Just say NO to refined sugar!

I accomplished everything I set out to do yesterday! Did I have high expectations? Not exactly, but I'm trying to get at least three things done. Three somewhat significant things, but that doesn't always work, so I'll take three minor things. 

The biggest issue is that DH and I have been out THREE nights in a row. OK -- that could be taxing on conversation for some couples, but not for us! I keep the chatter going, and I'm sure there are times when he wishes that I would just be quiet. But the conversation is just too great! 

The first night was our regular night out. That's usually pretty quick: have dinner and be back home, since we typically go back to work. I booked tickets to see Spider-Man; the movie started at 6:20 PM and ran 2½ hours. I SWEAR I booked IMAX tickets, but I did not. Silly me. But the moment I sat down, I knew I was in trouble. 

I wasn't comfortable with my sciatic flaring up - where did that come from? I was tired, and I didn't find the movie very exciting. I considered getting up and going outside for a walk several times, but I pushed through, and thankfully the second half was a bit more exciting than the first. I must say, I was a time-watcher through that movie. I couldn't wait for it to end. But we also had dinner at the theatre before the movie, so it was more conversation. 

And last night, we were at the golf course for Thanksgiving dinner. Since I am away this week, it didn't make sense to cook anything at home. We arrived at 5:30, and we didn't leave for several hours. I still had stuff to do at home, but that's OK -- it can wait. 

What do we chat about? OH, let's say AI is high on the list for every single conversation. People are trying to convert me; DH is, too. I'm not saying that AI is bad. I just think too many people use it for inappropriate things. BTW -- DH uses AI all the time, so I know how it works and what it can do. 

Here's an example: DH mentioned that he and his colleagues were given a certain task. It involved some processing, and his colleague wrote a pretty spiffy script to get the work done. My question is, "How long did it take to write that elaborate script? And DH asked, "Did the task even need to be done in the first place?" He made a different decision that handled the task quickly and did NOT involve AI at all. 

So if people rely on AI to do "busywork" tasks, what the heck is the point? Just assign better, more efficient tasks in the first place. And if you think AI is doing a good job - great. But did the task even need doing? That's the question! 

Here's another EASY task that you can use AI for. Someone mentioned that they have their AI agent read a book for them and then ask AI to search that manual for stuff. Why would you restrict yourself to just that book? 

Just ask Google; you do NOT need other AI agents. Good old Google (now enhanced with AI search capabilities) will do the same job. AND it already has access to that book. I know many people aren't happy with Google these days, so pick your search engine and do the same. 

For example, if I wanted to learn how to use a specific tool in Creativate Embroidery Software, I could consult the reference manual, but that isn't always a clear learning experience. As an experiment, I searched for  "How to use the Encore tool in Creativate Embroidery Software." I got EXTREMELY detailed instructions on how to use the tool. It also referenced MANY online sources (videos, blogs, etc.) that gave more instructions. 

So --- do you need CHATGPT and do some of the work yourself? Or do you just use Google AI and search the ENTIRE internet at once? And yes --- Google will also ask follow-up questions. 

Think of the task at hand and find the MOST efficient way to use the tools we have. If you want to use a different search tool, I'm sure it works the same. 

And those conversations go on and on. We have conversations about sales and marketing tactics, relationships, travel, and so much more! We are a very animated couple at the dinner table. And we push each other! Sometimes to the extreme, but we have matured and mostly respect each other's opinions. We still have our moments! 

Some of you might think I am living in a vacuum and reluctant to change, no electronic wallet, no ChatGPT. That is NOT the case. I'm pushed to do these things every day, and I understand the pros and cons, but I am also NOT following the crowd - I am ACTIVELY making choices that work for ME. 

To change the topic completely, does anyone want an electric knife? This knife has been used for crafts, cutting foam, so it is NOT for food. But if you want it - it's yours. 

An electric knife for crafts

And I spotted this picture on the art-dailydose IG account. They come up with the most creative things on that account, and this series paired two objects that had nothing to do with each other. Can you see the two items? 

What two items do you see?

