Monday, January 25, 2021

Today was a quilting day on my task calendar and I was actually looking forward to it – now that is a huge surprise!

But first I wanted to finish up the cross stitching I was working on yesterday; I figured it would take only a few minutes. However I was at it much longer as I made some mistakes in the pattern yesterday and it took some reverse stitching (a couple of times) to get myself sorted out. I finished it before lunch and I’m happy to say I’m caught up on my stitch-alongs.

The quilting I wanted to do today was on some cards but one of them still needed some finishing. That particular card ended up being more of a wall hanging or table topper but I was having fun and got a little carried away with sashing and borders.

I did some in-the-ditch work on the larger piece and then moved on to do some ruler quilting. I got out the second ruler in my instructions and, although I didn’t follow their guide, I was able to make use of the new ruler in several spots. I still need to make the binding and a sleeve for this piece but I have another card day scheduled for Wednesday.

I tried using the same ruler for the other smaller card but didn’t have any luck. After two attempts I gave up; I think there were just too many seams for the ruler foot to move smoothly. I went back to some straight stitching and quickly finished the card with my go-to star pattern. I have the binding done for that card so I’ll have some hand stitching to do this evening.

Sunday, January 24, 2021

I started my day by pressing and trimming some of the leaders and enders for my scrappy quilt. From there I moved on to trimming down some scraps and that led me to reorganize a few of my scrap bins.

The extra floss for my cross stitch project arrived on Friday so I spent some time winding it all onto bobbins; this project uses such pretty colours and I think most of them will look nice agains the lilac background. Today’s section was difficult to see against the background but once I had a few stitches done in the pattern I was able to see a bit better how it was supposed to go. I was going to use my headlamp to add more light (it’s a dark and rainy day outside) but the battery was dead. Now that I’ve finished the section I was working on, of course, the battery is fully charged.

I made a chocolate cake this afternoon as well as a loaf of bread. We were out of bread but didn’t really need a grocery order so Pat suggested last night that I should made some. I have enough cream cheese to make the icing that goes along with the recipe so I’ll do that when I finish here.

Tonight is our first attempt at holding a Zoom event for the Hall. I’ll be signed in but fully expect to keep my camera off. If I get away with that I’ll do a bit more stitching.

Saturday, January 23, 2021

My day has been going splendidly. I finished another Alias Grace block first thing this morning; I think I’m at least half-way done. The block was easy; I had a pattern and all I had to do was enlarge it a bit.

I had a couple of calendar blocks packaged up to use as leaders and enders but I’ve been using the blocks for my latest scrap quilt for that. So I decided I’d make the blocks I already had prepared but I started with the block for today. All the half-square triangles were already finished except for the centre one; my scrap bins are very useful of late.

I finished a second one and prepped a third one. After finishing up with my errands and yard work I finished the third block. I’ll have to check and see if I have enough blocks for another top but I like to do that on Texada as I have a much better design wall. No trips planned just yet but I still have lots of room for more blocks in the bin I use to store them.

I hit the recycle depots after lunch. Our bottle recycle is moving to a more automated system. You put your cans and bottles in a clear plastic bag, enter your phone number into their system. You get a printed label that you attach to your bag and then put the whole bag though a separate door. No more sorting required. Refunds are put into your account and you can take the money out through an e-transfer.

When I got home I finished cutting up the blackberry stems. I would have liked to have raked up some leaves but my back and hands were sore by the time I finished clipping.

We have an online concert tonight and I hope to finish one scarf and start on a second one.

Friday, January 22, 2021

My plan for the day was to chat with Stacia and Deloise, do a little sewing and then go outside for some yard work. The morning was cold with some frost on the grass but I knew it would be a sunny day and I’ve been wanting to clean up outside for awhile.

My chat went well and then I got the recycling ready and out to the curb. I decided I should get bins ready for the recycling depot and, while I was at it, I cleared out the cans and bottles. Everything was loaded into the car and I was set to go when Pat reminded me I had a call from the doctor coming in. I didn’t think I’d have enough time to do the running around so came upstairs and did my some sewing.

I managed to get a dozen more scrappy blocks put together – I need ten per row and I think these will put me onto row five. Too far to go yet to lay anything out.

After my appointment (by phone) I had lunch and said I was going to leave the recycling until tomorrow and go out and start on clearing the blackberries out of the roses. Pat had to remind me again that we had a Zoom session with Taylor’s school. She got an award for her skill with fractions and it was only due to Covid that we were able to see her get it.

Finally I got outside. When I’m being scratched and caught on all sides by thorns it is sometimes hard to tell which are blackberries and which are roses. I may have clipped a few roses but the wall looks much better now. I will need to clean up the branches I cut off but I’ll do that tomorrow – I don’t want to overdo things in the yard too early in the year.

As a result of my work my hands and legs are all scratched up – even with gloves, long sleeves and pants those thorns get through. I’ll relax until supper with my book – after I empty the dishwasher and fold the laundry.