Quilt pattern controversy

 Let's start with the classes before I get lost in my thoughts!!! 

There are TWO more classes at The Hobby Horse, so I will post that link again. There are the October to June monthly one-hour lectures on finishing your quilt. There is so much to share in that! And there are FOUR in-person sessions—two of them are on machine quilting, and two of them are demos on various topics. Angie and I will be doing those two sessions as a team. It will be super fun, a chance for you to get out of the house and learn something new WITHOUT starting a new project!! 

I'm also teaching a couple of classes at Thimbles and Things. They are now offering quite a few in-store classes, but the three that I'm teaching are all on Zoom!! Here are the links to the three Zoom classes I'm teaching. 

Dear Jen, I was silly enough to go another Jen Kingwell quilt! This runs from October to June. 

Orchid Mini (Legit Kits) is a "new" way to paper piece! It's a two-part class. 

Saturday Sampler - this session runs from October to December and covers three topics

There is also Spice Market, which I'm teaching on Zoom and is not associated with a store. For those of you who have signed up, you have received an automated reply and are in the class. I should be sending more information in a couple of weeks. 

I'm teaching machine embroidery software classes (mySewnet) at two stores, and I'll post the links tomorrow. 

So that's a very doable list of classes! And they mostly start in October, which is good because my September is a complete write-off. I'm excited about them and need to start the homework prep, but I have other things on my plate. 

I almost had an applique "fail" yesterday. I got part of the daily quota of applique done in the morning and then went to the optometrist in the afternoon. They dilated my pupils, and I couldn't see a thing in the afternoon. But after dinner, things were back to normal, and I persevered. It would NOT have been the end of the world if I didn't get it done, but after all the work I've done in the past couple of weeks and not get the assignment done? I could NOT let that happen. So it's done, and I'm all set to continue today. I tell you, this seems like a never-ending applique project. There is a LOT of applique, and while I'm much closer to the finish than I was, there's still a lot of applique! 

Then the quilts have to be sewn together and binding and backing made, so I'm not out of the woods yet, but I should be able to finish them by the September deadline. That is going to be a happy day!!!

Speaking of going to the optometrist -- yikes -- she was young! I almost mistook her for the receptionist! But at least I wouldn't have to worry about her retiring! All seemed fine, except they wanted to give me a prescription for readers. I'm not keen on it as I'm super hard on glasses, and having only one pair of readers means I'll be running around the houses looking for that pair. I think I'll hold off for a while before I go that route. Does anyone have experience with prescription readers? 

And here's the other thing. I know that this store has bargain frames. The last time I was there, the bargain frames were in a drawer. This time, they are on the shelf, but in the back corner, along with the children's frames. I want the kids' frames!!!! 

Cool KIDS glasses

Those are funky glasses, and if I'm going to get readers, they should be funky! Can I get a kids' frame to fit me? 

She wants to refer me to someone else because she saw something in my eye, so I guess I better follow up with that. 

I had two phone calls to make in the morning, and I thought both would take forever, but both were quick, and I got what I wanted. My old dentist (at least 20 years ago) keeps sending us birthday cards. Why? So I finally called and the receptionist said, "Oh, your accounts were never flagged as inactive." So that has changed, and I hope to never get another birthday card from them. 

The second was to change an airplane ticket that I knew would cost me money as I had "bought" it cheap through points. After a short wait, I got the BEST call center person ever. She was determined to get my ticket changed without me paying for the change. She tried to sell me on flying at a different date and time than I wanted, but I was firm on when I wanted to fly. Then she tried a couple of other things, and then she tried what I wanted, and lo and behold, it went through without a fee change. 

Now, that could very well be because of the upcoming labor action, but my flight was outside the parameters of that. I won't ask questions - just take the new ticket and run!!!

I had a hot date yesterday with my steam press! I had a lot of fusing to do, and it was so easy and quick to use. The fusible fleece and heavy-weight interfacing aren't going anywhere! It's so much faster than a regular iron. 

The steam press

One more customer quilt is done. This is the same person as the previous one—she loves this style of fabric. Again, it wasn't super large, but the quilting is dense, so it still takes time. The next one (also from the same person) is loaded and ready to go later this morning. I'm right on track!!

Customer quilt - DONE

Murphy and I sat outside in the morning and enjoyed a cup of tea. She only wanted to sniff everything or get as close to me as possible, so she was a royal pain. I'm sure Lexi would be much quieter! 

