What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Despite this newfound focus, it seems challenging to move ahead. WAIT --- I know that I'm getting things done, but the progress seems slow. I know it's not, when you consider how many hours I actually sew each day. I make the most of the time I spend in Studio B and call it a day. There is NO RUSH to get these things done!

Oh my gosh --- what am I complaining about - I still accomplished a LOT. The abbreviated "Dear Jen" is now quilted. I was hoping to get it trimmed, but that didn't happen. A job ...

It's DONE, and I had a small ceremony as I removed this project from the Visual To-Do List. I LOVE that list, and it's so motivating to me!!! 

One project is removed from the Visual To-Do list.

YES -- this is the quilt that I was going to make for someone, and we decided to abandon the project for several reasons. Making quilts for others is the largest category on that list with NINE quilts. One down, and eight to go! 

But getting to the point of removing the project from the list involved dealing with everything in the ...

THANK YOU -- I didn't get a chance to cut up those photos, but I will today! I needed that wee push — I shouldn't even have needed that, with all my newfound philosophy on decluttering and getting rid of things, but sometimes — you just need a push. 

It's Monday Sewing today, and I have a LOT of tidy-up jobs to do, which is perfect to do while chatting. I have quilts to trim and bind, photos to cut up, and I might even be able to remove several items from the Visual To Do list. 

BUT let's ...

I swear this winter is hanging on as long as it possibly can. We had a cool, but sunny day yesterday, and things were melting like mad. There is still some snow on the small pathway that leads to our backyard, and I was so tempted to help it melt by shoveling what's left, but I didn't. What will the neighbors think!!!!

And I spotted a house on the next street over that is the same house as ours, but with a metal roof. It faces the same direction as our house, although perhaps not quite the exact ...

As I was lamenting the loss of my distribution lists with the sewing group, TWO people piped up that they keep theirs in Excel. Of course, both of these people are familiar with Excel from their working days. They were pretty adamant that I should use EXCEL to manage my lists. 

WHAT? I do NOT get that. The issue is: why would I enter the darn lists twice (Outlook and Excel), which would require duplicate management? I already struggle with duplication. Some lists are needed year-round; others are temporary for my ongoing classes, which last about 9 months. Then those ...

I love all your comments about being busy in retirement! I will always be busy, but I guess my point is that I see retired people constantly signing up for commitments. They head up a committee, take tons of classes, or make themselves accountable to SOMETHING or SOMEONE, and that accountability fills their day. It's almost like working again. 

You need to be busy, but if you decide to take a day off from quilting, who will care? I want to be busy, but free of deadlines and headaches! And being accountable to others. While I still have responsibilities ...

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who believes that if you fill your retirement with busyness, it's not right! WAIT --- I get it -- it's your retirement, and you can do whatever makes you happy, but why would you want to be filling the days with running around and not have time for spontaneous stuff? Nope --- I will not let that happen to me. 

And I stand corrected, the movie with the book communication is called Interstellar! Thanks for the correction!

Speaking of free time, I sometimes have to double-check my calendar to make ...

Good grief -- I don't think I'm going to have issues completing my 2026 Conquerer goal. Wait -- I didn't say that out loud—I don't want to jinx myself. But it's super easy to fit 10K a day into my schedule. It's the extra 2K per day that I scheduled last year that was challenging. But then I have vacations, and work days, and I won't always be able to get in that many steps. 

I chuckle because yesterday, I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I didn't really want ...

I'm glad I'm not the only one having dreams. I woke up remembering another dream, but it was a pleasant dream. Some of us were sewing, making things, and borrowing stuff from each other - just like at a quilt retreat! It was a fun dream! 

And I'm happy to report that I had a great day yesterday. I did not get everything done that I wanted to, but I made tremendous progress. I completed almost half of the side job, efficiently using the fabric I was given, and effectively using my time. It took just over three ...

Setting the mood for the day! Yesterday didn't start out well as several irritating or unexpected issues arose, and that was before 9 AM! However, I discussed my frustration with one of the groups, and all was OK. I have a Plan B, and that's all that counts! 

Thanks to everyone on that call for listening to me! Sometimes, all you need is someone to listen. I didn't need them to solve the problem; I just needed to vent. 

