The aftermath

Phew -- so doing that Facebook Live was quite an adventure! I didn't go back and watch it, but I know a few areas where I could do things differently. But I'm OK with that. What am I always telling people? It'll never be perfect the first time -- gosh -- it'll probably never be perfect! However, one learns from experience, and I spent the morning walking through the presentation, moving from chair to chair, standing up to hold the quilts, and prepping fabric or whatever I needed as I did the walk-through. 

I had an agenda on a small whiteboard to help me along, and I'm happy with the results. 

Needless to say, I had help while I was working. First, Murphy was there as Little Bear was upstairs. 

Why is the gaffer asleep on the floor?

Then Little Bear wanted to be downstairs, so he got moved. 

The replacement is no better than the original!

Then, they were both there to help out. Lexi? She would NEVER come downstairs. That's beneath a Princess to take the stairs. 

MOM -- we want to be TALENT, not behind-the-scenes stuff!

During the actual presentation, Little Bear stayed on the floor. I could hear Murphy barking at one point, but nothing I could do about it!! 

I was messing around taking pictures, and here's the view from my primary camera. 

The view from the primary camera

And this is what my table looked like. 

Behind the scenes

My tiny little set-up gives you some appreciation for what happens in a real filming studio. It reminded me of the day when the Property Brothers (Drew and Linda) descended upon Studio B to film a segment for their show. I could see myself on the laptop screen, but I was not using the laptop camera, which was unnerving. I was looking into a camera about 10 feet away. Yet all the questions came on the laptop. Oh well -- it was OK, but remember to look at the camera, NOT the computer!

In case you're wondering, this is what my screen looked like. 

What I saw! 

I had to laugh because, after the presentation, this is what the floor looked like. 

Everything got tossed to the floor

Everything got tossed to the floor. There was no time to tidy it up, and that's OK!!!

Anyway, I had a blast! So help me, but I volunteered to do it again! Hey -- if I went to all that trouble to make this happen, I should at least get to do it again! 

Someone asked about my jacket (not during the presentation, but after). Here's a picture of the back. 

My jacket

This was the first time I wore it. Where did it come from? I wish I could say I made it, but I did not. When M was in Turkey in the fall, she was browsing some of the local markets and spotted a shop selling this kind of work. It is called Kashmiri Embroidery. 

The shop she was in had hundreds of brilliantly colored items, so I went shopping through her phone. We settled on this one. When it came to size, she tried on one, and we went one size larger. Anyway, I got the jacket when she stopped in on her way home. I tried it on, and it fits like a glove! It's beautiful. 

I suspect this type of embroidery is similar to the MOLAS from the Panama Canal area. Do they make "cheap knock-offs" for tourists? I don't know what the story is, but it's beautiful! I'm not sure how much she paid. I should ask her if she remembers. 

When I finished yesterday, I was EXHAUSTED. My brain and body protested that I needed a break, so I did. The girls, the boy, and I cuddled up in the living room and had a long nap. But only after they all entertained me!

My entertainment after the show

I went downstairs this morning to start tidying everything up. It was a disaster, to be sure! I got all the samples put away. The extension cords (I had THREE different power bars) got put away. And I returned the big mic to DH's office. Shoot -- I bought that for me, and then I was using earbuds, so I gave the mic to him. Thankfully, he wasn't home yesterday, so I stole the mic from his office. It worked like a charm! My earbuds haven't been working well for quite some time, so I've been using the mic on the laptop, which is crap! I have a new set of earbuds, and I'll try them for the virtual retreat this weekend. 

Mostly tidied up except for the technology

I need to do some significant labeling before I put everything away. Cords must be labeled; I might pack them with the appropriate camera. That way, when I grab a camera, all its cords are in one place. So I'll work on that later today - bit by bit, but the worst part is done.

Speaking of cameras, I was tidying up the remaining mess on the kitchen table, and imagine my surprise when I realized that TWO of the three cameras were FILM, not digital. I delicately opened it (although that doesn't make a difference if there is an open film in the back) and found a roll that needed to be developed. I suspect this camera belonged to M. Do I even dare get that developed? I may not want to see any of the photos. Perhaps I should give it to her and let her decide. 

An undeveloped film?

This is the second camera, which did not have any film inside. I dug the manual out of the recycling for this camera, as it's a decent camera. The other one is very cheap. This is a Nikon. I have a few rolls of film -- does anyone have a budding photographer in their family who would love to mess with film? Otherwise, it's going to get donated. 