MOM -- new smells in this corner!

I'm browsing through some old quilt magazines, and while they are old, there is so much in them that's applicable today. They over-bought fabric, had trouble finding places to store it, had too many UFOs, started too many projects, etc. I'm reading these old magazines as part of cleaning up the shelves in Studio B. It's an extremely slow process. Instead of reading a book when having my tea, I need to be reading those magazines. I paid for them and will read them, so don't tell me to toss the old ones. I have a plan! 

But I got a chuckle out of this ad. 

Do you know what those rectangles are?

Do you know what that is? How many of you had quilt-themed cheques? OK—what's a cheque? I had someone do some work several months ago, and I didn't have cash, so I gave him a cheque. I think it was the first cheque he received!

Here's something controversial I found in the magazine (dated Summer 1999). What are your thoughts on the design? 

Baltimore Brides Quilt (designed by Patricia Cox

Did you see anything amiss? How about in this picture? 

Do you like this design?

I remember when things like this caused considerable discussion in the guilds. The ladies who had been quilting much longer than I would think this is proper. Myself? I find it unsettling!!! Can you spot what I'm talking about? This is one thing that relates to "we've always done it this way!" There is no right or wrong in this situation; it's what makes you happy!

Something was weird at the gas stations yesterday. There are two kitty corner to each other, and they are usually POINT 3 cents different in price. Yesterday? They were FIVE cents different, with the other one being 148.6. GASP --- Perhaps someone made a mistake? I think this one is the correct price, but it fluctuates throughout the day, so it's anyone's guess as to the gas price. 

The price of gas is down!

And when I was out reading in the afternoon in the backyard, Yep—big slacker that I am!!! Miss Murphy was being entertained by something in the forest. At least she wasn't barking!!! 

MOM -- there's a good show on the forest channel!!!

And then it was dinner time. DH is still not feeling well, so I wasn't sure he would make it to the table, and I couldn't start the game alone! But there is the EXIT game!!! We whipped through the first two puzzles like they were nothing!! Did we get lucky? Or is the game an easy one? Or are we just that much more intelligent? 

The latest EXIT Adventure Game

Either way, it was fun to get back to it!! 

I can keep Studio B relatively neat and tidy, considering that I'm currently working on a few projects. But when I had to use the steam press, it was a joy to simply plug it in and turn it on. I wouldn't have been so happy having to make room on a table for it, dig it out, etc. So, the bottom line is that it's better to keep your tools out than your projects. So the serger, the steam press, the sewing machine - whatever tools you have. I'd make room for those and find tubs to put the projects in. You can only work on one of them (or two or three) at a time, so put the rest away to prevent them from distracting you. 

That's what I've done, and I'm shocked at how much it has changed the way I work. Yes, I still have Mount Projects in the room, but it's easy to ignore because it's out of the way. I have space to work, and it's fabulous!!!!

Well, it's another day to progress on the sewing stuff, so I'd better get started! Remember to check out the classes above, and if you have questions, let me know. 

Have a super day!!! 

Ciao!!!

You get what you pay for!

I got a chuckle when I went to pick up my new glasses earlier this week. Remember, I went to Lenscrafters but didn't want to pay much money, so I opted for one of their "packages" that was locked in a drawer. The frames are very nice, and I liked them instantly when I put them on. 

The lady handed them to me, and I tried them on. Yes, they are awesome, but they seemed slightly crooked, so I asked if she could fix them. She did it, but she didn't look at me with the glasses on; she didn't offer much to fit them to my face. I retried them, and they were fine. 

I then asked if she could tighten my sunglasses which I had purchased from them several years ago. Again, she didn't bother looking at me with them on, but she heated and adjusted the frames. She even cleaned them, so while I initially got the feeling of reluctance, she came through with fantastic service. 

However, you do NOT get a hard case with the inexpensive glasses, or do they even do that anymore? 

I don't use the hard case, so I'm glad to not have one. 

The case for my new glasses

And there they are - my new glasses for $230, tax included. They are safely tucked away in the drawer, as I'm quite happy with the old pair. 

My new glasses

Yesterday was all about getting the tires changed on my car. I knew it would be a long appointment, and they did not fail my expectations. However, I was prepared! There's a nice "big-box" type shopping strip near the dealership, and I had several things I needed to do, so I walked! 

