A blast from the past!

 I have learned something about myself. Actually, I've known it for some time now. I can get up and work like mad all day. But if I have an interruption to my schedule, I'm a zombie for the rest of the day. Case in point, I had a trunk show yesterday morning, which went very well and was not far from home. Hello to all the members of the Busy Hands Quilt Guild in Cambridge. 

Then I got home in time to join the Monday Sewing Group for a bit, and well, instead of logging off at the usual 2 PM, we stayed until 4 PM. Meanwhile, on the call, I did nothing! I chatted and attempted to start sewing a binding onto a quilt. But after that, I did nothing. 

There are many things spinning in my head at this moment, and I just didn't want to cope with anything else. Nothing bad! Mostly a lot of e-mails had to be sent, which got sent in the middle of the night because my brain wouldn't shut off. 

Now, back to the guild meeting. I did my lecture on Modern Quilts, which is always fun to do, and OH MY -- even though I've done this lecture before, I decerned a distinct pattern in my modern quilts. They are NOT the same, but most of them in the show are designed by me, and there's one unique element in almost all of them! Should I tell you? 

Well, since some of you will never get to see the show, I'll tell you. There's almost always a diagonal line of some sort in the patterns! How weird is that, and as I mentioned, I'd never noticed it before yesterday. 

I also had some papers and a book to take with me this coming week, but do you think I could find them yesterday? OK -- so I didn't look too hard, but I've found EVERYTHING this morning. It's all packed in my portable office (backpack), and all I need to do is pack that suitcase - never mind, the Uber is coming in less than two hours! 

I'll be away all week, but I'm going to a quilt show (to work), so it's going to be all about quilting!!! In French! I'm excited -- I used to live in Montreal, but we're not in Montreal - we're in St. Hyacinthe, just outside Montreal. Here's a link to the show in case any of you want to pop by. I'm not sure why it needs to be FOUR days. 

And thank goodness for online check-in and no luggage, so it'll be easy to get on the plane. Getting home will be a bit more challenging as I have my sample suitcase to bring home. 

As for that binding, look what happened. Another darn join at the corner. Sigh......... I will have to take Rose's advice soon, or this will be the standard for every quilt! 

A join at the corner

While at the guild meeting yesterday, I ran into several people I used to sew with or who were in previous classes of mine. One lady brought in two quilts that she took in the $10 quilts at The Hobby Horse, and these were the one-hour-a-month lecture classes. Both of her quilts are done, gifted, and she brought them specifically to show me. How sweet was that? 

Enchanted Autumn

Quilter's Garden Patch

It was so awesome to see these finished quilts, and I'm happy to report that both of my tops are together. Not quilted, but together. And as I was searching for my paperwork this morning, I came across the list of these types of classes. I did a quick count, and I taught almost FIFTY of these classes at The Hobby Horse. We started in 2003. Can you believe that? I'm stunned. 

Don't forget that there were other classes I taught at Oh Look Fabric, Cockadoodle Quilts, and Sew Sisters. And there are a few I taught on my own, and I bet there are at least a dozen, if not more, of those. And I wonder why I have UFOs?? When I'm back, I will dig deeper and see how many are still on the UFO list. Oh my gosh --- I was so happy to find that paper. 

And the problem is that there are so many more that I want to make (teach) whatever. I want to make a Wendy Williams quilt, so I need to find a pattern that works and is not too expensive. 

OH --- I've had so many requests for the club/class information, and have I posted it yet? NO -- I haven't had a chance to work the dates into my calendar. 

But here's a quick recap. These are ongoing classes that will continue or START in 2023.

• UFO --- unless someone drops out, the TWO classes are FULL
• Out of the Box -- the people in the class will get the first chance to renew -- at this moment, it is full
• Machine Embroidery -- unless someone drops out, it's full 

So here is what you can expect NEW for 2023. Refer back to this post for more information. 

• A club for digital cutters (all brands)
• An EQ8 club for learning the software (not sure what level yet, as that depends on who signs up)
• The many little blocks club (got to find a better name for that one) 
• Embroidery software (mySewnet) only if there is enough interest 
• Jen Kingwell make-up class (for ANY of Jen Kingwell's patterns -- as long as you have started) 

I will try to find dates for all those while I'm away, so I can post when I'm back. But if you have any comments about the levels of the software you are interested in, let me know, as that will help me. 

As usual, send me an e-mail (elainetheriault@gmail.com) and put the name or some reference in the subject to help me sort it. I do NOT mind getting e-mails as long as there is an appropriate subject line. If you just say "classes," "homework," or "pictures," that will get lost. You have to put the specific name in the subject! Send an e-mail individually, but then put the names in the subject, or just send one e-mail per class. This is not the official sign-up as I don't have dates -- it's just a curiosity about the level of EQ8 or mySewnet so I can figure out how to advertise it better. 

OK -- that's it for me. I've got to run, finish throwing stuff in the suitcase, and walk the dogs. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Let's not panic!

I think it's absolutely hilarious that I wrote about how much time I take for myself and then BAM!  I'm in trouble timewise!

I'm sitting at home on Sunday sewing away and having fun despite the fact that I almost lost an eye. More on that in a minute!

