The great thread sort continues

OH MY GOSH --- Murphys is a "branch" manager!! I LOVE that! Does she get a raise for the job? Thanks, Anne, for the chuckle!

And yes, Elle -- I just keep plugging away at this mess. It's kind of therapeutic in a bizarre way. One box at a time, and thankfully, the number of boxes has been significantly reduced since I took on the task. Does it get any easier? Maybe - it's still mentally challenging, and I swear, this is a SKILL we should be teaching our kids from the moment they get their first possession! 

Speaking of possessions, I had to pop over to the dollar store yesterday for something -- wait for it, and while I was in line, there was a dad and his two kids in front of me. The little boy was about 4, and the little girl was about 2. Of course, the line-up for the cash goes right through the candy section, and the little girl grabbed a roll of something and asked for it. The dad calmly said no, and the little boy confirmed it, and the little girl put the roll back on the shelf. It fell out of the box, so she proceeded to pick it up and put it carefully back in the box on the shelf. Not a whimper, not a tantrum, just did what she was told. I almost fell over! Now if we had more families like that around - imagine what the world would be like! 

Let's revisit the thread thing. Someone commented that I have too much and I should give it away. I could, but what exactly would that accomplish? Now instead of me dealing with a bunch of odd threads, I have just saddled someone else with a thread they may never use! I have vowed in all my cleaning and sorting that I will happily give stuff away (if I'm ready), but I am cautious where it goes. 

Everyone wants to get something for free, but if they have no use for it, it's clutter, and I am NOT promoting clutter to anyone. I'm trying to get people to declutter! I've seen it repeatedly- free stuff - everyone wants free stuff (I used to covet anything free), even if they will never use it! I'm not adding to that. 

So I continued to sort the threads yesterday and made HUGE headway. Instead of having too many threads, I have now gained access to my threads, which will encourage me to use them. Before, I had no idea what I had, but now that I do -- well -- anything is possible. 

And I have a place to store it all -- NONE of it is clutter; therefore, none of the thread will be given away! But thanks for the suggestion!

It's the same thing with anything --- if it's in a heap, you'll never use it, and it's clutter. But get it sorted, and find a home for it, and it becomes a VALUABLE resource! 

Let's have a look at what I did yesterday. Those blue bins worked like a charm, and now all the 12-weight thread is in one spot! It's easy enough to rifle through that one tub to find a color I need, and I'm good with this. There are two more tubs, one for the 40-weight and the other for the 30-weight threads. And they fit like a glove on the shelf. 

The 12-weight thread box

I got some small baskets (my big dollar store purchase) to contain smaller amounts of thread in the drawers of that small drawer unit. I've got topstitch, fusible, invisible, wash away, and elastic thread in these containers. 

Specialty threads sorted

That stuff was all over the place before, and I had NO idea what or how much of anything I had. This is an excellent wake-up call to know what you have. Would I give some of this away? Nope - now that I know what I have and how much, that's an incentive to use it! 

The last drawer in the second unit has specialty threads for machine embroidery. This is not the ideal place for them as they should be with the other machine embroidery threads, but for the moment, they are sorted and in one place, and it works! That large spool of black is that wool/stainless steel thread I acquired from somewhere, and I will NOT put it through the tension disks on the machine, as I think it will damage the machine, so I need to figure out something to do with it. Hmm --- there's always a looper on a serger! 

Specialty machine embroidery threads

This is what is still left to do. I have all these embroidery threads (the ones on the table) to put into the appropriate container by color. Once I get to it, adding the spools to the appropriate thread box shouldn't take long. But doesn't that thread box to the left look INVITING to use? 

Embroidery threads that need to be sorted by color

I have two baskets of thread left to deal with. The one on the right is all my sparkly thread, and it needs to be put with the other metallic threads. There might be a further sort (thicker ones that will not go through the sewing machine needle) and those that will go through the needle. The basket on the left still needs to be sorted. The bottom line is that the situation is immensely better, and now I know what I have! Let's just say there is ZERO need for me to purchase thread for a long time. And if someone were giving it away for free? Nope -- don't need more! 

