Friday, January 27, 2017

I promised myself I’d get back to some cross stitching once my Celtic Crystal quilt top was finished. I did a bit last night and wanted to get more done today so I could add to my cross-Canada cross stitch challenge. I decided before I started that I would cut the batting and backing for the cards I have ready to go. And once I had everything cut it seemed to make sense to get them all spray-basted too.

There was still quite a bit of time for cross stitching before I had to head out for some errands and to sit at a table in the grocery store in an attempt to sell quilt show raffle tickets. I was a bit later leaving than I expected as Trevor came around to talk about the bathroom remodel. I had time for only a stop at the post office to mail a couple of things and time to drop off a payment at a storefront just next door to the grocery store.

I was later arriving than I wanted to be; I planned to be there by 1:45 but it was closer to 1:55 before I got to our table. The ladies doing the first shift were very talkative and eventually we got around to the fact that I was to be there tomorrow, not today. I remember saying that I was selling tickets in the afternoon of the same day we were invited to a 65th birthday party, and I knew the party wasn’t until tomorrow. But the calendar said today so off I went.

I was able to get the rest of my errands done and had time to do some quilting this afternoon. I used a new-to-me quilting stitch on my machine and I’m pleased with it. The rest of the cards will probably get an all-over stipple as that is what I’ll be doing on my next show project so the cards will be a warm up to that.

We’re off to a Tom Waits event tonight. The original plan was to have several local musicians play some Tom Waits tunes before they showed a concert (on DVD). Apparently Pat was the only one who signed up so he will do a couple of tunes before they start the video. It is at a new location in town – The Sugar Vault – which, from what I understand, offers drinks and desserts. I’m surprised I haven’t been before as it sounds like my kind of place!

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Today should have been paperwork day but I really wanted to get my quilt top done. There were a few things I had to get done though before getting at the quilt; I paid some personal bills, I paid some bills for Cranberry Hall, I got a Cranberry Hall deposit ready for tomorrow, and I got a couple of packages wrapped and ready for the mail.

Pat was out for awhile this morning but he was expecting a delivery at the front door. I can hear someone knock at the back door if I’m in my studio but there is no chance I’d hear someone at the front door. I went to the basement and made a start on a new knitting project. While I was down there I cleared off the table beside my chair; it had patterns and bits of yarn strewn all over it, as well as a few pairs of needles. I doubt it will make the knitting any faster but it isn’t quite so cluttered.

While I was waiting for the knock on the door the postman dropped off the mail and I got a very unexpected package. One of the members of one of the cross stitch groups I belong to had a little give-away before Christmas. All you had to do was make a comment on her post and … surprise … my name was drawn. I had no idea what I would be getting as there were various prizes and mine was the fifth and last name picked. My package arrived today and I couldn’t be happier or more surprised. This is a full kit with fabric and floss included; there are a couple of stitches in the pattern that I’ve never used so it will be a learning project for me. Most of my family know how much I love snowmen so I couldn’t have had a better gift. I’m going to pick up a Starbuck’s card for the sender.

But back to my sewing. I had six borders to attach when I started the day. By the time I had a very late lunch (about 2:30) there were still two more to go. They are all finished now and I’ve taken the photograph that will accompany my show entry form. I’m going to put this one away for a bit (but not too long) as I’m a bit sick of it. I have two other show entries that need to be quilted so I’ll start on them.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

I came up to my studio this morning and my design wall made me very happy. Lovely to see a bunch of items nearing completion and enjoying their colours as they sit and wait.

That was about the only bit of joy I had today. My border is going very, very slowly. I’ll admit there was some reverse stitching going on but even so it seems to be taking so long to get this done. I’ll keep at it though as I want to be able to get its photo taken and printed on Friday when I’m out doing my errands.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

I got the four corners for the next border on my Celtic Crystals quilt finished. I’m hoping to get the top finished tomorrow.

I finished eight flying geese that were required for week 1 of my Wild Goose Wednesday project. The next clue will be out tomorrow.

I took four cards with me and finished two of them. Once my quilt top is done and photographed for the show entry form I will get them, and my Valentines, quilted and ready for the mail. It is interesting that after last week’s demo on flying geese three of my four cards used flying geese in the pattern.

I feel like I’m in the groove and am back on track!