The UFO class

I'm being totally lazy this morning. I think I'm exhausted from the lack of sleep the night before. And travel days can be crazy even though you don't really seem to be doing anything.

I have to tell you about the plane ride. I get a check-in notification 24 hours in advance, but often don't get a chance to check in right away. DH tells me that I NEED to do it immediately as that is why I keep getting in a middle seat. Yep - in the middle seat again. Not a big deal. It's a short flight to Halifax.

I arrive at my seat to find the person in the window seat is already there. I barely sit down and the person in the aisle seat comes. Perfect arrangement - no one has to do the seat shuffle. But I swear the man in the aisle seat had ADHD. He was bopping around the plane up and down the aisle helping people put their luggage in the overhead bin. He was closing the bins. He was offering pillows and blankets. He was out of control.

He tried to engage in conversation with myself and my other seatmate, but we weren't having any of it. Not that he wasn't a nice man, but he just seemed off and a conversation didn't seem like a good idea. There was a Mom with two young kids in front of us. At one point, the guy bounces out of his seat, takes his shoes off and is rummaging in the overhead bin for what? Pillows and blankets to offer the kids. Well, they didn't want them. Good grief. And he has to point out to the flight attendant that he took his shoes off to stand on the seat to rummage through the overhead bin.

When we were finished with our drinks, he picked up all our cups and took them to the back of the plane. When the attendants came by to pick up the trash, he had to tell them that he already took our stuff to the back. Oh yes - when the food cart came by, he had to ask questions but didn't buy. Then when the drink cart came by, he wanted to buy food. He was just off! 

The guy beside me was pretty quiet except that a lady got on the plane who had the same seat. The attendants came and checked his ID and boarding pass THREE times. Good grief - what's that all about. Apparently, he was flying standby and had been traveling for days. He got to stay in the window and the other lady got bumped up!

But I survived the flight and my screen worked and I listened to my audiobook. My flight was a bit delayed and once I arrived at the airport, I had to wait for my colleagues who were on the next flight. Actually, that was a great thing. I sat in the food court area, got out my notebook and made a list of all the "urgent" things that have to be done. Technically, they're not all urgent, but there are things that need to be addressed. It's all categorized and I'm quite happy. There are multiple pages but at least it's all down on paper and no longer just in my head.

I also found a note in my notebook (which I've been ignoring for a long time - the notebook that is) that I owe my brother some money. I paid that while I was waiting. I was very productive and I had nothing else to do. I seriously needed that time. It was perfect.

We arrived at the hotel and got ourselves organized for the dealer event today. Thankfully the event is in the hotel so no traveling time is needed except to get downstairs.

OK - so let's have a look at the show n tell from the UFO class on the weekend. This has been the best class that I've ever created/lead. We are MOTIVATED to get our UFOs done. People are doing more than they committed to doing. I'm so excited about this class. Technically we are 12 in the group, and supposed to meet for one hour, but we were extra long this past week because there was so much show n tell. I plan to do it again next year and perhaps I'll run more than one session if people are interested.

Let's start with Susan. Susan is working on her Farm Girl Vintage. Her goal was to get the sashing on the blocks - she has made some big blocks, as well as some small blocks. She was also going to figure out a basic layout for the blocks. She did and realized that she needs more blocks. I'm going from memory here, but I do believe that her goal is to make a few more blocks for the next session.

Sashing is now on Susan's Farm Girl Vintage blocks

Then Susan had to tell us about the NEW Lori Holt book that's coming out. It's called Farm Girl Vintage 2.  I guess I have to get that one as well. It's not out until September and some of the blocks had been available for purchase off the internet. Check it out!

Then Susan brings out this purse. At first, I thought she was bringing out her purse and I wondered why she was doing that. But NO - this is a purse that she made. We all swore that it was purchased she did such an amazing job on it. Truly impressed with all the pockets, hardware, vinyl and other things that added to the very professional look of her purse which is for her daughter. That wasn't on the UFO list - that was a bonus!

Susan's very professional looking bag that she made

Sharon has completed the quilt top for her Winter Wonderland. YEAH!!!!!   This was years in the making and now the top is completely done including all the embroidery. Way to go Sharon!!!!

Winter Wonderland quilt top - DONE

What's up next for Sharon? She's now working on Stitcher's Garden quilt. This is the same quilt that I'm working on. Completely different look because of the different fabrics. Her blocks are together.

Stitcher's Garden

Her goal is to get two borders on the quilt. We helped audition some fabrics for the border and I think she's set for this month.

Auditioning border fabric

Elaine accomplished a lot this past month. One of her goals was experimenting with some quilting on her sewing machine for the top she had finished the previous month. Great samples of quilting and trying new features on the sewing machine. Awesome!!!!