What's left to sort from the great thread sort!

And this is what the two small drawer units look like. I'm so excited about how neat this looks; I CAN'T wait for the next time I need to find a particular color! And based on what I'm finding on the cutting table, there will be a LOT more thread that needs to be put away. But that will be so easy!!! This makes me very excited! 

My newly sorted thread drawers

All my stuff for bobbins is in this drawer, which is in another drawer unit. Ideally, this would be in with the other threads, but there isn't room. So this is a good alternative. The remaining four drawers of this drawer unit are EMPTY!! I know -- how did that happen? Could I possibly be organizing myself into having empty spaces? What a feeling! I'm sure I'll stumble across something that could go here eventually, but those drawers stay empty for now! 

All my bobbin supplies

Here's the big thread cabinet. It's full, just like before I started, but it holds much more thread than before. Those blue bins work perfectly; I'm glad I remembered them. There is room on the bottom shelf for the last basket of thread that I need to sort. The only thing that remains is to LABEL those boxes, which I may have time for today. 

The large storage shelf for thread

So do I have too much? Perhaps, but I now have access to ALL my threads, and by sorting and tidying, I now know what I have, which can affect my projects and how I choose threads. That little bit of time sorting and organizing gained me an extremely valuable resource!!!

I also have the cabinet with all the machine embroidery threads. It's incredible how one small thing leads to another and poof -- I've organized another area of my house. 

Machine embroidery threads

If I keep plugging away, I WILL get it all done. At one point, I'd like to start back at the top of the house and work my way down again, but I feel like I've yet to go over everything the first time, so I'll keep doing what I'm doing. It's working! 

I dealt with another mess yesterday. Remember that drawer of squares and strips I found in Studio U? After taking pictures and sharing them with my groups yesterday, it was time to do something about it. I kept a few things (the precuts), and they are with my other precuts. 

Another mess to sort

But the scrappy squares and strips are now in packages that will go to Diane to make quilts for our various charities! They are neatly stored in bags, and in the storage room for the next time she asks for something. Wow -- I am starting to feel like a million bucks (OK -- I already did, but you know what I mean!). Getting all this stuff taken care of it is exhilarating! Exhausting (mentally and physically), but I love it and want to do more. 

Sorted into kits

This is why my sewing machine is NOT running much these days. I'm too busy managing my crap! I hate "wasting" my time as I'd rather be sewing, but this sorting and organizing must be done. 

Here's the customer quilt of the day. Another large one, but it quilted up beautifully, so all is good. 

Customer quilt - DONE

That's it for the quilts I needed to get done before I went away this coming week. I have one left to trim, and all are packed in the car, which is in the garage! Let's say I'll come home from the retreat with much less than what I'm taking. At least, I hope so! 

A while back, I was scouring the shelves of any store to find a spray bottle. If you want some, now seems to be the time to get them, as there were many on the shelves of the dollar store. And I believe I found several at my house, so I now have four! I do NOT need more!

Spray bottles galore!

With all the rain we are having, and I thought about this yesterday as I started walking the dogs -- it's still April! Of course, we're supposed to have rain! But everything is coming up green, and it looks amazing!!!!

The forest floor is coming alive!

We had loads of fun at the Virtual Retreat yesterday! So many friends that I haven't met in person, but I will - someday! I do NOT have presentations this morning -- can you believe that? It's the fifth Sunday of the month, and nothing is scheduled, but I have a long list of paperwork that must be done today. Then we start the Virtual Retreat at Noon. 

I have one more quilt loaded on the long arm that I'd love to get done today because when I'm back from the quilt retreat, I have another list of quilts that need to be quilted. And I'll be back to making samples and writing, and I won't have time to sort and organize then! 

Stop by the Virtual Retreat to say HI or stay and sew. It's going to be loads of fun!!! And I'll try to talk less! 