I was looking for a particular quilt top to photograph. Well, as I went down that list, I spotted MANY other quilts that would work for my presentation. I spent a bit of time digging through the tubs! OH MY GOODNESS --- so many memories in those tubs and so many amazing quilts. I am going to have to work harder and smarter to get them all done. Don't bother offering to do them; I'm perfectly happy to work at my pace, and one day I will slow down so I have more time to long arm. I found the quilt top in question, and it was the one I suspected, beige/brown pinwheel. 

Digging through the tubs of quilt tops

This fall, I took on TWO scrap classes, but I can reuse the same material for both, Show and Tell, Forty Shades of Grey, and My Kinda Town. That's five hours of classes, plus four hours of clubs per month. That is nine hours. The clubs don't take much time. But the biggest issue is scheduling time, and when something comes up, I have to move things around. Between personal trips and work, it's been a nightmare. 

NOTE to SELF: Nine hours per month is too much. I have the same amount scheduled through April, then 8 hours in May and June. Nothing in the summer. Next fall, do NOT schedule so many events; I struggle to find a consistent day of the month to offer the session. And if I have to move something, it's not pretty. 

OH --- I have to share this with you. In our Many Blocks club, I'm working on Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. That quilt has 140 blocks, and I have done most of the easy ones. I haven't been working on it as diligently as I would like, so I got busy the other day and did this. 

I had prepped a few blocks on the one day I was at the quilt retreat. This particular block was going to be a challenge. Look at the pieces. 

That's a lot of itty bitty pieces.

Here is the block, and I swear that every single seam was a Y-seam, meaning you had to stop and start ¼" in. Well, not the curved pieces, but those were tight little curves. 

The block is not pretty, but it's done!

I will NOT win an award for the piecing on this block, and the edges aren't as even as I would typically make them. The back is very ugly, BUT the block is more or less 6½", and it's DONE. As they say, done is better than perfect, and I'm just happy it's done. 

I have some applique blocks coming up which will be a piece of cake compared to that one above. This just needs some stitching and is sitting on the sewing machine waiting for me to come back. 

The next block for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

In total, there are about 21 blocks to finish. I hope to get them done by the end of the year. It's time to stop this madness and finish this quilt. 

Why? How long do I want to work on this? Not long, but I don't want to abandon it again! PLUS, I want to start a new Many Blocks project for 2027. I already know what I want to work on, and it's FUN, bright, and cheery. 

As I dug through the tubs of quilt tops, I glanced at posters of all the year-long projects I have made, and OH MY, there are still lots that aren't finished. There are four pages of these quilts for a total of 80 quilts. I haven't figured out how many are not done. 

One of four posters of the ongoing quilts I've taught

Look at this cute girl. She stole Lexi's bed. 

MOM -- this is NOT Lexi's bed. It's for both of us!

Then she moved to be right in front of the fireplace. She doesn't settle like she used to, but then she's not the same girl! But still full of beans on most days. 

MOM - I'm trying to get warm!

So what were the three things I needed to get done? I got this quilt quilted. This is one of the quilts on those posters. 

The second winter quilt is done!

And so you don't think I keep using the same picture for both; here they both are. They need to be trimmed and bound! AND add a label. 

Both of the quilts are quilted.

Then I made a scrappy backing for one of the community project quilts I keep promising myself I'll finish this year. The backing is the blue you see around the edges. I think there are four more to quilt. 

The backing (blue) is made for the scrappy quilt.

And the third thing? I think it was to get my laundry done, so I could pack my suitcase last night when we got back from dinner! 

It's only been two days since I completely eliminated refined sugar from my diet, and I still need to replace those morning digestive cookies. Brooke says I should just throw the food away. I can't do that, so I will finish the box, but at two cookies per day, I don't think there's much sugar. And those gummies (supplements) need to be replaced, too. 

Anyway, in two days, I already feel better, and I know that is simply psychological, but I'm OK with that. It's the POWER of making and holding onto those decisions that is making me feel better. 

Look at that lovely spread of desserts at dinner last night. I wasn't even tempted. NOT ONE BIT. 

