July 22, 2016

Since I’ve cut down on my quilting days I’ve decided that on those days I will quilt and not do any of the other “stuff” I cram into my days. I wanted to make Friday one of my quilt days but we had an appointment at the bank this morning and I still needed to scrub down the kitchen. So we spent an hour at the bank, I spent an hour or so cleaning and then I came upstairs after a late lunch.

I’ve been piling things up that I want to take to Christy’s – piles with notes on top for a few extras. I think I have everything together now with one exception. Christy sent me a knitting pattern awhile ago and I thought while I was there it would be a good time to start it. Of course I didn’t have the right yarn but I had a scrap of yarn I had used before so I knit a gauge (something I seldom do) and it worked. I purchased the yarn at Walmart but when I looked online to see what colours were available in our store there weren’t a lot of choices. When I asked Christy about the colours Taylor might like she asked if I could make the pattern for her as well. The pattern has sizing from very small to very large so I think it would probably work. Now I’m thinking maybe Taylor, Christy and I should go shopping when I’m down there.

Once the packing and sorting was done I decided to tackle one of my Farmer’s Wife blocks. I’ve done all the easy ones so I knew this would be a challenge. I thought I might have to use templates because the paper-piecing pattern looked too hard to figure out the colours; I put my drafting skills to work and rotary cut all the pieces. I’ve got one section stitched together and, although I’m close, I’m missing some points and it is going to finish too small. I think now that I’m able to see the various pieces I’ll go back to the paper-piecing pattern and see if I can make it work.

The nice thing is that I’m not even stressed about it – I didn’t really plan to sew today so I haven’t really wasted any time!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

While Stacia and I were at the lake we discussed the various quilting projects we have. Stacia doesn’t purchase fabrics unless they are for something specific; me, not so much. Stacia generally works on one project until it is finished; me, not so much. But I do realize I have far too many patterns, fabric and plans to say nothing about the projects I have started but are incomplete. We both agreed that we had to stop collecting and start saying “No”.

Well that worked for me for a couple of weeks. When the boys were here I didn’t go to the fabric shop and I don’t think I downloaded any free patterns. While I was at the lake I didn’t download any patterns and I’m going to say it was my willpower and not the fact that I didn’t have an internet connection!

I made up for it today. I picked up the row-by-row kit that my fabric shop has created for the Row by Row Experience challenge. I was in the shop when they were designing it and I love the finished product. I’ve had another pattern for awhile (I ordered it online when I saw it in a blog) and in order for it to work you need three (or more) specific shades of the same colour. Today I noticed that the quilt shop I order from in Calgary have a kit available for the pattern. I struggle with colours at the best of times and I didn’t think there was any way I could get the perfect combination on my own so I ordered the kit. Is it really a new purchase since I already had the pattern or is it Part Two of the original purchase?

Either way – that’s it! I’m going to start working on that “No” again.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

I planned to catch up on my cleaning today but I received an e-mail this morning from someone I had been trying to track down since my return home so I had to take care of a bit of Cranberry Hall business. I scrubbed out the bathrooms and I managed to get a couple of loads of laundry done; I had put off laundry for the past couple of days because the forecast said showers; the weather looked “iffy” today as well but so far all we’ve had are a few sprinkles. Everything seems to be drying well as there is a good breeze; at the end of the day some of the towels may need to go into the drier.

I’ve had a lovely afternoon cross stitching – part of my balancing act is to do some work and have some play time every day. I was so close to finishing the “hard” part of this project that I wanted to get it done before checking in with my Facebook group. There is still lots of work ahead (more stitching, charms, and back stitching) but yes Elizabeth, there may be an Advent calendar this year!

Pat spent a good part of the afternoon arranging an October concert. We’ve also received the schedule of artists for the Home Routes series so I guess a good summer cleaning will prepare me for the fall. September isn’t that far off.

I’m in charge of supper tonight – a spinach salad. The bacon and eggs are cooked but as I was putting things away after lunch I realized I didn’t have any of my usual dressing. I’ll do a quick internet search to see if I can find a recipe that I have the ingredients for; if not, I guess I’ll have to pop out to the store.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

I skipped my Tuesday bee today but I did, finally, get at some sewing. I’ve got cards that need to be mailed either before I leave on the weekend or while I am gone. I had a couple of tops pre-made but I finished up two more today. I’m so happy to be using The Splendid Sampler blocks as cards – I’m so far behind in the quilt-along that I’m able to choose an appropriate card for the recipient. I have one card ready to hand stitch tonight.

Last night Pat and I were talking about balance – balance in the things I do. I have so enjoyed these past weeks of not doing anything craft-wise (while the boys were here) and reading (at the lake) and cross-stitching since I’ve been home. It will be a considerable effort until I make balance a habit but I’m going to try to limit my quilting to two or three days a week. I won’t give up the Tuesday bee because I enjoy the company; if I feel like I’m far behind now imagine how I’ll feel if I give up three or four days a week. But … breath … balance.