Thursday, November 7, 2019

I was off the ferry for about five minutes on Monday night before heading out to the ARC Community Centre to scout out their kitchen facilities. Our Tuesday show was being held here and I had never been in the building so I wanted to see what the kitchen was like as I’d be doing concession for the show. On the way home I stopped at the grocery store for some cold drinks to serve at the show. As my gas light came on while I was driving I stopped for gas too.

Tuesday morning was a flurry of activity getting the house ready for four house guests – Connie Kaldor, her husband and their two sons. I made up the bed in the spare room upstairs before I left for Saskatoon; Pat took care of the bed downstairs. We’ve never had anyone stay upstairs on our futon (thanks Elizabeth!) and, as you know, my sewing room often spreads across the hall into the other bedroom. I shoved everything that was scattered in that room back across the hall to my sewing room and then shut the sewing room door. All was done in time for our guests arrival on the noon ferry.

They were very easy guests. They went out for lunch, had naps, went to sound check and then went out for supper. I set up the kitchen while they napped and I was back at the facility by six o’clock. The show was amazing, and I didn’t even mind that we didn’t sell a lot at the concession. Note to self: don’t try to sell cold drinks when there is a cooler of cold water sitting right beside the serving window! It was after eleven before Pat and I finished clearing the hall; we had prepared cheese and meat trays, fruit trays, crackers and dip trays, and bought wine so when we got home we joined our guests at the table and chatted until after midnight.

Wednesday morning I was up at 4:30 so I could listen to Dave’s radio show. Even though I was still operating on Saskatchewan time it was hard to get up so early. I’m glad I did though as I really enjoyed listening to the show. Dave and Will had great rapport and I even got a couple of shout-outs from Will.

Our guests left on the early ferry and I spent the rest of the day changing beds and doing laundry. I attempted to make some progress packing for the Texada Retreat but I didn’t have much success as I was too tired to think and make any decisions. I had a Hall meeting after lunch but, thankfully, I don’t have to resume my full responsibilities for another week. I was in bed by seven last night and feel much better and more “normal” today.

But it was a busy day today. I finished packing up fabric and patterns for the Texada Retreat and, while I was doing that, I put away a few things from my trip and things I had dragged across the hall to accommodate the bedroom. Most of what I put away were things that were on top of other things I needed. At one point I had a pile of things to take to Gail’s (I didn’t sew today but I stopped in to see the group), a pile of things for the Guild meeting tonight, a pile of things that are ready for our sale table later this month, and a pile of things to take to Texada.

I think my sewing stuff is all packed with the exception of my tools. Over the past year I’ve moved my tools from one bag to another but today I’ve decided they need to go back into the shoulder bag I originally purchased for tools. I’ll get them packed up before I head out to the Guild meeting tonight.

Moreen and I will be on the first ferry out tomorrow morning and I’m staying on Texada until a week Saturday. I need the quiet of the Island.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

I’ve been away for so long I hardly know where to begin. But let’s start with my trip to Saskatoon.

I spent a day and a bit with Kathryn and crew – always fun to catch up with them even though I saw them just a short time ago. Kathryn and I made our usual trip to Michael’s – how is it that I came out with an armful and she didn’t purchase anything? From there we made our way to what is also becoming a “usual” for us – Sobey’s for groceries and Sobey’s for liquor (for the lake trip).

It is a very rare night when there are no activities on the Thomas’s calendar and I was lucky enough to hit one of them. We went out for dinner and Alex dressed up for the occasion in his new suit. Boy did he look good!

Next layover was at Deloise’s for her Guild’s quilt show. We attended the gala opening so had a chance for a sneak preview of all the beautiful quilts on display. Audrey and Jackie joined us so we were able to get in a lot of visiting. Between shopping and more quilt gazing the three of us worked a couple of shifts in the back office. On the last day of the show we attended Terry Rowland’s Trunk Show, did a bit of last-minute shopping and then headed out to Turtle Lake for a week of sewing.

As usual, Stacia took great care of us – wonderful meals and a great sewing set up. We worked on a couple of group projects before starting in on the piles of projects we had each packed. First up, for me, was my miniature quilt for the November meeting. As it turns out I’m going to miss that meeting but once it is quilted I’ll be way ahead for the February meeting.

Audrey mentioned to me that her microwave bowls were wearing out so since I was at the show I purchased everything I needed to make another set. And since I was making a set for her (that I sent home with Deloise) I made a set for myself. I’ll put them out for sale at the craft event Pat and I are attending; if they don’t sell I’ll have a set for Texada. I hadn’t packed my pattern for them but between the three of us we were able to wing it. I think they may be a bit small and if you find that too Audrey let me know and I’ll make you a set a bit larger.