Sunday, April 30 - starting at Noon. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119598156?pwd=ZDFxcElxS0NmeTRjczdSR2FXd3N2Zz09

Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

Have a great day!

Ciao!!!

Dealing with detritus

OK -- so where has our warm weather gone? It feels like March! Rainy and cool, but that is better than snow, so we shouldn't complain, and it provides me ZERO temptation to be outside in the gazebo while I have quilts to do! 

Here's the latest customer quilt. This is the Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt I ran as a sew-along last year, and while the colors in this quilt are NOT my choice, I love the quilt, and it makes me happy to look at it. 

Customer quilt - DONE

One minor issue with the quilt. OK -- it wasn't the quilt but the operator of the long arm. I use tape as a registration mark. No more pins, as I had a BIG issue with using a pin as a registration mark, but we won't go there. After the machine starts the row, I sometimes remove the tape if it's in the way of the stitching. You don't need to understand that -- just know there's a rogue piece of tape running around while I quilt. 

When I went to move the marker, I couldn't find the tape. Now that's not a big deal, but I'd hate to leave the tape on the quilt, and it gets stitched in place. I use green painter's tape, so it was hard to see on this quilt. 

I got a new piece of tape and was good to go, but where is the original? 

Well, I found the tape later in the day -- yep -- it was stuck on my shirt sleeve! Always something silly happening at my house! 

The missing piece of tape

Then I got the bug about the mess on the desktop. Oops -- sorry for the blurry picture, but that is what's on the desktop. It's not a lot, but still, some ugly stuff to go through, including paper, which is NOT my strong point. 

The messy desktop

I am still looking for that box of jewelry. I knew where it used to sit, and when I cleaned up another area, I moved it, but where to?? 

Anyway, I grabbed a basket of crap and sorted it. It literally is the detritus of life on that desktop. All the things that I didn't know what to do with before or just got put in with other junk. What a mess, and where does one start? 

The contents of the basket

Thankfully, I don't have many junk baskets left, but enough. And they are mainly in this office, but giant leaps and bounds in progress have been made, so I feel rather fortunate about that. There used to be boxes, baskets, and bags, but a LOT of it has been dealt with by me. 

I have a friend dealing with a hoarder, and OH MY GOSH -- I can't believe the stories she tells. The house owners definitely have some issues as they CANNOT see the junk. It is disheartening that every week when she returns, the house is WORSE than it was the week before. Rotten food on the counters, in the fridge, rats in the backyard, and they CANNOT see or understand what the problem is. Oh boy -- I told her to call the city and let them deal with the house. 

What did I find in that mess? A LONG, LONG, LONG dog lead. Why do I have that? No idea - it was from a previous dog, and I'll never use it, so it's in the giveaway box. I also found a harness for the car for Murphy. I should keep that and use it, as it's dangerous for a dog to be loose in the car. When I got hit several years ago, EVERYTHING flew in the car, even my glasses off my face, and how weightless those are. Yep --- dogs NEED to be secured in the car, just like babies! 

Dog leads and harnesses

I'll have to watch the video to see how to put it on, as I couldn't figure it out. But I'll need to get one for Lexi as well. Although they are rarely in the car, I would hate to see them hurt because I haven't secured them. They will HATE it. Your arm will NOT hold them in place, but how often do we do that -- we stick out our arm if we have to brake quickly! You don't have time in an accident, and you'll break your arm if you do that! 

Speaking of Murphy, she has become a stick dog! She loves sticks but has never picked them up in the forest; now, it's her thing. The minute we enter, she looks for a stick. I had to laugh as we started with a small one, then graduated to a larger one (this one), and she dropped it by a log. Ah, Murphy -- that is not going to work. Then she got bored of carrying sticks and carried on, scouring for squirrels. 

MOM -- I got a big stick! 

And the trilliums are almost in bloom! Maybe today or tomorrow. 