I stopped by Staples to get rid of some receipts. They charge by the pound, and I had ONE pound, so it cost me $1. You have to shove everything through a small slot into the locked box, but I can live with that. It's so much easier and faster than having a shredder at home. Unless you have a ton of stuff to shred or are totally paranoid. And I never found those home shredders to be that great -- they would only last for a short while and one more thing to clutter your house. So this is the way to go! I drop stuff off once or twice a year, and the fact that I did it on foot, makes me even happier. 

I also picked up a pencil sharpener for my retreat toolbox. 

My new pencil sharpener

Then I went to look for rubber Birkenstocks. They didn't have any at the Sportchek, but I found two pairs of socks and a skort. In hindsight, I should have bought fabric and made a cute twirly skirt to slip on over my shorts if I need to go out. But I'll try the skort and see if I like it. It's technically not a skort but a skirt over a pair of exercise shorts. 

There is a sidewalk along both sides of this street, but I bet I'm the ONLY one who has ever walked up and down it to shop. Then I was off to Fabricland, where I found loads of fabric that would have worked for a skirt and cost me next to nothing to make a skirt as there was a sale. But I needed a few things to make a child's dress, so I got that. 

I picked up some grooming tools from PetSmart. So the comb that I bought for Murphy works much better on Lexi. She has so MUCH hair, and I'm trying to get rid of it. The comb worked like a charm. 

Off to Chapters, where I picked up the new Threads magazine. 

There was another shoe store in the area, so I went there, but they didn't have what I was looking for either. 

I looked at my watch; it was about time to return to the dealership. 

I arrived, and my car was just finished, so I waited a few minutes for the paperwork and was out of there. While I still do not get that it takes 2½ hours to change tires when they are on rims, I at least was prepared, and walking that shopping district worked for me. I got a few errands done and didn't have to "wait." I can live with that. Funny, how much better I cope when the expectation is set. If only we could properly communicate this wait time (or other expectations). 

I've been faithfully using my toe stretchers each night, and I'm not going to say they are working, but I've noticed a difference in my feet. I walk a lot, and yesterday was no exception, with over 15 KM clocked. This could be a placebo effect because I can't believe in three days of toe stretching that, my feet would feel less tired after a long day. But they do, or is that all in my head? Either way, if my feet feel less tired, I'm good with that! 

Then home to have dinner and relax in the back with the girls. So Murphy is watching the "nature" channel through the slats in the fence. See how shady that area is? I swear our house is so cold because of those trees. Yet our neighbor (a young man in his early 20s) had the air conditioning running yesterday, and I have a sweater on because of the cold. What is happening with this world that you can't bear a bit of heat? 

Murphy watching the nature channel

And there is Murphy in the plants near the pond. Why does she have to lie IN the plants? 

Mom -- just chilling

While Lexi is happy to lie on the wooden floor of the gazebo? 

Mom -- I'm the GOOD dog - remember

It's not as if that is the only flower bed, either. She was quite happy to move to the other one. Sigh................   This one is beside the wind sculpture, so you can't miss her! 

Mom -- this flower bed is the perfect size for me!

She is just a goof and relentless with the ball. And very vocal if you don't play with her. I'd like to curb that habit a bit! We just can't win with her -- instead of lying on a hard surface, she's now in an area with lots of dead leaves. So when she gets up, she's covered, and even though the floor was vacuumed on Wednesday, by Thursday afternoon, leaves were strewn from one end of the house to the other. 

Mom -- just collecting leaves to bring into the house

I didn't get much done in the way of sewing as I was on the computer for most of the day. I finished some writing and hope to get another article done this morning. Then there are a few more articles to write and some e-mails to answer, and I have some sewing. 

There are SIX presentations this weekend, and none of them are prepped! Yikes --- I need to get some homework done for some of them, so it will be another busy day! 

I put cream on my feet before I headed out yesterday, and all seemed to go well. Fingers crossed, but I'm very leery of the heat, but I need to walk in the heat to see how my feet react, so bring it on! 

OH -- I wanted to mention my schedule in case anyone wants to attend some of the events. 

I'll be at Stitch by Stitch in Kingston on May 18 and 19. 

May 18 (10 - 1) is Embroidery - Where to Begin (Husqvarna Viking)

May 18 (6 - 9) is Accessories, Attachments, and More (Husqvarna Viking)

May 19 (9 - 12) Garment Sewing Techniques (PFAFF)

May 19  (2 - 5) Accessories, Attachment, and More (PFAFF)

The accessories and attachments are geared to specific brands of machines. The other two will focus on the particular brand of machines, but there will be loads of tips and tricks for EVERYONE, regardless of your machine brand. You do NOT need top-of-the-line machines for any of them. They are all lectures/demos, so come, sit back and relax and learn! 

