Tuesday, February 18, 2020

I said earlier that I would be glad to get things back to normal but maybe I don’t. A couple more days of doing nothing might be nice.

It was good to be back at the bee today. I worked on a couple of cards and started another row for my Seminole project. I nearly gave up in frustration as the pattern is wrong – I checked my measurements a couple of times and things just don’t match up. I can make them work but it seems like a waste to have to cut off extra bits on either end of one strip to make them fit against the second strip. I guess I should be glad I can make them work and not have to throw them away as I did the last one that didn’t work out.

I also came home with another computer project for the Guild – nothing big but I tend to open my mouth and say, “Do you want me to do that?” before I actually think about it! Another Guild member reminded me to get the “Staples” card from the Guild before I did the printing – I guess I’m on the hook for getting the paperwork copied as well.

I stopped at the Hall to pick up the mail and I stopped at the bank to make a Hall deposit. Then I was on my way to the tire shop – Pat thought my tires were looking a bit low and they should be checked. Long story short I’m getting four new tires next week. Why doesn’t spending $800 feel better? Insurance is due this week as well – I’ll take care of that tomorrow. Then I have to book an appointment for an oil change and I should be good for awhile (I filled up with gas earlier in the month).

I checked our mailbox this afternoon and it was empty – not unusual. It was so nice out though that I took a little walk around the beds. The iris are up, the daisies are sprouting green at the bottom and at least one daffodil is up and looking yellow. I should have more daffodils but maybe they didn’t make it through the winter. The crocuses are up across the road at City Hall; I’m going to plant some next fall. The weeds seem to be popping up as well so I’d better add some gardening to my days.

I started a new knitting project last night – a scarf pattern I’ve not used before. I’ve caught up to Pat in one of the Netflix series, Pat has caught up with me in another, and we’re both on the same episode in another. Since Pat is on Texada I’ll have to find something new to watch this evening.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Now that the film festival is over I fully intended to get back to normal – as in doing something productive. So far that hasn’t exactly happened.

I enjoyed the film festival but it was a relief when it was over and I could stay at home all day Sunday. I did the minimum of work all week – for myself, the Guild and the Hall. I guess I was “into” relaxing because I spent most of the day sitting in my chair and crocheting (my chair is much more comfortable than the theatre seats).

My intention was to head out to the Hall first thing this morning, catch up on what needed to be done (for everyone) and then get projects ready for the sewing bee tomorrow. Pat called just as I was getting out of the shower; he was on Texada over the weekend and decided to take the morning ferry across rather than the afternoon ferry. I didn’t think I had time to get myself ready and get to the Hall before meeting him so my start was delayed. Pat will go back tonight after his meeting so he did a walk-on across.

I managed a bit of work before lunch. While I had my lunch we decided to go downstairs and watch a TV show – well we watched several before it was time for him to head out.

I’ll be struggling, but I hope to get my projects for tomorrow packed up before Pat is back home and looking for a ride to the ferry.

Friday, February 7, 2020

I had a good day of sewing yesterday. Yesterday morning I finished the row on my Seminole quilt that was giving me so much trouble; I knew it wasn’t right and I thought I could live with it but I can’t. So it is stuffed in a bag that may or may not see the light of day again. I picked up the Seminole book from the library last night and I can see how I will put all the pieces together – I’m quite looking forward to that. I also found a pattern in the book very similar to the one that I messed up; it is constructed quite differently and, if I have enough fabric, I may try a row of it.

I’ve been putting the various rows on my design wall and I know why I never seem to have any yellow in my stash – it is all in this Seminole project. I hope I have some other-coloured rows to divide the yellows up somewhat.

I also have another 3-Yard quilt in the final stages – only the borders need to be added. I brought it home from Gail’s studio because I want to get those borders added before our Community Quilts weekend so they can sandwich it for me. Because of the film festival I won’t be at Thursday sewing next week.

I finished another Seminole row this morning – it went together quite well. I made a start on another row but there is some cutting at a 45 degree angle and I need to be fresh to do that (and maybe have some help). Overall the UFO is going very quickly and I shouldn’t have any trouble getting a top finished. I’ll have to decide how I want it quilted; if I’m going to do anything more than straight lines it will have to go to Texada.

There will be some leftover bits of rows (some are longer than others); the leftovers will be perfect for our Hands Across the Water Challenge in the fall. We decided at the meeting last night that our theme is “Escape Into Colour” and these bits certainly are colourful.

We’re off to the movies tonight and, aside from some movie reviews, I won’t be posting much during the next week.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

I had a bit of work to do at my desk this morning and when I was finished I headed out to run the errands I didn’t do yesterday. I don’t remember the last time I had my car out (probably a week ago yesterday); it complained when I started it so as I popped into various stores I kept it running to charge up the battery.

The big snowfall warning didn’t actually materialize into anything – nothing at the house but there was a bit more in the Cranberry area. The parking lot at the Hall was a bit messy when I stopped there. It was senior’s day at the Cranberry grocery store and I got most of my groceries there. They don’t stock all the brands I like so I’ll have to do another shop later this week or on the weekend.

I was able to start on my Seminole project this afternoon. Now I remember why I quit in the first place. The patterns are black and white, the instructions are terrible and, at least today, I’m more or less winging it. Some of the issues may be my own inexperience but I really think the patterns aren’t well done.

I’m one ball of yarn in on a new shawl so I’ll pick that up again tonight. I found three new series (or new episodes) to watch on Netflix so I’m set for awhile.