The dessert table that I completely ignored last night

It was a rainy kind of day, and when we got home I had to give the girls a quick walk. The lights in the front yard look so pretty. Subtle, but pretty! Murphy and Lexi were both happy to go out for a bedtime walk, even though they came in a bit wet! 

The lights at night in the front

I just have to finish packing up the rest of my portable office, and then I'm off. I will NOT be getting upgraded this morning, too many people on the flight; however, I am happy to report I'm not at the bottom of the list. Of 41 people on the list, I'm number 18. How will that change when I get my 50K status on this flight? 

This is a personal trip, so thankfully no heavy luggage required. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. I'll be in a different time zone, so the blog will likely be late each day until I'm back. 

It will be a WONDERFUL day!!!

Ciao!!!

Sherlock and Dr Watson

 OK -- so what has happened to the weather? It's like someone turned on the faucet, and the hot water heater is broken. It's cold and rainy! I see it's overcast again this morning, and it feels like minus 2! Thank goodness I didn't bother bringing my bike! Although the weather gets better as the week goes along!

So I'm making progress on the stuff that I brought. Perhaps slower than I would like, but some of this has a learning curve, and well, I'm learning. I'm OK with that. And a lot of chatting is going on, which is perfectly OK! Phone calls, e-mails, visits from non-retreaters, and a quick shopping trip all ate into the sewing time, but a retreat is not just about sewing!

Since it was a rainy day and I needed a geocache, we headed to New Hamburg to catch an Adventure Lab in the library. OK -- so how is this going to work? It was very cool as we had to search out specific books and find ONE specific word in the book. 

The trusty sleuths, Susan (Dr. Watson) and Maryke (Sherlock) solved that puzzle in no time! 

The sleuths are hard at work

OMG --- it was a very neat adventure, and there were a couple that we had to think about before we got the correct answer! I can't imagine the person who set it up! I love this picture - does it look like she discovered a naughty thing in the book!! 

Sherlock is hard at work!

It was interesting that the young girls working there knew nothing about the Adventure Lab, and what happens if the book is checked out? I don't think these books were going anywhere! 

On our way to the library, we spotted a quilt in a window. WOW - what's this? Then we realized it was a credit union, and this was their logo. 

Logo of the local credit union

OK -- so we all know those units as flying geese, and the block itself is called Dutchman's Puzzle. I did NOT go in to get a picture -- I thought it was weird enough that I took the picture outside the window!

Dutchman's Puzzle Quilt

OH -- this library was very cool as they had a jigsaw puzzle swap. You could swap a puzzle for another one. What a brilliant idea. There were a couple of interesting puzzles, but since we didn't have a puzzle, we couldn't take one. They also had a seed lending program as well. How cool is that?

I spotted this puzzle. YES -- that is a puzzle. Don't ask me why. 

A Swiss Chalet puzzle

If you live in our area, you are probably a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and they are in the playoffs. There was an audience here watching the game. But alas, the seats got abandoned - well, this was during intermission. 

Intermission at the hockey game

There was much cheering during the goals, but sadly our team didn't win. But there's always Thursday night! Go, Leafs, Go! 

I see the group is slowly getting up, and let's hope the rain stops soon, but everything is super green here! Even the farm equipment, and there is lots of that, as in addition to being a retreat house, it's an active farm, and the men are always doing something on the other side of the yard with the equipment. I imagine they want this rain to disappear as well! 

So lots of stuff to sew, and I have to get out for a walk, so there's no time to waste! 

Oh yes -- I've got the information for the scrappy quilt by Sandy, and it's a go! I'll provide more details once I'm home and have time to check the calendar. I think it's a bit too early to sign up for the class, but as long as you express interest, I'll put you on the list. Here's a picture of it again. 

Send me an e-mail (elainetheriault@gmail.com) and put SCRAP in the subject (I did get all those that put something else in), but it helps me locate all the e-mails. I got everyone! I'll add you to my list, and you'll get more information. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

It's a beautiful day!

OK -- so I've already done several things this morning that I haven't done in a long time. First, I had a relatively late night and NO nap during the day, so I slept in. That was until I heard naughty Lexi, who spent the night outside, barking! That dog never barks! It must have been something very important. 