Another film camera

I was sorting through the CDs that I found. Good grief -- I've bought a few Canon products in my time. Notice the version of the software that came with each!! I can download it online, so I don't need these. I don't think anyone uses CDs for multi-media or any other purpose, but I best keep those pouches!!! I have to deal with those today. 

Old CDs for cameras

As part of my cleaning process this morning, I was swiftering around getting rid of dust and decided to move the portable design wall. I simply folded it in on itself. Imagine my surprise when I spotted this block on the back! That's the MISSING block from Barn Star Sampler. I swear I had made all the pinwheels but couldn't find one. So I remade it!!! I got a chuckle!!!

My MISSING block from the Barn Start Sampler quilt

If you wonder why I called my sewing spaces STUDIOs, not sewing rooms, read this quote. It's from a book on organizing your sewing space. I must have read the book years ago, or I just decided that what I do sounds better in a studio than in a sewing room. 

We DESERVE STUDIOS!!!

To add to the circus which is my house, two nights ago, the doorbell rang at 7 PM, and this box was on my step. Good grief -- CanPar was working late!!! Anyway, I've opened the box, and it's filled with goodies that I get to play with for the next blog posts for QUILTsocial. I can't wait!!!! 

A box of goodies!! 

And I think that's enough excitement to last for a while. However, I'm back to work today as I have a presentation on Husqvarna Viking Accessories tonight. It won't take long to assemble, and I'll only use one camera. However, I might use one of my Handi-cams to show off the accessories. And I have a massage booked. Thank goodness, as I can feel how tight my shoulders are, and I've not had a chance to do much about it. She is going to HURT me today - I can already feel it. 

Almost all of our snow is gone. The weather was so warm yesterday, but when I finished at 4:30, I was too tired to go for that second walk. But it's still warm this morning and will get warmer as the day progresses, so it'll be nice to walk the girls and the boy. 

Here are the links for the Virtual Retreat this weekend. 

Saturday, February 24 -- Starts at 6 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89816483795?pwd=Mjc3M3pvVmZPdjdsQzlHS3Zhck52dz09

Meeting ID: 898 1648 3795
Passcode: 248667

Sunday, February 25 - Starts at NOON

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82983517671?pwd=ODdsa1FJenQwdFNaQWFTNGd4bEhPZz09

Meeting ID: 829 8351 7671
Passcode: 117636

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

You've got mail!

Over the years, I've shipped many quilts to the US to be photographed for a magazine, and they've been shipped back to me. Other than paying shipping costs, I've incurred no other cost. No duty, no brokerage fees, no HST. 

Three of us in this area were fortunate enough to have quilts accepted to the CherryWood challenge, and those quilts are winging their way back to us. One person was notified that her quilt was coming home, but she would have to pay $150 in brokerage fees and duties to get it. Seriously?? The quilt belongs to her, was made in Canada, she received NO money for it, and it was simply coming back home. A second friend received the same notice. 

I believe BOTH are refusing to pay, and they should. They do NOT need to pay duty on something that they made! 

When I got a notification that mine was coming, I sent them a note asking them to change the commercial invoice to avoid such costs. I still got a COD invoice for $39.95, which was brokerage fees. I decided to pay for that rather than fight it. Time is money, after all! 

OH -- The email said I could pay online rather than mess with the driver when he drops it off, so I went that route. WAIT A MINUTE -- now the invoice is only $33.17. That's even better. Alas, I could NOT input my credit card and have it work. I know I could be better with technology, but I know how to fill out a form. I tried it MANY times. No go. And their silly payment screen just comes back with CHECK THE PAYMENT information - it doesn't highlight the issue and deletes all the information. UPS -- that system SUCKS!!!!

So, I attempted to call them to pay online. I asked about the difference in the amounts. OH -- that's the COD payment fee when you pay the driver. OK -- so I don't want to pay that amount; I only want to pay the brokerage fees of $33.17 since I'm not paying the driver. Nope, I can't do that on the phone. Seriously? Seriously!!!! I was MAD!!! I was transferred to several other people, and everyone said the same thing. 

I was shuffled to the tech support, and they couldn't help me. I mean - this is BAD customer service. You can't fix your system, so I can pay you with my credit card. Nope! 

While on hold for someone else, I decided to try PayPal. Yes, I know there are fees, but they are less than the $6 for the COD. Anyway -- the payment (which goes through my credit card) was accepted.

