Excitement!!!!

I was sitting at the kitchen table last night enjoying a leisurely dinner by myself. M bursts through the front door - "where's the video camera? I read your blog! Where is it?"   I guess if I want to keep something quiet - I don't announce it on my blog!!

The package was downstairs and so she ran down to get it. I asked her to bring my digital camera as well. This is what happened................

I hear her snapping pictures on the way up the stairs - NO - the battery is almost dead!

Last picture before the battery died.  They just think M is a big goof!!!! 

 BUT - I am always prepared - I have a second battery and it is always charged. As soon as one battery goes dead - I immediately recharge it. So I sent her back downstairs to get the spare battery.

And this is what happened next..........

Notice - she still has her coat and scarf on!!!!!

Notice the camera is ALSO a projector!!!!   Up to 100" screen it will project on.  Is that wild or what!!!!

The new digital camcorder

Who can be bothered to read the manual - let's just charge this thing up!  (I had to read the manual because she couldn't figure it out. There is one little secret wire hidden on the camera - she missed that!!!)

There was just enough power to set all the data in the camera and she took a five minute video of the dogs and the two of us making a whole of noise!!!!   Then the camera died so we haven't had a chance to watch it yet.  Have to try out that projector feature!!!!   I hope to use the camera to take some video of various sewing techniques. It is very hard to show them with still pictures.

While we were only a few for embroidery, we more than made up with lots of  noise!!!   The inspiration that flowed out of that session was unbelievable.  I have so many new ideas - ACK!!!!!!!!!!   Anyway - it was awesome and I love Wednesday mornings.  I did manage to get one more block done. That makes three of the four curvy snowflakes - DONE. One more to go, but I have to retrace the pattern first.

I used a permanent pen and it was a bit leaky when I first opened it up!!!!   Oh well - not such a big deal to retrace that. 

Once they left - it was time to get back to work.  I got the QUILTSocial blog up - check it out. Part Two of inserting that zipper and eliminating FLOPPY corners on a cushion cover.  One more day to go and I got a lot of the work done last night.  Then I am moving onto the next week right away for my sanity.

However I also need to get those four bobbins through the sewing machine by this afternoon.  I have worked my way through THREE of the four. I got this message last night - YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOW BOBBIN ALERT

 So one more bobbin and I have already used a fair amount of it.  I got THREE of those quilts sewn together. And working on the fourth.

The two bottom rows are together

See - the other two quilts are gone!!!!

I think there was one spot where I saw two of the same fabrics together.  Really????    Not sure if that was during the sewing process or the layout process.  However - I thought about the recipients of these quilts and they wouldn't care so I didn't either!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I have a couple more quilts (blocks are together) that I can throw on the wall later today to get rid of that bobbin.  I love sewing right beside the design wall.  I used to have my sewing machine in that corner.

I see I have a bunch of e-mails to take care of this morning and a lot more sewing today and I have to hit the long arm as well.

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

Ciao!!!!!!

LINT!!!!!

If you are following QUILTSocial this week, you know that I have this thing for lint in the sewing machine. Well I am merrily sewing yesterday and ICK! a HUGE gob of lint got on my project. Check out the QUILTsocial blog and you will see what I mean.   Plus there is a great tutorial on sewing a cushion top - check it out.

Related to that lint story - I am trying to run FOUR bobbins through the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 960Q.  I have two used up  and there is a LOT of lint. I am trying to find things that are fast to sew together to use up the remaining two bobbins.

AH - I have gift bags that need to have the casing sewn in. Those are quick and easy and take lots of thread.

Took the table off the sewing machine and so easy to sew around those gift bags. I got half of them done this morning

Better get to work on these quilts on the wall. Every time I fly past to get to the sewing machine - blocks are flying off the wall.  Had to whack in some pins. 

I accomplished a LOT yesterday. Got my handout for the guild DONE!!!  The lady at the UPS store was very chatty and trying to save me some money so I am going to look into that. See how much I save. I am always up for a bargain.

Then of course the QUILTSocial blog. I am behind the eight ball this week and so just getting the blog done the day before which is NOT good. I am bad with deadlines.  I have to figure out a better system for taking pictures as I must have taken hundreds of photos and ended up with 40 good ones.  I know - I drive Carla crazy with the number of pictures I take! But I like pictures.  But there is no need to have so many bad pictures. It is all about positioning. Got to find a better way.

Also got my video camera.  Something else to learn - yeah!!!!!!!!!!1


On that note - I hear the first guest for embroidery arrived so time to go.

Have a good day!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao!!!!!!!

