Tuesday, January 30, 2018

I was off to the bee this morning with great hopes of getting two of my borders ready to attach. Sadly I managed to get one border half done, and that was a struggle.

The pattern I’m working from isn’t very detailed and I was pretty much working from a picture. I expected trouble because the blocks in the border were to be set on point and I always struggle with that. In fact I had so much trouble understanding what I was doing that I had to ask for help; I thought the pattern was wrong but when it was explained to me I was using the wrong piece as the setting triangle.

There was still lots of time to make up for my problems and the top half of the top border went fine. After the lunch break though everything went to sh*t! Another quilter stopped by to help and, once we saw where my mistake lay, she helped me to take out a few seams. I really thought I had it right but then I realized I was missing a row; another friend helped sort me out.

I have notes pinned to almost all of the seven rows in this top border, as well as pieces pinned where the seams should be. If it isn’t already too late I’m going to go back to my stitching to see if I can get it right. This top border is to be my guide for the bottom border so it better be right.

Monday, January 29, 2018

I cleaned the Hall this morning and, hopefully, that will be the last time in this particular stretch. I’m being paid for the work but I’d rather not be doing it. I come home with my wrists and back aching – all that sweeping and mopping – and a load of laundry to do.

I’ve had a cross stitch kit on my Amazon Wish List for quite awhile now so I ordered it today; spending those earnings makes me feel just a little bit better. The scene puts me right back at Peggy’s Cove; in fact on that trip to the East Coast we often saw quilts on clothes lines. And thinking about that East Coast trip I remember that I purchased a few kits depicting various places we visited. I need more hours in my days (and more trips to the studio on Texada).

I added the binding to my Member Appreciation project this afternoon and then got started on some Valentine cards. I wasn’t going to do Valentines but Deloise inspired me with a beautiful one that she created so I changed my mind. Mine will not be in the same league as Deloise’s but it was fun to go through my patterns and pick out a few that are suitable. I have an appliqué one that is ready for some hand stitching so I’ll get to that tonight, as well as finish my Hall project.

I got another order for a Messy Bun hat and I hope to get that started tonight as well.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

As expected, it was a small crowd at the concert last night (Chris Ronald). I did quite well on the concession though, considering the number of people. It was a bonus that I really enjoyed the show; I even came home with two CDs.

I was clearing off my cutting table in the studio this morning and decided I’d empty my scrap bin while I was at it. It wasn’t very full because I did it a short time ago but I was thinking it was a good way to start (or finish) a week of sewing. In reality I was probably just avoiding cleaning and oiling my machine but whatever works! When I had the scraps cut up I decided that the place I store all these bits and pieces was wrong. My little chest would be much handier if it were next to the cutting table – both for putting scraps away and for pulling scraps out when I need them. I got things re-arranged without making too much of a mess of everything else. Someday I’ll get everything in exactly the right spot!

With my delaying tactics done I cleaned and oiled my machine. I also changed the needle. I should do all of those tasks more often but I keep thinking “I’ll just do this one more thing”. While I sewed yesterday my machine was making an odd noise that I could only stop by turning it off and rethreading both the top and the bobbin so I knew the cleaning couldn’t wait another day.

While I let the oil sink through a bit I finished up a knitting project – the Messy Bun hat for Taylor. I don’t often sit and knit in the afternoon but it was very enjoyable, particularly while it is pouring rain outside. I have her package ready for the mail tomorrow.

My next task will be to start quilting on one of the give-aways for the Cranberry Hall Member Appreciation event. I’ve toyed with a couple of ways to do the quilting but I think I’ll use a simple (and hopefully small) meander.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

I was looking forward to a day of sewing with the Guild. I didn’t want to get up when the alarm went off this morning but I forced myself out of bed; one look out the window at the snow on the ground and I crawled right back into my bed. There probably wasn’t enough snow to make the roads slippery but I didn’t want to haul my stuff through the slush and then worry what the rest of the day might bring weather-wise. I needn’t have worried as it rained a bit and took away most of the snow; it actually looks quite nice out now. We are supposed to be getting some heavy rains either later tonight or tomorrow but for now we’re fine.

Since I had planned my day around being at the bee I came right up to my studio and started stitching. I finished all the remaining blocks for my Circa 2016 project. I hoped I’d get them all finished but I doubt I would have if I had been sewing with my friends; we spend too much time visiting and admiring everyone else’s projects I guess.

I’m almost ready for the concession tonight. I need to get my float and my price sheet ready. There haven’t been many tickets sold so I’m not expecting much of a crowd. I have to take goodies to the Guild meeting next week and I should have plenty of cookies left over.