I've had an excellent experience with UPS - that's how I always sent my packages, but this time? Well, they sucked!!! But it's not entirely their fault; the commercial invoice was set up to trigger those brokerage fees. I'm not sure what did it, but they need to investigate. 

Do you think you could miss the fact that there is COD on this package? But since it was paid, the driver just dropped it off. 

COD charges

This is my Princess Diana Cherrywood Challenge. I dug out my Bob Ross Cherrywood Challenge, which I received a couple of years ago, and it's still in the shipping package. Look -- NO COD on that one. 

No COD charges on the one on the left

Oh well, I got it home, paid $33.17 (plus whatever percentage PayPal charged), and I'm good. I'm unsure how the others will get their quilts back, but they should NOT have to pay $150. 

I ordered THREE things from my favorite online store. GASP!!!! Yes -- I order from that store if I know I can't get the product anywhere else. Two of the three items were obscure, and if I tried to buy them from a local shop, they would have to order them from the manufacturer, which would take forever. I need them NOW. Of course, I'm not sharing you yet! 

Two were supposed to come yesterday, and one today. However, all three landed on my doorstep in the morning. ALL in separate packages. Now that's pretty environmentally friendly!

Three SEPARATE packages from Amazon

Although this one can be used as a journal cover!! The other two are garbage in my area. 

This can be recycled into a journal cover!

One was a book. The Amazon facility in Bolton, Ontario, has a book printing press. So they print books on demand. This is the second book that I've received from that location. I wonder if we can tour that facility? The quality is excellent, and the turnaround was quick. Again -- I'm not encouraging people to buy there, but sometimes there is no option. Right on the author's website is a link to Amazon. That's the only way to buy the book! 

Manufactured by Amazon.ca

The other day, I received a card from the post office that I had a package. Seriously? We have huge package mailbox slots, or they drop at the front door. The only reason to go to the post office is if a signature is required or something else. I've gone to the post office two days in a row -- NO package. What is going on? I'll go back again today but after that? Actually, they told me to call first. Did anyone send me anything? 

I made some progress in the sewing world. I managed to finish repairing those paper-picked units for my Tequila Lime quilt. There were four of them left to fix, and all four got completed, so all eight are the way they are supposed to be. It really was a painless experience! If you screw up, don't despair - just get to work and fix it! I had to rip ALL EIGHT UNITS completely out! NO big deal -- slow and steady. 

Two of the eight units are fixed!

I have the tip of the seven remaining units done, and I hope to get back to it later today. The tip was simple, but it was a pain to do. The rest is just a repeat of the previous units. 

Working on the remaining 7 units for the other side

I did some machine embroidery and emptied a spool of thread! 

Empty spool of thread

OH --- look what came in my mailbox (email) yesterday. 

The Island Walk

You probably can't read that -- but it's The Island Walk. 700 km walk around Prince Edward Island. I'm in!!! I've known about it for a couple of years, but they are ramping it up and trying to make it similar to the Camino, where it can be self-supporting. I must check it out -- that will NOT be for this year, as I'm already booked to finish the Camino de Santiago! 

Well, it's going to be another busy day! I'm a little behind in getting things done on my weekly task list, and I have to prepare for a presentation tonight. Slow and steady!

OH -- someone sent me an email about the permission to practice. Who among you NEEDS another quilt? Probably most of you are sewing for the sake of sewing - your family and friends are already inundated and do not want more quilts. Then why aren't you practicing? Use some of that fabric to try new techniques. NO ONE said you have to make finished items. And it's OK to throw stuff away if it doesn't turn out OK. Did you keep every coloring book picture your kids colored? Of course, you didn't. So STOP being so hard on yourself, STOP making those quilts, and try new things!!!!!

Do you have a book or pattern you bought because you wanted to learn a new technique? GET IT OUT!!!! 

On that cheery note, I'm out of here!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Trash or Treasure?

Yesterday was a productive day, just not as productive as I would have liked it. I hate when that happens, but that's just the way life is. Get over it and move on!

I had a lot of running around to do in the morning, but everything got done. Including a trip to quick trip to Chapters. I didn't buy anything, but I found something that sort of knocked my socks off. I'm going to share that with you tomorrow. Yes - there I was in Chapters taking pictures!