Fired up!

Had such an amazing day yesterday at sewing. Yes there were lots of laughs, yes the company was good, but more importantly - I feel like I accomplished a LOT.  That got me fired up so when I arrived home (after having to go back to the church because I left my phone in the bathroom - only three minutes away before I realized!!)

Before I show you what happened - read this story - it is pretty funny. The link takes you to the Mississouri Quilt Company.

Funny Quilt Story


Let's start by looking at the show n tell we had. I have to say that the Monday ladies are prolific.  I often wonder - will any of us ever run out of projects to sew?   I doubt it!!!!!!!!!!

Claudette has a REPUTATION as a bag lady!   She makes the most amazing bags and this one above is exceptional. Hand applique and a bit of bling (can't really see it in the picture) 

And look at these gorgeous handles she has for the bag. She hand stitched the zipper in and will be hand stitching the handles on.   Oh yes - she is a PRO!!!! 

Another one of Claudette's bags. Lots of pockets in this one!

Jan arrived early and proceeded to lay out this MASSIVE quilt. It is gorgeous.  It is made form batik and the colour combination is stunning!!!!   The picture does NOT do justice to the actual quilt!!!!

Tish's Rosewood Cottage - ready for the binding!

Tish is ALMOST finished her Bonnie Hunter - Celtic Solstice from 2013.  She needs to make a couple more of those arrowhead units in that last border and then I think she was going to add one last border of blue.  Hey Tish - just in time to tackle the 2014 Bonnie Hunter mystery????  

Someone came in and remarked on the cars in the parking lot.  Hmmmm - it seems that we arranged that anyone who came yesterday  had to have a red or grey car.  It was pretty funny

Look what Tish brought me yesterday.  She didn't find her scraps, but she did find an extra block that she didn't want.  

And the colour is going to be just fine for me to finish my block which I haven't got finished!!!!!!

And look what I got done...............   MORE of those mini log cabin blocks.  Got 13 of them done in total and not sure how many more to make.  Do I make this square? make it rectangular?  If you were to win it - what size would you want?

I could only make 6 blocks yesterday because I ran out of fabric. Do you think I have enough to continue on????  

I managed to get some paper piecing done for the double wedding ring bed runner that I am working on

 I also worked on the Amish with a Twist Series II as well. No pictures yet.

When I got home - I got the rest of this top sewn together

And started on the next one

And look at these quilts that just need borders!!!!

Hmmmm - I am thinking the reason that I feel like I accomplished stuff yesterday is that I worked on MULTIPLE projects so made lots of progress with several projects, rather than just progress on one!!!   Yep - work on lots at the same time - that is my style.

Ack - as much as I am getting stuff done - there is just so much more to do.  But this is me!!!!!    I can't change because if it wasn't the quilting - it would be something else. I wonder how I will slow down - will it happen gradually or will I wake up one morning and say - that's it! I'm done!   Guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

Then I messed around with the Sapphire 960Q for the blog and got another post ready.  Check it out this morning.   I have a bit more work to do today to get the posts ready for the rest of the week.  And I finished bobbin number two.  Only two more to go by tomorrow evening - I think I will make it.

And have I ever said how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE my EQ7. That is Electric Quilt - it is software that allows you to design quilts.  You can go crazy and do all kinds of fancy things, but I use it for the basics and I would be totally lost without it.  Mary and I are doing the Block of the Month at the Mississauga Quilt Guild.  Each month we chose a shape and design quilts using that shape.  Last night I was working on the shape for this month and I really really really tried to contain myself to 4 pages, but 6 pages of designs later!  Thank goodness, I found a very inexpensive source for photocopies.  UPS stores have a sale on Tuesday - 4 cents a copy.  Our meeting is this week, so must get to the UPS store TODAY.    Just have to proof the document and I will be all set for the meeting.  I tell you - it is worth it to join the guild - just to get that handout.  It costs $6 for the program and NO - I am not handing it out to any other guild or to individuals. It is just for the guild members. If you join the guild now - you will get all the handouts. We meet on the first Thursday of the month.

On that note - I am fired up - got lots of ideas swirling in my head - loads of things to do and well - I better get started before my head explodes!!!!!!!!!!


Have a great day!!!

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

Short and sweet!

It's MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!   And time to get ready to leave for Monday Mania!   One of my favourite days of the week!  Of course my basket is loaded - there are a few things that I am SUPPOSED to be working on as well as a few things I WANT to work on and a few things JUST BECAUSE!!!

This morning before the gym, I was sewing one of those tops together that I laid out yesterday. And OH NO - two fabrics are together.