The trilliums are almost in bloom

Back to the junk basket - what else did I find? Oh god --- a card from Black's so I could print photos. I know there was money on that card, but they no longer exist. I think I can toss that and say goodbye to the money on the card. WAIT A MINUTE  - I just checked, and they have an online store. Maybe I'll rescue that card and get some photos printed. Will they accept the card? If they do -- maybe they print photo books or posters? 

More junk

But seriously -- who prints photos these days? I haven't printed a picture in years! I also found two journals with to-do lists in them. I am notorious for starting lists in a journal, and then it gets abandoned. Now why is that? 

I tried very hard NOT to just move something to a new location. Well, put it back on the desktop to deal with another day. I tried very hard to deal with everything. This is what still sits on the table. 

Stuff still to deal with

Yes, there is a medal from a half-marathon. I did NOT run the marathon, but I volunteered (as I have for many years!) and got the chance to take a medal at the end. Why? I've decided to keep the ribbon to go with the other volunteer stuff from which I want to make a memory quilt, and the medal goes. 

I did not do too badly, but there are a few things I've no idea what to do with, and they might get put back on the desktop, and I'll have to deal with it another day. It's stuff I want to keep -- I'm just not sure where to put it yet. 

I did not get to the dollar store for more tubs for the thread. Nope -- I remembered that I have some blue tubs in my storage area, so I dug those out. They are PERFECT, and they were FREE. I have three of them -- one for each of the 12, 30, and 40-weight threads. No time yesterday to sort it, so that will have to wait a bit. 

Tubs for the thread

You know what they say -- it will get messy while tidying and sorting before it gets clean, and that's what Studio B looks like right now. It's a disaster, but I'm OK with that. 

I had to take the car to PetsMart to get dog food for Murphy, and I spotted this at the same time another customer did. We both chuckled at it and wondered why this was specifically for dogs. I think it's the material it was made of -- it's pretty durable, so their nails don't puncture it. Good thing Murphy wasn't with me as she would have thrown a tantrum wanting it for the pond! It would be great if you were a canoeist -- you could tow it behind the canoe so the dog wouldn't have to swim! 

A raft for dogs

It's incredible how much stuff there is for camping/hiking with your dog. The big question is -- if you're hiking -- who gets to carry the dog's "air-cooled" blanket? Oh, that's why you buy the wagon! Well, not if you're hiking. My dogs would have no issue sleeping on the ground - even Lexi! She loves to sleep in the dirt and hay under the shed in the backyard. 

I spotted this giant fat snail on the sidewalk as we left the restaurant last night. Hopefully, no one squished him!

A giant fat snail! 

Two presentations this morning, and I'm mostly ready for both. The next quilt is loaded on the long arm, and I have something I want to embroider, so it will be a jam-packed day!

Remember that we have the Virtual Retreat tonight and tomorrow! I can't wait to see everyone!!! Be sure to stop by and say HI -- you don't have to stay, but you'll want to! 

Saturday, April 29 Starting at 6 PM. 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, April 30, Starting at Noon EST

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

And on that note, I"m out of here! 

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

From clutter to treasure!

Thanks again for the comments -- I MUST answer them individually! There is NO customer quilt today. By the time I got home, I decided I had some wiggle room in my calendar and could push off one of the quilts on the list. Actually, only TWO more need to be done before I leave on Monday, and I have three days. 

I was going to start the quilt in the morning but decided that paperwork was more important. And for some reason, I was digging through the crap on the second desk in my office, and guess what? I found a book that I had been looking for for months. Yeah!!! 

My lost book

I have a plan for this book, and now that I found it, I just found a new project! I bet if I dig a little deeper, I would find the other missing book. OH -- I remember; I was looking for a box of jewelry that I think got put on that desktop. I know -- when things don't have a place, they get "lost." I'm trying to remedy that, and I need to take some time to at least sort out some crap and get rid of it from that desktop. 

So many little hiding spots! I'll have another look on that desk today for the jewelry -- I'd like to find the box. 

After some paperwork, it was time to pack for the trunk show. Amazing how MANY quilts fit into those two suitcases! OK -- so they spilled out into two totes as well. 