After scolding her, I left her outside. Only to hear her barking again but in a different corner of the yard. I captured her and brought her in. She is NOT happy. Murphy went ballistic in the house, so if anyone was sleeping, they aren't any longer

The second thing is I started a blog post and then decided I didn't have time to do that topic justice, so I left it as a draft. I'll finish writing it tomorrow when I have more time. 

Last night, I presented my Scrap Quilt trunk show to the Grand Quilt Guild. Yes, - I managed to get everything packed for that show and in the car in the afternoon. 

Suitcases packed for a trunk show

It was a pleasant drive to get there, and the temperature is amazing. They host a hybrid-style (Zoom and in-person) meeting, which I had never experienced. I had heard horror stories about these, so I had no idea what to expect. 

First, the guild members were so helpful and nice, and a few faces that I haven't seen in a long time! And one lady brought in a quilt that she had started in a class with me, and the quilt was done. 

Completed quilt by a student

This is the Schoolgirl Sampler quilt which, funny enough, I just quilted the other day for someone who was also in that class. 

Anyway -- I have to say that this group has the hybrid thing down pat! It worked like a charm, and we could see the people at home, and they could see me and my quilts and anything else that happened in the room. It's a little tricky to get everyone to use the microphone so the people on Zoom can hear everything, but I was super impressed. Way to go, Grand Quilt Guild, and if anyone is struggling with the technology -- give them a call! 

And a HUGE thank you to the guild for allowing me to bring my stories to them. 

I have to laugh because I had ALL the technology that they used, so technically, I could make it work if I wanted to do something like that, which I don't! 

The drive home was equally pleasant, and I fell into bed. 

Yesterday morning, I spotted the first daffodil - the first of many, I'm sure, but spring is here. Or perhaps spring just bypassed, and we are into summer? Although I see from the forecast that next week will be cooler, which is good. It's too early to have super hot weather. 

One daffodil

See those two red marks on my middle finger. Where did those come from? That would be Murphy. When we were out for a walk, she decided that the half-eaten bagel on the side of the path was for her. I didn't see it in time to prevent her from picking it up, but once I realized it, I stopped and pried it out of her mouth. She does not need extra food, and you never know what's in the crap along the path. 

My throbbing hand

Let's say that she was NOT happy and was trying very hard to eat the bagel while my hand was in her mouth. I felt those teeth clamp down hard, and it hurt, but I was NOT giving in. And soon, the bagel was tossed aside, and Murphy was happily on her way again. Meanwhile, my hand was throbbing. She didn't break the skin, and there doesn't seem to be a bruise, so I'll live. 

I've been bitten on the hand by a dog before (poor sweet Sammy and it was my fault entirely!), and it's extremely painful - I got off lucky!

All the mounds of snow are fast disappearing. There are just a couple of sad-looking piles in the mall parking lot. 

Not much snow left

I did something naughty -- I did not finish my three goals for the day, so that means I'll have to do them today, but I don't think I have time as I need to find a few more samples and finish off the presentation for my two events at Hamilton Sewing. Those events are today, and I need to unpack one of the suitcases and pack it up again. So there's very little time to get that done. 

And what was I doing during the day? I could NOT help myself --- the gazebo was calling, and I was out there for quite a while. There was a gentle breeze, the wind chimes were tingling, and it was absolutely too nice to be inside! 

The view from the gazebo

There will be a bit of cleanup to happen in the yard, and we'll call our guy to make that happen. Yes -- we could do that ourselves, but for the cost of him doing it, why would I want to? I don't mind the work, but I'd rather sit in the gazebo! For the most part, our backyard is very maintenance-free, and I like it that way. The pond people are coming to open that up next week, so the sound of water will be added to the mix. I may have to start sewing out there! 

And yes, my trusty companion was with me. 

MOM --- just hanging out

You can't see it in that picture of the backyard, but I have a lot of eclectic art along the fence, and I love looking at it. Well, I've decided that we need something else for the backyard, and I will order it tomorrow! You have to wait - I'm so excited about it!

Gosh -- it makes me upset when I look out my window -- I used to use those cedars as a wind gauge, although I can still see trees out the window. And this would be the time the birds were building nests, and I won't see any of that this year. I should have stopped him! 

