What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

OK -- so this happened yesterday, and it's not about Murphy!

I'm going to have to start blogging at night! I know some people like to read the blog over coffee or breakfast in the morning, and well -- I'm going to be late. Not too late, but it'll have to be short!

Why? Because I started reading a darn audiobook -- that's why! I started it yesterday - only 9 hours, but the darn thing is a page-turner (so to speak!). 

I listened with my big headphones on while I was out setting up the sprinkler, then I sat at the kitchen table while I waited 20 minutes to ...

Well, that was a bit too close for comfort. Don't worry - there was never any danger of bodily harm - just barely enough time to finish my audiobook before it vanished. While I love not having to return a library book, you have ZERO forgiveness with the audiobooks. When its time is up -- it's UP! 

Look what I mean. 

See how much time I have before the book is due to be returned  -- a mere 48 minutes. I'm at 95%, so how much is left to listen to?

TWENTY-SEVEN minutes. I CAN do this! And I did. 

I ...

 Do you ever feel that the days just blend one into the other? Am I making progress? Yes, but it seems that things take so much longer than you plan. 

I almost don't know what to do with myself with no immediate deadlines. HA - that's a laugh. I'm keeping myself motivated and have loads to do, and it will get done. 

One of the things on my list was to get to the library and free up my account as it was blocked. Why? I do NOT pay much attention to it since they went to the ...

 AHA  -- Elle asked about the status of my cutting table, ironing station, and sewing space. I'm happy to report that all THREE of them are clear EXCEPT for the current project that is on the slate. Well, let's be honest and say that ½ of the cutting table is clear. I don't have time for pictures this morning as I'm heading to spin class, but I'll share them with you tomorrow. 

As Elle mentioned, it's great to have something prepped and waiting on either of the stations, ready for the day rather than go ...

 Another fantastic day with the Monday sewing group. If you haven't joined an online sewing group yet, you're missing some great entertainment. We chat about everything and anything, and it's just a hoot. We help each other, solve problems and actually get some work done! I think Zoom sewing groups or groups of any kind will never go away. Imagine if a friend moves away - they can still be part of the group. People from all over the world can participate!

I'm playing catchup today with some photos sitting here and no time to post them ...

 It's a great day! Why? No idea -- it's just a great day! I had fun puttering yesterday - no immediate deadlines (OK -- so I'm in denial on that one), I do have deadlines, and I'll get to them this coming week. I puttered on homework for my upcoming classes, and well - it feels good to get the homework done way before it's due. Now I need to make up the presentations before I forget everything!

And I'm hooked on a darn audiobook. I look like some music-loving geek as I run around the house with ...

I often get asked - how do you store your scraps? Or what is a scrap? Well, a scrap is a small piece of fabric! How small you want to deal with is your choice. I keep most scraps - OK - anything less than 1" goes, but do you know how often I need 1" strips? 

As for sorting, I sort mine by color and store them in clear plastic shoe boxes. 

I love when a project calls for scraps. OK -- I guess the patterns I'm working with do NOT call for scraps, but I'm using scraps. I have Long ...

 Well, it appears I can't see the forest for the trees. I went to attend the virtual funeral service and was stumped when I was asked for a password. I should have texted another friend who I know was going to attend. She found the password - it was right BELOW the link. Why didn't I do that? I feel bad that I didn't attend. 

I realized this morning that this is a third party company that organizes the live stream. Who knew? But I guess there's now a business to make those important events accessible to ...

 I PROMISE to get the photos of Studio U to you tomorrow! It's dark up there at the moment, and so you won't see much. It's best to wait until it's light. 

Mission accomplished - the magazine article was approved by the editor, although I had to scramble to get a wee bit of information to her. No problem - it's done! Already thinking about the next topic. I'll let you know when the article gets published.  

The other magazine quilt is done! I didn't get a box out yesterday, but now I have two ...

Let's not panic, but it's back to work today! I had a quick peek at my calendar and realized that I have classes starting NEXT weekend. Well, a sew-along, embroidery club, and a whole lot more. More on that tomorrow in case anyone still wants to sign up. I'll be working on all the e-mails that I owe to new and returning students tomorrow. No choice now! 