Last night I taught a class on paper piecing at Oh Look Fabric. Ran into a couple of people that I haven't seen in a long time. Great to see you!! And Mary was in my class. Mary is just Mary - loads of fun, lots of laughs. We had a great class. There's ONE more class this week. The rope bowl. If you're interested, you can check out the link above and sign up! All my classes are fun and flexible!!

Anyway - here's what they got accomplished last night.

Paper piecing a tree

While those bits may not look like a Christmas tree yet - this is what the end result will look like.

The completed Christmas tree wall hanging

It's very cute! They do have a ways to go, but one of the students was brand new to paper piecing and she did an amazing job. She was a bit timid at the beginning which sort of leads me into the topic for tomorrow's post. But I'll leave that for tomorrow.

The pattern is called Christmas Tree Paper Pieced by Jitka Designs.

In my travels, I acquired this paper bag. What's in the bag? The big question -  is it trash or treasure?

Trash or treasure?

There's a quilt project in that bag. A bunch of wheel blocks that were hand appliqued. There's quite a few of them. 

Hand appliqued wheel blocks

 It may have been a group project as I found a note pinned to one block with a name on it. No one I recognize and no other notes on the other blocks.

A name pinned on the block

High alert - I found a bunch of circles for the centers and they're NOT cotton. It almost looks like a KNIT. ACK!!!! That means there must be unfinished blocks.

Center circles and NOT from cotton

Yep - there's also a bunch of blocks that have no center attached.

No centers attached to this group of blocks

 But wait - there's MORE!! 

There's also a bunch of wheels that are NOT attached to the background fabric.

Completed wheels that are not attached to a background

No worries - there was a chunk of white fabric in another bag that will work for the background.

There was also a pattern (hand drafted no less) in the bag. As well as thread, a thimble and a roll of green painter's tape.

The hand drafted pattern

I'm going to call it a treasure and get if finished. I know - shoot me now!!!  I have several other treasures that I've rescued over the years. None of them are done. However, I was reviewing my UFO lists the other day and there are 8 already on the list for 2019. Most of them will be easy? I sure hope so. I don't think any of them are multiple quilts like I've had the past couple of years. So - I might just add one of the "treasure" quilts to that list. Let's not forget that there are still projects to be done from the 2017 list and the 2018 list. The intention of the list is to NOT forget these projects. Progress is being made and I hope to polish that 2017 list off before the end of this year. Then the focus of Mondays and Sit n Sew days will be the 2018/2019 lists.

Anyway, I've decided to keep this treasure. I might toss those knit circles. I really don't want to applique those down and I might just finish it off by machine.

Where did it come from? Someone dropped it off and that person gave it to me. The story? The original owner has passed away and the family is trying to get rid of stuff. Who knows if there was more, but one more treasure is enough for me!  Remember - this is going to happen to our stuff one day, so get it done NOW.

I was waiting on a package to arrive. Now with the issue with our postal service, you can't really depend on it. I was thinking the package was coming by courier, but no it showed up in my mailbox yesterday. Not bad when you consider it was mailed on Monday. Three days! Can't complain about that. However, the issue was that this package was shoved into the small boxes in our super box. I had to tug and tug and roll and roll before I could manage to get the darn thing out. And it was cold out last night!

The package arrived safe and sound!

My box is one of those little square ones! I'm guessing the parcel boxes on the bottom left were already filled with something that they couldn't bend!

Super mailbox in Canada

When they open those big doors to put stuff in, they have more room so I bet it was easy to get it in, just not so easy to get it out.

The whole front opens so it's easy to get the mail in the boxes

The new style is way better. Why didn't they think of that in the beginning? I know - because mailboxes (in post offices) have for years been small square shaped because we used to get a lot of letters. Now we get big flat stuff. This is the updated style.

New shape to the mailboxes

It's time to empty the scrap bucket. I have to find something to put this in so it can go into a pet mat. I haven't uncovered the sheets in that cold room yet. I think I fill my scrap bucket at least twice a month and Diane doesn't want me to throw this away. Guess who is coming today and guess who is getting the scraps in a paper bag?

The scrap bucket

On that note, it's time to get rolling. It's Sit n Sew day!!!  I have to say that I'm making good progress in cleaning up and keeping the studio tidy. It didn't take that long to clear the tables, despite the fact that there were five machines to move. There wasn't much in the way of projects. It's all tucked by the long arm and there's still plenty of room to move. That's progress!!!!

Have a super day and stay warm!!!!

Ciao!