I had to laugh at the spin class. I moved to the opposite of the room (GASP -- no one moves) to get away from a couple of people on the side where I usually park my butt. Then a guy shows up that we haven't seen in a long time -- he's relatively young. Oh my gosh -- he was so NOISY -- grunting and groaning on the bike. And so vocal! I HATE that in a class!!!

So when he gets off his bike, he makes a HUGE deal about how hard it was, and blah, blah, blah! Then he asks the room at large, "How do I handle all the work?" I shot back --- you PACE yourself. I wanted to add - "you idiot!" but I held my tongue. 

What bugs me is that it's all for show. "Look at me -- I worked so hard," yeah -- well the rest of us work just as hard, but we're smart about how we work. And when he was done, he took a selfie while he was still on the bike. And then, because he's friends with some of the others, he took a picture with Joseph (the instructor) and a couple of others. He was laying on the floor and making a huge demonstration of how exhausted he was. Good grief ---- are we, adults or children? 

Don't get me wrong -- I like to have fun just like the next person, but I don't like to draw attention to myself, and I don't like making an idiot of myself, and I certainly will NEVER put myself out there as an idiot -- at least I hope I don't!

Well, it's time to get the day rolling -- time is short this morning, and lots to do!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

Quilts and magazines

Here's a question to contemplate today. Are shopping trends set by the consumers or by the retailers? I read an article yesterday about it. The retailers said that consumers are planning better (really?) for the holidays and want to get their shopping out of the way earlier. Therefore, they put Christmas decorations out earlier and earlier. Black Friday sales are no longer for Black Friday - it's Black Friday every day for a month! 

It's a combination of both, but I say the retailers are behind the trends. And before the retailers get their hands on the products, the marketing departments of the various companies are trying to gain an inch of competitive advantage. 

My philosophy is to buy what you need when you need it and can afford it. Who cares what the trends are - I don't care about what everyone else is buying (OK -- I cave from time to time - at least in the quilting area), but it's mostly about what I need/want. 

OK -- so I'm making slow progress in the vortex of paperwork. Progress is good - I wish it could be faster, but hey -- it'll get done. And seriously?? I need a second monitor, so my calendar is always handy. For whatever reason, I plug things in the calendar and then don't translate the correct date or time in e-mails. What is that all about? That requires a wee bit of jiggling today to fix that small detail! 

I was looking for a magazine that had one of my quilts in it. After a lengthy and thorough search, I could not find the magazine. I have tried to keep all the magazines and all the paperwork in the same box, but obviously, I haven't. Actually, there was a period during the pandemic when we didn't or couldn't get print copies of various magazines.  

My magazine box

However, I did find this quilt which I love. 

My Sweater quilt in a publication

But alas, it is now washed and destined to be gifted later this week. I hope they like it. 

Sweater Season!

It's in this issue if you want the pattern, and it's made from Maywood Flannels, which are gorgeous!! That's the December/January 2021 issue of Quick and Easy Quilts. 

Quick and Easy Quilts

I will contact the publisher to see if I can find the one I want right now. There were so many changes in publications for a while, and editors have come and gone; I've no idea how they keep their records. I don't even know what publication the one I'm looking for was in! 

It was made with precuts, and I wanted to share the pattern (hey -- it no longer belongs to the magazine) with my precut group! I found the EQ8 diagram, but that's all. 

Let me know if you recognize this quilt and have the magazine. 

One of my precut quilts

It would have been around 2019, and initially, it was to go in Quickly Quilting, but I don't know if that publication ever got off the ground. I LOVE the quilt, and I could write the pattern for the group. But I'll wait to see how many want the pattern. 

We had an excellent precut class. So many great ideas and so much inspiration; who knew there was so much to learn about precuts! The goal is to make at least ONE quilt from the precuts over the course of the class. My goal is three - the first is cut and ready to sew!

Then we had our scrap class. Oh my -- so much that one can do with scraps, and it all depends on your definition of a scrap. Here's a block I quickly threw together yesterday morning. There will be a few more like that coming. 