Machine quilting practice

She had also committed to putting the last border on this quilt from one of the July shop hops. The border is on. It has a print on it that she matched at the corners. I have to say that I wouldn't have had the patience to do that, but we each have priorities. It looks awesome!!!

The border is on the July Shop Hop quilt

She had one other item on her list which was to cut her Postcards from New Zealand quilt. The blocks are cut and her goal for next month is to have the quilt top put together minus borders I believe.

Block pieces are cut and ready to sew together

Ronda was working on her Amish with a Twist II. She got the center section together. There are nine sections in total. She's going to have a wee bit more free time this month so her plan is to get four more sections together.

The center of Ronda's Amish with a Twist II

Each of us is in a different place as far as how much time we can devote to getting our UFOs done. The goal is to not go crazy - the object of this exercise is to commit to an amount of work that you know you can get done.

Laura's commitment for the past month was to make two sets of blocks. That would have made a total of eight blocks. This is for her Kaleidoscope quilt. However, she was on a roll. She got the eight blocks completed, then said - what the heck, I might as well finish the last four blocks which she did. But then she went on and got the large corner triangles sewn together!!! Way to go Laura!!!!

Laura's big triangles for Kaleidoscope

Her goal for this coming month is to get the entire top sewn together. I can't wait to see it!!!

Dede brought in her quilt from last month. I had only a small picture to share last month, but this quilt is so darn cute, here it is again in person. I love it!!!

Blizzard Block of the Month

Her goal for this past month was to sew this next quilt top together. She forgot to bring the quilt top so we had a good laugh about that!!!  She went home under strict orders to send me a picture so she wouldn't forfeit her $10 for the month. It's sideways - sorry for that.

Dede's quilt top is together

Her goal for next month is to put the borders on the snowman quilt. She and I have a date booked to get that done as one of the fabrics is going to require a mitered border.

I managed to get both of my blocks done. We met at 11:00 AM - I think I finished at 10:30!!! But the blocks are done. This is from the same quilt that Sharon is working on. Totally different look because of the fabrics. That center heart is made using pintuck fabric (that I made) and then I used all kinds of decorative stitches for the applique. Going to be a "fun" quilt to quilt!!!

Block One

Here is block number two. The center stem on that block is made with embroidery floss and my braid foot. Lots of cool techniques.

The second block of my homework

I've committed to making two more blocks for the next month.

I think that covers everyone who was at the meeting. Shelly and Liz were away and Linda didn't get her homework done because of travel. A whopping $30 got added to the kitty this month!

Diane doesn't attend the meeting but I see her on Mondays. This is her homework for the month. This is the July Shop Hop quilt from one of the years. Of course, Diane had to make hers bigger.

Diane's July Shop Hop quilt top

Her goal is to work on another July Shop Hop quilt. I'm sure she's done already - I haven't been to Monday in a while.

Diane's next project

That's so exciting to see all those older projects getting completed. It's just the best and I can't wait to get my quilt that I'm working on completed so I can tackle the next UFO. I must try and work a wee bit ahead, but this is just a super busy time!

On that note, I'd better get myself in the shower and then off to breakfast so I'm not late for the start of the meeting this morning.

Have a great day - dig out a UFO and set some goals for yourself.

Ciao!!!!

Hopping and Rowing

It is July in Southern Ontario and that means JULY SHOP HOP!!!!   If you have no idea what I am talking about - check out the link.  There are 15 stores participating - if you look at the map (scroll to the bottom of the post to see the map) - there is a bit of distance between some of the stores.  At each of the 15 stores, you get a free kit for a block ( the colours this year are blue and white). Get your passport stamped and get entered into a draw for some fabulous prizes. Minimum of eight stores required to enter the draw.

If that isn't enough, there is the Row by Row Experience which needs to be renamed to Row by Row FRENZY.  I think you all know about that from some of my previous posts.

Some stores are doing BOTH!!!!!!

Elaine S and I went out the other day on a road trip.  My goal was to collect license plates, but I was also participating in the Shop Hop and trying to collect my 8 stamps. However things quickly got out of hand.

Our first stop was Sew Creative in Mt Brydges.  If we had of had our wits about us - we would have noticed on the passport that the shop opened at 9 AM. We arrived at 10 - but no big deal.  This shop is hosting both events so we got plates, kits and had a peek around at other stuff and then we were off.

Sew Creative - love the quilt blocks on the outside of the store

One more quilt block

Then we were off to WYOMING!!!!   Yep - we had our passports with us and we were off.

Welcome to WYOMING, ONTARIO!!!!!!

