January 21, 2020

I was back at the bee today and I got lots done. No actual finishes mind you but I was happy with what I did accomplish.

But first I headed out to the Post Office. I hadn’t been for awhile and the last time I was there the line-ups were still quite long. But today I was first in the door and had my package weighed, paid for and all the paperwork filled out before anyone else came in. That made me a bit too early for the bee and, since I hadn’t had any breakfast, I thought I’d go through one of the drive-throughs and pick something up. Instead I went to the grocery store and bought some muffins to share with the quilters. I managed to bring a couple home with me at the end of the day.

I was working on two card tops today from the Splendid Sampler 2 book. I don’t know why I hadn’t found these particular patterns earlier as I know I’ve looked for easy pieced patterns before when I needed to save some time. I had two card tops finished before lunch; it made me wish I had brought some batting and backing with me.

But I had four more blocks for my quilt as you go project. I got three of them done and a start on the fourth before I ran out of bobbin thread. I figured that was a sign so I packed up and did my usual errands – the Hall and the bank.

If I had managed to get that fourth block quilted I might have been tempted to get them ready for hand stitching tonight but, since I didn’t, I’ll be content to get back to my knitting.

Monday, January 20, 2020

I had such a good time sewing all weekend long. And I ended up with a couple of finishes and good progress on my UFO Challenge for the month.

Since it was a “retreat” I thought I was justified in starting something new. When I looked at the list of projects I wanted to get a start on it was my Guild Challenge that came to the top of the list. I think I bought the pattern at the Saskatoon Quilt Show this fall. The blocks went together very quickly but the appliqué work took more than a day. It still needs to be quilted before the June deadline.

I finished the February Block of the Month for the Guild – it had been started at the last bee I attended but I still had one corner to finish. It required some stitching around the appliqué and getting it done was a good warm-up to the Challenge.

Even finishing all of the above, I still had a day left so I worked on my January UFO Challenge – my Quilt As You Go project. I had two blocks quilted so I when I finished two more blocks I put them together. This is a new technique for me where you quilt each block separately and stitch them together after they are quilted. For this project I’ve decided to use the method without a sashing between the blocks. The more common way is to have sashing between; I have another project started that will use the same quilt as you go method but it will have sashing.

And to top all of that off, I finished a book, went to a movie, and finished a scarf!

So after all that fun, is it any surprise that I’ve spent all day at my computer catching up. I still have a few more bills to take care of and then I’ll get packed up for tomorrow’s bee.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

It is a sunny day out today but the streets are still slushy and we officially cancelled our retreat. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to have my own little at-home retreat. From now until Sunday evening I’m going to be upstairs sewing.

I had purchased ingredients for the Frozen Pineapple Dessert I intended to make for the retreat. The cream I purchased needed to be used so I went ahead and made it this morning. I followed Mum’s recipe but I forgot that sometimes you have to add your own interpretation. I added the butter, icing sugar, eggs and vanilla into my mixing bowl as the recipe said. However, I should have creamed the butter and sugar together first; I mixed it for ages but still had little clumps of butter floating in the mix. Even Mrs. McCallum taught me better. I carried on and the pan is in the freezer; Pat and I will see how it is after supper tonight. I’ve added a sticky-note reminder to myself in case I make it again.

I finished the Princess last night; it took a lot of courage but I washed it this morning and have it drying now. I was so afraid the floss colours would run, even though I used a colour catcher in the sink. I don’t think I’ve done it any damage. Pat thinks I should send it by courier; I’m afraid it will go missing in transit no matter how I send it.

Now is about the time I’d be leaving for Gail’s so I’m going to get my project out and get sewing!

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

It wasn’t snowing when I got up at seven, but by the time I made coffee half an hour later the road was covered and it was really coming down. And it hasn’t stopped all day. More snow is expected tonight as well as winds; the evening ferry from Comox has already been cancelled.

We were still uncertain regarding our weekend retreat. I was responsible for meals on Friday (lunch and supper) and tortiere was on the list for supper. I didn’t get any at Christmas this year so I really wanted to make it. It had just gone in the oven when Gail called to say she was officially cancelling our retreat; she would have had to shovel her driveway and, if you know Gail, that isn’t anything she does. So we had tortiere fresh from the oven for lunch. With the snow outside it really felt like it could be Christmas Eve.

Pat had to go out this afternoon and just got back. He says the roads are pretty bad and most of the shops are already closed or closing soon. All sorts of cancellations for groups around town as well. Buses were all cancelled by noon.

I can’t say I’ve minded any of it – mainly because I didn’t have anything planned. I’ve spent the day working on the Princess and I think I may be able to finish by the end of the night.