This was in the second last row, but I had enough flexibility that I could switch the blocks

Hmmmmm - this is the picture from the original layout. It must have been Sammy or Sparky who switched the blocks!!!!!

And it is my week to blog on QUILTSocial so check it out.  There is USEFUL information for everyone. Not only useful, but IMPORTANT to keeping your sewing machine in good shape.  Speaking of which - I am getting close to finishing the second bobbin!!!!!!!!


On that note - I am out of here.

Have a great day!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!

One down - three to go!!!!!!!!!!

I am certain I saw snow yesterday!!!   OK - yes there was snow on the ground in Georgetown, but just a bit. But today is first morning where the temperature has dipped below zero!!

Did you do something creative your extra hour?  I completely forgot last night about the time change.  I am awake and staring at the clock - 5:00 AM.  I decide I will get up as I have a lot to do. Once I am up - I glance at my phone - crap - it is 4:00 AM!!!!!!! Oh well - I am up now - might as well do something useful!

I hit the sewing machine and continued the sewing marathon that I was on last night.  You see - I need a picture for the QUILTSocial blog. I need to see a VERY LINTY bobbin case and in order to do that - I want to run FOUR bobbins through the machine - oh yes - that is a LOT of sewing.

Have a look................   This is the quilt that we are making in the beginner quilt making class at Sew Sisters. I wanted TWO tops so they could be quilted differently to give the students an idea of how quilting can change the look of a quilt. I grabbed TWO fabrics from my stash (from one of the Breast Cancer lines). I cut it up, added some solid white and this is what I got.

Lap quilt - top is DONE

Found some pink with hearts on it for the backing - made the binding and it is ready to be quilted!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is all I had left over - yeah!!!!    Went into the scrap box and two more fabrics OUT of the stash baskets!!!!!

I got the top assembled and the border on this one - same style quilt as the pink one, but I wanted to add borders to it.  There is one more border to be added, but I ran out of time. 

Then I decided it was time to tackle this laundry basket.  It is filled with fleece for the backings for four quilts.  The blocks were made and there is still fabric in the basket for the borders. 

Divided up the blocks and laid out three of the quilts on the design wall. 

Fourth one on the floor

Sparky was pushing it - she wanted to go out (she doesn't understand time changes) and so this is her way of protesting. She is very smart - " I know I will get into trouble if I stretch out right on the quilt, but she can't yell at me for just touching the edge!!!!!"  

Sammy is hanging her head in shame. yes - she got into the garbage again and M yelled at her. So she run down to me. Bad doggy!!!!!!

LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!   I managed to empty one bobbin last night and hope to get one more done today.  You can sew a LOT with one bobbin!!!!!!! But look what progress I will have made when all four are used up!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cute little scissors that the Hobby Horse will have for sale sometime in the near future. 

On that note - I have a date with the sewing machine.  Got some prep to finish for class this afternoon.


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

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

Under the cover of darkness......................

I went back to Best Buy to get my camcorder.  I swear - there are a lot of people working in that store, but no one wants to help!!!!  But I did snag someone at last who wasn't all that knowledgeable about the cameras, didn't have his keys to get the camera out of the locked cabinet and well - a bit of body odor that I didn't really like.  Oh well - I had to get something else - time to upgrade the O/S on my laptop. That is going to be very scary since the only upgrade you can get these days is Windows 8.1 and I have been resisting using it on the other computer.   ACK!!!!!!   But I have a software package that needs Windows 7 or 8 and so I have no choice. Wish me luck when that is about to happen.  I'll warn you in the event I am locked out of my computer!!!!!!

Anyway - by this time, the salesperson had located his keys and realized that they do NOT have the camcorder in stock and so I have to buy it on-line. Which he did for me while I was in the store.  Good grief - I could have saved myself a LOT of time and just bought the darn thing on-line myself. At least I got free shipping. Lesson learned - want something big like that - just buy it on-line!!!!!    A rep from Sony happened to be in the store at the time and so I asked her a couple of questions - now she was from head office, but she confirmed that NONE of their camcorders have remotes. Seriously????  I would have thought they would all have remotes. Oh well................

When all this election business started - of course - all the candidates put up signs.  We would laugh and say that we were going to "steal" some of the election signs when the election was over. And why???   Well many of them were printed on corrugated plastic which is very strong and makes excellent bottoms to fabric tote bags. Well the election was over this past Monday. I watched the signs slowly disappear from the neighbourhood. However, it is now FIVE days after the election. According to this article in the Brampton Guardian - the signs are to be removed within 72 hours AFTER the election. That is THREE days - so I figure those signs are fair game.