Scrap block from orange batiks

And the table runner class focused on free motion quilting was a HUGE hit. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw the homework and how everyone thought about their designs and then found a way to execute them. That's what it's all about -- how to solve a problem and get it done! And they excelled at that! I might share them later this week. 

There are two more sessions this morning, and all the presentations are ready! The next customer quilt is on the long arm and ready for this afternoon. And yes, there is an e-mail or two that has to go out today. The first priority will be to get those darn dates in order. How the heck did I mess myself up like that?

OK -- I'm printing off that introductory e-mail to all the groups so I can see the darn dates when plugging into my calendar, and I'll keep it in my book as a reference. 

Are you watching the world cup soccer? It's been on in our house since the beginning, and Miss Lexi is getting pretty comfortable as she watches the matches. Although, I wonder if she can see anything with that table in the way. Seriously -- she now sleeps on either side of it and couldn't care less. 

The Princess 

Oh -- my call for the soccer? Morroco versus Croatia, and Croatia takes it all! What do I know about the game? Nothing! 

Murphy, on the other hand, is the outdoors girl. That's a total lie as she also likes to be in the house with Mom and Dad, but boy - does she love to go for a walk. Chasing leaves is her favorite thing, so windy days are NOT fun! And yesterday, she climbed up this dead tree. 

Mom -- Look at me -- I'm a dog in a tree! 

Hmm -- what happened to the birds? I don't have the right kind of feed? I spotted a mommy cardinal yesterday, but it's been pretty quiet. 

The bird feeders are quiet

Well, that's it for me. I've got two girls to walk, and then the day starts!

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!

PROGRESS!

I'm so excited, as I made excellent progress yesterday on my projects, and it makes up for the lack of real progress on projects over the last couple of days. 

It seemed to take forever to get the first one done, and I thought I was doomed for the day. But at last, I got my scrappy green quilt done. Well, this is step one of the project. It's not super big -- about 21 inches. I made 49 blocks that are 3" finished. It was totally from the scrap box, and it took a long time to complete. So if anyone is complaining about not having enough to do -- start sewing from scraps. That'll slow you down!!!

My scrappy green quilt top is done!

Then I changed the thread color and finished the binding on this quilt. 

The binding is done on this quilt

I see the edges are a bit wavy, which means it should have been blocked before I put the binding on, but I'm going to try and steam it to get it flat. It's not bad and just needs a sleeve on the back, and then it's done!!

The binding is on the wall hanging

Then it was onto the next project. I had THREE almost finished tote bags. The only thing left to do was add the flap. The flap was cut, but I couldn't finish them - why? Because the three pieces of Velcro were missing. One part of the Velcro had been attached to the bag, but the second half was missing. When cleaning up something in the closet upstairs, I found the Velcro bits. So I brought the three bags with me to get them done. 

The missing flap on the tote bags

I stitched that Velcro in place even though it's supposed to be fusible - I never trust that. So three tote bags are now completely done. 

Three completed tote bags

Then onto the last project slated for yesterday. Could I get that done as well? It was a tote bag that I promised to make for someone. When I was prepping for my serger class, I needed a piece of very loosely woven fabric to showcase the serger, and this was precisely what I was looking for. 

I had prepped all the pieces by fusing the fusible fleece and the Decor-Bond to the fabric. I used my Singer steam press, which made that task extremely easy and took seconds instead of much longer with an ordinary iron. If you are into making bags, you NEED a steam press. 

This tote bag was a preprinted panel that the manufacturer suggested you sew together with NO LINING and no interfacings. I've seen it done that way, and it looked like a limp rag. Very sloppy, and with the loose weave of the "canvas," this would fray to death. So I made it like I make all my tote bags -- Fusible fleece on the outer part of the bag, Decor-Bond on the lining, and the handles were made substantial!! 

Speaking of handles, I used the bits that came on the panel as decorative trim on black fabric for the handles. That meant I had to turn the tubes inside out! That's not a fun job when you don't have a tube-turner. But I found tweezers in my toolbox and used those. It was still a fiddly job, and several times, I was tempted to give the entire thing back to the owner and have her finish it. But NO -- I persevered. 