Packed for the trunk show

And someone wanted to come with me, but alas, she had to stay home. I think it was enough excitement that she jumped in the car to check it out. 

MOM -- I'm coming for show and tell!

Oh my goodness --- I had so much fun at the guild talk yesterday. I can't remember when I had so much fun speaking to a group! It was the Simcoe County Quilter's Group in Barrie, and I met up with two people I haven't seen in a while and two people that I know quite well from Zoom, so that was super exciting!

The meeting ran late, partially because of me, and there was a major accident on the way home, and Google Maps tried to take me off the highway, but I wouldn't have anything to do with that as I was on the phone (hands-free), at the time, and before I got home, I had to stop and pick something up since I was in the car! 

I got to see a treasure yesterday. Someone brought in an old quilt top they had no use for. I'm not sure if they found it in an old trunk or if it was a friend or family member who found it. 

An old quilt top

I will confess at first glance that, it looks like a crazy quilt top. But when you look a little closer, it's made from Fortrel, polyester, or crimpoline (however you want to call it) -- 100%, and all the patterns are crazy! It must be from the 60s or 70s. 

Crazy quilt from Fortrel

Look at those patterns!

And it was hand stitched between all the pieces. My Mom had boring patterns or solids! 

Here's a picture of Lynn and me. We met on Zoom several years ago! 

Me and Lynn

Here's Marg and me in front of her 365-day quilt. I also met Marg through Zoom, and both she and Lynn continue to be in my Zoom classes. Marg --- I will get my 365-quilt done!!! Thanks for the inspiration. Her quilt is absolutely stunning and I can't wait to see mine!

Me and Marg

And I met Bernice, whom I've known for years as we used to belong to the Brampton Quilter's Guild. 

Bernice and me

And Linda and me, who I've also known for years and I think I first met her through the Brampton guild as well. 

Me and Linda

Both have moved away, but with Zoom, we continue to stay in touch! You have to love Zoom!!!!

And here is Marg's quilt in all its glory!!

Marg's 365-day quilt

Someday.........................

I also didn't get in a second walk, but with all the packing and moving stuff around, I still walked close to 11 KM. 

After dinner, I played around with the embroidery software, and I SOLVED my problem. I'm not sure it's the best way, but I solved it nonetheless, and that's all that counts. 

And what did I pick up on my way home? An iRobot! Someone I know had bought a used one, and it didn't get used how it was intended, so I brought it home. The darn thing is rather large in diameter. She kindly had it charging all day, so when I got home and plugged it in, it went to work. 

MOM --- what's this thing? 

Murphy and Lexi were beyond themselves and were barking at it, so we didn't do too much with it yesterday. The second time I ran it to show DH, they were much better, and I bet they start going for rides if I don't watch them! Actually, both of them are too large to sit on it! 

So there are two instances of clutter in one person's home becoming a treasure in someone else's. Which fits in with Carolyn's comment about my thread. I aim to get it sorted, and then I will decide what to do with it. There are some that I will not give away --- who gives away pricing thread? Not at the price it is today. And at the rate I'm piecing, I may never get through that in my lifetime! 

But I want to play with the threads that I bought. Part of the problem is that there is so much and in such disarray that it discourages one from using it. Now that I know what I have, it will make it super easy to use. 

And while I tossed and turned last night (too excited from the day), I contemplated what to do with the last threads on the table. I've settled on buying more tubs from the dollar store and sorting them by weight -- one for 12, 30, and 40 weight respectively. Then I'll see what's left on the table, and it can go in the second small drawer unit. So I have a plan! 

I called my dad after dinner, and he was home! So we had quite a chat, and then I called my brother. Oh boy -- when your parents get old, they get some weird ideas, and he has one right now, which I want him to wait on. He's waited five years to do something we thought had been done, and now he wants to rush into it. NO -- wait until we are all together in four weeks, and then we can chat together since it involves all of us. Will he listen? I don't know - I can only hope my brother can divert him for four weeks!!!