Wyoming - popularion 2000

Yes - this small town of 2000 has an amazing quilt store in a fabulous building.  I could spend some serious time there if it were closer.  In case you don't know where Wyoming is - it is close to Sarnia!!!!   You see what I mean by things got out of hand????   Well - this store was MY GOAL for the day.  They had a license plate and no one had volunteered to pick it up so that was my excuse and it was a good one!!!!!   The store is called Stitcharie Quilt Shop.   I am so learning the geography of Ontario!!!  I had never heard of Wyoming, Ontario before!

Fabric license plate from the Stitcharie Quilt Shop in Wyoming

The inside of the store

The classroom - can you imagine being let loose with all that space!!!!!

Wyoming was the furthest away store - now it was time to work our way back. We stoppd at Quilts n Things in Arkona.  This store is in a house!!!!

Quilts n Things  - Arkona

They didn't have a plate nor were they on the Shop Hop, but we picked up their row. We got a good chuckle when we came out of the house as there was an OPP car blocking the driveway!!!!   OH MY GOD - are we busted??????   Nope - there was another car parked in front of the OPP and he was on the receiving end of a ticket!   The OPP officer very nicely moved so we could back out!

Then we were off to the next store. Now we were on a mission - we figured since we had come all that way to Wyoming, that we could now easily get those furthest stores for the SHOP HOP - we were in for ALL of them.  We changed our route slightly!!!!!  When I got home and looked at the map - we did NOT take the most direct route, but we ended up hitting The Marsh Store.   A beautiful old historic building!!!!

The Marsh Store

 We did NOT go to them in this order, but we also went to Kalidoscope of Quilts in Exeter, Country Patchworks in Woodstock, Cornerstone Quilts n More in London, Stitch-It Central in Ingersoll, and then we got to Ye Olde Fabric Shop in Stratford. It was getting close to 5 PM so we figured that this was our last stop.  In chatting with the staff, and AGAIN they consulted the hours on the SHOP HOP PASSPORT (DUH - we didn't think of that!)   the next store - The Quilt Place in Shakespeare was open until 5:30 PM.  OMG - we were off!!!!!   Once we hit that store which is only a few minutes away, we picked up our goodies and then we realized that Heart n Home in New Hamburg was open until 6 PM.  NO WAY!!!!!!!      Get in the car  - QUICK and we were off!!!!!!  

That was a record day as we managed to get to 11 stores in ONE day!!!!!   Whew!!!!!!   Pretty exciting day - well a very exicitng finish to the day to say the least.

Somewhere along the way - we saw these MASSIVE poles for the power.  There were wind turbines in the area so that must be the reason for these massive power poles and lines.   Let's just say that you would NOT want to hit one of these poles.  I don't think it would be good for you or your car!!!!!

Massive power poles

 I tried very hard not to go crazy in each store - yes - do the math!!!!!   But I did find a few novelty prints that I just couldn't pass up.  I have HUGE HUGE quantities of this stuff.  I think I am going to start cutting it into kits and selling it.

Novelty prints

BUT before I take on that challenge - I MUST finish up with the Misty Pines kit.  Until I get these kits cut and see how much fabric is left - I am NOT taking any new orders for the kits.

The kits for the Shop Hop

 Most of the stores we hit, the license plates had already been picked up by someone for me so I didn't get many that day - but made good progress on getting my Shop Hop Passport complete.

I do have ONE beef about the Shop Hop. Overall the event is very well organized and I think the stores are doing extremely well.  I think every store that we hit that is participating is busy cutting and folding kits.  Each store has handed out HUNDREDS of these kits so far and there are still two weeks in the month of July!!!!

The way the Shop Hop works is that each store chooses a block for their store. The colour this year is blue and white. Each store then distributes one of their blocks to each of the other stores so that each store has 15 different blocks. Then they each make up a quilt using those 15 blocks.  They choose the setting and they are very varied.  However while you are allowed to take a picture of the quilts, there is to be NO POSTING of those pictures on any social media until August 1.  Why????   Well the stores do not want their setting to be published. Why????   Because someone might copy the design and not buy a finishing kit from the store. SERIOUSLY??????   I want to see them all BEFORE I buy a finishing kit.  Then I know which one I like the best and I would buy that finishing kit when I am in the store.  If I get to the end and then I see a quilt that I like - I will copy it.   If I know before hand - I will buy the kit.   How hard is that for people to comprehend?????  

I am pretty certain which stores made that rule up based on my experience from last year.  It isn't a big deal, but I am NOT going to pay to have a kit shipped to me when I could have picked it up in person. NUFF SAID!

In case you didn't notice, but there is one more post this morning - one of my last posts from PEI.


On that note - there is so much to do today - it is one of those days - where do I start?????


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!