This is the place to ask questions, so get signed up! 

Then I'm in Regina, Saskatchewan. 

I'll be at Peachtree Quilt Shop (Northgate Sewing Center) on May 23 and 24

May 23 (9 - 12) Quilting

May 23 (1 -4) Quilting

May 24 (9 - 12) Serging

May 24 (1 - 4) Serging

Again, these are lectures/demos, so all you need to do is come and listen. I have loads of samples to inspire and loads of tips to share, and we're going to have a super time! Even if you've been quilting for a long time, there's sure to be something new to inspire, and as for the serger class? Well, I know some of you are terrified of your serger, and trust me -- you won't be when we're done! Loads of tips and tricks to make you WANT to get that serger out! 

Check your calendars and get signed up!! You'll be sorry if you miss these events. 

FYI -- the Virtual Retreat is on May 27 and 28 this month. 

On that note, I'm out of here! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

I can see clearly now!

The days seem to be blurring into each other. A new day - two new presentations and a new quilt to quilt! The push on the quilts is only because I took some time to enjoy last week's beautiful weather, so I don't mind. It's cool outside these days -- too cool to sit out, but perfect for walking. I'm down to 25 KM to walk in two days to finish my Virtual Challenge. A piece of cake, but I've never been this close before! However, considering that I've walked almost 1,100 KM in 84 days - (yes -- that's 13 KM per day), and with a crazy travel schedule, it doesn't surprise me to be down to the wire like this. 

I've got two presentations this morning; both are ready! 

Here's an update on the lost glasses. I decided to let them go -- they were stretched out of shape, and the chance of finding them intact would be slim. I've learned that following up on certain things isn't worth it. 

Technically, I need glasses to drive, but I found an old pair in the drawer. I didn't feel comfortable having only one pair- apparently, I was comfortable before! Anyway, I decided to get my eyes checked, and so I was off to the optometrist yesterday. 

It appears the changes in my eyes over the last (no idea how many) years are so minimal that it doesn't make sense to change my glasses. That has been my problem in the past. Not enough change to warrant the cost of new glasses. YES --- I am fortunate -- I know that!

But I decided to get new glasses anyway. Well, here's the story of how that happened. When I walked into the office for my appointment (they are in a store of a major eyeglass seller), there were four people in a somewhat intense conversation -- all of them worked for the eyeglass seller or the optometrist office. 

They laughed and very friendly-like said they were gossiping - about a certain new eyeglass place. I'm OK with that, and they made me feel part of their conspiracy, although they stopped talking when I arrived. 

I had to wait for drops, so I was asked if I wanted to shop, and I said no. Then I said yes. Because my intent was to go to the competitor and buy my glasses. So I found a salesperson and told them my story -- careless with glasses, don't want to spend a lot. They were all very sympathetic and kept mentioning the word "budget." Hey -- I don't have a budget; I'm just cheap and don't want to spend much money on glasses. 

I was quite upfront with her and asked her why I should buy from her rather than the other guy down the hall. Well -- they have "packages" that are equivalent to the price I can get from the competitor. Those "packages" were locked in a drawer - not out on display at all! 

I also wanted hinged arms, so I was limiting myself a lot. The bottom line is that I walked out of there with a new pair of NO-NAME glasses (which I LOVE), which cost $229. I don't need multiple pairs -- I just want ONE good pair. I have to wait two weeks for them, but that's OK. I actually found TWO frames that I fell in love with (NO -- I don't need another pair), and this was in the limited area of hinged arms and the "packages."

And the even better news? My left eye is BETTER than it was before, and no change in the right. I dare not tell you my prescription because you're going to laugh. It's so weak I barely need glasses, and I'm perfectly OK with that! I have been known to drive my car without them because I forgot them in the house, but if I ever got in an accident, my insurance company would have a heyday with that, and I refuse to give them the satisfaction!

I love answering the questions - "How is your health?" Excellent. "Medications?" None! Yes --- I was blessed with good genes (thank you, Mom and Dad), and let's hope it stays that way. 

All the equipment is now electronic. No more knob-things on that device they put over your eyes. It's all done remotely from a little tablet -- very cool! 

