Sunday, February 6, 2022

I’ve spent a lot of time over the past months archiving the Guild’s blog posts. The blog started in 2008 and I took over in June of 2011. We were short of space on our WordPress site and I was tired of having to download photos and posts one by one to make room for new stuff. So that is when I decided to start the archiving process. I have right up to May of 2018 finished; just two more years to go and then I’ll be done with this batch. From this point on I’ll archive every five years – unless I can find someone else to take over the blogging task and I’ll feel like I’ve left things in good order.

So when my reminder list came up with a Declutter-Archive task I had no clue what that meant. I have a separate reminder for the Guild archives so I knew it wasn’t that. I had to go back to the declutter posts to see what that meant; we were to sort through and remove anything of sentimental value in our sewing room that we no longer felt the need to keep.

After I read the post I remembered removing a few things when this came up the first time. I was surprised I kept it on my monthly to-do list but since I did I felt I ought to do something with it. I’ve decided that for this particular task I’ll get back to copying my written journals – the records I kept before I started the website. Today I was copying my journal entries from our trip to the East Coast. I smiled as I transcribed the entry for my lobster dinner.

I started doing this awhile ago with no regular schedule to it. I’ve now changed the repeat to weekly so, eventually, I’ll make some headway.

Saturday, February 5, 2022

I knew this morning that I was going to have to get my car out to charge up the battery but when I went out I didn’t even have enough juice to unlock the doors. Pat gave me a boost (we’re getting much more efficient at it) and I was on my way. I did my usual route, through Westview to the Cranberry Lake turnoff, through Cranberry to Townsite, through Townsite and down Marine until I was back at Westview. Today I added a bit more and went to the gas station south of town (full serve) and had them check my oil. When I came home I put the trickle charger on. I’ll just have to remember that when I’m out I need to do a constant drive not just drive and stop to run my errands.

I was slow getting at my decluttering and cleaning tasks today. I cleaned up the kitchen and living room, cleaned out a drawer of fabric and spent some time going through some digital patterns. There was a bit of Guild work that needed to be done as well.

It was almost two before I was ready to get back to my quilt. I got the last two borders attached and then I headed downstairs and got out my batting. The batting and backing are cut to size now so the next time we have a sunny day I can get it sandwiched.

We were chatting with Elizabeth a few minutes ago and comparing our wildlife encounters. Pat and I watched a pod of dolphins go by late this morning; Elizabeth woke to the sound of an eagle in her back yard eating a pigeon. As we were chatting Pat and I saw two more pods of dolphins (probably the same pod) going past in the opposite direction to this morning.

I just might have time for a round of Candy Crush before dinner.

Friday, February 4, 2022

I made a couple more blocks for my Stay at Home sampler and I finished the Alias Grace block I cut out yesterday. I’m going to redo one of my Alias Grace blocks; I try to do them as close to the photo in the book but sometimes I have to make it up as I go along. Yesterday, while I cleared off my magazine shelf, I found a couple of books that are just block designs. I was looking for a pattern for my next block when I came across a pattern that was the exact match for the block I did a couple of days ago. I’m going to do that block over again; since I’ll be putting these blocks together without any pattern I’ll keep both and see if the “wrong” one fits in anywhere.

I should have the border on my quilt by now but I’ve been procrastinating. I have two of the borders cut and one is attached. If I keep at it (and keep off the African webcams) I might be able to get another one added before supper. From the look at the weather forecast it will be late next week before there is a day that might be sunny enough for me to spray baste it on the back deck so I guess I’m thinking there is no rush.

I’ve turned the webcams off and I’ll get back to that other border now.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

I ended the day yesterday with eight on-going items on my to-do list; this morning when I opened the app I had 18 items waiting for attention. I was able to see that some of the decluttering items could be combined into one task and there were a few monthly tasks on the list.

I got the latest clue in the Guild mystery sent out and then, in the time that was left, I worked on some correspondence for the Guild. I’m at a standstill on the archives at the moment as no one seems to have the records for the years 2013 to 2019. All I want is the list of Executive and Committee members; I asked our archivist for the records with no luck, I asked our Secretary for the records with no luck, and tonight I’m putting out a request at the monthly meeting asking for anyone who might remember to let me know. I’m not attending the meeting but the Secretary said she would put an announcement out.

I was working on books and magazines today for much longer than a half hour. When I first started quilting I must have purchased every book the Guild library was disposing of, everything I could find in thrift shops and even a few new books. I managed to clear up a couple of shelves but I’m still not finished. I found a pattern that I really want to make (Jo’s Little Women) so I’ve added that to my pattern bin and list. And one of the books that I had slated for the thrift store went back on the shelf as I was packing them up. I also added two patterns to my Christmas bin.

Next up was sorting fabric from my cabinet. The cabinet is looking very good just now and I can clearly see the colours I have to pick from the next time I’m starting a quilt. I still have quite a collection of bits and pieces (and maybe yardage) in the pile in front of the cabinet though.

Finally, after lunch, I was able to get at some sewing. I finished another small block for my sampler as well as an Alias Grace block. I have a second Alias Grace block ready to put together tomorrow.

I started Taylor’s project last night. It isn’t easy but I’m sure once I’m more than one row in it will get easier. I actually am two rows in but the stitch count is off so I have to go back and see where I went wrong.