My brother and SIL were taking him a birthday cake. They also got him a personalized license plate, and the cake is decorated like the plate. Do you know what it means? I'll give you a hint -- two words! 

Dad's birthday cake

When I talk to him, he is just like my grandfather, and I suppose I'm just like him. We see the wonderment in such small details! We are happy to putter for hours, trying to solve a puzzle. The only disappointing thing is that while my Dad understands computers and he understands CNC technology, he can't put that together with what I do! The digital cutters, my long arm, and my embroidery machine all run on that technology, but he never goes on about how "smart" I am, but he'll give credit to my two brothers for the tinkering they do! 

But, like many -- we don't say those things to the people who do them. I should ask my brother if he ever says anything about what I do. I think he needs to see it in person, as that would help him understand it better. I'm just going to leave it as it is! It's not anything to get uptight about! 

Like my grandfather, he has intentions of making it to 100! And they are stubborn, and that good prairies background, so let's see what happens! 

I don't drive the car much, and honestly, I would NEVER consider using the car for errands again. If I have to carry something heavy or go for a distance, then yes. But the hassle of parking and getting in and out of crowded parking lots? Nope -- walking is probably just as fast for my local errands, and almost everything I need is close enough to walk to! We sure picked a good location when we moved here! I have a LOT of errands today, and I must get that quilt done and the next one (which is a big one) loaded so I can get it all done tomorrow. 

I only have TWO presentations all weekend -- wow, but don't forget that we have a Virtual Retreat. 

Saturday, April 29, starting at 6 PM

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, April 30, starting at Noon EST

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119598156?pwd=ZDFxcElxS0NmeTRjczdSR2FXd3N2Zz09

Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

Plus, I must unpack those suitcases and finish packing for the retreat. Then I need to pack for two trips in May, and I still need to make some samples. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!

Sorting thread and giant quilts

I need to get back to answering those comments! I find out all kinds of stuff from you! It looks like the robotic vacuum may not be the best for dog hair, so I will save my money! What's the point of sweeping to eliminate most of the debris and then letting the vacuum run at night? Nope -- might as well clean properly. OK -- who am I kidding -- I don't vacuum or sweep -- it gets done once a week and not by me! 

I grew up on a farm -- I'm OK with a bit of dirt and dog hair on the floor. 

I'm glad yesterday is over, not because of the day but because I had that giant quilt to quilt. As I suspected, there were a few issues, but nothing I couldn't handle. It was huge, approximately 116" wide, which took up nearly all the space on the long arm.

 A giant quilt loaded

I measured the backing, 108", and the quilt, 103". That is NOT nearly enough backing on such a large quilt, and I took a risk that I wouldn't run out of backing. I had about 1½" to spare at the end, and there was NOTHING at the top. Too close for comfort! This would NOT have worked if I didn't pin my quilts on the leaders. 

Barely enough backing

But here it is! I'll try to trim it later today, and then it will need to be laid out somewhere and trimmed square. 

Customer quilt - DONE

I won't go into detail on this quilt, but please -- when you are sewing LONG strips of anything together, you MUST measure and pin. Do not just sew, as it will distort things! 

Enough said -- the next quilt, at less than 80" square, seems like a miniature after the several huge ones I've done. Even though I'm out speaking this afternoon, I plan to finish it. It's loaded, and I should be back in plenty of time to finish it. I'm back on schedule, and that makes me happy. 

I wanted to dig out the next quilt (well, the next, next quilt) that I will do for myself. Do you think I could find it? I searched in the two green tubs and the two to the left. OH WAIT --- the most current stuff I've completed is in the one with the red lid. It was so close to me that I couldn't see it. 

Which tub is my quilt in?

I opened the lid, and there was my quilt! That's MY quilt for May. Just trying to stay organized. 

