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.

Monday, July 18, 2016

It’s been ages since I did an update. Part of my reasoning for doing the journal was so I had a way to keep track of what I was up to – at some point I may want to read back and see if I ever accomplished anything. Today might not be one of those days though.

At the end of June I traveled to Saskatoon to pick up Alex and Will; they came to Powell River for a week and we had such a good time. We visited the beaches, we hiked, we swam, we played mini golf – none of these activities tired the boys out nearly as much as they did me. We took a half-day zodiac trip into Desolation Sound; it was a wonderful day to be on the water – cool enough that we weren’t baking but cloudy and windy enough we had some fun waves to cross. Alex and Will were in charge of the cameras, but I did borrow mine back a few times to snap a few photos of the two boys.

After taking the boys back to Saskatoon I headed to Turtle Lake. Stacia had kindly organized a mini-cousin get-together; Jackie and Roberta joined Deloise, Stacia and I for a couple of days of chatting, laughing, eating, and a few riotous card games. After everyone had returned home Stacia and I had a few more days at the lake – probably the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time (too long a time). Our plans to do some stitching were set aside in favour of reading (and maybe a little drinking).

While we visited on the weekend with the cousins, Stacia told us about her squirrel hunting – the squirrels get too bold and she’s afraid they will get into the cabin. I was lucky enough to see the squirrel gun in action on the last day – don’t mess with her as she has a pretty deadly aim!

I’ve been home for a few days now and I’m trying to get settled in and caught up; there was no cleaning done while the boys were here and none while I was away so things need some attention. I’ve done a bit of accounting work for Pat and for the Cranberry Hall board and I’ve got a few cards ready for the mail. I cut the grass and the boulevard yesterday. Pat found an apple that had dropped from the tree; he said it was still green (as in unripe) but I thought it tasted delicious.

I’m off now to cross stitch. I’m determined to have some progress to report later this week when I check in with a couple of Facebook groups I belong to.