And so - very early this morning - I grabbed my tools and I was off...............

My "burglar" tools

A number of the signs were attached to pickets which are deeply embedded into people's lawns.  I wrenched them out and put them in the back of the car.  I think I snagged about 10 big ones (including two that I picked up during the week - they were lying flat at the edge of a public parking space) and about 8 little ones.  They are all safely in my garage where I will cut them up into the size of pieces that I want.

However when I arrived back home with frozen hands - my gloves were soaked - it is WET outside, I was covered in mud!!!!!!!!!!!  (from the pickets)

Mud everywhere!!!!

And in case you have no idea what I am talking about - have a look at this............

This is the Chubby Charmer tote bag - I will be teaching this bag a couple of times over the next couple of months.

Anyway - like all fabric bags - they have BAG SAG when you put stuff in the bag and I think it looks hideous and VERY HAND MADE

However if you take a piece of corrugated plastic - cover it with fabric to match the lining

Good bye BAG SAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you can buy corrugated plastic. It isn't cheap and I thought those elections signs would do the trick. Not only are they free (once the candidates have abandoned them after 72 hours), I am helping to clean up the neighbourhood. A win-win for all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   So if you are planning to take my class - I am sure we can work something out regarding the bag bottoms. With what I picked up this morning - I think I have enough plastic for MANY Chubby Charmers!!!!!

Had two videos that I had to get back to the library yesterday or they were overdue.  I watched one of them last night - a very lame, silly movie that I fell asleep during, but woke up for the ending.  Hmmm - I guess I am going to need people to give me recommendations on movies to watch.  This one will NOT be on my recommendation list. And I need to find out how one can BROWSE the complete list of movie titles on the library catalog.  Hmmm - a question for my librarian friend.

The other video is Quilting Arts - Season Two and I learned a couple of things last night that were AWESOME and related to Electric Quilt software that will be VERY USEFUL. Oh yes - the things you can learn - this learning NEVER stops!!!!!!!!!!!!

However for the time that I was awake - I did manage to get one more knitted block done!!!!!!!

Number 29!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes - there are 29 done!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One more to knit!!!!!

Started the LAST block. I am pretty certain that there is NOT enough wool left.  

Anybody have any of this left????   Where is Tish??? 

It was a VERY QUIET Halloween last night.  We barely had anybody come to the house but the weather was awful. Windy, wet and cold.   I bought candy yesterday while I was at Target.  I wasn't really in the spirit and I noticed that my neighbours who normally decorate their houses - well NO ONE did much last night. We didn't decorate and I wasn't really in the mood. But look - little Sammy was dressed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Little Sammy in her Halloween costume - a picture of CUTENESS

I LOVE Target. It is very close to my house. It is BRIGHT, it is CLEAN, it is NOT CLUTTERED, they have SELF-CHECKOUT and HELPFUL STAFF.   And I love the escalators. See - you put your cart on the cart escalator and then you get on the regular one.  I went up and down - so much FUN!!!!!!  (I know - it does not take much to amuse me!!!)

The cart escalator at Target!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unlike Best Buy - I was wandering around with my full cart looking for the kitchen department.  A staff member asked me if I needed help.  YES - I need a butter dish. And she led me right to the only one they had.  I don't really care what it looks like - I just needed a butter dish.   I am sold - I will go back often for my household stuff.


October 31 used to be a crazy day in my life. When I worked as a sales rep - it was year end and there was always a party that night as everyone went out to either celebrate making their numbers or drown their sorrow because they did not!  It also happens to be DH birthday. We never really celebrate his birthday on that day since we are home handing out candy. My HYPER 18 year old was the one handing out candy last night and managed to give out TWO big bags of stuff to the few that came. Oh well - less for us to eat so that is good.  Anyway - we had cupcakes to celebrate DH's birthday.

YUM - cupcakes!!!!!!!!

Birthday cupcakes

Isn't this owl cute - I thought it was a monster until I was CORRECTED by M - that it is (ooops - was) an owl. 

I got a lot done yesterday - but nothing that I can share with you.  Have a look at QUILTSocial on Monday and you will see what I did yesterday.   My only problem is I have to find a way to use up FOUR bobbins in a hurry!!!!!    Funny - they always seem to run out when you don't want them to and now I need them to run out and they are taking forever!!!!!!!!!!!!   I see lots of sewing in my future!!!!!!!!!!!


On that note - I have two classes today and I need to do a bit of prep for them both.

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


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