Good grief—I've been meaning to talk about Dear Jen, but I keep getting caught up with ...

 It's funny how you have an entire day to sew, yet I didn't get much done! How does that work? I was on the phone for two lengthy conversations. I took both calls outside, and neither had issues hearing me. Was it my lucky day? Or are things looking up with my cell phone? 

I've noticed a heron flying overhead several times while walking the dogs. Is it flying to my house? I want to run home to see, but I'm pretty sure that with their large wingspan, it wouldn't feel comfortable coming into our ...

I think we can all agree that quilting benefits our mental well-being. For some, it provides a widespread social network through an in-person guild, classes, online, social media, etc. Many of us have met and maintained long-time friendships through quilting. 

If you moved, what would be the first thing you would do? Well, maybe not the first, but you would check out the local quilt stores, guilds, and sewing groups. 

And yes - I get that there are issues - guilds can be "unfriendly" because people have their cliches, teachers, or store owners may be less than friendly, but for the most ...

It was a busy day, but it was a GOOD day! I decided to get off my butt and start putting some of this stuff away. Some things in Studio B have languished on the tables since September! Seriously? I know better. So I made HUGE leaps and bounds to get things back in order, and you know what? I feel so much better. I can see open spaces. And I'm much calmer and happier. 

Maybe all those quotes are helping me to see the light! 

Since my decision to change the coloring for Dear Jen, I could put ...

So what happened? A LOT! While my situation is pretty tame compared to the mental health issues that others experience, I can see how debilitating it can be. When I get into one of these states, my productivity goes down, I procrastinate, and I almost make myself sick with the weight of the issue on my shoulders. That gets me into those stressful time crunches. Thankfully, I can dig myself out of a hole, but it might take a long time for that to happen. 

I thought it was timely that this was the message on my Yogi Positive Energy ...

Excellent news this morning! Yesterday was the winter solstice, meaning the sun rises a little earlier each day! I also have to be thankful that I live south of where my parents live, so the sun rises earlier than in Saskatchewan!

While I had "stuff" to do yesterday, I took the day off and sewed all day! I'm working on my UFO, which is due tomorrow, but despite having a specific goal, I'm doing something else—the same project but another part. You'll see it after I show it to the group tomorrow. All I can say ...

In Canada, we have a couple of airlines. I've only flown Air Canada (in Canada) throughout the years. While they occasionally do silly things, I've mostly had good service. And now, with my status, I can take three 70-pound suitcases for free. That's important for the job I do. 

But when they do stupid things - it irks me. It's not enough to change to another airline, as I'm sure they all do this and I think it will get worse!

I bought a ticket a couple of weeks ago, and it's the fare class ...

There is nothing to report about progress in the office except that I did deal with a few things sitting on the floor beside my chair. I must get that pile dealt with before I dig into one of the containers on either the filing cabinet or the desk. I'm excited to tackle one, but I had three Zooms yesterday and two today, and there was a wee bit of prep involved. 

All the homework except one email is done, and the two presentations are ready today. Yep -- I'm trying very hard to keep on top of things ...

Well, I will have to put my money where my mouth is because I have a situation that needs to be addressed soon, which involves decluttering. 

Remember I said there were a couple more containers on the floor in the office? They hide behind my recycling and garbage can, so they often get forgotten. 

The junk containers hiding behind the garbage

Three containers full of what?

What's in those bags?

I got rid of more CDs/DVDs yesterday. A few more have made it onto the desk to be looked at this morning, including a new box of 10 CDs that's not even opened. So that will be easy to cope with. Everything fits into one container now, which is good news. I'll just keep whittling those down until I get to the end. You can't imagine how exciting this is! 

I went to spin class yesterday and had a great workout, but I have to say that I got more UP feelings (those endorphins) from tossing ...

You are so smart out there! I should check my stride length to see if that is causing the significant discrepancy in my numbers. I have to do something, as I'm getting close to the end of the year and still need KMs. 

Today, I'm going shopping in my stash! I recently started two new classes: Dear Jen and Spice Market. I LOVE the original colorway for Spice Market, and I have loads of orange and pink fabrics, so when I need to choose, I will just reach into the baskets and pull something out. Although, I may ...