When I was at the drugstore the other day, they had a new blood pressure monitor, so I had to check it out. I know -- they don't give super accurate readings, but they are close enough. This new machine takes an average of three readings, including your pulse. I'm at the OPTIMAL level and have been for years. My BMI (according to the drugstore) is NORMAL. 

So all that exercise, walking, and watching what I eat over the last 50+ years has paid off. I just hope that when it's my time -- it's fast because my brain won't cope with slow! But that's a morbid thought, and it's a happy day! I am also truly blessed that EVERYTHING in my world is half full, never half empty. Again --- I got on the right end of that scale, and let's pray that it all stays there!

OH -- trust me -- I'm not perfect. I have many secret aches and pains (deny, deny, deny!) and those damn blisters! More on those another day, but NO -- I do not have more. 

Seriously -- there is a house in our neighborhood that no one has lived in since August of last year. This is at least the third package I've seen delivered to the house. Do the idiots (excuse me for saying that) that lived there before know how to change their address? This stuff is coming from Amazon. Sigh...................   Let's see how long this package sits there before it gets picked up. OH -- maybe someone knows the house is empty and is delivering stuff on purpose!! 

A package was delivered to an empty house

While waiting for my appointment, I had a few minutes to kill, so I looked in some shops. Let's say RUFFLES are in. Everything (adults and children) had ruffles!!!! Let me get my gathering feet out for the serger and the sewing machine. I'm going to make ruffles! 

Ruffles are HOT

No idea when the Cimeplex Junxion will open, but it must be soon as all the signage is up. I didn't walk past the front door, so there may be a date there. I can't wait!!!!

The new Cineplex Junxion

It's long overdue that I get more fabric to Diane. I've struggled with time over the last couple of weeks, but this has happened over the previous few days. 

I pulled out my overflowing basket of brown fabric, which needed to be culled. 

My basket of brown fabric

I started culling out fabric that I'd passed over for years. Why do I need to keep this, as it's not something I'll likely ever use? 

Let the culling begin

Gosh -- it doesn't seem like I got rid of a whole lot, as the basket is still quite full, but at least it's not spilling out everywhere. And there are a lot of good browns in there, and I don't want to get rid of the stuff I could use. 

The basket of brown after the cull

Let's say that it fits nicely on the shelf. Before, the fabric was piled so high that I could barely get it on the shelf. 

The brown basket is back on the shelf

And I pulled enough brown from there (and from one other place) to make up quite a few kits for Diane. There are SEVEN kits of brown fabrics; the rest needed some fabric so she could continue. That should keep her busy for a while! 

Kits for Diane to sew

I'm sure there might be enough to make one more quilt with the leftovers of the kits! Then I'll go through the next color basket. 

And I found these in the brown basket, but are they in the right place? 

The top fabric is quite pretty, and it's now in the multi-colored basket, and the other one is back in the brown. It's a bizarre fabric, and no idea why I bought it. 

I was looking for something the other day and discovered this in one of the cupboards. This is baskets of thread! ACK!! It needs to be sorted and put in the right spot (like thread with like thread!) so it can be used! 

Found threads

And then onto the quilt of the day. Let's say I had another late night, as I started this one after dinner! The day was jam-packed with stuff, but I HAD to finish it yesterday to keep on schedule. Thank goodness for automation to help out. 

As I neared the quilt's end, I wondered if I would run out of bobbin thread. 

Almost done - will I run out of bobbin thread?

I probably won't since I still had a full bobbin sitting there. 

A full bobbin waiting to be used

HA --- With mere inches to go, the bobbin ran out. 

The bobbin did run out!

There's the finished quilt. It turned out beautifully. This quilt started 40 years ago as a mother/daughter team effort. 

Customer quilt - DONE

And there's a close-up of the quilting. Perhaps a wee bit too dense, but there is a LOT of plain fabric in it and on the back, so I think it works fine! 

Detail of the quilting

I didn't have time to load the next one, so as soon as the presentations are done today, that is the job. It's a giant one, so I want to start before dinner! I have no errands to do today, so I should be good. OH -- except I have to walk those kits to Diane's house! 

And so everyone (DH and his friends) know, I am looking into booking an appointment with a foot specialist -- just to say I did that, and I may get some advice about my feet. 

On that happy note -- I'm out of here!!! Excited about the day - like every day, and let's GO!!!!

Ciao!!!