all that to say, I found a box of prepped hexies when I was going through my Mom's stuff. This doesn't surprise me since I have a quilt top (made from hexies) of hers here that needs to be quilted. I've had it for a few years and need to do something with it.  

A box of hexies

The issue is that the quilt top and these hexies are made from LINING fabric. I guess I could just quilt it. 

Her cardboard template and some blank templates are waiting to be used. 

Templates waiting to be used

The template and then some cut scraps of the lining. She didn't trim the pieces to make them - just folded and stitched them, which is OK. 

Lining fabric and the master template

Here's a picture of the quilt she wanted to make. I couldn't find a date on it - I'll look again, but I suspect she made this in the 1960s. 

The quilt she was going to make

And here's her layout diagram, and I think there's a note indicating the number of hexies she still had to make! I don't care how big she intended - I'll make up something from what's in the box! 

Her "pattern"

As you know, I have run a UFO Club for several years. We're now up to two groups, and I may have ONE spot vacant for this year. A few people will be leaving, and while I have a waitlist, there might be room for one or perhaps two more. 

But guess what happened? I proposed my UFO Club to a magazine, and they picked it up. The club was referenced on the COVER!!! Yes, it's the latest issue of Quiltmaker. It just made it to the newsstands. 

Quiltmaker - UFO club mentioned on the cover! 

Well, that entire post went somewhere I wasn't planning to go when I started. I even had to change the title! 

I need to research styles of quilting patterns on the Grandmother's Flower Garden for my Mom and then JUST DO IT! I want that thing off my plate. But if memory serves me correctly - it's huge! I can't remember if the papers are out of it or not. 

Here are two recent purchases which are stored in their proper place. I'm certain I have a brayer, but I can't find it, so now I have a new one. This will work beautifully with applique and cutting fabric with the Brother Scan and Cut. 

A new brayer

Knowing that I intend to get a lot of use from my digital cutter in cutting fabric, I bought a new fabric mat when I had the chance. All are in their proper homes. 

A new fabric m at

I have so many other pictures to share and not even a chance to tell you what chaos happened in Studio B yesterday! Perhaps tomorrow. 

I've got two Designer Epic 3 events at Brampton Sew and Serge TODAY. If you have time, pop on over and check them out. The first one starts at 1 and the next at 6 PM. Call first to check if there is room. It's nice to do an event without worrying about hotels or driving long distances! 

OH -- I forgot to post the links for the Virtual Retreat - so here they are. 

Saturday, November 25 - Starts at 6:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, November 26 - Starts at NOON

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119598156?pwd=ZDFxcElxS0NmeTRjczdSR2FXd3N2Zz09

Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

And on that note, I'm out of here! Lots to do before I leave this morning.

Have a great day!

Ciao!!

Shop Hop!

No rain this morning, but now we have FOG! Yesterday was much better except for a couple of sudden downpours! No one got wet!

And we saw a rainbow last evening, so hopefully, that means the rain is over. The weather is supposed to get better, so let's hope! 

A rainbow

It was all about the Shop Hop yesterday, and most of the group went out at various times. Susan, Maryke, and I headed out after lunch, and we stopped at all four shops -- Ye Old Fabric Shop, The Quilt Place, Quilting by Design, and Heart N Home Creations. I had a list, and I mostly stuck to the list. There were a couple of extra things that got put in the bag. I mean, how could one resist a lime green, 7" zipper with big teeth? 

I saw many fabrics and panels with bicycles on them, and I don't need more, so I bought no bicycle fabric. I saw amazing patterns and certainly don't need more of those. 

I found fabric for my dress, the jacket and fabric for a border. I also found some 30-weight threads, so I came home happy. We made a couple of other stops along the way, including Value Village, the dollar store, the pie shop, and The British Touch, which was a thriving hive of activity yesterday. Does the Coronation on Saturday have anything to do with it? You bet! So it was a jam-packed afternoon!

OH -- we had to stop for gas, and Maryke chose a station along the way that ended up being FULL SERVICE. Yes -- we didn't get out of the car, the windows all got cleaned, she got a full gas tank, and we all got a sucker! OK --- that was worth the extra she paid for the gas! 

A lollipop!

If you're in Stratford and want full service -- this is the place to go!!! Thanks for the great service, Neumeister Motors!!

Full-service gas station

At The Quilt Place in Shakespeare, we saw this quilt made with tiny hexagons. Those were about the same size as the one found the previous day! What a great idea to applique them onto a background so you don't have to make so many! 

A tiny hexie quilt

You can't read this sign, but it was so cute we had to take a picture. It's outside a church and says, "God doesn't take sides, but we do. Go, Leaves, Go!" Obviously, God was watching and didn't appreciate the bias! Our Leaf fans were NOT happy last night. 

The church supporting the Leafs

Here's the barn quilt sign outside Quilting by Design. It's PINK! Perhaps in honor of Tula Pink, which they stock most of her fabric!! 

Barn Quilt block

And there are loads of bunnies in the neighborhood, and they are hopping everywhere, and we saw a groundhog as well. 

Bunnies everywhere

I didn't get much sewing done yesterday, and that's OK. Retreats are all about being with friends. I didn't touch the serger yesterday, but I got some of the blocks for my 365-Day quilt. I cut 10 blocks before I left, and three are now pieced. I also have to complete some homework for the class on the weekend, and since some retreat participants are also in that class, I'm sewing the blocks when no one is around, which means it's very early in the morning! They have no idea! 

Blocks for the 365-day quilt

Bit by bit, I'll get that quilt done. It is a tremendous amount of work, and there are NO instructions for piecing the blocks. Well, that's not entirely true -- there are diagrams, but some of the methods? Well, there's loads of room to provide tips - IF I were teaching it, but I'm not and never will! Anyway -- three more blocks are pieced, and I have seven to do today. 

Then I'll be back to the serger, although I have quite a few half-square triangles to trim, and I might do that for a change. Thank goodness, others have brought rulers, as I totally forgot to bring any! 

On that note -- I'm out of here!

Have a super day!

Ciao!!