I made starts on three different quilts. This was a project that I intended to make the last time we sewed together but I hadn’t read the pattern thoroughly and was missing some essential fabric. I’ve made a start (48 blocks done) but there is a long way to go (84 blocks when it is done). The printed fabric (called Farmer’s Daughter) and “Recipe Mix” were a gift from Deloise.

Next up were two projects I purchased at Quilt Canada 2018 in Vancouver (hard to believe we’ve already booked a hotel for Quilt Canada in Edmonton next year). I finished one row of That Fairy Tale Quilt – can you guess what fairy tale this represents?

After making the Farmer’s Wife Sampler and I’m a Farmer’s Daughter you’d think I was done with farming. But no, this is the top and bottom rows of a quilt called Farmhouse! There is a lot to go in the rows between but I really enjoyed putting this part together. The fabric here is also called Farmer’s Daughter.

I spent a couple more days at Kathryn’s before heading home. Kathryn and Dave were both out on the first night so the boys and I had tacos for supper (Kathryn had all the ingredients ready for us). On Sunday I was so happy to be able to catch one of Will’s hockey games. Will scored the first and final goals in a 5-5 tie. Did I mention that his first goal was a short-handed one?

It was a long travel day to get back home but it was nice to be home. I unpacked my suitcase and most of the contents shifted upstairs to my sewing room which was already a mess.

I’ll be back later …

Monday, October 21, 2019

It’s been quite awhile since I sat down to write a post. Thursday was a busy day as I took care of the last minute details to pass along information for the Hall. I have to say that it is a load off my mind once the mail forwarding is switched from me to someone else. I was at my usual sewing session in the afternoon – not a lot accomplished as I was “reverse stitching” because I didn’t like the way a few of my blocks were put together. Then Thursday evening we were out to a Jill Barber concert – although I didn’t think the show was that good it was lovely to just arrive, sit and wait for the show, and leave again afterwards. I don’t get many of those opportunities even with all the shows we see (and host).

Friday morning we headed over to Texada on the early morning ferry. I debated with myself as to whether or not I had time to go but decided in the end that the opportunity to finish another quilt wasn’t something I could pass up. We had a House Concert (at the Cafe) on Sunday night so there was cleaning to do in the studio. We managed to get a smoke-free fire going in the workshop. Although it wasn’t toasty in there it was warm enough that I was able to work comfortably in a sweater.

The concert on Sunday was well attended – we were a bit worried that the tickets weren’t selling. Everyone says Texada does things at the last minute so I guess we’ll have to get used to not really knowing what the turn out will be. The performers (Old Paint Duo) did a great show and were a lovely couple to visit with.

I caught the first ferry home this morning. Pat has another show on Texada on Tuesday night and then here on Wednesday so I had to get beds ready and cleaning done. I also needed to get my packing done as I leave tomorrow morning for Comox and points beyond.

I’ll be offline for a couple of weeks – talk to you then!

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

It’s a nasty day out there – rain and wind. The noon ferry was cancelled but the afternoon one is set to run. Even the Texada ferry was running behind schedule this morning.

I’ve spent most of the day cutting fabric in preparation for the Texada Retreat. I have Christmas fabric from one end of the room to the other. Eventually I’ll get it all put back in the bin and that will be the only bin I take to Texada. I still have lots of cutting to do and more patterns to find but it is a start.

A friend wanted to borrow a pattern I had so I offered to drop it off for her today while she’s working at the fabric shop. I knew exactly where the pattern was but I needed to finish most of my cutting in case I needed extra fabric so it was almost noon before I went out. I found a lovely red to go along with the fabrics I picked for one project, and I found some 70% off fabric for some backings.

Pat has decided he will try and sell his book at a craft fair on Texada at the end of November. I’ll share a table with him so I’ll have to try and either find or make something to cover my half of the surface.

I have to go out to the Hall this afternoon for a couple of showings. I’m going to have to take some time tomorrow to sort out Hall events (and needs) for the time I am gone. I’ll miss the next Board meeting but that doesn’t mean I’ll be excused from the reports.

It is movie night tonight but I’m staying home. The movie wasn’t of interest to me (David Crosby: Remember My Name) and, after two late nights (an entire season of Goliath last night), I want to get to bed at a reasonable hour.