Saturday, May 11, 2019

I wanted to go out to the store this morning to pick up some extra needles just in case I continued to break them over the weekend. Then I remembered I had a library book to pick up so I added that to the list. I needed gas and also some invitations for the Hall. I was hosting a Hall meeting at the house this afternoon so I stopped at the liquor store for some wine and beer – just in case Annabelle wanted a drink (or maybe just in case things didn’t go well).

Walmart for the needles was first on my list but while I had my hands empty I thought I’d take a quick look at the dress shop. When I walked in the clerk asked if she could help me and I assured her I wasn’t really looking for anything. That “not looking for anything” turned into two summer dresses and three summer tops. I don’t shop for clothes often and I have to be in the right mood. As I checked out we were laughing that my last two trips to her shop were before we went to Ireland and France, and this time I was travelling all the way to Calgary!

Once I got to Walmart for my needles I was in and out very quickly. The liquor store was next – again a quick trip for some white wine (a big jug), and some Townsite beer (they have a new-to-me one out). From there I stopped at Dollarama for the invitations; they are next door to Staples so I thought it I couldn’t get them at the dollar store I could probably find more expensive ones at Staples. From there I was on to the Library and the gas station and then home.

By the time I got home I barely had time to get my notes ready for our meeting. Things went well and Annabelle has just left so I’m finally ready to start on some quilting.

Friday, May 10, 2019

Yesterday I was ready to start some free-motion quilting but I wanted to do a little practice before starting on the “real” thing. I had a miniature quilt that had to be done for Tuesday; it was all cut so I sewed it together, did a bit of stabilizing and got set up for some free-motion practice.

Before getting many stitches in I broke a needle; not good but I changed the needle and started over. But this needle kept coming unthreaded; On checking it was one of those easy-thread needles and the thread was coming out the “easy thread” part. So I changed the needle again and promptly broke another one. Then I remembered that my Farmer’s Wife quilt had a lot of seams coming together at a single point and it was suggested I should have tried a jeans needles.

I put in a jeans needle and got a little further but eventually that broke as well. So I took out all the quilting that I had managed to do and decided that an 11″ x 12″ wall hanging really didn’t need anything more than the stabilizing stitches.

So that left me this morning dreading the thought of doing free-motion on my big quilt. I’ve had a few glitches but overall it is going well and I’m happy with the results.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

I spent the first part of my morning working on a task for the Hall. I’ve had it on my desk for a couple of weeks but I’ll leave it for one more check tomorrow before finalizing it and sending it off.

Wednesday means a morning in the yard and today was one of the best days yet. The weeds are still growing and even the spots I’d weeded previously needed a bit of a touch up but it was sunny and there was a light breeze and the wonderful scent of the lilacs was accompanying me wherever I worked. I did some trimming on the lavender as well and from time to time the lavender overpowered the lilacs. I hate weeding, but I’m starting to enjoy the yard.

We met our next door neighbours this morning; they’ve been there for awhile but we’d never met them. I was doing the weeding and Pat was supervising from the deck when they came home from somewhere. They seemed very friendly and they have a small baby.

This afternoon I’ve been busy quilting. I have just a few more blocks to go and I’ll be done the stabilizing and first design work. I’ve changed my mind a few times regarding where I’ll go from there but hopefully just getting at it will point the way.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

I was at my computer by 6:30 this morning trying to catch up on some paperwork. I managed to clear a few things off my desktop but it is going to take a lot of early mornings if I’m to get caught up anytime soon.

I decided to skip the Guild bee today; as Pat put it yesterday I have only one sewing task until it is done. So I’ve spent a good part of the day doing just that.

I took a short break this afternoon to get some photos at the Guild bee. I had a deposit to pick up at the Hall and a bank deposit to make. I had a book to return to the library; I couldn’t help checking the shelves for a book by another author I’ve had recommended to me. That as well as the book I placed on hold this morning will keep me reading for the rest of the month.

As soon as I get some laundry off the line and out of the drier I’ll get back to that sewing project.