I made great progress yesterday. The magazine quilt is ready for the binding to be put on this morning, and it'll get picked up later today. The photos for ...

 WOW -- It's amazing what I can accomplish when I focus! The current projects are assembled on one table, totally out of sight when I'm sewing. Well, they are behind me when I sew, so technically, I can't see them! I did place a few odds and ends on the cutting table that need to be addressed, and the ironing surface is clear. So is the sewing table EXCEPT for the Cherrywood Challenge. 

There's NOTHING to distract me. I started a new audiobook, and I was good to go. I got so much done!

I'm happy ...

 Yesterday was a PERFECT day! Well almost! But let's just say that I see a LOT of light at the end of the tunnel, and it's coming pretty fast!

First - I've been madly listening to audiobooks and just finished The Billionaire Murders - a story written by a Toronto Star reporter about Barry and Honey Sherman who were murdered three years ago in their home. Hmmm - an interesting read, and why did the police seem to mess up this case so much. The murderer is still on the loose, but with BILLIONS of dollars on the line, it ...

So I'm back to reading an audiobook, and I listened to half of the book yesterday. A book about Melania Trump: it's written by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, called Melania and Me. Ok - so I have a morbid fascination with this entire mess. What I don't understand about this story is how the heck could Stephanie give up so much to be so loyal to Melania? I don't get it. And it also shows how conniving the rest of the Trump family were (are) in making a total mess of things. 

There is a bit of bitterness ...

 Well, I don't believe it! I don't know how I always end up in a time crunch when it comes to writing. It never fails, and it doesn't matter how much I plan. Technically, this time it isn't my fault, but that doesn't take the pressure off! 

Oh well - perhaps next time will be better. OK - who am I kidding? 

But I'm making great progress, so I shouldn't complain. Most of the photos are edited and ready to load, and sometimes, that's half the battle. 

I had two great presentations yesterday, which ...

 When I look back at the pictures that I've taken the previous day, sometimes I'm amazed at the quantity. Yikes!! No wonder my phone runs out of space from time to time. I guess it's going to be time soon to download the photos and I really need to go through them and delete those that are not necessary. Which is most of them since they are mostly taken so I can write the blog or a homework assignment!

The day started off with my workshop with a local guild. The Etobicoke Quilter's Guild. They have ...

OH, MY GOD!!!!!  I decided to buckle down and get some work done. Depending on what I'm doing, I'll open up an audiobook. I'll listen for a couple of hours, and then I get bored. I never listen to audiobooks in bed, and I never listen when I'm walking the dogs.

However, I had to throw all those rules out the window yesterday. This book is a PAGE TURNER like I've never read before. It's called The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica. WHOA -- she writes a very twisted physiological thriller. I keep changing the ...

I love staying at home! I'm getting so much done, and I'm so motivated these days. I think the motivation is coming from seeing the others on the Zoom calls. I can see what they are working on, and while I'd love to do some of the stuff that they are making, my conscious won't let me until I get some more of my own stuff done! 

Of course, I have deadlines to work with, so that's a motivator as well. But the bottom line, I'm making significant progress, and while Studio B still ...

I'm optimistic. I have no reason to be optimistic, but that's better than being pessimistic! Oh - I have a good reason to be optimistic. The stores are opening up today and that means that things are starting to get back to normal.

My quilting retreat that was to take place next week got canceled. While our economy is slowly starting to reopen, short term stays are still not allowed. So, like I did the last time the retreat got canceled, I'm going to have a virtual retreat. Last time, that meant, I prepped and packed as if ...

I LOVE my new headphones. They truly have made a huge difference in listening to audiobooks. No more worries about having the volume up too high, no cord to get on anything, and no missing any part of the audiobook because I was at the long arm or the embroidery machine. They were definitely worth every penny I paid for them. I haven't had to charge them yet - supposedly to last for 30 hours.

I'm now at 41% of The Goldfinch. 13 hours done and 19 to go. It's a LONG book with loads of description, but ...