I always set an alarm to ring 24 hours in advance of ANY appointment so, in the event that I've forgotten the appointment, there is time to do a mad scramble and get prepped.  So my alarm goes off at 1:30 in the afternoon.  Hmmm - that doesn't sound like a notification - that's an ALARM.  I checked and OH DEAR - there is a guild lecture at 1:30 on Monday afternoon.  It was in the back of my head, but for some reason, I thought it was the following week.

OK - let's breathe deep. There is NO need to panic, despite the fact that I'm already working on two projects that had to be done by Monday morning.  You see, I spent the entire morning leisurely prepping a project for the retreat instead of doing what was urgent FIRST!  The Task Master and I are going to have a little talk at the retreat.  And for those expecting a Motivational Monday post - that will come tomorrow.

Now that the urgent stuff is complete - wait let me tell you how I almost lost my eye. I had to quilt a small project and since it was stitch in the ditch and the project was small, I decided to use my domestic machine and use invisible thread. My sewing machine hates invisible thread, but I had no choice.  I loaded the pre-wound invisible thread bobbin and the spool of thread on the top.  Don't forget to loosen the tension because that is critical.  I'm sewing away and BANG - the darn needle breaks.  My machine HATES invisible thread.   So I grabbed another needle.  I was doing great.  Then I had to start a new line of stitching and the darn needle broke with the first stitch.  Why??  I have no idea. But part of that needle flew up and hit me in the cheek about 1 inch below my eye!!!!   How did that happen????  That freaked me for a bit - that was close to my eye! This time, I put a TOPSTITCH needle in the machine with invisible thread, but I needed to get this project done!  No more broken needles and I didn't lose my eye and it was my good eye too!

Now let's deal with that guild lecture. I still hadn't unpacked from the last lecture a week previous. What's the topic of this lecture??? I normally write it in my book, but there was nothing in the book.  I have three lectures this month and this one just seemed to be a mystery.  I had to get into my e-mail and searched and searched - NOTHING was mentioned about the topic.  Nor where the location of the meeting was!!!   How could this be????   A quick e-mail to the program person and within an hour, I had all the information. Both she and I had forgotten some important details!!!!

I got the trunk show packed and into the car.  The meeting was scheduled to start at 1:30.  I arrive a few minutes before 1:00, only to find the parking lot packed.  NO WAY!  The meeting starts at 1:00???   YES   --- oh god - I rechecked my e-mail and it did say 1:30 PM  so I had not made a mistake.  Thank god, I decided NOT to stop at the chip wagon for a hot dog!!   A quick dash to get the important stuff out of the car. I didn't have time to grab my purse or my phone - I had to get stuff set up because I on the schedule BEFORE the break!   But let's not panic!  OH no!!!!!

Anyway - the presentation went off very well. We had a lot of fun and it's always super exciting to do my "The Life of a Quilter" as I tell my journey as a quilter.  

As the meeting drew to a close, it was getting very dark inside the building. I didn't realize it, but there was a major storm brewing outside!  I drove my car to the door and that huge heavy suitcase that I carry my quilts in???  Well, it got bounced down the stairs and into the car as if that suitcase weighed 5 pounds!   It was POURING rain and I wasn't going to get wet!  Well, I did get wet, but not much!!!!

It was a long drive back and while I wasn't tired on the drive home, I had to have a nap when I got myself sorted out!  It was a long, sort of stressful day, but it all worked out!  Next time - I'm going to make sure that I have all the information in one place before the next lecture. Which I better do today as the next lecture is next Monday!!!

Yikes - what a crazy day!!!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Surrounded by color!

On top of all the craziness at this time of year, I was scheduled to give a lecture in Orillia.  It's funny how you think of these places as far away, but after you've been there once or twice, it's not that far.  So I'm zooming along yesterday on my way to Orillia.  

I was sorry that I didn't have time to stop along the way as the colors of the leaves were spectacular!  It was like driving down a corridor of brilliant color. The sky was blue which enhanced the yellows, golds, and reds. 

On my way home, I managed to snap a few pictures out the car window as I was stuck in traffic leaving Orillia.  

Brilliant colors!

From greens to golds

Stunning

Corridor of color

OK - that last one I snapped in the car, but I don't look through the viewfinder. I just hold up the camera and snap.  I know - that's not allowed.  I rarely do it, but the color was amazing.

What a great group of ladies at the guild. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard during a presentation. We had fun, Pat saved my butt when I couldn't find my glasses after the presentation. Don't ask - next time, I put those darn glasses in my purse!!!

Now I have a request for you!  I got some books from Pat while I was there - thanks, Pat.  More Clive Cussler.  I think I must have all the ones I haven't read yet.  Just saves having to get them from the library.

Clive Cussler books to read

Someone, OK - it was Helen, got me started on Reginald Hill - the Dalziel and Pascoe series. Problem is that Number Four - An April Shroud is missing in action. It was in our library. Matter of fact, it was in my local branch. I searched, no luck. The librarians searched and no luck. The book is now officially listed as missing. I could buy the book, but I'm cheap!  So if anyone has that book and would like to lend it to me, I'd greatly appreciate that!!!!

Got two quilts quilted last night.  Right on schedule.  And another day is checked off the list!  I did hear that stress is good for you - gets you motivated and excited!  Yep - that is about right. However, they said that you have to be in charge of what is causing you stress and well, I can say that is also true in my case.  So stress is good!!!!

On that note, I'm out of here to deal with more craziness today!!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Oh god - I think Lexi posted again this morning!