Friday, November 5, 2021

Where have I been for the past week? Right here but very busy.

I spent the better part of three days sewing with Stacia and Deloise. I finished two projects so it was a productive time. I also got in a visit to the Guild’s new meeting and sewing place. It is lovely, very large, with a full commercial kitchen should we ever want to get creative with our lunches on Tuesday. But why would we? Word is that some of the quilters on Tuesday ordered lunch from upstairs (the main part of the Legion) and it was delivered to their sewing tables! We are also fully licensed so, no doubt, there will be drinks purchased upstairs and brought down to further liven our evening meetings. I managed to squeeze in my flu shot between sewing sessions; absolutely no reaction but I didn’t expect any.

I was looking forward to a visit with our friends from the Island on Thursday but the weather didn’t cooperation – again! The ferries were running, although late, but the rain was coming down in sheets and the water was very choppy so it wouldn’t have been a pleasant ride across. We’ll look for a block of good weather and clear calendars so we can get together soon.

Since I didn’t have visitors I was able to get the cutting instructions out for the mystery I’m running for the Guild and I went to my Thursday sewing group. Last night was our monthly Guild meeting; we had a good turnout, probably because everyone wanted to see the new space.

One of the things I’ve been trying to do for ages was clear off all the data on one of my old iPads. Yesterday Gail suggested a way her son-in-law clears hers off. It involved putting a paperclip into one of the spots on the iPad. I was skeptical and I’d never take computer advice from Gail. I did a bit of research, found nothing that involved a paperclip but found a way to do it through my computer. The biggest problem though was that the keyboard on the iPad hardly worked. With enough patience I was able to clear it. I will follow Gail’s advice that Staples can recycle it. I have my second iPad (even older) charging and I’m hoping I can get it cleared off as well.

This morning I cleared up some paperwork and decided to get ready for the next mystery clue. But when I read the instructions I knew I had done something wrong as my fabrics weren’t matching up with the instructions. I sent off a flurry of messages (to both the designer and the Guild members) but as I waited for replies I realized it was my interpretation of the instructions that was wrong. That led to another flurry of messages (to the designer and the Guild members). I have all my fabrics sorted now and I’m ready to start sewing at our next Thursday session; neither Gail nor Jessie are involved in the Guild so I don’t have to keep the secret from them.

After such an exciting morning it’s time to step away from my sewing and computer. I’m going to go downstairs and finish my October stitch-along. If seasonal is my thing this week I’m behind. Not only do I have the cross stitch to finish but I also found a calendar block done in Hallowe’en fabrics that needs to be sandwiched and quilted. Gail gave me a copy of a block in a Hallowe’en project she is making; it involves some interesting techniques so I’d like to try it. And if I manage to get past Hallowe’en I have a Remembrance Day project cut out and ready for stitching.

October 31, 2021

I found a package of “melty beads”; the non-dollar store brand would have been called Perler beads.

I looked for and found some Hallowe’en images online and was able to copy them although I had to change a few of the colours in order to make the patterns work with the beads I had.

I remember the images as being more bead-looking. Perhaps I melted them too long or maybe it is the cheaper quality of the beads.

Sunday, October 31, 2021

It’s perfect weather today for all the Trick or Treaters – sunny, warm and no wind.

In fact it was so nice that I went out and worked in the yard for most of the morning. I had a lot of things that I wanted to get done but, of course, I didn’t get at them all. I managed to get enough done that if we don’t get another good day for a week or so I will be able to pick up where I left off. I’ll sleep well tonight with all the fresh air and exercise.

I have all my pieces ready for our sewing lesson with Deloise tomorrow. I had a hard time getting the pattern traced – I guess my kindergarten skills haven’t been used for too long. I’m hoping that tracing is the hardest part; if not I may have to give up on the technique or else buy myself an ink jet printer so I can just print the patterns off.

We won’t have anyone at the door tonight. Even if there were kids in the neighbourhood we’ll have our lights out and be hiding in the basement. After eleven years and maybe two kids in all that time we don’t even try anymore. I purchased a box of candy just in case, but mostly for Pat and I to enjoy. And like they said on Facebook, “No matter how many mini chocolate bars you eat your earrings will still fit”!

Saturday, October 30, 2021

I wasn’t up until almost ten this morning. I was sick during the night and awake for almost two hours; I ended up taking a gravel and that wipes me out completely. Needless to say I was dragging for a lot of the day but there were a few accomplishments.

I managed to get two more of my 12-Days wrapped. With the exception of one purchase and one more day’s surprise to wrap I’m finished this year in record time. The time consuming part is coming up with ideas and I’m glad that I started work on things early.

I have a Board meeting on Monday night so I spent some time gathering documents. I’ll be sewing all day with Stacia and Deloise so I needed to have things more or less ready to go. I fought another losing battle with my phone trying to download the Covid Vaccine app. I have all sorts of photos and cards that say I’m vaccinated but until we go somewhere to test them I won’t know if any of them work.

I’ve also managed to stitch a couple more blocks in my October stitch along. Only one day left for the clues but probably three or four days of stitching left for me.