Turning the tubes for the handle trim

Then it got down to the wire -- the last bit, which is to turn the bag inside out. I hate that part, and I was tempted to give it to Ronda like this. 

Turning the bag inside out

But NO -- I persevered. It helps when you sew with friends as they keep your brain occupied while you do those awful jobs. And VOILA -- the finished tote bag. 

The completed tote bag

Notice how it stands up on its own? It would never have done that if following the instructions written by the manufacturer. And personally, I think the proportions are out. It's too long for the width, so if you have a short person, this will drag on the ground! Sigh -- not my bag, not my problem!

So you want to see what some of the others are working on? Dede and Kathi both got their tulip table runners completed. Now they just have to quilt them, which I think Dede will attempt today. 

Tulip table runners!

And Katheleen is working on the strips sets for a bargello quilt. Plus, they did a lot of other work, but that's all I got pictures of. 

Katheleen's bargello

I dug through my project bag to see what I could work on today. I have to say that it's kind of fun to get caught up on or finish a project and move to something new. I did FOUR things yesterday. At some of the retreats, I work on ONE project for the entire retreat!!!

Today, I have another scrappy project. This is all the leftover yellow flannel that came from the community projects. Most of the scraps were prepped and ready to sew (it's good to be prepared), so I started last night. I now have 31 blocks made. 

31 blocks scrappy yellow flannel blocks

There's a larger piece of flannel that could be used for the backing. Using that as the backing, I would need to make 64 blocks, and I might just have enough scraps to make that happen. 

Sewing scraps of yellow flannel

The blocks are 5" unfinished. And there's one more piece of flannel that will work for the binding. My goal is to get the top together and the binding made. 

Then I have one more scrappy project and a small paper pieced project on the agenda for today. 

Tomorrow is our last day, and this is what is left in my project bag. There are three projects there; none of them will take super long to do, but they will still take time, so I feel that I packed very well for this retreat. I'm finally learning!!!

My project bag is almost empty

Let's not forget that we took a trip to Creekbank Sewing in the morning. This is a store on a Mennonite farm about 30 minutes away. We all came away from that store completely energized, and I'm sure they were happy with our visit. Here's the thing -- the two ladies in that store were the BEST salespeople I have ever seen in a quilt store. If you were looking for something, they showed you what they had, offered suggestions, and weren't afraid to dig out whatever to show you more. They were never pushy, but they were good!!

It was hilarious, but I swear that we all almost walked out with some form of quilting or sewing machine! Yep -- if we could have fit those boxes in the car, we would be sewing on Berninas today! Anyway -- those ladies were very professional, and I love the store. They have some classes that sound very good, but unfortunately, I won't be around on that day. Darn!!!!

I spotted this old sewing machine on a shelf. This was probably the top-of-the-line (or the ONLY) sewing machine offered by PFAFF at one point in time. 

An old PFAFF sewing machine

And today -- this is what they have. 

The creative icon 2

We passed a ton of wind turbines on the way there, and I managed to get this picture as Katheleen was speeding down the road. 

Wind turbines along the road

We're done!!! We completed our 10,000 KM trek across Canada on March 31. We came in 66th of 243 teams, which is fantastic considering we are four people and NONE of us are runners. We averaged just under 36.5KM each day!!! That's pretty darn impressive. Thanks to Helen Anne, Nancy, and Shelly for a great adventure!!! What's next for our little group? 

I slacked off with the walking yesterday; although I did walk 8 KM, it's nowhere near my norm. I'll get back to it seriously after this retreat. It's probably good to take a wee break. In the afternoon, I walked to the grocery store and picked up something for dinner tonight. And on the way, I spotted two Canda geese. Did you know they branch out into pairs at this time for nesting? I had no idea, but now that Katheleen mentioned it, I'm noticing them in pairs everywhere!

A pair of Canada geese

So the class that wasn't Zoom, but is now hybrid so we can attend is on today!! That's this afternoon, so I'm looking forward to that. I have loads of learning to do with the Brother Scan and Cut, so hopefully, this will help. 

On that note, I"m out o  here. I have work to do, and there's no time to waste!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!