One of my tubs of quilts

So if you have dogs, you can appreciate this. I went to the vet to pick up their medication for ticks/fleas, heartworm, and Murphy's meds for her bladder. OUCH!! That little bag of goodies wasn't cheap. 

A "gift" for the girls

Thank goodness we love them, but since the pandemic, we don't get asked for checkups; we just buy the mediation. Hmm -- why? But that would have added a significant amount to the bill. 

Meds for the girls

I said I wasn't going to the quilt stores when I was on retreat. Well, I've changed my mind. I found the pattern I was looking for, and I've decided I need some fabric for it. And I have something else I want to make, and I'm not happy with my original fabric. So the bag from the vet is now the shopping bag with stuff I need to match or patterns. 

My shopping bag for the quilt retreat

The pattern was NOT in that second tub of stuff under the long arm because that tub is filled with projects, NOT garment stuff. However, I found a nice pair of shears. OK -- so how many shears does one person need? I must have 4 or 5 pairs, and I never use any of them, but I want to! Now this pair of scissors is in the drawer with the others. Actually, I have two drawers -- one in Studio U and one in Studio B. I know -- not super practical, and I should put them together. 

Another pair of shears

And I was back sorting threads. Good grief --- what a HUGE mess, and so much of the "collection" I haven't ever used. 

I have put all the light 50-weight thread in one box, so when I need something to piece with, I have ONE spot to get thread! It will be several "years" before I buy more piecing thread. A hedge against inflation! 

Piecing thread

I did the same thing with the black and grey threads. 

More piecing thread

Then it was on to sorting the remainder of the 50-weight colored threads. I started to sort before I took this picture, but what a mess. I use these primarily for bindings or topstitching. 

50-weight thread in the sorting process

I'm happy to report that all the 50-weight threads are now sorted by color, and these three drawers are back in the cupboard in the stash room. 

50-weight threads are sorted!

However, there is still a ton of thread to sort. I've pulled out all the 12-weight thread, and it's in a box, but not the final box because the lid won't close. 

12-weight thread

And then I still have to find a container for these. 

And this still needs to be sorted. 

What's left to sort

It is a crappy job, and DO NOT let me buy more thread unless I have a specific reason to use it! We won't even think about how much money is sitting on this table in the "I don't know why I bought it or how I'm going to use it!" pile. Again ---- HUNDREDS of dollars, and it wouldn't surprise me that there is more than $1,000 worth of thread there. 

I saw this cool thing at the gym. I had seen them the day before and didn't notice what they were doing. But they were blowing mulch into the flower beds. HEY --- I need that for my backyard. I've asked the landscaper several times, but they are so busy. I might have to buy some bags and carry them back. Getting it by the yard and putting it back there with the wheelbarrow is not super convenient. 

Blowing mulch into the flower beds

And I was trying to tidy up the pantry in the kitchen, and when I went to put the rest of the bag of birdseed into the container, I missed! Good grief --- trying to clean up and make a worse mess. 

Oh crap!

So what is this all about? Oh - pathetic me! I can't sleep on the sofa, and my blanket is not on the bed, so I'll lie on the floor! My sister did this!!!

MOM -- I'm confused

I prepped some homework that now needs to be sewn. What I really need are TWO days of concentrated sewing. I won't have time at the retreat since I already have stuff prepped for that. I doubt I'll get a chance to turn on the sewing machine today, but a Virtual Retreat is coming up, so I hope to get some of the sewing done then. 

It's Saturday evening (April 29), starting at 6 PM. 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

And Sunday morning (April 30) starting at Noon.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86119598156?pwd=ZDFxcElxS0NmeTRjczdSR2FXd3N2Zz09

Meeting ID: 861 1959 8156
Passcode: 053861

I'll also be at the Simcoe County Quilter's Guild today. I'm a last-minute fill-in, so you won't find any information on their website, but you can come as a paying guest, and the topic of my lecture is Scrap Quilts. It's one I love to give, and I'll be running around the house assembling and packing quilts this morning. The meeting starts at 1:00 PM. 

And that wraps it up for today! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!